Fifty kilometers southeast of Saigon is the Mekong Delta,
and today, we travelled there. As soon as we left the city of Saigon, the smog
disappeared along with the traffic noise. The further we went, the slower the pace, and life was more to our liking.
The Delta has formed where the mighty Mekong River meets the
South China Sea. As the muddy waters slow, the silt continues to deposit there.
The Delta lands were low and flat; the soil rich, moisture laden, and prime for
farming.
There were rice paddies, corn fields and other crops being
grown. Cattle were grazing. Farmers wearing their traditional conical sunhats
were out working their fields mainly by hand. Many fields had grave markers,
where farmers from previous generations were buried. Their spirit would
continue to support subsequent generations to work the land and provide for
their families.
From the mainland, we took a boat to a Delta island. En route, there was significant boat traffic, none of which was recreational, and
all was related to agriculture on the Delta, aquaculture on the River, or the
tourist trade.
On tour, we did the expected, visiting a bee farm where we drank
honey tea, ate coconut candy at a micro candy factory, and rode a sampan
through the glades.
Then there was the unexpected, Marlene and the snake, where
Marlene took to snake charming like a pro.
In addition to the snake charming, the Mekong Delta was not
only interesting and pleasant, but a welcome change from life in Saigon.
For the next story in this series, click here:
http://travellingwithsteveandmarlene.blogspot.com/2017/03/angkor-wat-temple-hopping.html
For the next story in this series, click here:
http://travellingwithsteveandmarlene.blogspot.com/2017/03/angkor-wat-temple-hopping.html
