Lack of sleep wasn’t going to hold us down today! Everyone was a little tired, but enjoyed a great breakfast at the hotel and loaded on the bus ready for a day of fun, food, and friends.

The first stop on our agenda was just a short walk away. Our hotel is conveniently located right next to the boat pick-up spot, so just a quick walk down the road and our floating chariot was already in sight. The boat tour took about three hours during which we got to board a fishing boat with some of the locals and try their net fishing technique, go on a basket-boat cruise through the winding river, watch the tour guides put on a fabulous and unique performance of the timeless classic known as Gangnam Style, reel in a 700kg “big net” to catch some more fish and even a mud crab, and enjoy a fantastic Vietnamese meal prepared by the one and only Captain Cook.

We are all now expert fishermen and fisherwomen as well as much better dancers after taking notes from the very talented and silly boat tour crew. The crew also made us some origami hats, rings, glasses, and even moustaches out of palm leaves (they were quite the entertainers).

Upon conclusion of our boat tour, it was time to check out Hoi An Old Town. Souvenirs flew off the shelves as the TIS crew satisfied their urge to shop (and show off their bartering skills) and tasty snacks were snapped up by the students who somehow still had an appetite even after eating their weight in Vietnamese food.

Finally, it was time to cap the day off with our authentic Vietnamese cooking class! We gathered in the massive room while our talented instructor walked us through how to marinate delicious chicken satay, fried spring rolls, and papaya salad. We were all able to add our own spices and sauces to the chicken to personalise the flavour and got a crash course on spring roll making.

We then gathered in the restaurant below for a seven course meal including the dishes we prepared ourselves, and a few other delicious dishes prepared by the kitchen – including the surprisingly amazing lemon grass ice cream! Don’t worry parents, your son/daughter was given a cook book so they wont forget how to make this tasty meal for you at home!

I think it is fair to say that our first full day of experience week was a resounding success and we have a bunch of happy grade sevens! It is early to bed tonight as we have a busy day of sight seeing, eating more great food, and an exciting “amazing race” lined up for tomorrow! Stay tuned for more of the grade seven team’s Vietnam adventures!