We enjoyed our day on the Mekong so much that we had Long take us on the river again. However, this time we didn’t have to leave at “O’dark-thirty-in-the-freakin’-morning” – we got up late, had brunch, and then met up with Long… much more civilized! It was like we were on vacation or something….
PetrolMekong on the Mekong, near Can Tho.
Moored on a canal, near Can Tho.
Heading off to market, near Can Tho.
Long pulled up to a concrete “dock” and helped us clamber up onto it. Beyond it was a partially completed temple. According to Long, this temple was dedicated to the memory of several dozen workers who had died in the collapse of a local bridge during it’s construction.
A rickety(?) concrete dock, near Can Tho.
Quan Yin statue at the temple, near Can Tho.
Temple gate, near Can Tho.
Partially completed temple, near Can Tho.
Swastika-Buddha at temple, near Can Tho.
Shrine at the temple, near Can Tho.
Rear of the main temple gate, near Can Tho.
Temple lantern, near Can Tho.
The narrow, wobbly concrete dock, near Can Tho.
Getting back aboard, near Can Tho.
A little well-used, near Can Tho.
The rest of the afternoon was spent cruising up and down various canals and channels off the Mekong River.
More friendly folks on the Mekong, near Can Tho.
Pretty relaxed on the Mekong, near Can Tho.
Nice Captain’s-Chair! Near Can Tho.
Very colourful, near Can Tho.
Almost foreboding, near Can Tho.
Over-head fishing nets, near Can Tho.
More nets over-head, near Can Tho.
Just motorin’ along, near Can Tho.
Kids swimming in the canal, near Can Tho.
It’s a race! Near Can Tho.
Canal-front restaurant, near Can Tho.
Guarding the boat, near Can Tho.
The “Three Barketeers”, near Can Tho.
Perched, near Can Tho.
River-front living on the Mekong, near Can Tho.
Green-thumb neighbours, near Can Tho.
Like a mirror, near Can Tho.
Gettin’ the stare-down, near Can Tho.
Maintenance on the Mekong, near Can Tho.
Long invited us to have dinner at her home that evening. So, we chilled-out for a bit in our hotel and then got ready to go. Our first stop was to get some beer; just next door, we spotted a toy shop. So, we also picked up a present for Huy. Then it was time to walk down to the river-front to meet Huy. Long and Huy live in Cam Tu, a suburb of Can Tho that is on the other side of the Mekong. Huy took us onto the ferry for the short cross-river run.
Boarding the river ferry, Can Tho.
Motorcycles turn around beneath the bridge on the ferry, Can Tho.
Eager to reach the other shore, Can Tho.
The mass exodus on reaching shore, Cam Tu.
And the short but disorientating walk to their home…
The narrow, dark streets of Cam Tu.
Welcoming us to their home, Cam Tu.
Long’s seafood and veggie hotpot, Cam Tu.
Dinner-party at Long and Huy’s, Cam Tu.
After-dinner discussion, Cam Tu.
After-dinner cigar, Cam Tu.
Which, of course, becomes the communal-after-dinner cigar, Cam Tu.
One of Long’s friends trying the cigar, Cam Tu.
Long’s other friend… inhaling, Cam Tu.
I don’t think inhaling was such a good idea, Cam Tu.
I’m afraid, he’s “done”, Cam Tu.
It was lucky we brought a present for Huy; as it turned out to be his 12th birthday!
Huy with his birthday present, Cam Tu.
Huy and Long’s friends, Cam Tu.
Taking it right down to the nub, Cam Tu.
Getting the very last little bit of cigar, Cam Tu.
Long and Eron, Cam Tu.
Long, Huy, and Eron, Cam Tu.
Long’s “Disco-Buddha” complete with cigarette-offering, Cam Tu.
East to Hedon
East to Hedon 