Signing up for touristy trips is not really my cup of tea, but I decided that I would do the 'Mekong Delta' with a group from the school. I was not overly excited to get up a 5:30am on a Saturday - although it was a bit of a sleep in from my regular 4:45-5:00 range during the week. After convincing myself that I would be fine once I got going, I went.
It was a bouncy bus ride and our tour guide was an ex-US army person who decided that yelling was the best way to communicate (of course this tends to be a theme when language barriers exist...If they don't understand just say it louder and slower and if they still don't understand say it even louder...) Anyway, I was not really excited that my day was starting off with Drill Sergeant McGee yelling on this bumpy bus. It did not get worse, but then again it did not get better...
The Mekong Delta is called the rice basket of Vietnam because most of the rice for the region is grown there. I had envisioned seeing many rice fields with workers, a bit of history perhaps, but it didn't really turn out that way (note to self, have no expectations and you will not be let down). Anyway, it was a nice day, not too hot and not too cold thus, despite the loud guide, it would be fine.
The Mekong Delta is called the rice basket of Vietnam because most of the rice for the region is grown there. I had envisioned seeing many rice fields with workers, a bit of history perhaps, but it didn't really turn out that way (note to self, have no expectations and you will not be let down). Anyway, it was a nice day, not too hot and not too cold thus, despite the loud guide, it would be fine.
We set off on our boat tour to our first island where we were served local fruit in a covered eating area and were serenaded by local folk musicians at which point I decided that there is hope for me as a music instructor here in Vietnam. After the music was over we were shuttled back into the boat to go to our next destination, another island where they make coconut products. I must say that I was impressed by the coconut factory which consisted of three ladies, a grinder, and a fire pit with three pots...Holy crap were these women fast. The woman that was wrapping the candy deserved a metal of some sort for being capable of continuously covering coconut candy in a crazy fast way. I was impressed. After witnessing what I am guessing is close to slave labor, we were able to purchase candy or soap (hmm...) and were scuttled over to have tea with local honey and were offered, potentially, some of the strongest rice wine ever produced on the face of the planet (think nail polish remover in a shot glass).
What next... ah yes, off to see a water buffalo and to have lunch. The boat took us to the last island we were going to visit for the day and we were assured that we were going to love it. I am not so sure what might make someone get excited about seeing a water buffalo that has been tied by a giant rope through its nose, in a clearly un-humane fashion, to a small tree but... it takes all kinds to make the world go round. Much to my horror the poor water buffalo was there for our viewing pleasure. Lunch was not all it was cracked up to be either which was a bit of a surprise because short of the fermented shrimp incident...oh yeah, and the pig head...must write about that later... the food has been very good. Needless to say when it was time to go, I was not upset. I was glad to be back on a boat heading for home. But the story does not end there...
About half way home we were stopped by the police who informed the driver of the boat we weren't allowed to pass quite yet because a Hydro line had fallen into the river. Hmm... that sounds like a bad combination...Hydro and water. I think I will just do as I am told at this point. Anyway, this is actually where my day got better, believe it or not. Because we were stranded in a boat and were given a timeline of approximately and hour and a half to wait, our boat guide decided he would take us to a local market and let us wander at our leisure. Exactly what the doctor ordered for the tacky tourist weary traveler. I had had enough of being shuttled around and was more than happy to become like a zoo attraction in this market. Krista and I went on our own and just wandered. I kind of felt like the Pied piper because children just started following us around. It didn't take long before people were bringing their children to see us. Children on bicycles were creeping out of the woodwork. It was kind of funny. Nothing beats a shy hello and peels of laughter from a Vietnamese child after a day of silly souvenir shops.
About half way home we were stopped by the police who informed the driver of the boat we weren't allowed to pass quite yet because a Hydro line had fallen into the river. Hmm... that sounds like a bad combination...Hydro and water. I think I will just do as I am told at this point. Anyway, this is actually where my day got better, believe it or not. Because we were stranded in a boat and were given a timeline of approximately and hour and a half to wait, our boat guide decided he would take us to a local market and let us wander at our leisure. Exactly what the doctor ordered for the tacky tourist weary traveler. I had had enough of being shuttled around and was more than happy to become like a zoo attraction in this market. Krista and I went on our own and just wandered. I kind of felt like the Pied piper because children just started following us around. It didn't take long before people were bringing their children to see us. Children on bicycles were creeping out of the woodwork. It was kind of funny. Nothing beats a shy hello and peels of laughter from a Vietnamese child after a day of silly souvenir shops.
Unfortunately our market visit was cut short. Aparently getting a Hydro wire out of a river doesn't take that long after all, who knew? The rest of the day was pretty uneventful (unless you count that some weeds got stuck in the propeller of the boat and one of the people that was helping to run the show just stripped down and jumped in the water to solve the problem...).
We made it back to HCMC with out getting electrocuted and Krista and I made it to our costume party on time :) (and that is another story too...)
Hmmm Hydro and water does not sound like the great combo but at least you got some freedom out of it.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics. Can't wait to see more.
So how much rice wine did you have?
Lindsay
Stay safe.
Our first day of school came and went like it usually does. Lot of hype and nerves but always ends up the same.