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Again the due arrival time of the train didn't mean anything as it arrived at 4 30. Luckily we were more prepared as we were woken up by the tannoy - we didn't understand a word of it but guessed that we were arriving shortly. We got a bus to the hotel and unsurprisingly our rooms weren't ready so I went to the roof terrace, grabbed a sun lounger and went to sleep by the pool for a few hours.

Once our rooms were sorted and we'd all showered Tim took us on a walking tour. Pretty much everything here is tailors with a few restaurants in between. He took us too what he considers the best tailors first where all us girls indulged oursleves. I got measured up for two dresses - one made of silk and one of cotton and was asked to come back that evening for my first fitting.

We then went for breakfast which was more like lunch as it was 11am to a restaurant called Balle Well. It was great. The restaurant owner was so funny. You had to make you own spring rolls with rice paper, salad leaves, vegetable strips, pork and chicken skewers and shrimp. The owner liked to do everything for you though - literally. She would make your roll for you, put chilli in your peanut dip - even if you didn't want you. Feed you, put your drink to your mouth and wipe your face whilst teaching you Vietnamese and getting everyone to cheers every few minutes (moat, high, baa, yo! which is 1, 2, 3 cheers!). Once you were full, and you had to tell her in Vietnamese you were full otherwise she would continue to feed you, we made our way back to the hotel.

I decided I wanted more clothes made so I went to a street tailor where the clothes are cheaper, not so nice material or as well finished but still look great. I got measured for a silk floor length dress and two tops. Then I went back to the hotel and chilled by the pool and had a swim as it was way too hot to cycle to the beach.

Soon it was time for my first fitting. The silk dress wasn't ready - I had to go back an hour and a half later but the cotton one was great. We decided what needed to be altered and then I went to the second tailors. Lea and Marta came with me and while they chose some items to be made I did a little catwalk show! Everything was great and the floor length dress is stunning. While I was there I also got measured for two skirts and a traditional Vietnamese tunic. Earlier I had been worried that I had already spent 2million dong so I went to check my account balance. When I saw that I had 26million dong I thought I would let myself off! Its still so confusing to get used to the high numbers! Here the rate is about 18000 dong to the dollar. After this I trundled back to the first tailors. The silk dress was amazing and I kept it on to wear to dinner.

We went to Morning Glory restaurant where I had rose dumplings to start and barbecued pork with noodle salad for a main. We then went for a drink at the bar opposite and after one non-alcoholic cocktail I decided I was too tired and headed back for an early night. I thought it was about 9pm but it was actually 11 15 so early but not that early!

Today I had a little lie in and then went for a walk before going to the restaurant where we were meeting for our cooking class. The guide first of all took as around the local market, showing us all the different fruits, vegetables, spices and sauces and what they are used for. We then got on a local boat and had about a twenty minute tide to a place called Redbridge where the class was held. We were given a little tour around the herb garden and then went to the outdoor bamboo hut kitchen. The chef was very funny, aswell as mastering English, he also seemed to have mastered British sarcasm. We learnt how to make rice paper, spring rolls, Hoi An pancakes and a kind of Vietnamese ratatouie. We also have the recipes for a few other dishes and sauces. We also learnt how to make a fan out of cucumber and a rose out of a tomato. We got to eat everything so again we were all stuffed afterwards.

Once we got back off the boat I had to go and pick up the rest of my clothes from the street tailor. However it started to hammer down with thunder and lightning thrown in so I took some shelter in a restaurant and had an Irish coffee. The rain eased up a little so I decided to go for it. The woman at the tailors is great. It is right by the hotel and everytime I walked past she shouted me over to talk to me. I think she was grateful for my business and for bringing my friends along as there is a lot of competition. She and her friend were really interested in my gortex jacket so I explained to them how the material worked. They were amazed! Again the clothes she made for me were great and fitted perfect.

I've just managed to fit everything in my rucksack and we are going for dinner in about half an hour. We are going to a place that does amazing desserts. I have eaten so much in the last two days that I might just have dessert. It will be the first time I've had one since I've been away. Anyway speak to you later and enjoy your lunch while I enjoy dinner! Oh yeah it's still raining :) xxx

Hello everyone! First things first - we have not been on a glass bottom boat - everyone is alive and well!

Ok so last time I wrote in here I was just going to dinner and despite having eaten so much I ended up having a three course meal and a major cheese fix! I think I was craving Western food so I had camembert bruschetta to start, margarita pizza and then a mango cheesecake. After that we went to join the group that's a day behind us for drinks - I stuck to non-alcoholic cocktails for a change!
xxx

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