So I'm back in my favourite place - Ho Chi M city, or Saigon as the locals refer to it still! However I can safetly say this is my last night here and tomorrow I get a bus (a nice 7hr ride) up to Dalat to sample some of what Vietman has to offer in the countryside. I'm told it's amazing, and has lots of hiking too, so right up my street!! Cant wait.
That said, the last 2 days have been pretty awesome though, if not a little tiring. I am now a shade of pink following 2 days pretty much cruising up the delta on a boat stopping off along the way at various weird and wonderful places.
So yesterday started with a hectic 3 hours bus ride to the fourth largest city in Vietman to jump on a cruiser boat for the rest of the day. The Mekong itself is vast, and stretches for as long as the eye can see, with lots of little canals jutting off leading to more working villages. I suppose I can only liken it to a v v poor version of Venice - the houses that lap the sides of the delta are made of corrugated iron and look as if they have been stuck together and gondala's are replaced with aged wooden boats covered with clothes, rubbish and whatever the owner is selling - parts of the delta are trading grounds, and turn into huge floating markets selling mainly fruits and veg (i've never seen so many watermelon or pineapples!)
So after a long day exploring the local area, and biking, we headed back to the guest house around 7ish for a much deserved dinner then drink at the local 'bar'. I say bar very carefully as it was actually in someone's front living room, which opened out onto the street, whilst sitting on little plastic seats with Vietnam Idol airing in the background on the TV! This was the local drinking hole so we were told! If only i could drop the locals there into our drinking holes back home - the shock, horror.
Dinner too was great - i sampled snake and onions in a satay sauce. Hmmmm??!. Was nice, very much like chicken but less chewy.
Today was another fun packed day, and this time we actually managed to boat right through the local floating market which was incredible. The people certainly work really hard here but seem to get very little back in return - everyone is so so poor, but they still smile and look happy going along their daily chores.
We also were lucky enough to stop at a local on land market which was great! Lots of market stores selling a variety of things from rice, pigs heads to colourful fruit and veg. It was fantastic to see the local life away from touristy spots.
Overall I had a great time, and would recommend to anyone going to the area. THe group I was with made it too...just to name a few...
Carl and Ann from Chiswick - Carl was a self employed property developer & Ann had just retired (at 41!) from MD at one of Hsbc's LoBs !! both were amazing, and had some fantistic travelling stories to tell. We're def going to meet up again when i get back - they've promised to take me to a local thai joint which serves up the best green curry!
Chris was from sheffield (i thnk) but incredibly had spent 2 days a week in Kingston for work in the last 6 months staying at the Kingston Lodge (5 mins from me) and frequenting my gym! Funnily enough he is also on the same flight home as me, so at least i will have someone to talk to when i get to Muscat for my 5 hours wait. It's a small world.
Nicole - she was about my age, from germany & had been travelling around asia for the past 2 months. She was very sweet, but I think struggled to keep up as her language was still not that great.
Also spoke a lot of french with a young couple and mother!
Right... it's now almost 10pm here and i am shattered. Plus i dont have my DEET spray so getting bitten to shreds :(
Hope all is well in the UK, will write soon when i get to Dalat. Staying in a nice guesthouse with free internet ..not that it's that expensive here anyway (40p for 1hr!!)
speak soon love
Xxxx
