Viet Nam may row in mind--across the Mekong River Delta

Water market

4/30/7 and a half in the morning, we had in the back room, Redsun headed Sinh Cafe, after two days, with tours around the Mekong Delta.

End in Phnom Penh's Mekong tour, Sinh Cafe is such arrangements:

First day: 7: 45 departure from Sinh Cafe, go bus going to Be, in Cai Cai Be swap boats visiting the water market, orchards, rice cakes production process, etc., have a special flavor of Viet Nam for lunch.

After lunch in the Mekong Delta and traveling by boat, visit the tranquil farm life, and then ship the tourists to Vinh Long. Then transfer the car arrived at the town of Chau Doc, Chau Doc town at night.

Second day: spend two hours by boat to visit the water floating houses, mosques, and traditional weaving, etc.

And then sat 3-hour boat arrived at the Vinh Xuong border. Transit, sat 1 hour high-speed boats arrived in Cambodia for lek luang, ashore and transfer to bus, approximately 5 p.m. arrives in Phnom Penh.

The end point in Phnom Penh's Mekong tour circuit, Sinh Cafe list price of $ 26 per person, but we 29 April book, a salesperson said now is the price to us $ 30/person.

The original Viet Nam had also, as with domestic labour, travel during this time the price.

7: 40 Sinh Cafe we got to the door, there is already abuzz, all colors, a variety of languages, mixing to make a mission.

Great she's travelling after bus came, North of Hanoi, Mekong tour, a tour of the Mekong 3 ... Over a car, bus, staff will hold electric Horn repeated notification until 8 o'clock, they see a car close to the Mekong River tour of buses over, we get six people seated once. Cathy and I want to sit by the window, a person has a two-person to sit on.

The visitors were one after, are moving car window looked around, suddenly heard a sentence: "my ear Is it free?"

A hair bald man is pointing at me the space to ask.

"Yeah," I smiled and replied, heard him say "free" with the weight of tongue tone, with small I barely passable German also judgment, it must be a Germany.

Sure enough, he said, from Germany, with us only in Saigon for a day, the tour visited Mekong and to Phnom Penh. He then went to Siem Reap and Sihanouk to Thailand tour back, for a total of three-week vacation. Happy Ah, unlike us, Baba is 10 days vacation extrusion.

Presently, the bus was full of Viet Nam, a little tourist guide on the bus and started aigeer booking form.

The last statistics, so many people were divided into three lines, Mekong tour back to Saigon, Mekong tour back to Saigon, we thus Mekong tour to Phnom Penh. Tourist nationality also got a United States, France, Germany, China, Japan, as well as the locals to visit the Sai. I sat behind the two girls from Guangzhou to is to participate in the tour.

The bus quickly heading for the city, along the road are lush fields.

Double-lane highway, in the village, walk through the fields, stretched away into the distance.

Guided self introduced that is brought up in the Mekong Delta, and introduces the history and current situation in the middle of the United States and France mentioned in Viet Nam's situation is used a lot smoother.

Just watch, listen, speak, more than two hours after the car in a bus stop, Cai Be up.

A car person by two motorised boats, go to the water market.

Mekong Delta water market not only large, but not pretentious tourist area, very life.

Ancestral life in Mekong people every day on the boat to boat to the sale of goods, transport, ship, boat, sail boat, hand, wood, iron ... Whether large boats boat, crude or neatness and bow are painted bright fish head pattern, red fish gills, black is a fish-eye, it is striking.

Car guided tours in our sit the big ship, took the microphone to Viet Nam, and then explain in English, listening to him, the water in the boat, the market for buyers, the ship will be selling goods on the bow of the most striking places, from a distance you can see what they sell.

Just happened to be in front of the ship, the bow was a big pumpkin, they should just sell a pumpkin. When I go to approaching a look, and sure enough full boat of pumpkin, we cannot help but smile at each other.

Read water market, a boat, a guide with us to visit-coconut sugar and rice cakes of the workshop, he told us to eat, just do it out of coconut sugar soft warm fragrant, the flavor is very good, I ate a few blocks, utterly unlike in Shanghai refused to eat fat dessert looks; on the other side a woman are doing rice cakes, cliques, Cathy and Scarlett around her read and eat, finally, the old woman doing speed are not catch and eat them.

Cathy don't know if they aren't, then pay to buy a package that is brought back to a colleague to try, however, this package rice cakes before we invaded Cambodia was empty.

