Arived in Hanoi at 5am, then worked on Blog and went to the Sofitel Metropol for an unbelieveable brunch. Went swimming at a place "Q" suggested where I was the only caucasion. Next morn left on the 3 hour drive to Ha long Bay. Spent the night on a Junk in the Bay of 3000 rock hills jutting up out of the ocean (picture 5). Very strange! Great boat, great people, and good food. Went to see an amazing cave (picture 6) and then went kayaking (picture 7). There were at least 20 other boats all around us as it is a very popular tourist destination.
Due to flooding in Hue, my trip will be rerouted. After drivng back to Hanoi, I caught a flight to Saigon arriving to the hotel at 10pm. Saigon has wider streets and sidewalks so it seems more orderly then Hanoi and there is less horn honking. I was picked up the next morning at 7am for a 3 1/2 hour drive to Can Tho to catch another Junk (picture 8) for an overnight trip on the Mekong Delta. This boat has 12 cabins and I am assigned to the english speaking server and guide. She is very accomodating and the food is the best I have had in Vietnam.
Due to flooding in Hue, my trip will be rerouted. After drivng back to Hanoi, I caught a flight to Saigon arriving to the hotel at 10pm. Saigon has wider streets and sidewalks so it seems more orderly then Hanoi and there is less horn honking. I was picked up the next morning at 7am for a 3 1/2 hour drive to Can Tho to catch another Junk (picture 8) for an overnight trip on the Mekong Delta. This boat has 12 cabins and I am assigned to the english speaking server and guide. She is very accomodating and the food is the best I have had in Vietnam.
The Meking Delta is an amazing place of 16 million people living off the abundant water and fertile land. The water is muddy brown, yet beautiful and lush like Miami, Fl. We pass primitive wood huts and old tug boats of every size and purpose carrying people and cargo.
(picture 3)
We walked through a local village and saw how they lived, and we ate at one "home" with mud floor, solid wood table that serves as a table during the day and a bed for 2 at night. The kitchen had 3 pots sitting on carved out tree trunks, storage of friut, firewood, and 3 bicycles. There was a TV, as in many of the homes. I bring combs and tooth brushes for these village children (picture 1).
(picture 3)
We walked through a local village and saw how they lived, and we ate at one "home" with mud floor, solid wood table that serves as a table during the day and a bed for 2 at night. The kitchen had 3 pots sitting on carved out tree trunks, storage of friut, firewood, and 3 bicycles. There was a TV, as in many of the homes. I bring combs and tooth brushes for these village children (picture 1).
The plants are exotic. Many parts of the plants and fruits are used for food, fuel, and to make things. For example, all of the rice is used for 4 purposes: The husk is for pig food, the people eat the white rice inside, the broken rice is used for chicken feed, and the ash is used as fuel to cook. The longan fruit shell and black seed is used for fuel, and the inner fruit is dried to preserve it . The village has rice fields, and a narrow paved sidewalk used for walking, motorcycles, and bicycles. (picture 4) is the toilet in the village.
Next morning we visited the floating market which is amazing to see. We took a small boat to see how food and other products are made, and shop for locally made products from rice, coconut, silk, crockodile, and longan fruit. We see how rice paper is made, popped rice and popped caramel corn, and coconut and banana candy. We buy crockodile wallets and belts, and silk products.
Next morning we visited the floating market which is amazing to see. We took a small boat to see how food and other products are made, and shop for locally made products from rice, coconut, silk, crockodile, and longan fruit. We see how rice paper is made, popped rice and popped caramel corn, and coconut and banana candy. We buy crockodile wallets and belts, and silk products.
At noon I was picked up by my guide and driver and for a 6 1/2 hour drive to Plan Thiet, a beach resort town. Bamboo Resort is a very relaxing nice place with lounge chairs on the white, soft sand, 2 pools, nice room with french doors, great food at the open cabana style resturant with simple creative decorations, friendly accomodating service (picture 2). The beach is miles long with bungalo style resorts all the way. Tbis is a very specail place I hope to come back to and share with someone. I noticed an elegant, polished, exclusive looking place called the Coco Beach Resort.
Tommorrow morn I will be driven 4 1/2 hours to Saigon to catch a flight to Hue.
Tommorrow morn I will be driven 4 1/2 hours to Saigon to catch a flight to Hue.
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