Welcome To Saigon. The Heat Is On.
Dec 10th, 2012, 02:46 PM
#22
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Interesting Stuff In A Mekong Village
From a taste of honey, we make our way along a path through the small village located along the banks of the Mekong River. Occasionally we have to maneuver out of the way of a motorcycle or two coming down the path towards us whining at almost full speed. This seems to be the normal around here as local families and kids pay no attention to these two wheel noise makers.
Although we are on a tour, what we are seeing and experiencing is everyday in the Mekong Delta not some fabricated tourist attraction.
Along one side of our path are various fruit trees including the huge but “smelly” Jack fruit along with Longan fruit which I believe I sampled earlier in the trip. On the riverside of the path next we come across a batch of rice paper being made. Circular sheets of it are laid on a wicker stand to dry in the sun and we are told it can be edible if heated up in a microwave.
Our next stop is one where I along with a few others keep our distance from sharing a possible crushing experience. I am happy to just watch from afar as our guide and a few others handle a four year old python.
Close up admiration of an elephant ear fish which is found in the Mekong River is a bit more comforting. It has Mick Jagger lips and is just as cool as The Rolling Stones.
Video:http://youtu.be/kvccTEzeJws
From a taste of honey, we make our way along a path through the small village located along the banks of the Mekong River. Occasionally we have to maneuver out of the way of a motorcycle or two coming down the path towards us whining at almost full speed. This seems to be the normal around here as local families and kids pay no attention to these two wheel noise makers.
Although we are on a tour, what we are seeing and experiencing is everyday in the Mekong Delta not some fabricated tourist attraction.
Along one side of our path are various fruit trees including the huge but “smelly” Jack fruit along with Longan fruit which I believe I sampled earlier in the trip. On the riverside of the path next we come across a batch of rice paper being made. Circular sheets of it are laid on a wicker stand to dry in the sun and we are told it can be edible if heated up in a microwave.
Our next stop is one where I along with a few others keep our distance from sharing a possible crushing experience. I am happy to just watch from afar as our guide and a few others handle a four year old python.
Close up admiration of an elephant ear fish which is found in the Mekong River is a bit more comforting. It has Mick Jagger lips and is just as cool as The Rolling Stones.
Video:http://youtu.be/kvccTEzeJws
Dec 11th, 2012, 06:05 AM
#24
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Watch Out Napa
I believe it was the famous actor and director Orsen Wells who said in a commercial for a California vineyard that “We will serve no wine before it's time”.
As I stand over a jar filled with various snakes, a few scorpions and some chili seasoning thrown in for good measure, I wonder if Mr. Wells would have ever thought the time would be right to serve guests some Vietnamese “Medicine Wine”.
Although it has a nice aroma and is offered to have great medical benefits this wine gives new meaning to the term, “full-bodied”. Others accept the offer for free tasting of the “Medicine Wine” but I wait to sample the sweet “Banana Wine” which I am assured is not full of bodies.
Video:http://youtu.be/bbBhwrhJXSg
I believe it was the famous actor and director Orsen Wells who said in a commercial for a California vineyard that “We will serve no wine before it's time”.
As I stand over a jar filled with various snakes, a few scorpions and some chili seasoning thrown in for good measure, I wonder if Mr. Wells would have ever thought the time would be right to serve guests some Vietnamese “Medicine Wine”.
Although it has a nice aroma and is offered to have great medical benefits this wine gives new meaning to the term, “full-bodied”. Others accept the offer for free tasting of the “Medicine Wine” but I wait to sample the sweet “Banana Wine” which I am assured is not full of bodies.
