Last day in Vietnam- I would have loved to go to the War museum in Ho Chi Minh City but I just didn’t have enough time in Vietnam. I had to make it to the Mekong Delta, because I heard it was an incredible experience. So we hired a driver. It was Me and 4 other girls that piled into this car. It was 1 and a half hour drive. The bumpiest ride of my life. The driver decided to take us the rural way. Pothole next to pothole next to pothole is what that meant. Finally we made it there, where we jumped on a small boat with a personal tour guide. I actually don’t remember his name right now, but he was awesome. Our little boat took off through these canals filled with brown water. The Mekong Delta is the brownest river I’ve ever seen. As we cruised along the shoreline, our guide pointed out all the fish farms. They were like the floating houses I saw in Cambodia but there were huge nets in the water with huge yellow and orange fish in them. They were legitimately raising fish right there in a big net in the Mekong Delta. They don’t just catch fish. They raise them themselves. I found that fascinating. So then we got dropped off on this small island where there were bee farms. We didn’t actually get to see the farms, but we were able to try this honey tea. It was sooooooo yum, but also very scary to drink because bees were flying at us. They wanted the honey just as much as I did. From there we got on an even smaller boat. The boat held 3 of us plus the paddler. They had us wear those Vietnamese hats that you see pictures of people working on the farm. It was fun. The canals were so small. They kept squeezing 3 small boats through these canals. I was terrified we were going to tip and fall in to the brown water. But apparently those guys were pros. I liked watching the person paddle the boats. They squat right at the edge of the boat and paddle. You definitely have to be little in order to do that. It’s probably sucha work out. The canals were lined with short palm trees. A lot of the branches looked as if they had been torn off or cut off. I think maybe some of the people that paddle the boats around hang on to them and rip them off. Anyway, it was amazing cruising those canals. The tour guide then took us to a coconut candy making island. The coconut candy was very delicious. They showed us how they make it too. I stocked up on coconut candy for friends and family back home! So you better be expecting some. Basically when you go to Vietnam (because you must someday before you die) be sure to experience the Mekong Delta.

The ride back to Ho Chi Minh was a delight. We slept for most of the way.

 

 

So now,

I’m done with Japan, China, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Next stop India. I’m docking tomorrow. I still can’t believe it. After India, I will be half way done with my trip. That’s really depressing. It has been the absolute time of my life. Thanks mom and dad!