Today we visited the Mekong Delta, and it was by far my favorite day of the trip! We got to the area around 10am and then boarded a boat to cruise off down the river. Our first stop was at a local home. We were served watermelon, mango, jackfruit, pineapple, finger bananas, and tea while we got to listen to a performance of local folk songs. The food was delicious and the songs were beautiful. There was a Vietnamese violin with only one string that sounded amazing!
At our next destination, we saw the inside of a cocoa fruit and the chocolate-making process. We got to taste the unsweetened liquid chocolate as well as the final product. We all got the chance to carry a python and I did not realize how scary it would be until the snake was around my neck! It was so odd to feel it moving and its skin was nothing like I would have expected! After the snake, we crossed the streets and got to try a mixture of local honey and tea with some honey snacks!
Next, we got back on the boat and went an island where they produce coconut candy, we watched the guide split open a coconut and then he showed us the process. We got to try fresh candy and it tasted like fudge but better. Next, we took a ride in a horse buggy and then got to row down the rivers in boats similar to gondolas. We met the main boat at the end of the river and got to hop from boat to boat before we headed to lunch and then headed back to the bus and home.
Today we got to see a variety of different areas of the delta and try a variety of local foods and drinks. It was interesting to see how all these local businesses in the area have responded to the demand for tourism. In cities, urban development can be seen in factories, restaurants, housing, etc. However, in rural areas, signs of development can be harder to see. Improved farming techniques is one big sign. There are also many small signs as well. When we were rowing, most passing boats had installed motors. Although I could not see any direct effects of upstream dams or other development, I could see many smaller signs of development.