We started our third day with a 2 day/1 night tour for USD23 to Mekong or Can Tho (biggest city in Mekong Delta). The package inclusive of a night stay in a budget hotel, air cond coach, boat trips, entrance fees and tour guide.
As usual after our daily breakfast served by the hotel, we took a bus for three hours journey. Along the way, we saw green paddy fields strecthing towards the horizon.
The weather was terribly hot and sunny and I must warn you to bring at least 2 big bottles of mineral water to quench your thirst and wear a hat. The feeling of tireness disappeared when I saw beautiful and gigantic buddha statues in front of Nam Mo Duong Lai Di Lac Thon Phat temple.
Gigant 'Smiling Buddha'
Kuan Imm/Goddes of Mercy
Kuan Imm/Goddes of Mercy
Entrance to the gorgeous temple
It was almost 12 noon, we crossed over to Tortoise Island for lunch.
FM CAU TAU PORT TO TORTOISE ISLAND
A floating attap house
Besides a plate of fried noodles for each of us (included in the package), we were strongly recommended to try the famous mud river fish or known as Elephant Ear Fish for VND200,000 including rice paper, vermicili and fresh vegetables (basil, mint leaves and other herbal leaf).
The fish was crispy, meaty and sweet. Wrap few pieces of fish meat+ fresh vegetables+vermicili in a piece of rice paper and dipped with chili sauce.....just like eating fresh spring roll (minus fresh prawns)
We were happy after enjoying our glory lunch. Next on the itinerary was rowing boat to Unicorn Island and enjoy tropical fruits while listening to traditional folks songs (sorry, no photo taken due to camera ran out of battery)
Entrance to the boat
The small boat.....it was fun and breath taking
After an hour in Unicorn Island, we proceeded to Ben Tre province to visit a handmade coconut candy outlet.
We had a chance to see the making of coconut candy from cutting to packaging into boxes. The coconut candy wasn't too sweet while the coconut beer was quite diluted.Each of us braved ourselves posing and snapping photos with a huge and not poisonous snake. But I dare not hold this cool blooded reptile on my own for fear that it would strangle and kill me (watching too many snakes show, lol). However, I did touched the reptile body which was slippery and solid, yerks !
All of us were having too much fun till our tour guide informed us it's time to head back to Can Tho for overnite in a hotel.
Our room key in a budget hotel
clean double + single bed
We had exotic dinner in restaurant nearby our hotel.
Stir Fried Snakes...meat was tough
Stir Fried Snakes...meat was tough
Total bill was about VND130,000 including the above, stir fried squid + vegetables, grilled rat and 3 fresh coconuts. Our vote goes to Grilled Rat which tasted like ayam goreng berempah (sorry, camera ran out of battery)
It was a fun day filled with sightseeing and laugther...couldn't wait to cruise in Mekong River tomorrow!
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