Swing boat on the River

The Mekong is Southeast Asia's biggest rivers, full-length 4,500 km.

It originated in the southern part of China's Qinghai province, beginning with a period is not yet named, flow to the Heteropoly, that "the Zain song"; through the eastern Tibet, known as Lancang River; to the South to Yunnan province, Yunnan Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture, South stream. It flows into Myanmar and Laos, Thailand, multiplied and then southward into Cambodia and Viet Nam, Viet Nam, Sai Kung, near to the sea.

The Mekong River in Viet Nam in 220 km long, the annual average flow rate up to 4750 billion cubic meters, to 240 million hectares of irrigated farming, makes a world famous rice-producing areas, also makes the Viet Nam became second only to Thailand rice exporter in the world.

Mekong River Delta

Chau in the southernmost of Viet Nam, is the most fertile parts of Viet Nam, Viet Nam is also the most densely populated areas. Here, take the river network are a boat, we cross a canal in the vast expanse of rice fields, the orchard, the fragrance of tropical plant life, experience the local way of life, is indeed a unique travel experience.

End sugar and rice cake workshop after the visit, we also take on board the vessel away from the main channel, turned into a small river, River-intensive, it feels like the land East of highway network, a small river branch, West Branch of a river, but also not as a sign of what Highway, really do not know where the vessel is how to identify the location of that does not rely on the compass.

On the banks of the river sides, densely covered with coconut palms and banana plantations, as well as many call out names of tropical plants. A thick, green, or between several blooming bougainvillea stuck to purplish-red, warm, Akira's eye.

Just look at the day that changed it, now it foretold, suddenly the clouds started driving rain, I sat in the ship's side, hurried up the rain down, rain violently beat the rain around a piece of cloth, Dim, we can only bow small window, see the rain outside off-white.

Also ten minutes away, the rain, I live in the dark got up and wanted to rain down, rain can be wet and volumes seem larger volume, biting rain man of the cloth, how are the root chains hanging on the original that hook.

Having trouble watching me, sitting in the front, side, my boys hastened to stand up and help, people power, two people working together to collect the rain and then tightened and hang up. I smiled at him, say "Thank you", man also gentle smile, and I got chatting.

Travel in the chat as usual, is to ask from there, since the report of the House, the young man who grew up in Saigon and don't know Shanghai, only know that China has a Beijing is the capital, just know that the great wall.

Felt that his understanding of China, as I understand Africa, very distant and strange. Young man in Sai do crafts sale, this time taking advantage of the holidays with his girlfriend out. He told me, in Viet Nam, the rainy season and the hot season, now that the rainy season has just begun, to continue until September. Later, we are caught up in a talk to the consumer in Sai Kung, talked about, I'm frustrated to find that, where foreign tourists are immediately slaughtered object, the young man told me that the level of consumption of local people, foreign tourists in the same standard should at least take twice the money.

30 to 40 minutes of Kung Fu, boat, and we like to have lunch.

From the pier to the restaurant to go in a village along the roadside, wall, with pink, yellow, light purple, tropical flowers, tall palm trees straight to the sky, triangle plum branches were over, put up a beautiful gazebo ... Beautiful rural scenery, fascinating.

Tour Chau Doc town

After lunch, we arrived by boat to Vinh Long.

Up here, Mekong tour itinerary ends, the tourists sit in the bus back to Saigon; tour of tourists want to change the car came to Chau Doc town, and there for the night.

Visitors are more, the Guide to run to run of vehicle, to participate in the tour tourists take a big luggage never when the car is not necessary to remove the bus, we have to change trains.

Street, a five or six big Batu 1 visitor who is back to Saigon, boat and I chat in the Sai guy and his girlfriend also bus, with a smile, and I waved goodbye. Go straight to the back of the bus fleet, Mercedes CMB, a glance to see the same with our trip Germany sitting next door, probably saw I was looking for a car out of the way he got stuck to greet us. It seems that participate in the tour much Ah. We sat down with luggage on the bus, travel agency is just good of, each seat is not idle, and also was full, the little guide were no seats can only be used in place of milking to sit it out.

From Vinh Chau Doc Long to walk quite a long, coupled with State of the roads are not good, we sat for nearly four hours before they arrived in Twilight Chau Doc.

In the travel agency's designated Hotel settle arrangements, dinner is not included in the itinerary, we simply wash after eating out.

Chau Doc is a small town, our hotel is in the Centre of town, adjacent to the river and around the square, are restaurant and market.

