Four Months in Vietnam With Maxine: April 9, 2012

We're heading south to the Mekong Delta. We hired a driver to pick us up here at our apartment and Yen (Carie's Mom), Elaine, Ron and I left early Friday morning and we returned Saturday afternoon. Our first stop was Ap Bac. The Battle of Ap Bac took place on January 3, 1963 and it was the 1st big battle of the Vietnam War. There were 3 American advisors killed and 8 wounded plus out of the 15 American helicopters sent, only 1 escaped undamaged and 5 were either downed or destroyed. This battle changed America's views of the Vietnam War. Out in the rice field there were signs with pictures on them of downed helicopters and destroyed tanks.

After touring the museum, we walked way out into the rice field where workers were tending to the most bountiful rice harvests on earth.

Then we drove down to Can Tho. It's a large city with a smaller feel and a busy waterfront area. We 3 "girls" checked out the massage on the 3rd floor of our hotel the Ninh Kieu 2. The female masseuse I had was quite rough, climbed right up on the table on top of me, and waited afterward while I changed and then asked for a tip! My sister had the same thing happen to her. They did do a leg/foot massage afterward although my leg is still a little tender where I got hit by the motorbike and I didn't quite get the message to her in Vietnamese correctly.

Friday night we were guided to a boat for dinner by a student Ron had met last summer when he was here. We got on a little late and all the good seats were taken on the top floor, but even though the band was a little close and a little loud, we had a good time.

We ordered several dishes to share. But we did not get the FIELD MOUSE!

Check out the different ways to cook Field - Mouse.

Saturday morning we got up bright and early to take a boat to the Floating Market at Cai Rang. There are many canals connecting with the main river and people on small boats are selling every kind of fruit and vegetable you can imagine.

Pumpkins

We pulled our boat up next to a woman selling pineapples. She carved it up beautifully, split it down the middle, and VOILA I had a pineapple popsicle!

After a big breakfast at our hotel we got back in the van and headed north stopping off at My Tho for lunch at a restaurant right on the Mekong River. We ordered a rice ball, and Standing Fish (because it looks like it's standing up).