We really are getting to see the height of monsoonal weather here. I took the plunge (literally) late yesterday afternoon and swam in the pouring rain in the pool on board. So refreshing. I wouldn’t be bothered doing that at home 🙂 .

This morning’s tour I had reservations about going on. I spoke with our tour guide yesterday and he assured me I could minimise my exposure to the things I wasn’t keen to see. We went to the vegetable and wet markets at Sa Dec. Another really interesting ride on the delta to the town with all the houses over the bank of the river. The Mekong sustains millions of people but is not treated well. We saw a lady cleaning her house and putting rubbish in the water 🙁 .

We visited a famous house which is the location for the book and movie ‘The Lover’. A story about a Chinese man falling in love with a French girl. I think I will read the book now that I have heard the background.

The markets were amazing. People here buy their fruit, vegetables and meat fresh every day as they don’t necessarily have refrigeration available. The markets had motorbikes just driving through to get the required produce. So foreign to anything we would see in Australia.

This afternoon we went out in once again heavy rain to the My An Hung Village where we visited the house of a local family and were treated to some freshly cooked Vietnamese snacks and a coconut to drink. Then it was to the family lounge room to listen to traditional folk music and singing.

Then out in the pouring rain to cross a monkey bridge – the traditional bridge the Vietnamese use to cross water on foot.

Finally we headed further around the village and watched a demonstration of traditional bonsai pot making.

Then back to the boat to dry off and head to dinner for yet more food….