Three Days on the Mekong Delta

Heading into a side stream
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We got many great recommendations about doing a three day tour of the Mekong Delta en route to Cambodia, and we can definitely say that it did not disappoint.  We'll try to give a quick rundown of the whole itinerary, but the trip is probably better explained and understood through the photos.

Starting from Saigon at eight in the morning we headed south on a two hour bus ride to the city of Cai Be.  The purpose of the stop was to see the Cai Be floating markets where different vendors all barter their goods from boats in the middle of the river.  Unfortunately, because the market is more of a morning thing, there wasn't really much in the way trading going on by the time we got there.  Not to worry, however, because after a cruise by of the markets we headed off to a small village where they specialized in making coconut candy, rice paper, coconut wafer bread, and a concoction that can only be described as a Rice Krispies Treat.  The food was phenomenal!  The candy was probably the best we've ever had; it was like coconut taffy.  The other stuff was pretty good as well.

Truly a fantastic and memorable experience!

Mekong Delta House
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After a tour of all of the different food making areas, and after they had managed to swindle some money out of every last person, we headed off to have lunch at another village that was up a small channel of the main river.  The food was ok, but the sights heading up the channel were amazing!  On either side of the river were tons of boats (All of which had a kind of face painted on the front), buildings where boats, or pots, or baskets were being made, little bridges that connecting all of the cut up pieces of land together.

Us
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Following lunch we headed back to the bus for a one hour ride to the first town we would be staying in for the night.  After a heinous ferry crossing, that involved more motorbikes in a small room than i ever care to experience again, we arrived at our hotel.  Nothing much to talk about there.

The next morning we were up and out of the hotel by 7:00 to catch the real floating markets.  What an awesome sight!  There must have been a 1000 boats of all sizes moving in and around the area carrying everything from pineapples, to chairs.  The whole thing actually seemed rather calm.  People would just leasurelry stroll by and hold things up to see if you wanted to buy them.  Our presence was hardly noticed as everyone just went about their daily life (always a plus when part of a tour).

Boat Eyes
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After an hour or so of hanging out in the market our boats then took us off on a two hour cruise through some very small channels off of the main river.  The scenery was gorgeous and totaly peaceful.  On either side of us was dense jungle spotted with the occasional house, boat, or fish trap.  People whom lived in the area were paddling past us as they made their way back home from the market.

Following the jungle cruise our tour guide informed us that he would be dropping us off at the local bus station where we were supposed to get on a bus and take it three hours north to the next town where someone was supposidly waiting for us.  Thankfully there was another couple from Spain continuing on to Cambodia like ourselves, because the rest of our group was apparently only on a two day trip that was heading back to Saigon.  So, without a guide, and on a cramped minibus we made our way north with the other couple.  Thankfully, there actually was a person waiting for us like we were promised.  Our new tour guide introduced himself, then proceeded to take our bags throw them on a cyclo, throw us on behind, and then sent us off.  We arrived at our hotel exhausted and hungry, so we made our way to the nearest roadside soup vendor and were treated to some delicious soup with fresh spring rolls for a grand total of $1.

Riverside Church
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On the last morning we were out of the hotel by 6:30 and onto a sweet boat to head to a floating fishing village.  The village was ok, but the sights of the Mekong bustling during early morning were much better.  Following the fishing villages we headed over to a Muslim village along the banks.  The village specialized in handmade blankets and sarongs that they made on a loom.  The stuff they turned out was pretty cool, so we ended up getting a couple of small things.

By about 10:00am our guide had managed to pawn us off onto another group who was also heading to Cambodia.  Not enough people to turn a profit you understand...no loss however, because our new group actually had a guide that provided real information about the area.  So, following some busy work concerning some lost luggage belonging to our new group, we boarded a new, more comfortable, boat and began our 10 hour trip to Cambodia.  The rest of the day, though long, was amazing.  About every hundred yards we passed another village in which animals were grazing, people were bathing in the river, and children were waving frantically at us as we passed.  Truly a fantastic and memorable experience!

Coconut Candy Cooling
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We finally arrived in Phenom Phen three hours late and starving.  We managed to hire a tuk-tuk for two dollars to take us to our guest house who had conveniently given away our room.  Not to worry however, because they were able to set us up with another one of lesser quality for only $4 a night.  We took it! and the delicious curry their kitchen served up without a second thought.  We're stoked to be in Cambodia now, and can't wait to tell you all about it.  Until then, take care everyone!