Video:http://youtu.be/bbBhwrhJXSg
Dec 11th, 2012, 06:12 AM
#25
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Shanghainese,
Enjoyed your Shanghai report. I have about 6 months left on my Chinese visa and you have motivated me into planning a trip back there,
Would definitely like to visit Shanghai and take the Bullet Train to Beijing
Enjoyed your Shanghai report. I have about 6 months left on my Chinese visa and you have motivated me into planning a trip back there,
Would definitely like to visit Shanghai and take the Bullet Train to Beijing
Dec 12th, 2012, 11:31 AM
#27
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Bisbee,
Don't spoil it for everyone else, even if you are not enjoying my trip report or did not enjoy the journey yourself
For me, traveling is just not a journey but an adventure even it is on a small boat or a long bus ride.
BTW: There is more to come than you predicted. Hope you'll come back to offer others more of your insightful commentary
Don't spoil it for everyone else, even if you are not enjoying my trip report or did not enjoy the journey yourself
For me, traveling is just not a journey but an adventure even it is on a small boat or a long bus ride.
BTW: There is more to come than you predicted. Hope you'll come back to offer others more of your insightful commentary
Dec 12th, 2012, 01:54 PM
#29
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Shanghainese,
Is end of Jan good for Shanghai visit? How about areas for hiking, outdoor activities? Heard China has some great national parks.
Any thoughts or tips on visiting Tibet or seeing pandas? Will have about three weeks free from end of Jan/13 and I am considering another trip to China.
Thanks for your input
Is end of Jan good for Shanghai visit? How about areas for hiking, outdoor activities? Heard China has some great national parks.
Any thoughts or tips on visiting Tibet or seeing pandas? Will have about three weeks free from end of Jan/13 and I am considering another trip to China.
Thanks for your input
Dec 12th, 2012, 01:56 PM
#30
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Rice Paper
Our tour of a Mekong Delta village goes from discovering interesting wines to learning more about a product I would associate with Southeast Asia. Our learning begins with sample tastings of the finished product then we head over to one corner of the large open air shop.
In this corner, “weighing in at less than 110lbs”, we find a lone woman ready to rumble as she is tending to a sort of boiling pot oven. Stretched over this pot is a silk type skin onto which a mixture of rice powder and water is poured.
Our tour guide claims to have done this process for many years but needs a little help as he is trying to give us a demonstration. When he tries to remove the tissue paper thin finished product, it falls apart . Even he gets a laugh when I give him my Trump impression, “You're fired!”
In the end, his work is tasty dipped in soy sauce and he still gets a thumbs up from me.
Video:http://youtu.be/kafWUVNn9M4
Our tour of a Mekong Delta village goes from discovering interesting wines to learning more about a product I would associate with Southeast Asia. Our learning begins with sample tastings of the finished product then we head over to one corner of the large open air shop.
In this corner, “weighing in at less than 110lbs”, we find a lone woman ready to rumble as she is tending to a sort of boiling pot oven. Stretched over this pot is a silk type skin onto which a mixture of rice powder and water is poured.
Our tour guide claims to have done this process for many years but needs a little help as he is trying to give us a demonstration. When he tries to remove the tissue paper thin finished product, it falls apart . Even he gets a laugh when I give him my Trump impression, “You're fired!”
In the end, his work is tasty dipped in soy sauce and he still gets a thumbs up from me.
Video:http://youtu.be/kafWUVNn9M4
Dec 13th, 2012, 04:11 AM
#31
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One Useful Nut
As a kid growing up in the Caribbean, the coconut has always been a sweet part of my life. From drinking fresh coconut water to enjoying homemade layered coconut candy, as an islander it is difficult to not have this nut be a part of your being.
However, it is on this tour of Southeast Asia and in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam that I learn so much more about the usefulness and commercial production of the coconut.
Did you know that in some countries (not in Vietnam) monkeys are used to harvest coconuts?
From coconut candy, that is not as good as the homemade one I grew up on and still enjoy as an adult, to ladies purses, they sure have found a lot of ways in the Mekong Delta to use this nut.
It is almost insane.
Video:http://youtu.be/TrUfxe6bVX8
As a kid growing up in the Caribbean, the coconut has always been a sweet part of my life. From drinking fresh coconut water to enjoying homemade layered coconut candy, as an islander it is difficult to not have this nut be a part of your being.
