What, a pearl?

This morning I woke before my alarm to the sounds of fisherman on little junk boats.

After breakfast on pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs, syrup and fruit we headed off on a day boat towards Cat Ba Island to do some kayaking and swimming.

I wasn't overly impressed with the day boat - riddled with ants and the crew didn't have much comprehension of safety - they were not keen on giving us life jackets to go kayaking and had to ask a number of times.

I was really keen to go kayaking but with odd numbers I figured the guide would likely put me with him. No such luck, after speeding off before half us could even get in a kayak, I was told I would have to go in a double kayak on my own. I headed out but with only one paddler I soon lost sight of the rest of the group so decided to turn back before I got lost.

Returning to the boat I was just in time to catch those who had been left behind (Bill, Barb, Glenda and Matt) getting on a bamboo boat to be rowed area that the others were kayaking so joined them. In hindsight I would have been pretty fine on my own but nevermind.

After lunch of various seafood, chips and salad we did some more swimming in the sea and then headed to a fishing village and pearl farm.

At the pearl farm, they showed us how the cultured pearls are made and we even got to open an oyster to see if it had a pearl inside. Only 30% of the oysters actually contain pearls when it comes to harvest. The remainder either die or the mother of pearl starter bead falls out.

After returning to the big boat I had a shower then sat up on the top deck reading until it was time for our cooking class. This time we made fresh spring rolls from pre-cooked / fresh ingredients and got to enjoy these during happy hour!

Dinner was similar to the previous night except we also had fish drumsticks - made from fish paste wrapped round a lemongrass stick. Very tasty!!

I wasn't feeling too great so headed to bed early and read for a little while before dozing off.