Sampan Adventure 2.0!
Much like yesterday, today's excursions were both via sampan vessels that picked us up from the Viking Saigon which was "docked" in the middle of the Mekong. We were the first group off and pushed off at 8:30am headed for the small riverfront city of Sa Ðéc. About half the voyage was up the Mekong and the second half up the small tributary to the city center. The scenery along the river was just so representative of SE Asia (in my opinion). No rain today, just a gentle breeze as we sailed along.
Ready for sailing
Life along the riverfront
Approaching Sa Ðéc on the Mekong
"Waterfront property"Approaching the city center"The neighborhood" in mid-town Sa Ðéc Within half an hour or so we'd arrived at the dock right at the local market. We'd been told that the morning would be spent strolling through the market so we could see what it was like. And we were told most families come here EVERY day for just that day's food. The market opens at 2am and closes at 7pm with the vendors hoping to sell everything they have on display. Now....if you've followed our previous adventures you know that in my journals I try to give you a couple of photos of what ever we see so that you can get a "feel" for the "flavor" of the day. But today, I took M-A-N-Y photos in the market because it's just way too much to believe. I hope that the multiple pictures can give you a sense of the "oh my Buddha" way we all felt as we walked along for nearly 40 minutes.
The market....looking left, looking right - it goes on forever
Fresh seafood - and most are SWIMMING in the pans
Slithering, slimy LIVE eels!
SO many choices
The bag is full of LIVE frogs leaping around - the one she grabbed, moments later was beheaded with a hatchet :O
Those who know me will not be surprised that I don't see a SINGLE thing in this photo that I'd want to eat :) Live chicks & ducklings :O
How they sell all the food is beyond me
Shortly after we exited the market we went to the French architecture designed house famous for the true story that was the basis for the movie "The Lover." We were welcomed into the main room and served tea while Bob told us the story of the star-crossed lovers that was made into a book, then a movie, set in the years prior to, during and following the Vietnam War.
Photo op in front of the house
Tea time in the ornately decorated living room
Close up of the REAL lovers :)
After we left the home we walked a short distance to a street-side bar where we were treated to drinks on Bob! Then we returned to the sampan and sailed back to the Viking Saigon.
Note the time - yes, 9:57am....when in Vietnam, you act Vietnamese :)
The choices were soft drinks, beer, or coconut - John & Val got the coconut :)
After lunch we were back on board the sampan for our trip Cái Bè for the afternoon excursion. It was a very short "drive" from the ship - which had moved further down river - to the waiting "dock" on the riverside. We got off and walked along the path parallel to the river before turning in to a farmer's home a little ways in. Compared to yesterday's rural home, this was like comparing a small midwestern farm house (yesterday) to a big suburban ranch home (today). Especially noteworthy to us as we sat down to enjoy fresh picked fruit from his garden with tea were the marble tile floors....that compared to the old broken wood slates from yesterday's home on stilts. After a short talk we returned to the sampan and headed back up the river a ways before ducking into a small side canal.....
All ashore that's going ashore!
An "island suburban home"
Sit down, enjoy some fresh fruit!
As we floated along we saw a "boat-load" (LOL - I made a funny!) of boats all along both sides of the canal. Bob explained that prior to the pandemic this was a floating market. But when the pandemic hit everyone was ordered to close down their boat/shops. Three years later the cost of repairing the boats to bring them back to "shop-status" was less expensive than purchasing a truck and bringing items in each day on a truck. Soon we arrived at our drop off point, which was like an outdoor bar and a group of men were obviously having an afternoon drinking party. If their behavior did not tip it off, the nearly two dozen discarded beer cans under the table for the five of them sealed the deal! Pretty sure as we walked by they were inviting us to join their party! We soon arrived at our destination where we were shown several "interesting" local treats. We saw how they turned white rice into popped rice by tossing it into a big pan and stirring it around as it popped like popcorn at home. But THE MOST interesting thing was when Bob opened a jar and pulled out a cobra snake....used to make SNAKE WINE. Oh yes, you read that right. Did we try it? DUH....when in Vietnam, do as the Vietnamese! After browsing a small display of handmade articles we boarded the sampan and floated back to the Viking Saigon.
Right turn head....turn right HERE
Vietnamese "pop corn" (with rice!)
Snake Wine cheers! Yes, that's a snake :)
Clearly, you see the snake :)
We bid a fond farewell to the Viking Saigon - thanks for the memories!
Tonight was the last night on the ship as we leave tomorrow by bus for a two night hotel stay in Saigon. We'll miss the ship and the crew and especially the sailing. It was a wonderful cruise! On to the next segment!
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