Brendon
So, Can Tho is where we were! We got up at 5 am, already packed our bags to travel to Rach Gia (ferry place)afterwards, and were picked up at the guesthouse at 5.30. We strolled for about 10 minutes to the river and got on the tailboat. As we didn't want someone jabbering away in our ear all the time we decided not to take a guide, so it was just the boat lady and us. We got our complementary breakfast (2 breadrolls and a bunch of bananas)and we were of. Sunrise was already there, but there was still a beautiful orange glow over the river. The first stop was at a a noodle making place. Just in a back garden there was non stop noodle making going on. From the watery white substance, cooked to pancake shaped noodle pancake, dried in the sun, and then cut into noodles. Funny to see. Obviously these were rice noodles. We later stopped at a rice field were we saw 1 month and 3 months old rice growing. We put on some cone heads (traditional cone shapped hats) and posed for the camera (pics will follow). We then went to a harvest place where they just cut down the rice and where letting it dry. Furthermore there were beautiful waterlily's that grew there. We saw 2 floating markets, of which one huge one and a more local one. Funny to see that everything is done on the river. From shopping, to washing (clothes, food, themselves), petrol stations, living, everything!!! The best part of the trip was just sailing along through canals with massive palm trees and other vegitation around. Just absolutely gorgeous! We walked over a hand made bridge, which was just build from tree trunks. We look cool and relaxed on the pictures, but I assure you.....!!! Of course we had lunch somewhere as well. I went to the toilet and when I came back Hester was getting a massage at the table. Later it was also my turn. We were given a snake to, so it could do some slithering and we could do some picture taking! There was also a very quite little girl, who was amazed to see herself back on our camera. Especially when we made a video of her and shpwed it. All in all an amazing boat trip!
We got our stuff, when we got back and took the bus to Rach Gia, where we would buy some ferry tickets which would take us to Phu Quoc Island. When we got to the ticket booth, hardly anyone spoke english, but it sounded like the ferry is not going. Bad weather!?!? Looking outside, it was a bit windy, but sunny. Being just to the English channel going to England during christmas time, this had to be a mistake. So, we went back to the hotel and let someone there call: No way to get there. Although you can fly as well! Excellent: called the airlines: fully booked for the next days! Ok, we are now in Rach Gia, very far south, soul reason to get to Phu Quoc and it isn't happening. Oh well, bus station, ticket to Ho Chi Minh please, 7 hours on a bus, and here we are!!! Got to be flexible.
Thought of a plan B: We'll see Ho Chi Minh first, and put ourselves on a waiting list for a flight to Phu Quoc from Ho Chi Minh, and then do it. If that isn't possible, we'll have to get our beach time up north in Nha Trang! Hester will take over from here.................
