Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Brief Recollection from the Cuu Long River Delta (aka the Mighty mekong) - Days 4 to 6
After only one day in the Mekong last time, I decided that - as I was at the start of the trip and I didnt feel that adventurous - I would again book a tour, this time three days. It was an awesome time with a great tour guide called "Hi" (dont know how it is spelt...) H and I had the chance to chat quite a bit. He is heading to Darwin in a few months to begin work as a guide there for a musem, being able to speak 4 languages, the smart b*****!! What a life he has had, bringing his family into disrepute with his gambling on American football, losing a huge sum of money and losing the family home etc., He has worked his butt off to bring it all back together and has a brother living and working in Melbourne as a lawyer! So now, things are looking upfor him...
We spent the three days, cruising the canals, seeing floaring markets (kinda like in the photo which STA Travel were nice enough to supply me with...), doing the usual touristic stuff - such as seeing coconut candy/rice paper made etc etc, you get the point! It was just a joyous time, such as on the last day, being rowed about the floating villages by the self proclaimed "Number One!" who looked about 70 but had guns to kill for. I should know, she made me feel them. We also checked out a minority village where I gave a beautiful little boy a pen, which was promptly snatched out of his hand by a greedy little b****** who ignored all pleas to give it back. I also bumped into Natasja again on the last day, which was a treat! My companions on the journey were mainly a lovely German family and two Spanish girls who, travel being travel, I bumped into here again in Da Lat!
On our final night away, they "treated us" to a floating hotel. Built purposely for tourists, me, the girls, two other Spaniards and a few travelling Vietnamese (with money) were the only occupants of this strange appariton which the guide told us - but none of us believed - cost 2 billion dong to make. OK, it was nice, but not THAT nice!
That should do for now I think. Now that I know I can use this computer at the Peace Hotel/Cafe - as opposed to the Lam Son where I am staying, which constantly freezes on me - I shall be back to bring y'all up to date about beautiful Da Lat in the Central Highlands, where despite the cooler weather, I have become sunburnt. Small price to pay for two great days, including travelling around by motorbike today with the Easy Riders - a reputed group of bikers - seeing the surrounds of Da Lat with my mate Duc, who gave me loads of irreplaceable experiences, including meeting some of the hillside tribes who have been relocated by the Vietnamese govt. Beautiful shots of some beautiful children - gave my final pen away today. Must buy some more. Adieu, from this very French town!
- comments