Hoi An

Hoi An is a town everyone visits. And with good reason.

It was polished, manicured, and sliiiightly more touristy than other Vietnamese cities. Tiny twinkling lights lined the streets and visitors biked leisurely down narrow lanes. The food was delicious; the people looked happy. If Disney World got to design a Vietnamese town, it would look like Hoi An. It was that cute.

On the first day, we strolled through a local market known for excellent fish, meat, and produce. Small red fish, shellfish, and scallops were piled onto colorful metal platters.

And there were noods. Lots of noods.

(noods is code for noodles, obvs)

 We spotted crabs, whose claws were tied up with long pieces of grass. Some were secured with rope or strips of t-shirts. Not your usual rubber bands.

Also, how adorable was our guide? He very gamely held the slimy crabs so I could snap a photo. And no, the headband and face tattoos are not his usual uniform.

He’s cheesing from cheek to cheek because the Vietnamese national soccer team just won!!! Everyone was super excited, from grown men to little grannies. I saw more than one granny start dancing through the market, boogying back and forth to the national anthem.

Even this toddler was decked out in red and yellow.

Later that day, our tour group went for a bike ride. It was absolutely pouring. But we threw on some oh-so-fashionable plastic rain ponchos and ventured into the storm. I pulled the poncho strings down and tied the strings in a neat little bow so only the moon of my face poked out. What can I say? I’m a fashionista.

Thanks to the torrential downpour, all the plants were green green green. It was gorgeous!

We started to bike to a nearby farm. Along the way we met a cow.

And saw a farmer, tending to a rice field.

And raced down this rainy lane at top speed.

 Finally, we arrived at a local farm that supplies several restaurants in Hoi An. We strolled past the neat rows of herbs and salad greens.

And watched how they plant, grow, and harvest their tasty veggies.

An employee showed us how he prepares the soil beds for planting.

He even let me hold the big watering cans, eek!

We even planted some plantlings!

Although, judging by our (woefully wobbly) lines, none of us are becoming farmers anytime soon😂

We ended our biking expedition by strolling through the farm’s rows of vibrant, bright greens.