The Mekong Delta

The Mekong River starts in China and flows through Burma, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia, before it enters Vietnam and then the South China Sea.  The Delta is a large area of wetlands with estuaries, canals, floating markets, and rice fields.  We took a tour down there for the day.

But first, an addendum to yesterday's post regarding the millions of motorbikes here. (Literally. There are 5 million motorbikes in Saigon, one for every two people).  As my Saigonese counterpart, Tho (our 27 year old tour guide), said:  "No motorbike, no girlfriend."

And that made me think about how I never really got any action until I got a car.  So, it's universal: you need the wheels to get the girls.

Ok, our trip down to the delta was pretty cool.  We sampled honey/kumquat tea at a bee farm.  Kate wasn't too relaxed there since she's allergic, but she persevered.  We also sampled locally made coconut candy on an island, and it was so f'in delicious. Ambrosia.  We got to get a canoe ride while wearing those conical rice paddy hats.  And last but definitely not least, we got to drink snake wine (pictured below).  The venom from this king cobra gives the wine medicinal powers, including a natural male enhancement quality.  It's true, I'll have to sleep with an ice pack in my shorts tonight, since Mrs. Rubert's here and all...

Tomorrow we're off to the beautiful beaches.  Rough life.

That is all.  Enjoy the pics.

Dunc
p.s., The people of Saigon all call it "Saigon," whereas everyone else in the country calls it Ho Chi Minh City.  The official name has only been in place since 1955, but "Saigon" has been the name for over 300 years.

Oh, and btw, it's the rainy season...