Anchored mid-stream in the Mekong so sampan ride to Tan Chau to visit a Cao Dai temple – one of the newest religions in Vietnam – kinda embraces them all.
Then an Xe Loi ride – a traditional rickshaw with the cyclist in the front this time and the passenger in the back. A fun way to see some of the village and children all waving and thinking no doubt “those weird tourists!
Visited a rattan weaving factory – aka a cottage industry where they were making floor mats and baskets out of rushes – a two person job on the loom. curl the end of the rush onto a large “shuttle” and shoot it across loom. Second person is actually sitting on loom and pulls paddle down.
“Sampaned” it along the canals (an experience) to a fish farm and watched the feeding frenzy – there are multitudes of fish farms along the river canals and also along Mekong itself. Also to a very fertile area known as Emerald Island – (Ever Green Island) where all sorts of crops grown and a small village is located. People very friendly and welcoming and kids keen to chat and practice their English. Very close encounter with the people and their way of life.
This afternoon was a further relaxing sail down the Mekong- blowing a gale but it was great way of keeping cool.
In the Mekong Delta the people live, work and shop on the water. Will see more of this tomorrow.
TGFI !!
