November 22, 2006
Day 5 Tuesday 3rd. January.2006After breakfast in the hotel,we were bussed to the largest floating market on the Mekong at Cai Rang. We spent time leisurely floating through the market on a sampan.It was delightful just sitting on the roof of the boat watching the busy world of these exotic people. I had a go at peeling a pineapple and preparing it to eat on its own stick. The marketeers came along side our boat to sell their wares.
After about an hour we disembarked and wandered round an equally busy land market.( See picture of Debbie in the market).
Thuon then reloaded us onto the sampan and took us for morning tea and fruit in a garden. Some of us were distressed to see captive animals apparently enslaved for the amusement of customers. The fruits included ,guava,pineapple,mango,water apple and banana.
After this snack we took a chariot (motor-bike with pull-along cart ) to the oldest house in the province. We met the present lady owner who spoke some English and French. The house had been in her family for 4 generations before her.
After lunch in Can Thon, at The Mekong Cafe opposite a huge silver statue of Ho Chi Minh with Debbie,John,Noel,David,Melissa, Moya and myself we took to our bikes again and once away from the swirling traffic we enjoyed an interesting ride through country lanes to a horticultural farm .The owner grows Jack fruit and guava saplings by the thousands to sell to market gardens and farmers. Again we had tea and fruit.We cycled about 50km. today .Below:- Me in the chariot . Debbie at the market and morning tea and fruit “en group” in the garden.
Day 6. Wednesday 4th. January 2006
Today we had a long drive from Can Tho towards Chau Doc near the Cambodian border.
On the route we bought a picnic and enjoyed it at Buddhist Pagoda called the Buuson Pagoda where I met a young vietnamese girl and her friend . I took photographs of us(the two friends, myself and Moya) sitting on the steps of the temple and have forwarded them to her address in May this year. So far I have heard nothing.
In the afternoon we cycled about 42km. towards Chau Doc. The Nui Sam Hotel was our resting place for the night and many of the group were able to climb the Sam Mountain at sunset.I couldn’t go with the climbers because I had to go with Laura and Thuon to find a passport photographer. I had forgotten to bring my own photographs and it was a question of no photos;no Cambodia; and no temple ruins. Laura was probably very cross with me but she was cool , calm and efficient. With Thuon’s help with the language I was soon suitably equipped with the photos. Thanks go to both Laura and Thuon. As this was our last day with Thuon , Deirdre thanked him for being an excellent guide. We ate together, on a moored boat restaurant on the Mekong.
Moya myself and the girls. Lady selling tofu.
