Our Mekong Experience

Gosh. Where to begin...

Ok. The boys and I went off last Wednesday to the Mekong Delta. We were disappointed to leave Archbishop Tutu's Ash Wednesday service early but like I've been saying to Ben for weeks now, "the bus is not going to wait for us!" Just poor planning on our part AGAIN!

We got to My Tho, a city where the Mekong divides into several other rivers. I can't remember the origin of the flow but I know it goes through Laos and Cambodia as well as Vietnam. Then it spills into the South China Sea. Our guide was quick to tell us that the river water is clean. To my eye is was a golden milky waterway with large lush greens sprouting from dark thick muddy banks. The explanation is that the water is saturated with vital minerals from the rich soil of the Mekong islands.

We were taken by ferry down the river a bit and transferred to a 4 man paddle boat. As we floated through the narrow waterways shaded by thick palm trees and other wild vegetation, Jeremy and I both had the thought that our soldiers were sitting ducks for the Vietcong. Obviously still feeling a little vulnerable from our day at the museum.

We sampled tropical fruits like jackfruit, longans, kumquats and dragon fruit of which we ate every bite! The heat and humidity are not unlike what we have in Georgia but the change in temp was drastic coming from China where it is winter.

Then we took a horse a buggy ride to Ben Tho, "the land of coconuts" where it was explained to us how every bit of the coconut us used. It is used as food, utensils, mattress filling and a polishing powder to name a few. And just when you think it's depleted of all it's goodness, it is burned to an ash which they then sell to filter water. These people are VERY resourceful!

After an al fresco lunch (nice way to say we were still sweating), we took a bike ride through what we thought would be a nature trail. I guess you could call it that but the Vietnamese allow scooters and cars on the same trail! Very exciting as our brakes failed, chains fell off and gears locked up all while trying to avoid the 2 way traffic! We made it back safely to find Ben sampling the local coconut candy and sipping on an ice cold bottle of water. He cleverly passed on the bike ride ; )

It was an exotic day on the Mekong.

On our ride back to the ship our tour guide gave us her recollection of the Vietnam war. I've come to appreciate the openness and candidness of the people here who want to share their stories with us. It's a "clearing if the air" to them. The people we have encountered, did not hate the US soldiers. The Vietcong fought dirty. The US did not lose. The Vietcong were deceitful toward everyone. Yes, Vietnam is a communist country but I don't think many of the people living here embrace the idea.

We met Chris at the ship. He had his own day in Saigon since he had the Mekong experience with his class the day before. Someone, please ask him to post details on his blog because they are hilarious! He is a man of few words unfortunately because you all are missing out on a good belly laugh!