However, it is on this tour of Southeast Asia and in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam that I learn so much more about the usefulness and commercial production of the coconut.
Did you know that in some countries (not in Vietnam) monkeys are used to harvest coconuts?
From coconut candy, that is not as good as the homemade one I grew up on and still enjoy as an adult, to ladies purses, they sure have found a lot of ways in the Mekong Delta to use this nut.
It is almost insane.
Video:http://youtu.be/TrUfxe6bVX8
Dec 13th, 2012, 12:47 PM
#34
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Snap, Crackle And ….
Having spent some time over the last few days on the brown and almost muddy waters of the Mekong River, what I am now looking at surprises me.
I am standing a few feet away from a cooking wok type pot that is about one quarter filled with black sand that we are told is from the Mekong River.
This black sand is being heated with oil to about 180 degrees and will used to make our next sampling product, pop-rice. As rice is added to this black mixture and vigorously stirred we soon begin to hear the snap, crackle and then the pop as the black color disappears. The wok becomes filled with white pop-rice.
A few filter processes that involves a swinging sifter to remove the black sand which will be used again and I am sampling a handful of the warm, light and fluffy finished product.
Our guide then offers to take us back to Ho Chi Minh City but I along with a few others voice our opposition. I want to see and experience more of the Mekong Delta.
Video:http://youtu.be/pSSbnqz7Vjg
Having spent some time over the last few days on the brown and almost muddy waters of the Mekong River, what I am now looking at surprises me.
I am standing a few feet away from a cooking wok type pot that is about one quarter filled with black sand that we are told is from the Mekong River.
This black sand is being heated with oil to about 180 degrees and will used to make our next sampling product, pop-rice. As rice is added to this black mixture and vigorously stirred we soon begin to hear the snap, crackle and then the pop as the black color disappears. The wok becomes filled with white pop-rice.
A few filter processes that involves a swinging sifter to remove the black sand which will be used again and I am sampling a handful of the warm, light and fluffy finished product.
Our guide then offers to take us back to Ho Chi Minh City but I along with a few others voice our opposition. I want to see and experience more of the Mekong Delta.
Video:http://youtu.be/pSSbnqz7Vjg
Dec 13th, 2012, 01:08 PM
#35
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I'm glad you enjoyed your day trip to the Mekong (and your writing is quite well done). Perhaps it's gotten better since I did it in 2005. I thought it was OK, but couldn't really recommend to any of my friends that asked about it. But what the heck, it was only $8.
Vietnam is a special place that I enjoy very much. Looking forward to arriving back in Saigon about 28 hours from now.
Vietnam is a special place that I enjoy very much. Looking forward to arriving back in Saigon about 28 hours from now.
Dec 13th, 2012, 02:55 PM
#36
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Bisbeee,
I think it has. However, I think a lot of one's travel experiences on tours depend on the tour itself and the tour guide you may end up with.
For me, I thought our tour guide was great and probably made all the difference.
Safe travels to Saigon. Hope you have a great trip
BTW: Seems like you travel a bit in Asia. Any other countries over there you find interesting to visit? I have been also been to Thailand, Laos, China, Singapore and Cambodia. I would be interested in your input for other countries to visit in Asia. Thanks!
I think it has. However, I think a lot of one's travel experiences on tours depend on the tour itself and the tour guide you may end up with.
For me, I thought our tour guide was great and probably made all the difference.
Safe travels to Saigon. Hope you have a great trip
BTW: Seems like you travel a bit in Asia. Any other countries over there you find interesting to visit? I have been also been to Thailand, Laos, China, Singapore and Cambodia. I would be interested in your input for other countries to visit in Asia. Thanks!
Dec 22nd, 2012, 09:15 AM
#37
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Calling All Dentists
Besides all the cool stuff I am learning about Vietnam by touring the Mekong Delta, I discover I might have at least one thing in common with the Vietnamese people, a weakness for sweets.
