http://hotelxoai.com/
As it was already late we asked for a place to have dinner and were directed to the below restaurant. There we had a famous duck hot pot. Even the guests of the restaurant asked us how we found the restaurant. It was a great tip.
Next day we discovered the town. It was really hot so we needed cold sugar cane juice and iced Vietnam coffee to keep us cool.
Walking through small streets and markets to get to the shore of the Mekong River to have a stroll along at the park.
By accident we found the below tempel and enjoyed wondering around inside.
The panoramic view of Chan Tho from the roof top terrace of the hotel Xoai.
For the second night we investigated in trip advisor to do a home stay including a Mekong river tour to the floating market.
We quickly found out about "Hung's Homestay". You can call Hung or email him when you are close to or in Chan Tho to make arrangements:
Cell: +84 903 849 881
Email: hunghhomestay@yahoo.com.vn
We were picked up by motorbikes the next morning and drove about 20 minutes out of town. We were shown to our small bungalow and after we settled in, we went across the street to say hallo to the family and we also met Hanna and Christoph, who were also there for a home stay.
We had some free time until 3 pm and then Hung picked us up to visit the village. By boat we were dropped off up the river and walked slowly back. We saw how women weave bamboo mats to sleep on.
We learnt some tricks from Hung and the children. Robert showed with more or less success how to use a grass between thump and pointy finger how to make noise while blowing through the grass and fingers. We also learned a lot about local plants and traditions in the village life and Vietnam culture.
For dinner we learned how to make spring rolls and fried them as well. But we got much more than that. We got the ingredients for fresh spring rolls "elephant ear" fish and many side dishes. It was impossible to finish everything and it was so delicious! To finish the meal off we got "happy water" also known as rice wine. It was presented in a small plastic bag. To pour it, a chopstick is stuck from the inside through one of the corners. Through pulling it up, the "happy water" flows into the glass and through pushing it back down, it seals it off again.
The next morning we got up early to see the floating market. We had a great breakfast on board our boat.
Hungh explained that every boat shows on a long stick what they are selling.
The big boats come from far and situate themselves in the middle of the river to sell their goods for the next 3 to 5 days, until all fruit and vegetables are sold to the local merchants who come in smaller boats.
Vietnamese women go to the market to bargain to get the best price.
We were allowed to step on a large boat full of pineapples. She told us that she started off with around 30.000 pineapples. The lady cut each half a delicious fruit and we enjoyed the taste of the pineapple on the natural stick and the elevated view.
After the floating market, he took us to a rice paper "factory" and we learnt about the process.
The next station was kind of a garden center with baby plants.
All of us in the boat, in the heat. Hungh in the back.
Our last stop was at a farm and we learnt more about water melon and rice farming. Also Robert tried the local monkey bridge and proofed once again his animal talents.
Here more pictures from our time at the Mekong Delta
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