Vietnam

I am really glad we went to Cambodia first.  I was very excited to get back to southeast asia and it was awesome, but I do not need to go back.  After being in Vietnam for an hour I am already plotting to get back here.  Vietnam is the best place on earth.  We went  over the border on a boat with no problem.  If Cambodia and our last trip to Vietnam were touristy, then we are really off the beaten path this time.  The people are so friendly and happy to see you.  Cambodia is poor and the people are stoic.

 

We spent two nights in Chau Dock and Two nights in Vinn Long - and we have 2.5 nights left in Saigon which we will get to tomorrow.

 

Chau Dock is a border town that is great.  We spent 9 hours on the back of motorbikes touring the country side.  The cost was $50.00 total and that included a $20 tip.  The day was sick.  When we did this last year I thought this was shady and the people were going to rob us.  This time I realize it is just a great adventure.  We saw several buddhist monasteries and much of the country side.  It is hard to explain.  That night we had a bike driver take us to a local floating resterzaunt (menu in Vietnamese) and we had the best grilled red snapper ever.  The next day the buses were full so we took a taxi to Vinn Long (three hours).

 

We got to Vinn long at noon and were planning a down day and ended up have a great night.  Our hotal is on the top (4th) floor overlooking the Meknong Delta.  We walked along the water and at sunset all the locals fly kits over the river.  We sat on a bench with 100's of people flying kits - chldren everywhere all happy.  We are literally the only white people in this town.

 

Woke up this morning and took a 3 hour boat ride along the delta.  They offered tours at 11am from the hotel, but that's for pussys that want life preservers plus it would have been at high noon with all the tourists from Siagon.  Instead we went to the dock at 7am and hired local boat for 3 hours.  We saw where coconut candy and puffed rice candy were made.  The guide then offered us a shot of cocnut vodka at 9am (for free) - it was wonderful seeiong Di choke that down.  From here we went to the Cai Bay floating market.  While we were walking there the children were getting out of school and they all wanted to say HELLO and give hi-fives.

 

Right now we are going to go a sunset boat ride with the same guy from this morning.  Then Dinner and a few beers and call it a night.

 

We have a 8 am bus to Siagon, where I know the food is the best!

 

The thing that is hard for me as an American to get over is the fact people here are so nice and they want ot help - not nessarrly for the money.  Di and I are staring to let thinks happen and that is where the fun is.