The Mekong Delta sits at the very bottom of Vietnam with the Gulf of Thailand on one side and the South China Sea on the other. Nine channels of Asia’s third largest river, the Mekong Delta, cross through the land making it the perfect destination for orchards and rice paddy fields. These waterways also serve as transportation for row boats, sampans, ferries and the world famous floating market.
We made our way to Can Tho, the Delta’s biggest city and also within close proximity of the largest floating market, Cai Rang. I had a whole list of things I was excited to be able to purchase off other boats as they passed. We arrived our guesthouse excited to make arrangements for our boat to the floating market the next day. After buttering us up with tea and fresh pineapple she informed us that the floating market was closed for the TET New Year, which was that evening. The market closes for 3 days a year and we happen to be there on one of them.
Th place where the floating market typically is with not a soul in sight.
We decided to still do a canal cruise which was a relaxing alternative through peaceful waterways. Our sampan driver made us beautiful jewelry from strips of bamboo.
The canal, endless rice fields and bamboo jewelry.
Jon was also called out for the second time. We were making payment for an item at the guesthouse and Jon decided he wanted to organize our cash so he proceed to very slowly create piles of the colorful money while the owner stood by and waited for payment. It looked sort of like he was playing monopoly. I was sent into a fit of hysterics when the owner, said to him, what’s wrong with you, you act like an old man.
The owner assisted us with getting on the local bus to our next destination of Vinh Long. The hour ride took about three because the old 50’s style bus could not exceed the speed of 35. Once we arrived, as instructed by the owner of the homestay, we took the ferry across the river to board our next bus. Only problem was we took the wrong ferry and were now further away from our destination. A local was kind enough to let us use their phone to call the owner told us our only option was to take a moto taxi (you ride on the back) with all of our stuff for an hour. Jon flat out refused. There ensued a heated discussion between us, the locals and the owner on the phone. Luckily the owner solved the problem by moving us to his friends homestay a few kilometers down the road.
Our bus.
If he could carry 100 chickens I’m sure one could carry Jon and his bag.
All ended well and we had the most amazing time helping the family with dinner preparation, dinner with the other fascinating guests and biking all over the area.
Making spring rolls in the ancient kitchen, the first course of our amazing dinner and me biking through rice paddy’s.
Where we stayed Can Tho, Thanh Ha, we had a super clean room with air con and bathroom for about $15 a night including breakfast. The property was run by Ms Ha out of her home. She provided fresh fruit upon arrival and a scrumptious New Year’s Day lunch.
Where we stayed Vinh Long, Ba Linh Homestay, we had a room with a fan and shared bathroom for $35 night including our fantastic multi-course dinner and breakfast. The property is run by a family who have been doing homestays long before they were common. They were wonderful and made you feel like family from the moment you arrived. The whole atmosphere was very relaxing. What really made our stay was the other interesting guests one a retired oil contractor who purchased a farm and another retired gentleman who worked for the world bank.
The outside of our room, I hope the neighbors don’t snore.
Journey with Christina 