a nice mix kept us from getting bored
by richiecdisc
We were pleasantly surprised on our first day out, when even things that sounded very touristy like visiting candy factories turned out to not only be interesting, but fun as well. Oh, and the candy was cheap and tasty! Interspersed with the lush tropical scenery and local water bound life was a smattering of such small business enterprises running the gamut from rice paper production to fruit orchards. It turned out to be a nice mix of activities that kept us from getting bored, and the group got a chance to intermingle at these little stops too.
Of course, meals were taken in restaurants linked in some way to the travel company but the food was decent and not over-priced. And there were times you could escape even this. We found a fantastic local place in Can Tho, while our tour group went and splurged on rat and snake. They sound odd to Western tastes but are an expensive delicacy there and generally served in such places that are full of tourists who can afford such things. We wound up in a small place that specialized in Bun Thit Nuong, a barbecued pork dish, which had become our favorite on our travels around Vietnam. It was our last chance to have it and we were glad we did. The place was full to bursting with locals and after garnering our fair share of stares, we settled into one of the best meals of the trip. And the prices made us wish we could have spent a few more days there. (continued below in Fondest Memory)
major chew marks
by richiecdisc
Unfortunately, they were priceless to us too and there was no way, we could forgo them. Doreen is nearly blind without them and her spare pair was accidentally left behind when we left six weeks prior from Munich. No, we had to get them back at any price. I tried using my camera strap to get his attention from his prize but with so many handy limbs, he merely switched the glasses to one of his feet as he held onto the strap with his free hands. No matter what we did, he kept the glasses as far from us as possible. It looked like a monkey bite was our only means of salvation as I imagined putting my arm in the cage and grabbing the little bugger but luckily the owner of the restaurant came out to lend a hand. He managed to get a hold of the monkey’s arm and simultaneously snatch the glasses from its feet as the animal shrieked bloody murder. Once the deed was done, you never heard such a wail from a human baby in your life. You might have thought we had killed the smaller monkey from the sound the bigger one was making.
We made our way back to the boat partially laughing but ultimately just relieved from our narrow escape. Doreen noticed some major chew marks on the plastic part of the frame that wraps around her ear. It would be a good reminder to not get so close to monkeys in the future. Who said souvenirs are expensive in Vietnam? Well, at least ones you never bargained for.
Vivir en el Delta-To live in the Delta
by elpariente
Puedes ver como la gente hace la vida a orillas del río .
Lo utilizan para todo, lavarse , bañarse, moverse , pescar....
Al atardecer se acercan todos al río para lavarse y refrescarse a las "puertas" de sus casas
You may see how the people lives ont he river banks
They use it for every thing, to wash, to swim, to move, to transport, to fish....
At dusk the people goes to the river to wash and refresh at the "doors"of their houses
Rice Paper Factory
by Blatherwick
An interesting stop involves a visit to a rice paper factory. Almost all multi-day tours from HCMC include them. They take you through the whole process of making rice paper. It is made from a batter of rice flour, water and salt. The paper is steamed, then dried on bamboo racks.
Floating Markets - Mekong Delta
by sunnywong
Floating Markets - Mekong Delta
Floating markets are held every morning from 5:00 to about 11:00. Phung Hiep market is the biggest since it is located at the intersection of 7 major canals. It is also a photographer's delight because it can be seen above from a bridge. Cai Rang and Phong Dien are two other notable floating markets in the delta. Boats loaded with produce from nearby orchards of the Mekong Delta converge to the floating market. They carry mostly fruits but also coconuts, vegetables and fishes. Buyers are local traders with bigger boats snapping everything by the bushels and resell at local markets or to wholesale dealers from big cities, often for a handsome profit.
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Mekong canal ride
Making coconut candy
Ninh Kieu Quay
fishing boats on river canal near the sea
