Longan Homestay, Hoi An, Day 5

Finally we are going to learn how to cook some of the dishes we are eating out here. It's raining again and there's a nervous few minutes stood outside wondering if the taxi was coming. eventually we find Trang, who gets us in the back of a taxi and takes us to the market. It's hectic, crazy, smelly, and really good fun. Trang works her way from stall to stall telling us everything she is buying and showing us how it's done out here. The meat section is pretty grim, with pig legs and snouts in full show, but eventually the rain stops and we head onto a boat for the journey to the cooking centre.
It's a quick ride and before we know it we're into another taxi for round five minutes before getting into some rowing boats for the final leg of the journey. We drift down the river and watch the ducks that seem to be putting on a show for us. Finally, we reach the cooking school which is already set up for us to go.
First off, we get the Pho ready for the two hours of boiling the broth needs. After that we get down to the nitty gritty. First up fresh rolls, which seem pretty easy, and come out looking good. Our confidence is high as we head into the crispy pancakes. Again, they come out well, despite my hob being pretty weak. We both manage to flip them twice with no disaster and they taste amazing!
The two starters were the easy bit we soon learn, as we are showed the beef salad (fish for Amy). The first bit is pretty easy, assembling salad into a pattern, but after that it's all frying and fire. Unfortunately (maybe) my fire doesn't rise out of the pan as I jump the gun and the oil isn't hot enough. Again though, the final product looks and tastes delicious. Finally we get to eat the Pho which as all Pho does out here, tastes delicious. We're then sent home in a minivan with a lot more knowledge on cooking Vietnamese dishes then we had when we were stood in the rain waiting for Trang this morning.
After chilling out for a few hours, we head into th old town for the lantern festival. Apparently, once a month (on the full moon) most of the lights in the town are turned off and only some lanterns remain. It's strange at first, and very beautiful, but the novelty soon wears off. I think it is more for the Vietnamese who find it a very religious time. After a few beers we're ready to get some food and go back.
We stop in a restaurant, mostly because a huge traffic jam (first we've seen) is blocking most of the road and path. There must be a hundred mopeds battling for room to turn round. I guess something to do with the festival has bought them all here, but most go home disappointed. The restaurant we eat in is family run and one of not many open (again, we guess due to the festival) but the food is good and we go home happy, ready for a beach day tomorrow.Leggi altro