Vietnam – January 10th, 2016

Splendorous sunrise woke  me up his morning finally a full night sleep.

Ca Be, know for its floating markets where local people sell, barter and trade, all sorts of produce, grains, and everyday goods. Each boat proudly displays at the end of a bamboo stick what wares they are selling, potatoes, mangos, rice or pots, and pans. his market is not set up for the tourist trade like the markets in Bangkok.

We made a stop at a local family shop to see how, rice papers, coconut candies, and pop rice is made – all of the processes are very labor-intensive and nothing was mechanized, we also got a chance to taste the candies and rice cakes.

Continued our tour through the canals as we made our way back to the ship for a pre-lunch nap, the heat and the humidity just zaps you.

In the afternoon we visited an island in the middle of the river that is known for its straw mats, which they use as bedding, still being made by hand the cost is about $3 for the locals and lasts about a year but they are softer than machine-made ones.

They asked for volunteers to demonstrate the process and my hand went up, the lady who taught me was a 77 old wrinkly face and all of 77 pounds soaking wet but with the greatest smile – I don’t know which one of us had more fun. Side note the price of an American-made labor mat just jumped to $39.99.

Back to the ship for refreshing cocktails David a gin and tonic, me a pineapple and coconut smoothie with additional dark rum added – next time I’m at Jamba Juice I will ask for that as my extra shot.

Dinner tonight was set, finally, waiter service, the movie Indochine starting the beautiful talented Catherine Deneuve – it had been a while since I originally saw the film – the most interesting part this time that we visited many locations where the film was actually shot.

The film is close to 3 hours long at the end David and were the only ones left.

Tomorrow one more stop in Vietnam as we cruise into Cambodia.