Update to activities in Mekong Delta and since

After a two and a half hour bus journey we were brought by boat to an island in the Mekong Delta - An Phut I think which means peaceful. En route we were treated to tropical fruits - rambutan, longen (both of which resemble lychees) and little sweet bananas. On the island we did a walk through the jungle admiring the vegetation, the homesteads and the natives. We refrained from encouraging the numerous dogs for fear of rabies. Our walk culminated with tea and more fruit in a long house. Then fortified with snake wine (our holiday so far has included a lot of boisterous mot, hai, ba, YO!) we got into sampans (with some difficulty on my part I must admit) and continued on our water tour of the Mekong. When we get an opportunity we will put up a photo of the two of us in a distinctly conical pose! Back to the bigger boat and on to our homestay where we were introduced to our 70 year old hostess Missy Moui (so called because she married a ninth son - the father is called the first and the sons are the second, third etc.) We managed to arrive just before a massive thunderstorm which was almost as heart attack inducing as the traffic in Ho Chi Minh City. Dinner started with piles of barbecued local prawns and was followed by elephant ear fish, pho bo (beef soup), pork spring rolls and finally more fruit, this time pineapple - we had more than our five a day! All of this was washed down with copious amounts of Tiger beer (Jim mainly) and shots of a very potent rice wine. Beds were dormitory style and it was quite a feat to manage the mosquito nets. Early to bed and early to rise - 5.45 next morning in order to see the local market - not very enticing considering the numbers of flies - and have a Vietnamese coffee at the corner shop. We like it! I'm not sure that the condensed milk will be too kind to the figure though. Back to our boat, waving farewll to Missy Moui and off to see the floating market - not very exciting as each boat confined itself to a single product - pineapples, bananas, sugar cane etc. We stopped off in Cai Be to visit the village
and see some traditional industries - sweet making from coconuts and pop rice and other rice products. 5euro a week is a good wage in this part of the world! Finally back to the bus and back to Ho Chi Minh to prepare for our trip to Nha Trang by sleeper train.

We were 4 to a cabin - we four were a rather large party . Having bought some provisions and some beverages our cabin was the envy of all the rest! We had lots of gatecrashers but lack of space prevented them from joining in so back to their miserable quarters they had to go. Interestingly enough we also has a little visitor later in the night - 4 legged with a tail. We arrived in Nha Trang at 6 am and we did do the mud baths! Off now to do a cyclo tour of the city.

Wednesday

Had a really full 36 hours and now getting freshened up before taking the night train to Nha Trang where we stay 2 nights. Some talk of a mud bath but we thought it was muddy enough in theMekong Delta after a tremendous thunder and lightning storm and torrential rain. Those in the know will be pleased to hear that my elbows are intact despite the storm.

Sunday/Monday

Have arrived in Vietnam. There's a huge Irish presence here - there's only two of us but we're huge in relation to the Vietnamese (the women in particular). Went for a walk yesterday after our arrival and soon learnt the rules of the road - there are none! They say there are 4 million motorcycles in Ho Chi Minh - we saw them all yesterday when we tried to cross the road. We met with our group and Phoong our leader and then went on a cyclo tour of the city - what an exercise in trust! Can't tell you much about the sights as it's hard to see anything when your eyes are tightly closed. I did more praying during the tour than I've done in the past 40 years! It's very difficult to make statements here - they all end up as exclamations. Enjoyed a lovely meal out with the group - 5 courses of Vietnamese food. Things are looking up - last night I slept with a millionaire - don't worry - so did Jim! We changed a 100 euro and got 2,900,000 dong. It will be hard to keep up this lifestyle with beer around 20,000 dong and wine around 30,000 dong.

Monday

Today we went to the Cu Chi Tunnels and the War Remnants Museum - a rather sobering experience. It was very interesting but also very depressing - to think that all of this happened in our lifetime and is still going on in places. Phoong thinks we need to regroup with a beer before we go to eat again. We also went to a lacquer factory where handicapped people produce exceptionally high quality artwork using duck eggshells, mother of pearl, painting and polishing skills. It was beautiful stiff but not much room in the luggage - will have to ditch some of the clothes.

Tomorrow we are off to the Mekong Delta and to our homestay accommodation - it will be interesting for 13 of us to share one shower and toilet and all sleep (or quietly stay awake) in the same room.

Day 1 of Vietnam Experience

In hotel in Bangkok awaiting shuttle taxi to airport to get flght to Ho Chi Minh City. Breakfast lovely - some strange fruit and egg noodle stir fry. Still acutely conscious of the huge gap between the luxury of our hotel and the scene outside our bedroom window. Don't know how much time I will get to update this once we are in Vietnam.

One night in Bangkok

Arrived safely in Bangkok, smoothly through passport control to collect our luggage. Stepped outside to the sauna and returned to the terminal till the nice Thai man brought our luggage out to the shuttle bus to the hotel. Thai people too polite for Jim! Quite a good hotel but outside our window it's a different world - shanty town. Watched a family perched on their table obviously preparing the evening meal. Appreciating the air conditioning as we enjoy a beer (Jim) and a Chardonnay (and I always say I don't like Chardonnay) and a really lovely Thai meal. Kin Thao in Athlone definitely authentic from this experience.

Packing day

Packing day. Margaret the Chemist was planning to check the obituaries this evening but thankfully no murders committed in the King household - it was close though! Jim seems to believe that the travel documents can somehow make their own way out of their safe spot in the carry on bag as he checks frequently to see that they are still there. Early to bed and hopefully to sleep...

Wednesday 22nd October - Panic stations chez Kings! All the packing still to do as well as remaking beds after our Australian visitors. Have to leave the house properly set up for our Brisbane Homelinkers. Thank God for house angel Ann who will ensure that everything is finally clean and tidy.

Learning how to blog

I'm taking advantage of Brian's visit to sort out all computer queries and to learn how to blog!