We just want to try the local tastes, saw a like big roadside gears like place, intermediate swing with simple tables and chairs, tables and chairs around the one selling snacks of head, many locals eat here. Where the locals should be authentic local cuisine.

Ignoring the clutter, we sit here, too, the assessment of head went around looking, feeling good buy down on the table to eat together.

Remember that night and eat a lot of variety of snacks, pastry with filling, some kinds of rice, grilled fish, beef, mixed with meat and vegetables and rice, fish soup, sugar cane juice ... We sat together, East, West, side, proceed with ate. After eating before a bit worried stomach can adapt? okay, second day, everything is normal, no discomfort, it appears that the health status or gears.

Finished, then we will go in the direction of the square, ride came through here, it looks very exciting.

Walk for 10 minutes, we went to the River. In the evening, dissipates, coming from the River Breeze at very refreshing. The shore, there are many sell drinks, snacks and sundries of stalls, many local leisure here.

Go far came to Chau Doc town Piazza, probably because the feast, the square in the middle of a sea, and began to build a table, in a concert, a singer like woman is singing, there are small children like flowers.

See concert background wall, wrote a few lines of text, in addition to the "Viet Nam 4/30," several other digital, can't understand anything, today is April 30, it is to this day of celebration.

The square shape with hawkers holding the

The balloon in the selling, next to many children around, cliques and Scarlett also concurred in the past, a man bought a, row styling, we not only to shoot a few amused set aside, the locals are laughing, juggle and said something.

On the square to busy enough, we go out to find a Bar and sit, then a tricycle husband on the other hand can take us in town planning, hourly charges.

This tricycle does not comply with the other place is a large flat, no back, only 20 cm high and flat plate, seated leg stretched forward only. But, flatbed, sit a NPC, two people crowd, I don't know why is designed this way.

Cathy, Scarlett and the little girl on this car is very interested in, so that on a good half hour price, our six people by three Flatcar, Chau Doc started the night stroll.

Squeeze sitting in the car, all the way to shake, after dinner of gears, gear boss recognized we waved, straight; after a manificently temples, the darkness, the Temple of light to dark lamp if; through the streets of flower stalls, big round the large offering of white, yellow, purple Chrysanthemum squeeze pushes get beaten, in large barrel, with a subtle fragrance ...

Water floating houses

Yesterday, the guide tells us the next morning 7: 15 departure to visit the water floating housing.

Early on, we all get ready to get the hotel door. Here's a hot day, early, you can cool down.

A tricycle, etc. at the door, have the driver help us put the piece of luggage to the Terminal, we walked past.

Walk to the night before the river pier, there are two motorised boats and small wood pulp, we ship to. The morning after the visit, our participation in the Mekong tour tourists to take different boats, a call back to Saigon, another Dial headed for Vinh Xuong border to Cambodia.

Tourists are both a small wood pulp, which a woman rowing boat, took us to visit the water floating houses, to the local Muslim living in for a visit.

Broad surface of the water, in the heart of floating houses scattered about, just as with the land, housing estate with assorted flowers after kind, drying with clothing, sleeping dog at the door. Some floating roof platform also hanging hammock, women and children to sit or lie fallow fields, enjoying the cool of the morning.

Boat docking in a Department, we visit the Muslims living area and the local mosque, the mosque of buildings and other places is no different, lonesome, and no one inside the Church.

It is an image next to the school building, room, with white caps old gentleman is a group of children to school.

Chau Doc town end yearend, I in the road outside the mosque, with 3000 guilders bought a small watermelon, 5000 shield bought two big mango, a total of just half a dollar, the estimate is to enjoy the local population.

Morning trip over, has a, tour guide and shidianduo our destination is the tourists leave Phnom Penh, Saigon's visitors with back together by another ship.

We transfer boats, led by another local people to visit Vinh Xuong border crossing. Take a look at the front, back, left, the car yesterday, finally to Phnom Penh, only 12, our six Chinese, there are five Japan, 1 Germany.

Ship in the expanse of the River Rio, at this point, near noon the sun beating down on the water, like bright light; the distance of the River, a few goats, cattle are grazing fallow fields; light blue sky, cloud, hundred-thousand posture; wind bursts of laughter rolling, the wind blowing, this sight, it is difficult to explain.

Everyone fell inclined Chair, every one is carefree and appearance of contentment.

