I joined a boat tour early Sunday morning at 7:30 to the Mekong Delta to see floating markets and heaps of touristy mumbo jumbo. And although I have been staying in the delta region for the past two weeks I felt that this re-visit (again, for the third time) was warranted as the following day allowed us access to Cambodia by boat, rather than by bus.
The floating markets, while in the morning are energetic, were entirely disappointing at 3pm. I was able to see how coconut candy was made and wrapped (entirely by hand and in minutes) as well as observing how rice can turn into popcorn in a vat of hot coals, separated and bagged all within seconds. It was all very drab but interesting. I think the worst part about it was it kitchy-touristy-overpriced crap everywhere, and that was rather disgusting in of itself.
The best part of this day was meeting Mel and Courtney, both from America and both great people. We laughed uncontrollably most of our first hours together, and by the end of the day the three of us had met and joined forces with 6 other travelers (4 of whom were heading to Cambodia as well). We spent the night on the boat in bunk beds but didn't use them until the whiskey I had boughgt (for 40,000 dong--ha!) and the beer that was on the frigate was consumed. That night was one I won't soon forget, and created solid friendships between almost everyone on the ship.
We woke at 4am to breakfast and a sunrise on the Mekong River where a more interesting Floating Market was taking place. This is when tradesmen and gatherers sells items and fruit and food and drink from their boats to other on their boats. So there are many boats and many colors, and was very interesting. I spent about 30 minutes just observing them with my binoculars. This was entirely better than the 3pm version!
From there we dragged slowly to the Cambodian boarder where we landed and hoped on a bus which should probably have held 12 people safely (including luggage) but instead held 23 (and also twice as much luggage).
One poor man's seat was broken and sloping towards an open hole in the floor of the bus which gave him the zooming view of the rocky and tumultuous road which ran from the pier to Phnom Phen, Cambodia.
This city was shocking at first. Poverty, dirt, many people, many beggars, etc. It was similar to Viet Nam but certainly provided a clearer definition of "Third-World." Mel, Courtney and I found a place to stay for ONE US DOLLAR a night and our four other friends (Nathan and Laura, and Megan and her brother Kyle) found a hotel across from the street.
We went out for dinner and enjoyed it, as well as the company of a little 13 year old girl, Gia, who spoke incredibly good English.
After some time we invited her to get ice cream with us, to which she was surprised, reluctant, but happy she came along (as were we) and we bought her some ice cream. The night ended in conversations on balconies and we're off to the Killing Fields tomorrow... heavy.
The floating markets, while in the morning are energetic, were entirely disappointing at 3pm. I was able to see how coconut candy was made and wrapped (entirely by hand and in minutes) as well as observing how rice can turn into popcorn in a vat of hot coals, separated and bagged all within seconds. It was all very drab but interesting. I think the worst part about it was it kitchy-touristy-overpriced crap everywhere, and that was rather disgusting in of itself.The best part of this day was meeting Mel and Courtney, both from America and both great people. We laughed uncontrollably most of our first hours together, and by the end of the day the three of us had met and joined forces with 6 other travelers (4 of whom were heading to Cambodia as well). We spent the night on the boat in bunk beds but didn't use them until the whiskey I had boughgt (for 40,000 dong--ha!) and the beer that was on the frigate was consumed. That night was one I won't soon forget, and created solid friendships between almost everyone on the ship.
We woke at 4am to breakfast and a sunrise on the Mekong River where a more interesting Floating Market was taking place. This is when tradesmen and gatherers sells items and fruit and food and drink from their boats to other on their boats. So there are many boats and many colors, and was very interesting. I spent about 30 minutes just observing them with my binoculars. This was entirely better than the 3pm version!
From there we dragged slowly to the Cambodian boarder where we landed and hoped on a bus which should probably have held 12 people safely (including luggage) but instead held 23 (and also twice as much luggage).
One poor man's seat was broken and sloping towards an open hole in the floor of the bus which gave him the zooming view of the rocky and tumultuous road which ran from the pier to Phnom Phen, Cambodia.This city was shocking at first. Poverty, dirt, many people, many beggars, etc. It was similar to Viet Nam but certainly provided a clearer definition of "Third-World." Mel, Courtney and I found a place to stay for ONE US DOLLAR a night and our four other friends (Nathan and Laura, and Megan and her brother Kyle) found a hotel across from the street.
We went out for dinner and enjoyed it, as well as the company of a little 13 year old girl, Gia, who spoke incredibly good English.
After some time we invited her to get ice cream with us, to which she was surprised, reluctant, but happy she came along (as were we) and we bought her some ice cream. The night ended in conversations on balconies and we're off to the Killing Fields tomorrow... heavy.
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