The Mekong Delta

Today I am relieved of arm candy duty. I'm on a short trip to the Mekong Delta.

While waiting for the bus, I have the option of buying many things. There are sunglasses, gum, wallets, toy horses that bob their heads, and newspapers. I buy nothing. I have everything I need.

Sunglasses, 2 liters of water, camera, extra battery, Imodium, backup Imodium, double-secret backup Imodium, and a full roll of toilet paper (Asia is not often kind to my alimentary canal) are all in my back pack.

My Tho and Ben Tre are a two hour drive. As we pass through the out-skirts of Saigon, I notice new building projects. High-rise apartment blocks are just beginning to go up. This is meant to be luxury living outside the hustle and bustle. Every time I come to Vietnam, I see great progress being made.

I've been on this trip before. The tour company takes you to several cottage factories. They do a little lecture, and hope you will buy some of their wares. I bought some coconut candy. This is the only place I've ever found it. But it does not age well, so I only picked up only a small amount that will be consumed before we go back to The States.

We get off the bus, and travel in several types of boat and one horse cart. There are six people in a cart, and the driver had me from time to time shift my weight from in front of the axle to behind it, depending on the terrain. Yes, I am the straw that broke the horse's back!

Returning to Saigon, the guide announces that thanks to our cooperation, he has done a good job. I must remember that one.