Cai Be (12/31/2012)

Still Monday, December 31, 2012
Our 14:30 excursion found us once again floating along in a water bus. It was not a very busy day for the floating market in Cai Be.
It is like a floating wholesale market, and cargo boats place their product on a pole to show what is for sale.
This boat has jicamas:

A marine gas station:

Boy trying to fly a kite:

The machine shop for engine repairs:

TV antennas:

The tapioca/cassava vendor is asleep on the job:

Bananas:

This gas station owner has done well enough to build a new house:

We stopped to visit a candy manufacturer. First we saw how puffed rice is made.
Oiled rice kernels are put in a bowl of heated sand to pop or puff:

KSS

Then it is sifted to get out the sand and rice husks:

KSS

Some puffed rice with unpuffed rice in it:

Next we saw mass rice krispie treat production.
They first heat a mixture of oil, shredded coconut, and palm sugar:

Here they tossed in some puffed rice with peanuts:

Two guys did the mixing dance, scooping with their sticks as they circled around the bowl:

Roll out the mixture:

And cut into squares to be packaged.
Now, to see coconut caramels in the making.
Grating the coconut meat:

Put the shredded coconut in a fabric bag and press out the oil/juice:

Heat to caramelize:

Press out into forms:

Cut into cubes and package:

There was also a rice wine still:

Snake wine samples were given out:

Wait, there's more! Making rice paper.
Pour a reduction of rice onto a piece of taut fabric over heat and spread until thin:

Steam for about 10 seconds, then carefully remove:

Robbie takes a turn:

Drying rice paper:

These are cut into small squares to wrap the caramels, and they can be eaten.
A Luffa aegyptiaca/Luffa Sponge Gourd:

A photo op with Susan and Harvey and a python (the latter lives in the rice fields):

We were able to sample goodies:

There were also souvenirs for sale, such as cobra and scorpion wine:

Lacquerware:

When all the shopping was done, we returned to the RV Indochina by water bus.

At our Farewell Cocktail Party, we had a performance of traditional Vietnamese music.
Instruments showcased were the dan nhi/2-string fishhook violin:

KSS

The dan nguyet/moon-shaped 2-string lute:

KSS

The Vietnamized 5-string guitar with scalloped fretboard:

KSS

And the dan bau/Vietnamese monochord:

KSS

KSS

After a Farewell Dinner, we had sort of a New Year's Party where we were to wear our decorated conical hats:

KSS

There were some contests and we participated in one where a couple had to stand on a decreasingly smaller piece of paper without hanging over the edges. We outlasted the others, but upon trying the final smallest size, we keeled over and fell on the floor. Fortunately, I went backwards and had a soft landing, so all was well. They gave us the prize (a book about the Pandaw ships) anyway!
Tomorrow, Ho Chi Minh City 1 Orientation.