Finding your feet on a new boat always takes time whatever the size and this trip is no exception. The boat interiors are very dark and it makes everything seem very small especially after the huge space we enjoyed at the hotel.
In the dining room we have joined up with another couple and thus far managed to get the same table. The same staff cover the same areas and we have very quickly built a relationship with our waiting staff.
Breakfast started at 7:00 and was buffet style. We have a good selection available plus an egg station for my occasional omelette.
This morning we had our first tour which was to the village of Cai Be, getting there involved a boat trip.
Enroute we passed through a floating market which is a wholesale one for local traders. It was then on to visit the Cai Be Catholic Church which has the tallest bell tower of the Tien Giang Province, South Vietnam.
Next a local sweet making factory where everything is hand made and we given demonstrations how things were made such as coconut toffee, puffed rice sweets, rice paper, rice wine with added snake and we were able to sample these along the way. I declined the opportunity to try the rice wine, it just doesn’t seem right to me!!!
Then back to the boat for lunch and talk about life on the Mekong.
It’s middle of the rainy season here which is why the water looks so muddy. In fact we received a letter in the cabin after lunch to say that we would not now be disembarking at Angkor Ban due to high water levels. Alternative arrangements are being made and we are to be updated once confirmed.
In the afternoon another boat trip to Sa Dec where we visited a Cao Dai Temple and produce market for the local people. There were all kinds of produce, vegetables, fish and meat some of which I wasn’t happy to see.
Would I visit again, I think not, we are all aware of this type of thing but is there a need to walk us through the length of it, Nicole really struggled with some of items on display such as frogs being skinned alive or animals or fish being killed on demand, even skinned rats for sale for those who favour that sort of thing.
The temple wasn’t the most enthralling either and what with the heavy showers of rain it didn’t make for a memorable afternoon.
I was happy to get back onboard and have a shower and I’m looking forward to dinner tonight, I’m absolutely starving.
Loving this blog. Takes me down memory lane although it is many years ago since I was in Vietnam and on an ocean cruise. I’m with you on some of the fresh produce on sale!
Hi Wans..following along with you and enjoying the blog.
With your permission can I let the usual suspects on Cruisedot know of your latest adventure?
Yes by all means.