Wednesday 21 October Cai Be and Sa Dec

Quiet uneventful night. Breakfast had and then at 8.30 we board sampans to go to Cai Be.

Once on land we are taken to a traditional rice factory where they make popped rice, rice paper, rice wine and candies. Was intetesting to see how it is done. The heating of the rice is done in burnt sand (black) as this retains the heat. The rice husk is used for the fire. Now I know how rice cakes are made. The rice wine (sake) ican be anything up to 70% proof. No way was I trying it with a dead cobra in the same jar! The coconut candy was nice, like a chewy caramel.

There is then an opportunity for shopping but nothing takes my fancy.

Back on the sampan and now we visit a catholic church. The French brought Catholicism to the country during their occupation of the land. It is now the second highest religion.

Back on the sampan to our boat where we have a cuppa and rest.

There is an 11.30 history lesson in the main lounge but as it is Hung doing the delivery, he gets on my nerves so I'm happy to read my book and laze about the cabin until lunch time.

Lunch is pleasant enough and then we are back on the sampans to go to Sa Dec to a local fish, meat and fresh vegetables market, but now in heavy rain! I know we are actually in the monsoon season but this is the first of heavy rain we've experienced.

It was a very wet walk through the market with a narrow path that we shared with scooters going in both directions, all the time trying to keep out of the heavy rain. We cut the walk short as one street we were going to go down was totally flooded. We then visited an historic home which was the original home portrayed in the movie The Lover (based on a book) in relation to rhe real life story of a 16 year old European school girl who had an affair with a 23 year old Vietnamese man from a very wealthy family. Later, when the Communists took control, the family fled and the property was used as a police station for 30 years. Pretty impressive front foyer!

The rain had stopped and we have a short walk to a rice shop nearby and then back on the sampan to our boat.

Another lovely sunsetand then time for a briefing about tomorrow and then dinner. the main chicken course was delicious.

Back to the cabin and we decide on an early night. It had been another good day, and setting how many other people live, reminds me how truly lucky I am.