Water Water Everywhere
Trip Start
Sep 30, 2005
1
41
82
Trip End
Sep 01, 2006
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Mekong Delta,
Vietnam
Friday, February 10, 2006
The last two days we have been to the Mekong Delta on an organised tour. The Delta is beautiful, lots of salamander filled mud banks, winding canals, palm trees and heaps of small boats. On the first day after a long journey accompanied by useful facts and figures about Vietnem from our helpful guide we arrive at the water. There are hundreds of shanty type houses on stilts all along the water offering glimpses of daily life, the most amusing was the occasional 'flush' from underneath which gives some idea as to why the water's so brown! Along the river we stopped at a fruit and fish market which was hectic and busy with an assortment of weird and wonderful things. Had some time to buy some mangos, try some very naughty baked banana cake with condensed milk, take a few pics before getting into the boat again. Feeling a little sick from cake on the boat we then headed to a coconut sweet factory, great apart from the dead rats and sticky goo everywhere, still we bought some (delicious) and tasted the banana whiskey(again yum). At the factory whilst surrounded by bees we tried the honey tea and listened to the strange but beautiful Vietnamese singing (must be so difficult to sing in a language where tone denotes the meaning).
We then transferred to a tiny water level boat wearing compulsory pointy hats (still too small for Danny's head) and drifted through the winding overgrown canals back to the boat, stunning.
01. The Mekong Delta
On the ferry across the river we saw these little kids who obviously spent all day begging on the ferries crossing back and forth, as the time between ferries was so short you could see them scurrying along and only just making it between the barriers (definitely health and safety issues).Last night dinner overlooking the Mekong followed by a few beers (it's ok if under budget for the day) at up at 6am for day 2.
Early the second day we went to one of the floating markets, this was amazing. There were both sellers (indicated by their particular fruit or veg suspended from high poles) and buyers doing loads of business all on boats. The smaller boats wiz (with great speed)in and out of the larger boats and after a purchase is made huge numbers of the fruit or veg are transferred from boat to boat. There were also a few tourist boats amongst it all, some tourists were sitting inside wearing life jackets while others were without balancing on the boat roof taking pictures!
We also went to a rice paper factory which doubles as a pig farm, very interesting especially when the workers used their arm (all the way up to shoulder) to stir the mix, i'm sure the sweat and fingernail contents adds that little bit extra to the flavour! To get back to the boat we risked getting very muddy going across the 'Monkey Bridge' which is constructed of branches and bamboo, fun if not a little dangerous. Went to a rice factory before heading back, again interesting but the best bit was definitely the little stall selling coconut pancakes outside (the guy was making a killing).
So tour over and both Danny and I felt a bit like we were cattle being herded from place to place, seeing the same faces of tourist doing similar tours, so possible the last tour for a while. It did however mean we could do the Mekong in 2 days and see things we probable wouldn't have as well as meet some cool people (see you Oz Jon and Cheral!) and not bad for about 10 quid either so we'll see.
So back in Saigon, great food, a million peds and where mobiles ring constantly, the favourite being the Lambada ringtone closely followed by happy birthday! Next stop Dalat.......
ps. Apologies for loads of pics and vids (especially one with me singing) but Internet here is too fast to waste! Also check out the picture of smallest banana in the world which Danny got for lunch, maybe they new he hates them!
Comments
The beard is good
I´m fine thanks mate and by the way, that is some crackin beardage!
who's that guy?
Hey Danny,whats with the beard? The photo's are fab you guys must be having so much fun.I hope you have managed to be bring me back Lara Croft from those temples in cambodia? All the best Sam in Cambridge
Peter Dutton
Just to let you know Peter has had heart attack but is now OK. We have a new store manager and new deputy so it is all change. See ya buddy. Sam
cool pictures
hi,
i came by your blog accidently and wanna say that i really like your pictures and enjoy what you are writing about vietnam (or wrote about vietnam in february). cool, cool, cool. rock on!
greetings,
sebastian