We took a bus from Can Tho to Chau Doc, VN, this took about seven hours as there were lots of breaks. We arrived at Chau Doc and found ourselves in a fabulous hotel overlooking the Mekong Delta.
What’s not to like! Here there be birds, lizards and geckos.
The guy in this picture had lost a leg, yet he and his three dogs had no trouble leaping onto his boat. I stopped grumbling about my torn tendon after seeing him.
Watching life go by was a wonderful experience, especially with an ice cold beer. River life is endlessly enthralling.
Across the Mekong there are lots of floating fishing villages, also lots of trawlers sitting deep in the water due to their vast loads of rice.
These chaps seemed to be meeting up for a spot of lunch.
A view from our hotel. River life is a busy old business! Boats keep on sailing even in the dark, without lights.
Yellow and red flowers are considered very auspicious in VN and are sold everywhere.
We visited Tra Su forest, an hours drive from Chou Doc. Talk about finding yourself in paradise.
This enchanted forest covers 85 hectares, and has 11 types of animals, 25 species of reptiles, 23 types of fish, 140 types of fauna and 70 species of birds who refuse to be photographed.
Gliding through the green water and forests was nothing short of magical. This ecosystem is astonishing, with cajupet trees lining the flooded mangrove forest.
It is mesmerizing, and considered to be one of the most magical destinations in the Mekong Delta.
Water lilies, a feast for the eyes.
We began to notice people taking photographs of us here, many even asked for selfies with us. Turns out they don’t encounter Europeans very often. We wondered how many Facebook accounts we’d pop up on. How I wish I hadn’t been melting at the time, or wearing a big blousey hat.
At times it felt surreal drifting through the almost horizontal trees, who knew such places existed.
Lots of vegan restaurants in Chau Doc too.
Delicious noodle soup and the most tasty cauliflower florets coated in something that makes them melt in the mouth when fried. Have to try that at home, especially with chili sauce.
And Finally…..
It’s goodbye Vietnam, and hello Cambodia.
I shall miss this country.
Ha, they probably were photographing you because of the big blousey hat! But you have some fabulous photographs here yourself… the water up to the trees… What a pleasure to see that.
Of course they were!!! Hahaha… such a beautiful place though, we found it by accident, so glad we did.xxx
Tra Su Forest looks like a really magical place. And that lunch looks delicious!
It’s amazing how closely the Tra Su forest resembles Louisiana swamps. In Louisiana the cypress predominate rather than the mangrove, but black mangrove exist there, too. The largest mangrove forests are in Florida, but I’ve never seen them. I have been in the Louisiana swamps, and it’s delectable. I can only imagine how enjoyable your trip into this watery forest must have been.
Ooooh, note to self, must visit Louisiana swamps!!! Thanks Linda!xxx
Another lovely post and wonderful pictures. It’s good to see that you enjoyed it as you did. xx
I’d like to enjoy the scenery from dry land. Some of these boats look really scary.
Great photos Dina, I was going to ask you if you were feeling the heat. Even though I have lived in Africa and Australia, I’ve always lived in places with dry heat, and I find humidity make me quite tired….always feel like sleeping in the middle of the day.
Anyway, it is nice to see out of the way places in Vietnam…… enjoy Cambodia…doesn’t seem as if you are missing much weather wise at home!
Ooh. Magical …yes! Much more upmarket than peat bog. Your river trip looks so dreamy. It looks like the trip of a lifetime.
What daily temperatures are you enjoying?
Lovely photos.
xxxx
Thanks Menhir, it’s usually 33-37, far too hot for me, although the UK weather looks far too cold. Something in the middle would be good!!!xxx
I can’t find the words to say how much I’m enjoying your photos and stories, Dina! It all looks so exotic and fragrant and colorful; I suppose the more so because we received 4″of new snow last night…even spring is a long way off, and there you are in summer and Asia!
Keep these dreamy posts coming and happy adventures in Cambodia! Xxoo
What a stunning experience! and such fab photos. I’m looking forward to your Cambodia adventure now!
You picked a fabulous hotel, what a great setting right by the river where you can watch the world go by.
I’m getting more envious by the day! Your hotel overlooking the river looks wonderful, and as for the food – YUM! Looking forward to hearing about Cambodia. xx