Saigon

Tue Apr.5.Took a tour 'Highlights of Saigon" 2 1/2 hrs.The city has a population of about 8 million.French Indochina comprised Vietnam Cambodia and Laos and the French were entrenched for around 100 years.There is still a lot of French architechture although many buildings have not been maintained and some have been torn down for the inevitable high rise.Notre Dame Cathedral draws tourists and the main post office is interesting inside.
Most of us got off the bus near the Rex Hotel where the shuttle would take us back to the ship.I walked to the big market in heat and humidity so intense I thought I would collapse on the street.The market was stifling so I didn't stay long.I took a pedicab back to the Rex Hotel and sat in the air conditioned lobby for a while and then got a shuttle to the ship.Usually the shuttles run every half hour but here they ran every hour.I took a nap that afternoon.

Wed.Apr.6.Mekong River Delta.Our tour met at 7:15am.We drove to My Tho and visited a Buddhist temple which had an enormous statue of a happy Buddha

Huge Happy Buddha on way to Mekong Delta

We boarded a boat to go to the largest island in the delta,Unicorn Island.

Our boat from mainland to Unicorn Island

There we had tea with local honey and fruit,which was delicious.We were given a tiny sample of banana wine which was not at all sweet.The fruit was papaya,pineapple and what looked like a speckled watermelon which we tried with salt and chili powder,interesting but not bad. We then got into sampans,4 to a boat,one behind the other,while a paddler sat in front

Canal ride on Unicorn Island

and one in the back and we traveled along a canal.The trees formed a canopy overhead with occasional openings where the sun shone through.It was delightful and cooler than on land.

We were brought into an open building where we has lunch.We were served fish in rice paper,small crisp spring rolls,rice and soup.It was all very good.The long table had a large round orange looking object which we thought was a decoration but it was sticky rice which was cut up into little pieces.It was slightly sweet and chewy.I then watched it being made,from a small patty to a large ball

Beginning of huge ball of sticky rice

Ball of sticky rice almost ready

Sticky rice ready to be cut and eaten

We were shown a python after lunch and I volunteered to have it draped around my neck.
I was amazed at how heavy it was,I would guess over 30lbs and it felt hard and dry.

Holding a python

This was a delightful day but it was still good to be back on the ship.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam