Cattle impressions in the Mekong Delta
From HCMC, Gillian and I had booked a tour that took us from HCMC to Cambodia via the Mekong Delta. In reality it was a strange amulgamation of tourist attractions sellotaped together, and so we galloped though the Mekong’s top tourist attractions like a herd of cattle: “This: Coconut candy factory! Next!”; “This: Cultural singing! Next!”; “This: Fruit farm! Next!” (did you know that there is a specific order in which one should eat fruit?) ”This: Honey tea! Hold python! Next!” (which I did, but wasn’t all that keen on the way it was sticking its tongue out so excitedly). “This: Crocodile farm! Next!”; “This: Fish farm! Next!”; “This: Floating market! Next!”
etc… etc…
On the first night we took the option of staying in a homestay, which was such a nice respite after being herded around. While the others in our group were dropped off at a very average-looking hotel, we were whisked off on the back of motorbikes into the Mekong Delta proper to stay with a local family. Initially we were sceptical that we would be just another in a long line of tourists, but if that was the case we certainly didn’t feel like it – the family was so friendly and welcoming, making us dinner (my mouth still waters when I think of those fresh spring rolls), and chatting to us with such genuine interest that it was a real wrench to leave the next morning to join the rest of the group (not before we were taken to a field of watermelons at 6am… strange).
The last day (after “This! Fish farm!”) was spent mainly on a wobbly boat to the Cambodian border (it was really apparent who of the group were “tourists” and who were “travellers”: the tourists were paranoid that the boat would capsize and the travellers were just dozing and wondering what all the fuss was about. I mean they do this trip all the time, right?).
From the border we took another boat and then a minivan to Phnom Penh (PP). Instantly I felt more relaxed here: out of growly, grumpy Vietnam and back to friendly SE Asia! Hooray!
We were dropped at a bit of a nasty hotel, but it was late and we were hungry (and it had a tv!) so we buckled, dumped our bags and went food hunting, while trying to work out the 2 exchange rates you have to keep on top of in Cambodia (USD & Riel… no one really uses Riel here… only for small items – ATMs hand over USD. All quite confusing to get your head around initially).
Floating Market lady
