21 Jan. Mekong Delta

We woke early so we could cycle to the starving dog is seen. I a piece of fish and two chicken bones. He was hungry it was heartbreaking.

Then Roy and I cycled to the local market, but I got bored and went back to the homestay to shower and get ready for breakfast.  For the mornings activities we walked back to the market, this fine with the Austrian mother and daughter and our two guides. Then a noisy boat trip for about an hour. Very pretty.

Our boat driver cut off s ome water coconuts for us to taste. Not very nice.

I was too hot and bothered after the loud noisy ride without shade so skipped going kyaking. Apparently most guests do. So it's been rather a slow, uninteresting day. At least we got meat at lunch, and I managed to fill a container. Cycled the 2km to the dog who gratefully gobbled it all up, including the butter and cheese wedge I'd saved from packed breakfasts along the trip. One happy dog for a few hours. How can people be so cruel. I mentioned to the other guide what I was doing and she said she has asked them why their dog is so thin and they said it's old and doesn't want to eat. She said she just believed then but will now take it food when she is on tour here. So hopefully his life improves slightly. The owners were outside this time and saw me and while I've probably shamed them by doing this I'm glad. I hope they feel bad....They did not look particularly poor.

In the afternoon we drove further into the mekong delta, taking a ferry accross the Mekong.

We passed a really busy market with loads of people on motorcycles going in and out.

We reached our homestay just before dark, near Cantho, the third largest city in Vietnam. The homestay was along the river. I went for a short walk before dinner and got invited to join some drunk Vietnamese men drink beer. I declined.

Our homestay has a pretty crocodile and a pet python in 2 tiny cages. Poor creatures.