My dad arrived in HCMC on Thurs. Jan. 21 for a 4 week stay with us. The first trip we decide to take him on was a 2 day your if the Mekong Delta.
The Mekong is one of the world’s great rivers. It is the world’s 10th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia Its estimated length is 4,909 km , and it drains an area of 795,000 km2, discharging 475 km3 of water annually.In English the river is called “the Mekong River”, derived from “Mae Nam Khong”, a term of both Thai and Lao origin.
Day 1
We left HCMC by bus to Ben Tre - there our tour began. We took a boat to 4 of the islands where we visited a coconut candy factory - where they also made coconut paper. We stopped to feed crocodiles, and visited a bee farm, where we had some delicious honey lime tea. We ended the day in Can Tho where we checked into our hotel and went out for dinner and a brief walk to the river front and downtown area. It was an action packed day, quite touristy, but also interesting, as we had a chance to learn about and try many new things. The second day was a little more off the beaten track. We had more time to take in our surroundings and really enjoy the atmosphere and environment of the Mekong. If you are thinking about this trip, I would definitely recommend the two - or three day trip (we travelled with some people who did this tour and really enjoyed it).
We left HCMC by bus to Ben Tre - there our tour began. We took a boat to 4 of the islands where we visited a coconut candy factory - where they also made coconut paper. We stopped to feed crocodiles, and visited a bee farm, where we had some delicious honey lime tea. We ended the day in Can Tho where we checked into our hotel and went out for dinner and a brief walk to the river front and downtown area. It was an action packed day, quite touristy, but also interesting, as we had a chance to learn about and try many new things. The second day was a little more off the beaten track. We had more time to take in our surroundings and really enjoy the atmosphere and environment of the Mekong. If you are thinking about this trip, I would definitely recommend the two - or three day trip (we travelled with some people who did this tour and really enjoyed it).
Watching and learning about the process of making coconut candy.
How about a shot of this?
Making coconut paper (similar to rice paper, but made with coconut milk).
Delicious coconut paper treats.
Coconut paper drying out in the sun.
Crocodile fishing, anyone?
The monkey bridge.
The bee farm.
Enjoying some honey lime tea.
Paddling in the Mekong with our guide.
View from our simple, but clean hotel room in Can Tho.
Can Tho at night.
Day 2
Bright and early we headed of to see the floating market at Can Tho. It was such an interesting thing to see. The locals use the waterways to transport their crops and sell them right off their boats. It's easier and cheaper to transport on the river than it is by truck.
Bright and early we headed of to see the floating market at Can Tho. It was such an interesting thing to see. The locals use the waterways to transport their crops and sell them right off their boats. It's easier and cheaper to transport on the river than it is by truck.
The boats display the crops they are selling by hanging them on a bamboo stick for all boats to see. Although these markets are wholesale markets usually selling a minimum of 10kg of their crop, we were able to board a pineapple boat and buy some pineapple for a refreshing snack. We also ended up buying some bananas, mango and milk apples.
Later in the day we stopped on an island for a bike tour. This, for me, was the highlight of our trip. We rode around the island through villages and gardens and incredible natural settings. It really was breathtaking and peaceful.
The day ended with a long bus ride back to Ho Chi Minh City, but we were all so tired that the trip passed quickly with everyone dozing off at some point in time.
On the river in Can Tho.
Trees used to build stilt houses.
The floating market.
Some boats sell only one or two crops, but this boat has a huge variety of items.
At the floating market with our guide.
Delicious pineapple and milk apple.
Making rice paper.
Making rice noodles.
Delicious rice snacks and desserts.
Bike tour around the island.
Viktor rode with our guide, Veronika rode with Stepan, and Eva rode with me.
Papaya, anyone?
Almost home, exhausted after an adventurous weekend...
taking the city bus home after arriving back from our tour.
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