The Mighty Mekong

Today was the day we decided to go to the Mekong Delta. On a map you're looking at about 70 miles. That's about an hour's drive, right? Wrong! Almost 3 because there is no direct route. You may have heard that people here aren't the best drivers in the world. Our guide explained they don't have to pass a test, and our driver would fail one if he ever had to take one. Unlike every other driver
on the road, he didn't believe in staying in one lane but instead drove down the middle and proceeded to honk at anyone who happened to get in his way. Suffice to say, we heard lots of honking.

Our tour was to include a floating market but by the time we got there mostof the vendors were in their boats doing other things. Nonetheless it was interesting seeing people buying watermeln and sweet potatoes from a boat. We then went ashore and saw how they make puffed rice, coconut candy, rice paper, and drank some rice wine. It tasted a little like whiskey but not as sweet.

The trip continued with a longer ride on the river, lunch at a family restaurant (yes, I ate a spring roll), a bike ride around the little island, and then a ride in a traditional boat rowed by a local. All in all a good day.

If you've ever done a tour like this you know that it is made up by all types, ours was to be no different. First there was the driver who couldn't pick a lane, causing me to channel my father, and then there were the Irish lasses. Nice girls to be sure, from Dundalk just north of Dublin. I'm not sure if they had one complete brain between them. There was the quiet one who burnt to a crisp, the Kaufman-girl lookalike who decided that perhaps taking malaria pills might be a good idea and then there was the "Genius". Oh, yes, the Genius. I fear for Ireland if she is the future. Paler than Reg, she didn't bring sunblock so she got a bit burnt. Then she had no idea where she was headed for this tour, thinking she was headed north and quite far away. And to cap things off, she asked a guy from South Africa if Egypt was close to Vietnam. She would have failed my first quiz this year as at the age of 19 or 20 she admitted to not knowing where Africa actually was. Yes, world, you are just as dumb as those Yanks that you love to hate. She was pure comedy.

We're watching the Germany game and getting ready to fly up to Hoi An tomorrow. Enjoy your 4th.

N