Mekong Delta

Went on a tour to the Mekong Delta today, its known as the 'rice bowl' of Vietnam and there's loads of tours advertised for it, you can go on 1, 2 or 3 day tours. Its an area which is very lush with tropical trees and lots of rivers, Some people live on houses along the river and there are even floating markets! I was a bit wary of spending a few days with a bus load of people so I went for the 1 day tour - glad I did! it was a bit of a tourist scam, first we went to a Pagoda (Temple)....here's a pic outside it

next  we went to local coconut candy making factory (manual), this was very boring but of course the aim was to  to buy there - coconut candy wasnt nice but I got a nice buzz of the shot of banana wine they gave us- strong!
Next we all piled into a boat which drove up the Mekong Delta and dropped us off for lunch which was a noodle dish and tasted ok. Here's some of the houses we passed along the way...

Next onto a bee farm with of course the option to buy honey. Then we all got into small rowing boats like this ....

......and went along some of the smaller rivers, nice scenery (see how dirty the water is - glad I didnt fall overboard!)  but unfortunately down came the monsoon rain and it lashed on top of us! Just as well it only lasted 5mins! The trip was a bit of a joke but it only cost 10 USD (most prices are quoted in US dollars in Vietnam) and that included lunch!

It was still raining when we got back to Ho Chi Minh city - no problem for the bikers though....who are well prepared with raincoats.

To cheer myself up after the boring trip I went to a great coffee shop I found a few days ago.....its french and  they sell lovely cakes - this is my favourite, its like sweet bread with peanuts on top and cream in the middle - yum!

The only problem is the shop is across a really busy road but it  was worth the terror of crossing the road!

Last night in Vietnam! I am getting the 7.30am bus to Phnom Penh in Cambodia tomorrow. Early start but dont want to arrive there late. Bus takes 6 hours and only costs 10 USD, its not a local bus but a 'tourist' bus which had aircond and the locals here call it the 'VIP' bus - I hope it is!