The mighty Mekong

Paddling through a canal

Definitely the place to be for having an entertaining local bus experience. Apparently you can take anything on local buses in the South - mountains of merchandise, sacks of cutlery, and even sacks of piglets that squeak like ducklings, or ducklings that smell like piglets.


Definitely the place to be for some swealtering heat, with a high chance of afternoon downpours.


Definitely the place to be for a murky river adventure.




Ben Tre.

Arrival: 22 November 2010

This was the place to be to get off the well trodden path. It was quite concerning being dropped in the middle of somewhere only to discover the hotel rooms are atrocious and very few people speak English.

But this was also the place to be for happy and friendly people who don't speak English but are just as good at charades.

Getting the low down on the mighty Mekong

It was also the place not to get harassed to buy sunglasses, crappy bracelets... and the rest.

We did find a tourist information counter, and organised a guide to collect us in the morning for a Mekong look-around.

Coconut candy production line

It was the place to be for tropical fruits and coconut candy, honey tea and pet pythons. All of which we got to experience on our Mekong tour. My fillings and fingers survived.

Departure: 23 November 2010




Can Tho.

Arrival: 23 November 2010

A local stocking up

The destination of possibly the worst bus driver in Vietnam. This was the place to see snakes of white tourist donning convertible pants, but also the Floating markets of Cai Rang and Phong Dien.

This is also the place to be should you want to be asked "You go by boat?" at regular ten minute intervals.

But it definately the place to go to sit at "Mekong", watch the world go by and eat Vietnamese Pancakes.

I was sad to leave the pancakes.

Departure: 25 November 2010


Chau Doc.

Arrival: 25 November 2010

Almost at the border. This is where you don't trust what the tour offices say about fast boats and slow boats to Cambodia.

But it is a good place to run into people you have met along the way and enjoy a sunset over Vietnam and Cambodia at the same time.

Vietnam to the left, Cambodia on the right

Departure: 26 November 2010, by a not-very-fast fast boat and a bus.