Chau Doc to Ha Tien - Mekong Delta - Easy Rider Trip
We go out early and had noodles for breakfast. They were yummy as usual. We catch a ferry to an island in search of some temples.
We come across some Cham / Muslim people when we stop to ask directions. They seem to want us to join them. Mr Qua is questioning how Cham people are Muslim but we did see a number of mosques in the area so maybe it is just unique to here. They were very friendly people. We just hung out with them for a while.
This man had so many selfies on his phone, I let him add one more with me. He was also showing me photos of ladies on his phone … I assume they were his daughters. He was talking to me lots but of course I could not understand any of it.
The ferries are continuous … it must be a busy route.
We go back to our hotel to check out and then make our way to Ha Tien. The road is mostly very bumpy today … oh my bum hurts. But to compensate we travelled mostly beside the river all day.
Mr Qua told me this was a bridge to Cambodia but then he checked and Cambodia is about 1.5 km away.
This is our trip today, travelling along the Cambodian Border.
We stop in the countryside to have a rest and so that I can have some papaya.
My papaya was beautiful but most of it was wasted because nobody else wanted any. The cafe lady said she would give it to the chickens.
My bum was sore from travelling in the bumpy road so I welcomed lots of stopping.
We stopped at this place in the country that was set up with Tet traditions for the lunar new year where people could come and take photos. It was a good opportunity to have a walk around.
After a relax here we carry on. At this stage I am thinking that the 5 day trips are too hard on my bum. I recall thinking that last time too. Maybe 3 days is enough. Not complaining because it is such a great way to see so much. I certainly could not see so much on my own, without local knowledge.
Next we hit the coast and I really feel like I am on holiday now … riding beside the water … again.
We stop for lunch at a seafood restaurant. We have fried rice with seafood … it is good.
Next we go to some caves … it was an interesting experience … especially the toilet.
The mountain caves are very beautiful but I really need to go to the toilet … my stomach is a bit upset today. A little girl takes me to her house where I can use the toilet.
The little girl leads me through the family house where there are 5 children and an old man sleeping on a hammock. The place is filthy with food all over the floor. The bathroom has no door and whatever I do will just drop down into the Mekong. As much as I need to go … I just can’t. I must say also that the flooring in the house is really rough … maybe the children made the house. This has to be my biggest culture shock in Vietnam so far. It was only yesterday that I saw that man washing in the water.
After this we go to some different mountain caves.
Next we go to the beach but my phone has run out of battery so the photos that I am showing next are Mr Qua’s photos. My phone did not charge properly last night … rookie mistake.
Ok so after this we ride to our hotel and find again that my room has been let to someone else. They are chatting in Vietnamese and excluding me so I go off in search of Diet Coke. When I return it has all been sorted … we are going to another hotel that belongs to the same family. All good … we go there and it is nice.
We go out in the evening looking for dinner. We do not stay long at the first place because Mr Qua says that the lady is rude.
We find a new place and Mr Qua sings karaoke twice. We enjoy food and beers and the company of a young hostess. It was an interesting evening and fun too.
