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Published: March 1st 2011
Before I give you the low down on the city of Hanoi or "City wthin the River's Bend" I will update you on our last day in Cambodia.
Our morning tour was a boat trip on the Great Lake Tonle Sap and fishing village. Well....if Phnom Penh didn't give us a wake up call, this certainly did.
We boarded a wooden 10 passenger boat complete with life jackets attached to our bamboo chairs, the captain was a young man in his late teens (he hoped that this job would afford him the education to become a school teacher) I did a quick inspection of the floor boards and it didn't appear to be taking on too much water.
The surrounding area was dry mud, filthy water and garbage everywhere. The smell of raw sewage, boat fumes and possibly dead fish was enough to make some ill. The floating fishing village tour (most structures are actually build on stilts) is 6.00US and takes two hour. The village has its own street grid system and seems to have just about everything that a village should have. Catholic Church, food store, fueling station, boat repair, snake, croc and fish farm and
homeless people on small pea boats.
As we were making our way down the river young men were waist deep in water as they threw their nets in for the catch. (I'm just hoping that the don't sell their fish to the restaurants in town) The river boats are fully serviced by the arrival of a young attendant (maybe 10 yrs. old) jumping on board and offering coke and sprite for 1$US. I prayed that we would make it back to the dock safely as I really didn't want to rescue our ladies from the middle of the river. Business however seemed to be good as there were many boats making their way back and forth with visitors from around the world.
Our week in Cambodia was a true education and gives you a better understanding of the effect that war and genocide has had on this nation.
"Good Morning Vietnam" - Gareen this is for you!
Our guide Wu had us on the coach at 8:30AM heading for Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum. The very large square was well organized with the arrival of many school children, country men and tourist from around
the world. It is obvious that this man is honored and revered by the Vietnamese people.
We continued on to the One Pillar Pagoda,and the Quan Thanh Temple. After an excellent local lunch at the Wild Banana Restaurant we spend the afternoon at the Ethnology Museum and received a education on their Tribal peoples, culture, costumes and customs.
The number 1 rule in crossing the street is to walk slowly and let the vehicles and one million scooters and motorcycles miss you. If you run they will surely mow you down.
Number 2 rule is to carry your pack in front of you because there is a good chance you may loose something from within.
Number 3 rule, always say no to the street vendors because if you say later they will hunt you down. I must say though the vendors aren't nearly as aggressive as those in Cambodia.
Back at the hotel by 9PM after a great inexpensive dinner and a few Hanoi beer. Good day.
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Great Lake of Tonle Sap
Debbie Cozens
non-member comment
Wow sounds you are having a wonderful experince,,, Great photos and comments of your trip...i would not of gone on that boat ha ha