Dream and Do

Sunday, 12 June 2016

Mekong Delta - 2 day trip

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).

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.

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.

Tuesday, 10 May 2016

May 8, 2016 - Ironman 70.3 DaNang, Vietnam

After 4 months of getting up between 4-5am 6 days a week to complete 9 workouts a week, we finally arrived in Danang for the Ironman 70.3. But with an unexpected turn of events, I would not be on the starting line. On Monday, May 2nd I found out that I had a bloot clot in my left calf (also known as DVT) and as a result I was sidelined from racing in Danang. During the last few days of training my legs started swelling and I felt extremely fatigued, I decided to go for a check up - always go with your gut feeling. .. I knew something wasn't right. To say I am disappointed is an understatement, but it is what it is. On race day, I was there to support my incredible husband, Stepan, and friend Jordan , who got us into this business in the first place (he went to Taiwan with Stepan in December to purchase the bikes)! I had a great time with my kids, cheering for all the incredible athletes that tested their limits. Thank you to all my friends who offered me support and advice over the last few months, it was so much appreciated, and I really hope I will get to swim, bike , run sometime in the future

Written by Stepan:

It was always my dream to try a long distance triathlon race. I had a chance this weekend in Danang, Vietnam, where I completed an IronMan 70.3 triathlon.

The Danang 70.3 is a fast and scenic course that begins with a 1.9-km ocean swim in front of the beautiful Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa. From there, it continues in a scenic two-loop 90-km bike course along Danang’s pristine coastline and by some of the city’s key landmarks. The final 21-km out-and-back run course is flat and passed by many of Danang’s famous beach resorts before finishing on the beach at the foot of the legendary Marble Mountains.

For me, this race was really difficult, because it was simply too hot and I sweat more than anyone can imagine, losing a lot of electrolytes and salt. I cramped up during the run and had to walk a couple kilometers, which really impacted my time, but taught me some valuable lessons about fueling and pacing in extreme heat. I was happy to finish in 5:47:25 and I will try other triathlon race in the future. I would like to accomplish a full iron-man race and I would like to qualify for the Boston marathon someday.