Friday, 10 February 2023 -
We began the day visiting a bamboo craftsman studio.
There was a stand of bamboo surrounding the studio along
with swampy soil.
A man was burying bamboo in the swamp mud - they leave the bamboo in the swamp
for 4-6 months then starch and sugar will be turned into acids lowering the attractiveness of the wood to
insects.
Then we were invited to create our own sculpture - Virginia Ann chose a mouse as our project.
Cal
working on his mouse.
Virginia Ann works on her mouse.
Our finished bamboo animals - two little rats.
An odd sight as we were walking through a small fishing village. Paper masks being dried after washing.
Boats of all sizes had eyes - we will see many more on the various river trips we take.
According to
folk belief, the inhabitants of riverine regions treat their boats as "spiritual creatures," animals with souls.
Therefore, they believe that boats, just like animals, need to have eyes.
A fishing boat colorfully painted.
We boarded small round boats which seemed impossible to maneuver but the guide moved the boat very easily.
Not a lot of room in the little boat - the boat pilot, our Vietnamese guide, Cal and Virginia Ann.
The hu Bồn River shore meeting the jungle - mostly bamboo.
A woman feeling around the banks of the river for clams.
Rice fields with the city in the background.
We visited a farm where they grew produce organically.
There are many expats in Hội An - right next to the organic farm was a residence with a name plate
indicating that they were Australian.
An Australian pup watches the photographer.
A cow being moved along a small street.
Hội An had many clothing shops and bespoke tailors. Yaly is one which Virginia Ann entered and walked away
with an order for a custom pair of pants and two blouses. They would be ready the next day.
We had lunch in Morning Glory Original - which was delicious. Virginia Ann had a whole fish!!!
Small shrine along the street.
Walking along a street in Hội An.
Cao Dai Temple of Hội An is a Caodaism place of worship. Caodaism is the third-largest religion of Vietnam
founded in 1926. The religion unites the big religions in one faith: Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and elements
from Islam and Christianity. The Cao Dai believe in unity, harmony, and peace.
Like the religion, the
Cao Dai temples are an eclectic mix of colors and elements. Yellow stands for Buddhism, blue stands for Taoism,
and red stands for Christianity. On the front, there are many paintings from various religions. From Confucius to
Jesus and Buddha.
A dog riding on a moped. You see everything on a moped.
In the evening we took another small round boat to dinner - which was on a bamboo platform in the middle of the
small river inlet. We had several courses cooked and served on the floating platform.
A rice field along the path to the taxi.
We rode back to the hotel and slept very well after a long
day.