2015 - MEKONG RIVER - Beginning in Saigon

IT WAS A BIT OF A RUSH FROM SINGAPORE TO SAIGON BUT I ARRVED IN PLENTY OF TIME.

THE TAXI PEOPLE AT THE AIRPORT WHISKED ME STRAIGHT TO A TAXI & IT WAS A FAST RIDE THROUGH THE MANIC TRAFFIC TO THE HOTEL. WE BRUSHED AGAINST A COUPLE ON A SCOOTER BUT EVERYONE EXCEPT ME SEEMED TO THINK IT WAS AS NATURAL AS BREATHING.

I WAS ONLY AT THE HOTEL FOR A FEW HOURS AS THE CRUISE GROUP GATHERED FOR THE BUS RIDE TO THE BOAT.

HERE'S LOOKING DOWN ON THE HOTEL FOYER - CHINESE NEW YEAR ...

THIS PART OF MY TRIP IS A PANDAW RIVER CRUISE ON THE MEKONG PANDAW FROM CLOSE TO THE SEA IN VIETNAM TO NEAR SIEM REAP IN CAMBODIA.

A QUICK RIDE THROUGH SAGON ...

AND OUT INTO THE COUNTRYSIDE ...

ONLY A BIT OVER AN HOUR TO THE PANDAW BOAT, DOCKED AT MY THO .. AT THE EDGE OF THE MEKONG DELTA

AND BEFORE WE KNEW IT WE WERE OFF ALONG THE MEKONG ..

THE FIRST EVENING WE WERE TREATED TO SOME LOCAL MUSIC ON DECK .. WITH ROGER HERE SERVING COMPLIMENTARY BOOZE

ROGER -STILL HARD AT IT ...

THE FOLLOWING MORNING WE HAVE BREAKFAST IN THE MOST EXCELLENT DINING ROOM & THEN BOARD ONE OF TWO SMALL BOATS FOR A RIDE TO THE VILLAGE OF CAI BAI ...

HERE ARE TWO OF OUR GUIDES FOR THE DAY ..

I THINK THESE LADIES ARE LOCAL TAXI DRIVERS ..

LOTS OF NICE RIVER TRAFFIC TO SEE BEFORE WE STEP ON LAND ...

HERE WE ARE ABOUT TO LAND ..

AND LANDED ..

WE GET TO SEE SOME LOCAL ARTISTS AT WORK ..

THAT MIGHT BE A STILL FOR RICE WINE .. WHICH WE ARE OFFERED A TASTE OF ..

BUT THIS IS DEFINITELY SNAKE WINE ...

THE YOUNG GUIDE DID NOT HAVE A TASTE BUT I TRIED THEM BOTH. QUITE TASTY. A BIT LIKE A SPANISH BRANDY. CHEAP & CHEERFUL.

THIS LADY IS MAKING RICE PAPER ..

SNAKE WINE FOR SALE - NOT WINE REALLY, MORE A SPIRIT ..

ONE OF THE PADAW CREW ARE ALWAYS WITH US WITH A FIRST AID BAG & THESE MEN ARE ALWAYS ON THE LOOK OUT TO KEEP THEIR GUESTS SAFE ..

BOTTLED SNAKES & SCORPIONS ..

NOW WE ARE OFF LAND & BACK TOWARDS THE BOAT ..

A BIT OF A TRAFIC JAM - TAXI DRIVERS, THE SAME THE WORLD OVER ..

HERE WE GOT A BIT STUCK IN THE WATER HYACINTH .. WHICH I UNDERSTOOD TO BE A PROBLEM PLANT BUT EVERYONE HERE THINKS IS OK. EVERY PART OF IT GETS USED FOR SOMETHING.

SUNSET COMES EARLY & FAST ..

FERRIES KEEP GOING & FISHERMEN KEEP FISHING ..

WIERD COLOURS ON THE WATER & THAT'S THE END OF OUR FIRST FULL DAY ON THE MEKONG.

IF YOU ARE AROUND GILLETE, WYOMING & READING THIS, I SEE YOU HAVE SPENT A WHILE READING MY MYANMAR STUFF, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT AS I AM INTERESTED IN WHAT YOU THINK OF MY ENTRIES HERE.

IF YOU OR ANYONE ELSE ARE INTERESTED IN THE REST OF THIS TRIP YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE TO E MAIL NOTIFCATIONS. AS FAR AS I KNOW IT DOES NOT OPEN YOU UP TO SPAM & JUNK MAIL.