Last time I left you in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Having explored the city overflowing with constant traffic of people, scooters, and motorbikes Christian & I were keen to leave the bustling city and see the countryside.
And hello, Mekong Delta.
The Vietnamese life and culture observed in the delta is one of Vietnam's most enduring images.
It was a truly remarkable experience that will stay with us indefinitely.
The Mekong Delta is known as "đồng bằng sông Cửu Long" which is "Nine Dragon river delta".
This comma-shaped flatland stretching from southwest of Ho Chi Minh City to the Gulf of Thailand is the agricultural heart of southern Vietnam. The delta is Vietnam's rice bowl.
It is responsible for more than a third of the country's annual food crop as rice is the delta's staple crop.
Additionally, coconut palms, sugar-cane groves and fruit orchards also thrive in the delta's nutrient-rich soil.
The ride from the city to these small provinces in the delta is not for the faint of heart.
From what I gathered, any tour you book will be relatively similar with same itinerary.
Having docked and boarded the land, our first stop was at a coconut candy factory where we were shown how coconuts were harvest and use to make oil, shampoo and candy.
We opted out of tasting the snake rice wine.
But I stepped out of my comfort zone and let the giant pet snake hang around my neck.
Right before climbing into one of the small sampan boats we quenched our thirst with a cuppa honey tea with kumquat.
You oughta give it a try.
Truly refreshing.
As a local (wo)man took long, sure strokes to propel us through the Mekong River we were marveling at the simplicity and beauty of this side of Vietnam.
The canals were lined with lush green palms of water coconut trees.
The canals cruise came to an end as we were empties into the sea and climbed back on our tour boat.
Neither Christian or I was looking forward to the ride back to the city.
But to our surprise there was one last stop to the tour at a village nearby.
We were greeted with a spread of freshly-made, delectably flavorful Vietnamese entrees.
It didn't take us long to clear all the plates.
I didn't realize the poor state my tummy was in.
Like usual I ate more than my stomach could handle.
And a walk to explore the ground was warranted.
I remembered being so scared to cross the bamboo bridge as a child.
The one from my childhood didn't have the railing which made it much more frightening.
Now, I can even drink out of a coconut as I cross the bridge!
Lotus. Flower of the Dawn.
The exquisite flower of Vietnam.
It symbolizes purity, serenity, optimism of the future as it grows in the muddy water and rises to surface blooms into a remarkable beauty.
They are absolutely breathtakingly stunning.
Beyond lotus pond after lotus ponds upon lotus ponds we found another kind of paradise.
The hammock napping trees garden.
Vietnamese has perfected the art of napping.
Hammocks have been spot all over the streets of Vietnam hanging between trees and posts.
There is no shame in napping in this country.
On the contrary, it is highly encouraged and people take this past time activity very seriously.
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| nap time was part of the tour itinerary. |
Hope you enjoy our travel in Mekong Delta as much as I did.
Next up: Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.
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