Mekong Delta

After flying from Hanoi back to Ho Chi Minh City we went on an adventure to find a treat. We came up with a Batman Donut! And it was as delicious as it looks!

We decided that the best way to get to Cambodia was by boat through the Mekong Delta. The Mekong Delta produces over half of Vietnam's total rice production. The Mekong River makes it's way to the sea by breaking off into 9 rivers and many small tributaries. 

We toured around one of the main rivers and then climbed aboard small canoe-type boats to see where people live. TJ was unimpressed by the hats that we were given to protect us from the blazing sun. 

We even had the opportunity to help paddle the boat. 

Part of the tour was going to the floating markets. The small boats will tie pineapples, squash or whatever they have to sell to a pole on their boat. That way everyone can see what they have to offer. These children were taken out of school so that they could help earn money for their families. 

At one pineapple boat we were invited to climb up on the boat while the owners peeled a pineapple for you in front of your very eyes. 

It was like a pineapple pop! And only cost about 10 cents... From the top of the boat I could see the whole market and everyone going about their business. 

That is a lot of pineapples!

Beautiful water lilies and lotus flowers. 

We were taken to a pagoda and told to get out and come back to the van in 45 minutes. It was not on the itinerary and so very confusing since the driver didn't speak any English. But it was beautiful and we saw chilled out buddhas. 

And ninja buddhas. 

From the top of the pagoda we could see rice fields in every direction. 

For the last night in Vietnam we decided to go for traditional Vietnamese food. Pho again for me. Look at that plate of extra greens! What a treat! 

The next day we got closer to Cambodia in the small putt-putt boat. We saw many people just living their lives, dependant on the river system. 

We stopped by a Cham village where the people are practising Muslims. They make scarves and sarongs using traditional weaving looms. They also really wanted to dress TJ and I up. The older man in the background took one look at TJ and said "Arafat!". I should have bought a sarong, all the fabrics were just so pretty and obviously took a lot of work. 

We chose the slow boat option to Cambodia because it was a lot more scenic and a heck of a lot cheaper! It was slow but also really chilled out and beautiful.