Bicycle Tour Through the Countryside and a Ride on a Boat

In the morning Trung and I take a bicycle tour of the Hoi An countryside. We arrive at a vegetable farm and stop to have a chat with some of the farmers.

It’s hard to complain about life back home when you see some of the hardships faced out here. This farmer works harder than most people I’ve seen and stops his work to pose for a photo. He’s very happy despite the hardships he faces and I find myself completely lost for words, not that it would matter since we don’t speak a common language.

All work is done by hand and everyone works, men, women and children, young and old. These farmers make reasonably good sums of money I’m told.

After the vegetable garden, we ride to Vuong’s place for a lunch with his mother (Ba) and younger sister.

Following our lunch, Ba takes Trung and I out on her boat up the river to a beach for a swim.

Some Vietnamese fishermen confidently challenge me to a swimming race. I gladly accept thinking they’re like most Vietnamese when it comes to swimming. I’m mistaken, these guys are quick, really quick and they know it. That makes the defeat that much better, I pound my chest and tell them I’m Australia’s fastest swimmer and show them my victory dance, so much for winning gracefully. The guys take it in good stride and I bid them farewell as they must get back to the waters to fish.

WARNING: Chests in photos appear hairy because they are.

When we arrive back at Hai’s place (conveniently situated opposite my hotel), the family invite me for dinner and I have another meal of fish and rice. Hoi An hospitality is amazing.

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