More Heaven

Today automatic watering systems are used on larger plots. Smaller plots use the old fashioned method. We all had a go and it was not easy. 

Watermelon are grown on raised platforms so other plants can be grown underneath. Many other fruits are grown - jackfruit, pomelos, cumquats, etc

A 76 year old woman was working in the plot. Her daily routine: up at 3 am, to the market with produce for 6, sell until 11, return home to work the plot, take more produce to the market stall at 3, home by 8. She does this every day except Vietnam’s New Years Day (called Tet) and the following day. So 363 days each year. 

We cycled on to a family residence and had fun in round boats. Reminded me of the coracles that the Irish monks used. There is some evidence that they sailed them to Newfoundland before the Vikings. As ocean fishing families here had more children, the boats became longer because the whole family including babies were on board. When seas were rough, the boats could capsize or rough surf would slam them onshore and damage the boat and often the family members. So they built round boats which rode the waves easily and when slammed on shore, held together. Today’s round boats are built of bamboo, as wooden boats are taxed. They are waterproofed with a mixture of dung and tree sap. 

Maddie and Alice got dizzy as their “captain” could spin the SS Merry go Round like a dervish!

We caught a few crabs, and watched a fisherman’s skill at casting a weighted net and haul in a catch of crabs and snails. 

We made crepes with rice and coconut milks, turmeric and chives, then added various tidbits - bananas, bacon, shrimp, pork, greens. Then rolled them with rice paper. We had to make our own rice milk and also our own crepes. Sorry for the out of sequence pics. 

We finished off with a delicious drink of basil seed, cumquat and lime juice. Our guide told us the basil seed was frog eggs. 

A 25 minute ride back to the hotel in pouring rain, but 4 very drenched but happy and culturally wiser Occidentals.

It’s 12 degrees and still raining here. Totally unexpected. Hanoi was a high of 8 today. Should be mid 20’s. nobody brought winter clothes.