Vinh Long - Mekong Delta

We had a few hiccups with this post - conections here are slow. We are now reposting it.

Before leaving Chau Doc, we went on a trip to nearby Sam Mountain. This gave fantastic views towards Cambodia and over the Mekong Delta as well as the opportunity to visit a few temples.

For Kathy the trip on the back of a motor bike was fine until we reached the mountain. I wasn't too sure if the bike could take the STEEP and curvy road with me as the baggage. A moment of living dangerously which turned out well. The trip down the mountain was a piece of cake!

Next we set out on a 4 hour bus trip to Vinh Long. It was really interesting - looking at the countryside and all that goes on in towns, villages, fields etc. We were amazed at how quickly the time went. The passengers looked after us which included buying us food and drink from strretside vendors.

The bus was going on to Ho Chi Minh City so we had to get off enroute. We assumed that we would change buses and continue our travels. It was a great surprise to us when the bus pulled across at the turnoff. There waiting for us were 2 motorbikes to take us the remaining 9km!

Brian sat behind one driver, wearing his backpack and carrying his day bag. Kathy had a less adventurous ride because the driver held her backpack and she just had to cling on to her bag. Living dangerously again!

At home I would have absolutely refused to do this, but here - where would it get me? Nowhere!

The drivers here have an amazing sense of balance. We are forever taking pics of seemingly impossible loads on bikes or motorbikes. It's not just balancing - its managing to negotiate the traffic on the extremely busy roads.

We arrived safely to a hotel and did our usual orientation walk of the centre. For the first time on our trip we struck rain. It was a long and steady drizzle so we waited for a while before continuing our travels.

Had a feast for tea - seafood hotpot in a local eatinghouse. A charcoal fire is brought to the table. On it rests a pot of boiling stock. Some fish and vegetables were already cooking. Accompanying this were plates of more greens of all kings. (I recognised the bok choy and spring onions!) Also there was a plate of beef, squid, fish and shrimps and some dried noodles. The people showed us how to cook and eat our meal. There was no room for dessert, not that there was any on the menu. With a beer each the meal cost us about $6!

Had our worst hotel room all trip. It was a bit grotty, the traffic was noisy and Kathy was attacked by mossies. Still, what does one expect if the room costs $8? This however is what we usually spend.