A Day On An Island

Right now we are in a Unesco World Heritage town about halfway up the coast of Vietnam. The other day we were on the waterfront and noticed what looked like a local 'ferry', which was just a larger, flatter wooden boat full of motorcycles and people. In Vietnam it seems difficult to get to small places by yourself if you don't rent a motorbike and also places are restricted by the government. We decided to rent bicycles and go on the ferry to see where it went.
First of all because it was for locals it was dead cheap. We loaded on and off we went. The ferry took us to an amazing island. It may be a group of islands joined by bridges, we couldn't really tell. We had one of our best days in Vietnam!
The island was full of small villages and little lanes and emerald rice paddies. Everywhere we went people called out to us, waving and smiling. We got lost and found ourselves a million times.
Our first stop was to cool our feet in a flowing irrigation canal. An hour or so later we thought we should get out of the sun for a while so we stopped at a small pool hall refreshment place. The whole neighbourhood came to see us while we drank our warm coke and beer. I had some coconut candy in my bag which we shared with them all and I even got to hold the fat baby!
After awhile it was time to head on. We wandered down lanes and along the shore and through the gardens on small paths. I was sure I would fall off the bike on the small paths right into the canal.
The next time we stopped was for a bite to eat at a noodle shop. It was traditionall 'Pho' which is a broth with rice noodles and the rest you add yourself. Fresh basil, coriander, bean sprouts and parsley. Lime, chillis and pickled ginger. Soup never tasted so good! A woman and her daughter ran the place and they loved it when we took their picture.
Next we went down some small lanes and where we were swarmed by some laughing children who were absolutely delighted when we took their pictures while they monkied around. The three little girls were irresistable!
We then rode to the other side of the island and were thrilled to find the bamboo bridge and lots of the boats made like baskets. We only saw one in the water but we saw lots leaning against fences to dry. We even found a home where they were being made. All of the houses had vegetable gardens taking up much of their yards and all the plants were in a million shades of green. All the homes had a frame made about my height which they grew their vine veggies on. I took a lot of pictures of those including pumpkins, squash, zucchinis and several kinks of cukes.
We wound our way back to the ferry just before sunset, happy, tired and exhilirated at the same time. Maybe a little sunburned too.
I included the picture of the sign because every now and then you see something that reminds you that you are in a communist country. This sign was the first thing we saw when we got off the boat at the island. I don't have a clue what it says.