Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey takes us from Ho Chi Minh City south to the many channels of the mouth of the Mekong River. There we board a boat going through the channels, exploring the coconut farms and a chocolate factory before heading back to the city to farewell the group I have been travelling through Vietnam with.
Today's Journey
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Heading south from Ho Chi Minh City, we reach the multiple rivers of the delta of the Mekong River, dirty with carrying the floodwaters and vegetation brought down of Typhoon Ketsana from Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. Here we catch a longboat to explore the channels. |
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We explore a large brick factory with furnaces fed by rice husks cooking the bricks made from the dried clay deposits of the river. |
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Continuing downstream passing the small ports of farms hidden in the palm forests. Vegetation often gets caught up in the propeller, so the sailer jumps in the dirty water to clear it. |
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We turn off the main river channel and follow a much narrower channel in between the dense forests of palm trees. |
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Mooring the boat as we hike across one of the islands towards a farm. |
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We explore the dense coconut palm forest stopping for lunch in some wooden huts on one of the farms. |
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Hiking across the farm, we reach a clearing with plants growing in the flooded field. |
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We eventually return to the boat and continue cruising along the channels. |
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Visiting a chocolate factory beside the river, we explore the factory and shop. |
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Returning to the crowded Ho Chi Minh City passing the very crowded houses very narrow and close together. |
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