BACK ON THE TOURIST TRAIL–BY BIKE

A couple of bitty posts (all posted at same time as been on train and junk for 2 nights so no chance for wifi) to fill my time and now back to the serious stuff of seeing Vietnam. 

We took a boat over the river at Hoi An and biked around a country village among the paddy fields and river, stopping a various local houses (not tourist set ups) to see them at work and how they lived

Hoi An’s attractive river front with fishing and tourist boats and the one we took.

Riding along the river and through the paddy fields













Making noodles – squeeze rice, keeping husks for animals or fuel, cook into flat pancake on griddle, cut pancake into strips either by hand or machine (or dry in sun to make wrapping for spring rolls)






Not picking rice yet but redistributing crowded plants to empty areas or giving to your neighbours.












Egrets everywhere we go – lots of different types that eat the snails and other bugs that harm the rice.

This was the back room of one house – cooking and washing in outhouse – note toothbrushes above blue bin.  Washing up outside outhouse




Weaving traditional mattresses, from bamboo, that are still used in rural areas – these samples were on sale for tourists as well but they make 2 mattresses a day for a few dollars as their main source of income.






This 87 year old was still making coracles from bamboo weaving, then spreads with water bullalo manure, lets it dry and then covers with resin.  His children have not followed his tradition and are in the city – an age old problem for losing the ancient skills.  The young are all attracted to the towns – but is it any different to Cumbria kids who have to move to London or the cities for the jobs?  Just a few generations difference as 3rd world chases 1st world – hopefully the artisans will survive enough until the next generations discover what they have lost – our own country crafts have had their own nostalgic revival eventually.   But when you have no income, cities are very attractive.