Chau Doc, Sunday Jan 23rd
Today is the last day of our tour, and we're getting another boat ride in the morning, then driving back to Ho Chi Minh. The boats we were on the first two days were a little nicer, with a raised floor and chairs with backs. They kept us up a little bit higher. Today's boat, we are sitting down in the hull, on bench seats. It gives us a water-level view. We rode around a fish farm, which consisted of dozens of house boats, where the fish pens were under the house part. The front porch area had hatches that were opened to feed the fish. These were family businesses, with the family living on the boat, often with chickens or ducks, and pet dogs. We got to go on one and feed the fish (and the dogs, who wanted to eat the fish and corn meal pellets that we fed the fish). Once the fish are big enough to sell, a big boat comes to the area, and all the farmers sell their fish, and load them into the big boat, that then takes them to the processing plant.
Next we went to a Cham village. The Cham people are an old society that used to cover much of the coast of Viet Nam. They have 2 predominant religions, Buddhist and Muslim. We got to see a Cham weaver which of course was a highlight for me. Her loom wasn't that different from mine. The Cham houses are all built on stilts, to keep them above the river's high level in the rainy season. There are raised walkways from house to house, and out to the main roadway of the village. The animals live below the houses most of the year, then are brought up to the house level when the water level rises. Mostly we saw chickens, with a few pigs and one goat. In other places we saw cattle and water buffalo, but we didn't see any at this village.
After leaving the village, we returned to the car for the long ride back to Ho Chi Minh. We did stop for a delicious meal at a very pretty rest stop, and admired the scenery. Even though it was a 5 hour ride, Juliana and I had no trouble filling the time chattering and asking questions of the driver.
Right now, we are again in a marvelous hotel, laying by the pool, relaxing before our flight back to Hong Kong. It's hard to believe our visit is almost over. Viet Nam has been a wonderful place to visit. The people have been friendly, the food amazing, and the scenery a delight to the eyes. I would deftly recommend it to anyone looking for a place to vacation.
Next we went to a Cham village. The Cham people are an old society that used to cover much of the coast of Viet Nam. They have 2 predominant religions, Buddhist and Muslim. We got to see a Cham weaver which of course was a highlight for me. Her loom wasn't that different from mine. The Cham houses are all built on stilts, to keep them above the river's high level in the rainy season. There are raised walkways from house to house, and out to the main roadway of the village. The animals live below the houses most of the year, then are brought up to the house level when the water level rises. Mostly we saw chickens, with a few pigs and one goat. In other places we saw cattle and water buffalo, but we didn't see any at this village.
After leaving the village, we returned to the car for the long ride back to Ho Chi Minh. We did stop for a delicious meal at a very pretty rest stop, and admired the scenery. Even though it was a 5 hour ride, Juliana and I had no trouble filling the time chattering and asking questions of the driver.
Right now, we are again in a marvelous hotel, laying by the pool, relaxing before our flight back to Hong Kong. It's hard to believe our visit is almost over. Viet Nam has been a wonderful place to visit. The people have been friendly, the food amazing, and the scenery a delight to the eyes. I would deftly recommend it to anyone looking for a place to vacation.