2017 Anzac Tour: Day 16 - Saigon to the Mekong Delta

Today we awoke for an early breakfast before venturing to the Mekong Delta where 64% of Vietnamese rice comes from. After an hour of travelling we made a pit stop at a small rest stop where Chi informed us they served a popular iced coffee beverage. Many were determined to try the infamous coffee, though there were mixed reactions to the taste. While some found it rich yet delicious, others found it to be strong and excessively sweet.

After the coffee, we got back in the bus for a short time before dragging our luggage onto a small boat. Thankfully, the weather was much better compared to Ton Le Sap in Cambodia, and we saw the many industries that operate on the rivers of Vietnam: tourism, aquaculture, agriculture and heavy industry. After reaching the shore, we were treated to demonstrations of traditional Vietnamese candy, which included poprice cooked in black sand and coconut candy still warm from the massive pan over the fire. They certainly made a good profit from us today!

As we were leaving we spotted a pet python and many were enticed to hold it. Paige gave an entertaining display as the snake continued to move. Josh, too, amused us all as the snake tried to give him a kiss.

After this we returned to the boat for a short cruise to the home stay for lunch. We were greeted by the owners and treated to a delightful lunch before settling into our rooms. After lunch, a few of the girls were practising the "Asian squat" to see who could do this comfortably and who couldn't. The rooms at the home stay are open with no air conditioning, but ironically they have wifi. We are to sleep amongst nature but are protected by our fancy mosquito nets which the girls have dubbed their princess caves.

Once lunch was finished, we had an hour and a half spare to laze around in hammocks before going on a treacherous bike ride around the island. There were farms and houses on either side, with banana trees hanging over the track - Kev tried to take a banana, but the tree wasn't cooperating and Kev ended up in the ditch, but he recovered well and didn't even need to stop his bike. The same didn't apply to Ashliegh however, as she took her eyes off the road and ended up having an altercation with a parked trailer. After these stacks, a few potholes and several near misses we arrived back at the home stay for free time.

Despite having wifi, the entire group made the effort to either watch or participate in a game of Vietnamese style hacky. We found we were more successful in using our hands than using our feet and while there were a few graceful misses the game continued with everyone remaining in high spirits.

Members of the group then helped the owners in preparing the Vietnamese barbecue for dinner. The meal included satay chicken, pork, fish on the bone and grilled buttered bread. During dinner, Mrs McDonald informed the group that in the late hours of the afternoon she stumbled upon a tour members passport lying on the floor. Everyone became pedantic in wondering whether it was theirs, though after a tiring search it was revealed that the missing passport belonged to Olivia. After dinner we were given free time to socialise.