Mekong Delta Tuesday 16th Oct

The hotel for last night was the Golf Can Tho. It was quite luxurious. Especially compared to the conditions that most of the 22 million who live in the Mekong Delta. Mind you, the Delta covers a massive area. Can Tho has about 1 million residents. It was a bustling night market area with plenty of sellers but not many tourists about. It is still the low season.
The morning saw the guys feeling better, but not perfect. Shelley and I got through the night okay, but a little unsettled. Between the 6 of us, we didn't make much of a dent in the massive buffet breakfast. There is hardly another sole in the hotel!
The tide has subsided and we head off for another boat ride to the floating markets. The river is alive early in the morning with boats selling their fruit and vegies. It is a fascinating sight. Their produce is advertised by hanging an item high on a pole from the rear of their boat. Lots of pineapples, watermelons, dragonfruit, pumpkins and sweet potato. Mind you, we haven't had any of the latter ( and they are my favorites). There are even floating "cafes" coming up to the boats. We passed on that.
On our return to the bus, we stopped at a rice processing plant (if you could call it that - still basic traditional methods). A stroll through the village along the river back to the bus. God, it is hot and only 10.30am. Real estate agents say that location is everything, but riverside frontage on the Mekong is probably not quite the easy sale that it would be in AUS. However, the locals don't know any different and they seem contented with life.
A long bus ride back to HCMC. Some of the roads rival those in QLD. Once again, we are amazed by the motorbikes everywhere. It is their main transport. Horns constantly tooting. That must be the first part that needs replacing. It certainly isn't their indicators!
We had a couple of hours to spare in HCMC before our delivery to the airport. Had a pleasant late lunch while it poured outside. It is funny to watch all the locals on their scooters as it is about to rain. They pull over, put on the poncho and away they go. The poncho goes over the handle bars and over a passenger or two if they don't have their own. The most we have seen on a motorbike is 4. Usually families. One little one in front of the driver and a smaller one in between mum and dad.
Flight to Nha Trang left on time at 7.15. About 50 mins but 1/2 hour bus ride to hotel. Beautiful Novotel hotel. Great night time view from balcony along beach. Exhausted though. Room service at 10 for dinner then crashed.
Now 12 pm on Wednesday. Already had a swim across the road. Beach is very nice and water temp. is fabulous.
Relaxing day ahead.
Cheers

BBQ Garden not so good after all!

It would seem that, whilst dinner was great last night, it had some consequences. Russ M spent a fair portion of the night in the bathroom heading north and south. Russ R started the day with some southward action. So we farwelled Saigon and off we headed to the Mekong Delta with a few clenched cheeks! After a while, it became apparent that RR was not going to make it to the first "happy house" (Ve's description of the loos). So the bus was pulled over by the road, out sprints RR with loo paper in hand to allow nature to do what it was demanding! Fortunately he had a good view of the rice paddies and none of us were going to be watching! RM said he was pretty close to joining him roadside but didn't want to cramp his style. He managed to hold on to the next stop! RR was just relieved he didn't ...... himself.
On we travelled to Cat Bie for our first boat ride where we stopped at a family business who make candy, rice cakes, rice paper, snake wine (passed on this one despite it's alleged health benefits).
Sampled a few of the other products. Next stop was a 5th generation owned mansion. This family used to own extensive amounts of land around the Mekong. Short musical performance there. Back on the boat to another family home where we had an impressive lunch. It included Elephant ear fish which we cut off and wrapped it in rice paper to make our own rolls. RR couldn't face lunch so he lay down on the hammock near by for a snooze. RM
ate a bit but it was a struggle for him. From there, it was onto a row boat as the tide was too high for our other boat. It was really much more pleasant than the noisy motorboat. Richie convinced the lady rower, that he could do it. He did a pretty good job too.
The motorboat found another way around to avoid the bridge, and met us down stream to return us to the bus. Into Can Tho for an overnight stay. It is a super high tide (happens each lunar month) and main roads are flooded everywhere, including the boardwalk across the road from our hotel. Lucky we are up on the 5th floor!
RR feeling a bit better, RM still pretty ordinary. Shelley and I feeling a bit ordinary, but nothing too bad at this stage. (now 8 pm). We will see how the night pans out. Very quiet night planned.
Another boat ride in the morning to take in the Floating Markets before we head back to Saigon for an evening flight to Nha Trang.
We are getting wifi each night it would seem. Great to hear comments on my blog. Still getting emails as per usual so keep us updated of any local news.
Cheers.

Cu Chi tunnels

Ve was back on duty this morning to guide us to Cu Chi tunnels, about 1 1/2 hours drive northwest of HCMC. A million more scooters spotted on that trip. Travelled through the suburbs then into a more rural area. Some rice fields, plenty of rest areas roadside, which may consist of a few chairs, a hammock or two and a drink available. Ve says people use these to rest after riding their scooters to rest their backs and behinds.
Plenty of big, new homes on the way. Must be some wealth about.
The tunnels were fascinating, made for very small people! Incredible network covering many kilometers. We did clamber through a short section, crouched over. There are some advantages in being short, but still an unnerving experience being in such a confined space with no where to go, but forward. The short tunnel was long enough (about 30 metres). Living in these conditions would have been an incredible hardship. A testament to courage and survival.
Afternoon spent wandering, resting and a rooftop swim.
Off to a recommended place for dinner by Ve. Barbecue garden. Very popular with locals and tourists. Fantastic food. Little BBQ plates on each table and you cook the food there. Great fun and atmosphere.
Heading for overnight stay on the Mekong Delta tonight.

Very sad news

We have just heard that Marika's daughter Thomasina died suddenly yesterday. Words simply cannot express our sorrow and sadness. This is just so sad. While we are so far away our thoughts are with Marika, Peter, Remus and Rafferty.

Another day of amazement and wonder

After a good night's sleep, we started the day at 8 with a walking tour of Saigon. Our guide, Ve walked us through all sorts of streets. Once again our senses were alerted to a variety of sights and smells, some pleasant, some not so pleasant. Number of scooters seen must be up to about 2 million! Rain pelted down as we were having the swim in the roof top pool. Headed out for a late lunch whilst raining. Ponchos on. Ducked into a very impressive French bakery. Fantastic food and cup of tea for $3 each. Still raining but we still headed to Ben Thanh market. Vic market/Paddy's market wrapped up in one but a whole lot more. A few bargains, but probably ripped off on a few other things! Stopped off at the Rex Hotel (famous soldiers R'nR hotel during the war) for a drink on the rooftop. Pho for dinner, then a cruise on the river on a very garish boat. Got the karaoke and fire dancing to go with it. Pretty cheap entertainment, about $3.50 each which included a drink. Back through the crowded streets. Place is pumping just like a Saturday night anywhere. Off to Cu Chi tunnels in the morning.

We have arrived.

Had a fabulous flight on Singapore Airlines airbus A380 to Singapore. Very spacious, smooth ride and quiet. Managed some sleep ( some more than others ). Got to HCMC about 11 local time (4 hours behind EDST). Man waiting with sign for Mr Russell, Mr Shelley and Mr Mosetter. Amazing drive to hotel! Have seen the traffic on tv but to experience the mayhem of it was mind blowing. Scooters and motorbikes by the thousands going all over the place. About to go and experience it on foot.

1 more sleep!

We are all getting very excited now with just one more sleep to go. Doing all the last minute things today. Will probably spend tomorrow morning twiddling thumbs! Bring on tomorrow!