The Delta...

From Ho Chi Minh City, where i must admit, was for a miniscule amount of time (but so be it) I joined a 3 day organised tour doen to the Mekong Delta. The trip, was to include a visit to the floating markets, rice production plants, 2 nights at 2 different towns and a whole lot more.

The bus picked me up early, from the small packpackers just off the main Saigon tourist street. I was in a group of about 16, mostly consisting of families with young kids, and a group of 4 middle aged germans. I soon discovered that this meant absolutely nothing, as once our guide started to explan things, it became clear that in our group of 16 there were 6 different sub groups... the one day guys, the 2 day guys, the guys going to cambodia, those not and so on. But for now the trip was heading in the same direction.

At the first pee stop, as it happens around here, we reboarded the bus and were joined by 2 more. These two had been misplaced in the eary morning due to all the hype and were originally placed on a bus going who knows where. Happy to be on the right trip, we got chatting and it turned out that, snap, they were on the same 3 day trip, as I was, with a slight difference on day two, and the fact that they were heading back to saigon on day 3. Anyway, they were Macarena and Marcelo, a couple from Brazil (He from Brazil, she from Chili) who had been travelling around africa, asia and the likes for the last 8 months. We exchanged some travel adventures and boarded our boat to see the infamous floating market. At this stage it was already 10:40...

The delta trip boat start

The water markets start at the crack of dawn, which meant that all we got to see of th einfamous market were the few die hards who were hoping for just one more sail, or just enjoying a siesta before packing up shop. Anyway, the ambiance was cool, and with imagination you could still see the market. We docked at the tourist station, which, much to the germans dismay, the detailed rice paper and rice candy tour started. It was a typical trip, as all others, but did come with tasty smaples. Rice/cocnut candy tastes like toffee, awesome. Also had a shot of snake and burd death juice... it was on offer and hey, "its good for man, makes you strong!"as any asian will tell you.

Back on the boat, with our stomachs rumbling, we were requested to cycle to lunch. It was an 8 minute cycle... yes 8 minutes, how is that fdr marketing. They justify this as good enough to use as a punch line on their adverts! haha. It was fun though, as after lunch we got to ride around a bit if we so desired. The lunch, was pretty. I shared the elephant ear fish spring rolls with Marcelo and Maca, a fun filled meal! DIY spring rolls.

Lunch for kings

Now the group got scrambled, the 2 days and 3 days seperated. We were to be taken to an island not too far away by boat and then from there catch a bus to Can Tho, the place we would have our furst night at. The highlights for the rest of the day were another take at the garbage like durian, this time actually taking a few pieces, and it really isnt so bad. WOuldnt say good, or nice, it it was... OK.

Durian

We arrived at a small hotel, and all got our rooms. Now having been joined with 2 swedish chefs (Daniel and björn) and 4 Australian students (Alex, Noel, jayden and Courtney) and two french MBA students from China (Ane-lise and Dianne). An awesome group! After a dinner of Cobra and frog legs we headed in the search of a local bar... we found one and made a local delicasy... a punch. Good times all around!

Party in chau doc

Day two in the delta proved a lot more like i expected it to be. We got up early and I enjoyed, together with the two chefs, one of my last Phõ's. We assembled, got into the boat and took to the Can Tho market.

the docs

market

delta

mekong

Rowing on market

mekong delta

water market sales

Melons

So that was day 2. After the market the group scrambled once again and i was sent off with a dutch couple to the town of Chau Doc. Once there it was dark, so made it an early night, to get ready for the last day... the border crossing

Day three, my last day in Vietnam! The day started with a boat trip over to the fish farms of chau doc. Very pretty floating villages and ended with a muslim village, before we headed off to the border. It had been a very quiet boat up until this point. When I got back onto the boat from the muslim minority village, 4 brits had suddenly appeared (Jo, Jo, Stu and kerri). Turned out that they had been travelling through China and Vietnam and were going to Phnom Phenn too. An awesome bunch, we chilled as we watched the last buts of vietnamese country side pass by. We got vto the border flawlessly, and went through after a relaxed lunch.

The cambodian border, down in the delta must be the most chilled out border in the world! Or at least its the most relaxed border I have ever seen. There was a badminton court, music, people sitting around eating and drinking. The only sighn of it being a border was the small sign saying passport checking. We were in cambodia and I liked it already!

The rest of the ride was going well until the engine started squeeling like a hurt anumal, we headed for the east bank, and moored. The technical team got their hands dirty, while we continued to chill as we were, while an untrigued group of village folk gathered around. We ended being towed to the docs, and from there cought an old school and insanely bumpy ride to the capital of cambodia!

the broken down boat

the break down repair attempt with stu and jo chilling

The break down audience