Day 23: Mekong Delta

Early rise to catch our bus at 7.30am. We nearly managed to get away with only paying for two nights as the hotel had incorrectly charged us but they soon realised and caught up with us 10mins later half way down the road.

We jumped on the very cramped minibus which was packed full for 3hrs to where we boarded our boat on the Mekong Delta. We were guided slowly through a floating market then had a quick stop at a village that made coconut candy which was surprisingly tasty.

Back on the boat for 45mins across the delta and through some tiny shady canals we stopped at an island for lunch then took some cycles through some of the lanes and over some of the rickety old bridges. While we were cycling we noticed some very black clouds appearing overhead and within 5mins of being back on the boat the heavens opened.

It was pouring down yet the water was like a hot bath and the rain was warm. It was amazing how it turned from immense heat to tropical thunderstorm in minutes. As the boat reached the other side we had to make a run for the bus which was only 20m away but we all got thoroughly soaked.

By bus we travelled for a couple of hours where we had to board a car ferry to cross a river then back on the bus for another hour to Chau Doc where we were stopping for the night. There was the option of a floating hotel but we opted for the mini hotel in the town centre. However, on arrival the hotel was approx 5km out of the town, no air con, some people did not even have a toilet.

The entire 25 people that made up our tour group are very frustrated and angry as everybody here and everyone we talk to has had the same problems in Vietnam that you book one thing and get another. After approx 30min of arguing, raised voices and a lot of vigorous arm movements we took the room which is nasty especially for the money we have forked out.

Having eaten next to nothing all day we took a cold shower and walked down the street in search of food or a cold beer but all we got was harassment and offers for drugs and sexual favours that we quickly declined. We returned to our room, which resembles a prison cell about 8pm to eat cookies, malaria pills, drink warm water and try to sleep.