Basket Boat Races and Buffalo Rides

After a busy few days, we had a full day of downtime. Well, not exactly...the OT students went to serve some elderly, homeless folks, but we decided to sleep in and catch up on some much needed rest. We spent the entire day swimming at various pools throughout the resort. We kept trying different ones thinking they might be cooler and more refreshing. But they all felt like bath water! It was still better than being outside in the 100+ heat!

We sat in these round woven chairs, enjoying the view, and trying to cool off since there was a slight breeze next to the river. 

In the afternoon, I had found a local tour to go on so we set off with Liana and Georgia to learn some more about the Vietnamese culture. 

Our tour guide, Sinh, was fantastic. He had a great sense of humor and spoke English very well! He took us to a fishing village and showed us the place where they repair boats. He pointed out that the boats all have eyes on them to scare the crocodiles away. And also to guide the sailors home at night when they are too drunk to navigate. 

Next we watched four Vietnamese characters show us their skills on the basket boats. They rocked and spun the boats and looked like they would tip over! Then they danced Gagnam Style for us while standing on the boat bench! Then we all climbed into a boat with one of the guides and they taught us how to paddle it. It was pretty hard!

We had a race and Liana won, but her guide was helping her, I got stuck behind a boat tied to shore, and Georgia spun around in circles the whole time. My mom was the only one who did it on her own so she technically won. Her guide told her she had "muscles like buffalo". We weren't sure if that was a compliment!

Shannon now: see me winning the race? Liana is actually in front of me, but I claimed the win because my guide didn't give me any help!!! (Other than holding on to me so I didn't fall off!)

After the race, we boated to a restaurant a little way down the bay. My boat friend made me a hat and ring out of coconut palms. I joked that he made me the gifts so he could get a break from rowing because I rowed while he created the hat and ring! The picture of my decorations must be on someone else's camera because I don't have it. I looked like a unicorn! I ate shrimp spring rolls and was very proud of myself for not complaining about eating seafood! I might even say they were pretty good!

Buffalo rides were up next! A local farmer walked across the path, bringing us his water buffalo to ride on. As we were walking to meet him, my tour guide and I had a very important discussion. He was trying to learn the difference between poo, dung and sh**. I hope I explained the difference well enough because I think he may have stopped to take notes after my description! 

Our water buffalo friend, Binh, was very calm and well behaved and we all took turns riding on her. It felt strange because you could feel her spine underneath you and her hide shifted left and right making you feel like you could fall off! But it was very fun! ...and only slightly scary!

Sinh, Alisia, and I while we were waiting our turn to ride. 

I am so glad we booked this trip because it was definitely a memorable experience and it was fun to talk to Vietnamese natives and hear their stories.