As we watch syrup and another sweet being made, our tour guide points out that being a dentist here might not be a bad profession.
The resourcefulness of different cultures is amazing to experience as I have learned so much about the many uses the Vietnamese have for coconuts and rice. Even the kernel from the rice is used to fuel a fire for cooking.
This portion of our Mekong Delta tour end sipping some Jasmine Tea with me have some regrets that I did not have the stomach to try the Medicine Wine. Maybe next time.
Video:http://youtu.be/1HaZhYrEQSw
Besides all the cool stuff I am learning about Vietnam by touring the Mekong Delta, I discover I might have at least one thing in common with the Vietnamese people, a weakness for sweets.
As we watch syrup and another sweet being made, our tour guide points out that being a dentist here might not be a bad profession.
The resourcefulness of different cultures is amazing to experience as I have learned so much about the many uses the Vietnamese have for coconuts and rice. Even the kernel from the rice is used to fuel a fire for cooking.
This portion of our Mekong Delta tour end sipping some Jasmine Tea with me have some regrets that I did not have the stomach to try the Medicine Wine. Maybe next time.
Video:http://youtu.be/1HaZhYrEQSw
Dec 22nd, 2012, 04:37 PM
#38
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Sorry I got busy and wasn't checking this forum. Except for the south, most parts of China is very cold in January. For your other questions, click for "cokesmith", he has traveled extensively and has written about the experiences you are looking for.
Oh, the Lunar New Year starts February 10, millions in China will be traveling home in early February to join their families for the celebrations.
Oh, the Lunar New Year starts February 10, millions in China will be traveling home in early February to join their families for the celebrations.
Dec 22nd, 2012, 11:30 PM
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Time For Lunch
Having dispelled with deserts first, we are headed back down the Mekong River for lunch. Again, we get to witness life on the heart and soul of Southeast Asia.
We pass the local ferry as it is leaving its dock carrying a light load of passengers for less than about US$0.50 per person.
Other vessels traverse the brown waters of the Mekong some of them so laden with goods that they almost seem on the verge of sinking.
Although it sounds interesting, I hope one thing that is not on the lunch menu is water lily salad. We are told this plant that lines the river bank to prevent erosion is also use to make salads.
About 35 minutes of cruising the river and we make our stop for lunch. On the property of the restaurant one of Vietnam's hottest cash crop is being harvest. We are told that due to its popularity the price per kilogram has increased ten fold.
I wonder quietly why my broker still has me heavily invested in pork bellies.
Our lunch is a typical Vietnamese meal with rice, meat, vegetable and spring rolls nothing special except for the plate of treats on the table.
As if an eyeball is looking at me when I break its skin, a few minutes later I am on the phone to Zurich, Switzerland.
Video:http://youtu.be/Eabx4rNenqY
Having dispelled with deserts first, we are headed back down the Mekong River for lunch. Again, we get to witness life on the heart and soul of Southeast Asia.
We pass the local ferry as it is leaving its dock carrying a light load of passengers for less than about US$0.50 per person.
Other vessels traverse the brown waters of the Mekong some of them so laden with goods that they almost seem on the verge of sinking.
Although it sounds interesting, I hope one thing that is not on the lunch menu is water lily salad. We are told this plant that lines the river bank to prevent erosion is also use to make salads.
About 35 minutes of cruising the river and we make our stop for lunch. On the property of the restaurant one of Vietnam's hottest cash crop is being harvest. We are told that due to its popularity the price per kilogram has increased ten fold.
I wonder quietly why my broker still has me heavily invested in pork bellies.
Our lunch is a typical Vietnamese meal with rice, meat, vegetable and spring rolls nothing special except for the plate of treats on the table.
As if an eyeball is looking at me when I break its skin, a few minutes later I am on the phone to Zurich, Switzerland.
Video:http://youtu.be/Eabx4rNenqY
