This morning we had the choice of going for an early morning walk to the food markets or having a sleep in. It was not surprising that only four students showed up early in the morning with the rest opting for the sleep in. After the walk over the bridge on the way to the markets we found our way to the street soup that Mr Croft, Lauren, Kevin and Mrs McDonald tried. After Mr Croft had tried some our tour guide Chi tried to convince him that it was dog and cat by saying "woof woof, meow meow". However the soup really consisted of raw beef, pork, dumplings, chicken gizzards and pigs blood that only Lauren was game enough to try, although even she was unable to swallow it. We then decided to make our way back to the hotel to have a more appetising Western brekky with everyone else.
The next place we headed off to was the Citadel, this was the former royal residence. There were twelve kings in total, however only eleven lived in Vietnam and the other moved to Paris. The architecture of the Citadel had a Chinese style theme. The Citadel grounds were very large and by the time we hopped back on the bus Miss Thomson noticed that we must have done roughly 5,000 steps despite sleeping in this morning.
Then it was off to lunch where we were not quite sure if we were hungry enough after our big breakfast. Although that did not stop the waiters bringing out course, after course, after course. After reusing our plate many times for the new courses they were finally collected and we couldn't have been more full. Then we were given another plate only to be served more food. Although we must admit the presentation of the dishes was amazing.
Afterwards we set off for Perfume River, where we rode a family's house boat down the river to Thien Mu Pagoda. The boat contained a few different stalls of items where many people took advantage of the convenience of the situation, which pleased the boat owners because we were helping them out. When we arrived Chi taught us of how Vietnamese Monks live and pray. This monastery houses children, some of who have been left at the entrance. At the moment there are 300 children living here, however it has been up to around 700. We walked through the grounds of the Pagoda staring in amazement at how large some of the bonsai trees were.
After experiencing the Perfume River we made our way to a place that made incense sticks, which we were able to have a go at making ourselves and somehow Bobbie and Hayley managed to master it straight away. Then we headed back to the hotel for some free time which some described as "mint". Everyone really enjoyed the cold pool at this hotel rather than the pool at the last hotel that just felt like another day in the raging heat.
Later we made our way to a restaurant for dinner. Once we got there we dressed up as kings and queens for the night, with Josh and Tristyn some how getting to wear the royal crowns. One of our courses were rissoles which looked rather suspicious. After Connor had inspected it very carefully he figured out that inside these rissoles was a full baby duck. The problem was that Mr Croft only heard about this after he had eaten one and following the experiences of the morning I (Tierni) started with "quack quack" much to Mr Croft's disgust and later he remained in denial that it was even a baby duck at all. Shortly after finding this out, the colour washed out of Wayne's face after realising he too had just eaten a baby duck.
We arrived back at the hotel at 8:30pm excited to have an early night for a change. Although we are quite upset to be leaving the amazing hotel we are in at the moment, we are assured that the one in Hoi An is just as nice.
Tierni & Josh
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