Mekong River Delta, Day #135

The Happy Buddha in Vinh Trang pagoda almost two hours ride north of Saigon if I have my directions straight. This guy just has to make one happy!

On this day my excursion of choice was "Mekong River Delta." I was not certain exactly what this would involve, but this was a name and location heard for years during the nightly news, therefore, I wanted to go there. As it turned out the entire excursion was exactly what a doctor would have ordered for me after all those emotion packed days of the past week. FUN! The only kicker was that this outing required an early morning wake-up call as we were to be in The Insignia Lounge at 6:15 to receive our bus assignment. This I managed with some degree of difficulty, but made it nonetheless. Thank goodness the Terrace Cafe opened at 5:30 and ever attentive Walter was there with my coffee, water, orange juice and cranberry juice before I could even get seated. With a full stomach and thermos of water, I was good to go. After almost two hours on the bus we arrived at the above pagoda and the welcoming face of the Happy Buddha. Several other large Buddhas dotted the area, but this one set the tone for my day. I have learned that Buddha stops serve dual purposes. Each coincide with much needed WC breaks and they all seem to have clean and plentiful facilities. Good call. From the pagoda, we proceed to the pier for a short cruise on the Mekong River. It is a very busy, very wide, very muddy river filled with almost as many clumps of vegetation as vessels. We later learned that the vegetation had washed down river from Cambodia during their rainy season and were actually helpful to the water quality. Okay, then let's leave them as they are. I was a bit surprised when our boat docked on the opposite side of the river from that where we had boarded. Relax. All part of the plan. Here we explored what I can only describe as a fruit tree jungle. Virtually every tree bore one type of fruit or other. Who knew there was such a thing as a water coconut? Strange looking thing it is, but if they want to eat it, more power to them. Just as it started to shower we were ushered onto a covered patio, served an assortment of fruits, some really good tea and treated to a medley of traditional songs by four lovely ladies. Wonderful! As the rain lessened we strolled through numerous shops selling locally made crafts, then into another smorgasbord of fruit trees on our way to a small canal. At the canal, we all qued-up to await the arrival of our next ride: a sampan. For anyone as ignorant as I, a sampan is a small canoe-like boat only with a flat bottom capable of transporting four people plus those at each end doing the rowing. Our rowers were a mother and daughter team (the younger of which was to be a mother in the near future) who cheerfully distributed to each a pointy hat so that we would fit in with the locals. Sure! This canal was somewhat narrow, but very busy with legitimate traffic, not just tourist. I noted homes alongside the banks almost obscured by the thick water-coconut trees. Hmm! Not everyone travels on motorbikes or scooters. Those who live here may have a scooter stashed somewhere else, but to get to their homes, they must go by sampan. All too soon this trip came to an end at a candy factory. What kind of candy? Why water-coconut candy, of course. Nope, I did not succumb. I have gained too much weight courtesy of The Insignia chefs, thank you very much.

A mature water-coconut still on the tree.

Take a ride in a sampan. Check. Repeat any chance you get!

A lotus flower at the restaurant.

Time to cross the river again and continue on our excursion. After another successful and pleasant crossing of the Mekong River, we were treated to yet another delightful traditional Vietnamese lunch at what apparently is a popular style venue here: large outdoor raised flooring covered with a thatch roof and no walls in the midst of a garden. Some seat dozens, others only six or eight. Both of the ones we went to were far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. Another delicious yet different lunch was served. Beautiful setting! It was soon time to hop back on our buses and return to the ship.

Back on board I snapped this picture. I was glad to be back in my snug little cabin when the storm broke. Can't imagine what all those people on those thousands of motorbikes did when that cloud burst.

Storm brewing over Saigon.

I hope you have enjoyed this glimpse into the Vietnam I saw this past week. Up next is Thailand.

Today Is Someday! Enjoy the flowers!