Transit episode

12 noon, boat, Vinh Xuong.

A shore saw a blue-green above the iron gates, there is a big sign that says "CUSTOMS STATION", should be in the Office of departure formalities inside. Iron door locked, led by said only open 1 pm, we can eat lunch, 1 o'clock collection, that collection stations, he went away.

Customs has several small restaurants in the vicinity, we sat down in one, lick and eat something.

Today's early, my eyelids already fighting, dying to find a place to lay lying. Then, after dinner, I leave a few other people who are pleasant chat, try the direction towards the village. Go two or three hundred meters you find a good rest out — a big thatched-roof, Vinh Xuong wrote "the Service" International Gate, shed there is a cool down, have a hammock, a person is missing.

No matter that much, I'm in the hammock, gently swaying hammock, near the Palm strolling, Breeze Xu, I closed eyes, enjoy this quiet moment.

In an instant, one point to the collection at the specified location, large package into smaller packets when they just saw the big iron gates, who has headed for helping us put visa run to Cambodia and passport are handed in, we need only formality.

Ready to leave, a companion of Japan boys but was stopped by Customs officers, let his backpack thing completely out checks. The boys took a big mountain package was bulging, light up enough effort, let alone have to put back.

Everybody out there waiting for him, the little girl said, it is estimated that Viet Nam people don't like Japan, a World War II, two million people died in Viet Nam the Japanese army killings! good for a while, come out that Japan boys, smiles, estimates did not find out what the problem.

Everybody who followed along the country headed the path forward, to a border checkpoint, Viet Nam and Cambodia border, boundary, Cambodia had another man, he is responsible to take us to the Office of immigration procedures, then we sent to Phnom Penh.

To inquire about before, in the Shanghai Office Cambodia visa to 310 Yuan RMB, and when the entry, as long as 20 to 25 USD.

Thus,We only do the Viet Nam, Cambodia visa at the local office. Vinh Xuong in boat to the led on the way people let us fill out the application form, and receive a visa fee of $ 23. The 12 person, only that Germany has done a Cambodian visas.

In Cambodia we men first to greet you all sit on the boat, sail Cambodia Customs Office of entry procedures.

It looks like ten minutes, the boat, he took us ashore formalities. Before we all have seen the CityGuide's Raiders, that is likely to be around us $ 1 for a tip, I do not know the real situation is not the case.

Immigration formalities has three Windows, all spread out, with their own passport.

I am in the window is left whiskered middle-aged man, he took my passport turned over a-pass, see passport photo and look at me, I explained that a passport photo is a few years ago, when I was a short hair, now stay long. Search for a while, he began to cover entry after chapter, covers but not give me your Passport, and hold passports, edge flanging look at me, "this is the tip to me for?" and I thought, then simply ignore him, ask him to give me your Passport. The middle-aged man didn't say anything, just give me your Passport.

Our six Chinese successfully transacted, Cathy and I experience almost finished chapter after the Passport does not directly to her, rummage.

The other four are quite normal. At that time would also like to say, Raiders of the blatant to tips, not every immigration checkpoint.

We are the first to return to the ship, laughing with other people.

After a while, a few people coming back to Japan, there were no problems, etc. that Germany. Thought quickly, left, right, and other missing him, more than 10 minutes have passed, the boat headed person ashore to find him, came back saying that also in the Office. Knock on a chapter so complicated? really strange. Waited ten minutes, Germany who has not come back, do not worry, that will not leave a tip do not come out, that they themselves find the Germany ashore. For a while and come back down to tell us that Germany saying we have to wait a little longer. That's waiting for you, our 11 personal plus several ship had to sit with the local people waiting.

Finally, more than half an hour later, Germany people hurried back on board, to say sorry.

Ask him why, say immigration formalities that his visa had the wrong version, to complement the formalities, such as a long time. Is there such a thing, I asked him if he has no money for staff, Germany who in all seriousness, my visa in Germany spent 66 euro do not give them money! I sigh, I d like to do, like we do at the local dollar figure 23. Furthermore, it is estimated that this was only a pretext for cable tip, if Germany people to them a few dollars, estimates can smoothly. Little girl in the side that estimated for the staff at the Chinese people and Japan were more inconvenient blatant to tips, see only one person who create difficulties for Germany.

(Village)

(Visit the water floating house sitting in the boat)

More travels to Viet Nam text, browse the following links:

http://blog.sina.com.cn/zhuliping#serial_4995398505000mcq