'God loves us more than the nun...'
This was Stella's comment when we saw this poor drenched nun getting out of a canoe ride that we missed out on being on - thanks to a number of boat and bus changes throughout the day... (was pretty funny but guess you had to be there).
We started off at 7.30am lugging our baggage across the main square to a separate bus to the rest of the people that had been waiting... - only to swap over to the original bus about 2hrs later.... We went thru some local floating markets and round some villages and then we went on a canoe ride up to this island where we had lunch... After lunch we were told to join a different group and cycle across part of the island to join another boat (where it was promised our luggage would be)... As we were waiting for the boat we could see a sheet of rain heading straight for us along the river... our group all managed to be tucked inside the boat before it hit... unfortunately the other group that was joining us didn't make it back from their canoe ride in time and got absolutely sodden... Ad also unfortunately my day pack didn't make it on the boat either (luckily it joined me at the fancy hotel where only Stella and I from the group are staying - but it is very lovely :) )
We then had to catch a bus to Can Tho (where we are staying tonight)... and as there was a major traffic jam (apparently takes over 2hrs to get on the ferry across the river) the guide told us we should walk the 10mins to the ferry (in the rain of course) - so we all bought plastic ponchos and did the walk... we ended up in this metal cage with all these scooters waiting for the enxt ferry (40mins apart) we were lucky as one was just pulling in - but we had to fight for space as obvsiouly no one wanted to be waiting for the next one - so our group of about 16 had to fight our way across the cage in bewteen scooters scootering along to get out and onto the ferry - rather scary excercise! wish i was coordiinated enough to have the video camera running for that one but i know that an accident would have been inevitable...
I can't remember the names of the actual villages we visited - but i do know we are in Can Tho tonight - and it is quite nice here - fairly pretty... went for a walk by the river after dinner (stopped by some mini markets along the way:) - nothing like a good bargain before bedtime! :) )
Today was a bit disorganised, with one of the guides being particualry disppaointing in just trying to make more money from us all (offering other 'upgrades' etc etc) and the delta was a bit... dirty in some places... but it was still a good day in the end and I do think we have gotten to the nicer part of the delta now... and the locals have generally been very friendly, smiley and helpful... off to see some more of the delta tomorrow... :)
Happy NY!
(PS I put more photos on facebook - so check out link from yesterday...)