Mekong River Delta Cruise

Ho Chi Minh City - The Second Day

A whole day Mekong River Delta Tour was booked for our second day in HCMC. We were picked up at around 7am by our coach bus and "picked" up other travelers along the way. It will be 2-3 hour drive to the outskirts of HCMC and so we stopped over for Breakfast! ;) I love this stop-over since I got local vietnamese pho noodle soup + the famous and highly addicting cafe sua da = one my best meals!


 

Dozing off during the comfy ride proved to be a good idea since we step out to a humid weather upon arriving at the "port". We had our "LAST CLEAN CR BREAK" before boarding the boat. Look at the scenic view... the blue sky, white clouds, glistening water... :)


This is our ride for the entire day! :) Check out the wide spaces and wooden body that provides maximum cooling while we enjoy cruising along the river. We passed by a lot of bigger rigs that carries variety of wholesale goods - coconut, rice, clothing, etc. Apparently, the "river market" in the Cai Be area is for wholesale only - the retail river market is another 2-3 hours away.



Our tour guide explained that these wholesale boats sells usually to the town market vendors and not the the households. We cruise through the open river until we made a turn into the "swampy" area where the opening is more narrow and with water hyacinths directing the way. These water hyacinths are very similar to the water lilies concept. They populate the river area to a certain extent to protect baby fishes and to prevent erosion.



We got off for Lunch and checked out local production of local delicacies and also saw very creative and abstract oil paintings. It was FREE TIME for a couple of hours and so I gave it a shot to bike (ha-ha-ha, good luck to me, the bike seat was sooo high!)





There were lots of hammocks around the area we stayed. I didn't realize these cloth tied to the post shift beds are quite comfy and snuggle-perfect. I want to get one! :)))


On the way back to the "BUS" we were treated to a 30-minute row-boat-ride :) It was most serene and calm ride ever. The lady-rower was very efficient and balanced (she was standing the whole time!)


Bus Ride back to HCMC. Ate at a "Ship-Restaurant" along the port, not recommended and terribly overpriced. Had coffee & dessert at Tous Les Jour, one of the recommended French cafe. For me, it was average and there are more options for the French Experience :)



Up Next! Cu Chi Tunnel. Where to FB in HCMC? (yes, FB is banned in Vietnam!)


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