Ho Chi Min City.... Big city and the Mekong Delta

February 12
It was an early morning for us today. Arrived at the airport to a very long line up for our flight to Ho Chi Min City. My flight information didn't match with the airport's information. Off I go to get things straightened out only to be told they can't find our names on any of the flight rosters. Not sitting well with me.....people are butting in and the person behind the counter is ignoring me..... After a few dirty looks, nods, and stern talking ....Hooray, we have seats on the plane!

Once we checked in and unpacked, we ventured out to Ben Thanh Market. Everything that’s commonly eaten, worn or used by the Saigonese is piled high, and souvenir items can be found. It was so busy and stuffy. The vendors were grabbing our hands trying to get us to stop at their booth. So many stalls, so many things to looks, so many people..... So overwhelming.

We walked around for about 40 minutes and then had to get out of there! We were both grumpy! We walked around the area and checked out the shops. Came back to the hotel to rest.... Brad had to sleep!

We walked to The Bitexco Financial Tower. This is what the building looks like in the day time.

It stands 262 meters, 68 floors tall. The tower is Vietnam's first and only International Class A building. Inspired by the lotus, Vietnam's national flower. The Saigon Skydeck is located on the 49th floor. It offers stunning 360 degree views of the city and it's surroundings. We watched the sun set and stayed long enough to see the evening lights of the city.

On the way home, we picked up rice and noodles from a street vendor and ate in the hotel room.

February 13
Our driver picked us up for our day on the Mekong Delta. Nguyen was our English speaking leader. He explained that we were going to the My Tho and Ben Trem provinces. We stopped at the Mekong Reststop to visit the "Happy House" (aka the bathroom).

We then headed over to a pagoda called Vinh Trang. There were so many buddas....smiling, sleeping, standing.

Nguyen explained "Me" means Mother and "Kong" means River. We visited two provinces... My Tho and Ben Tre.

The motorboat took us to Unicorn Island, it's known for it's fruit and traditional singing. We ate papayas, guava, loongan (like lychee nuts), pineapples, and jack fruit while the ladies sang to us. After that we headed out on the sampans along the shady and windy canal. The canal was so busy with sampans, you had to keep your hands inside so you wouldn't get them crushed when the boats banged together.

We then boarded another motorboat to Ben Tre province where we tasted honey tea and leaned to make coconut candy. While drinking honey tea. Nguyen brought over a honeycomb frame full of bees to show us. He later came over with a bee in his hand telling us that the bee doesn't sting. Brad then asked to hold the frame..... Found out later that they were two different bees. The ones on the frame are stinging bees!

Brad and I ran when this guy came out!

We headed back to the boat dock by horse and carriage.

Then boarded a motorboat to go back to the dock.

Loaded up in the van for the ride home. As we turned onto the main road, we were greeted with this.... It's the end of TET week and everyone is going home.

We've been seeing lots of this this week.... Wonder how this would fly back in Canada?

Went to the night market....very lively and busy. Tomorrow is Brads last full day before he flies home on Monday? Going to miss him!