Can Tho to Chau Doc

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Feb 16 Lucy's birthday
We were up early to take the boat to the floating markets. This is a way of life that may be disappearing in Vietnam. At first there were few roads and so people living by the river would take their goods to market by boat. A huge pole advertises what they were bartering because no one exchanged money to begin with, just the goods. Later the market grew with people serving tea, coffee, breakfast. The market starts early about 2 am so the people would get up at 1 am to get there. With the development of the country more roads were built and goods were transported by lorry so the markets are less busy, but for some Vietnamese it is their way of life and so it continues more of a tourist attraction although we saw boats full of cabbages, fruit which Duc our guide said would sell.The next part of the journey was by car about 4 hours to Chau Doc, however to break up the journey we stopped at a Buddhist temple learning more about this religion and then on to a crocodile farm, probably not the most enjoyable art of the trip. There were about 15000 crocodiles at various stages of their lives. The place was ornate so they are obviously making money, a restaurant serving crocodile in all ways, a shop with bags and shoes and belts and nice grounds. The crocodiles were mostly looked after but one pen they were in was very overcrowded with not enough water or shade.On arriving in Chau Doc we drove up to Sam mountain to watch the sunset. It would have been a good place but there was a fog or could be smog in the air and the place was full of litter as usual. We chatted to a guy from Holland who was travelling for a few months on his own taking buses but obviously enjoying it. Driving back down to Chau Doc it is very much the border town. It had a few children's amenities like a funfair and other child's playground, opposite our hotel was a casino but the rest of the town was tatty and not inviting.The hotel food was edible but again the staff were friendly and helpful. Wanted to get in touch with Lucy but no signal on the phone and we tired Skyping but it didn't work hope the birthday was lovely for her, we miss her.Next morning we were up early, 5am to get ready to leave. Breakfast was fine except for the tea and coffee, then we took a short ride to the boat. We said our goodbyes to Duc and Near, that's not how its spelt just how it's pronounced, they have been excellent, I think Duc enjoyed our company as well, he seemed reluctant to go waiting until the last minute.The boat was powered and we had it all to ourselves, what a waste of money. The border came up quickly first it was Vietnam where we exited and then a few yards up the river we said hello to Cambodia.

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Photos

Want any melons?
I mean pineapple

Fishing
For what?

Fish farming
At night they put a cover over the fish and sleep here