A visit to the Venice on the MeKong.

An incredible breakfast awaited us on our first morning.

As I stumbled from the breakfast room who do I see but Marky Mark doing his morning stretch.

Then we practiced hurrying and waiting again. But this time we did it on a small boat which is the way you get from our vessel to the shore. This is our boat and the crew is waving at the Captains command.

You always get a briefing by your tour guide.

As we float by we see the local towns and businesses. This us to be a floating market but it is now gone and the market is on land.

Then we disembark and walk through the town to our stop. Venice on the MeKong.

We passed a local “Safeway.” Not a big selection.

Here is a historical place we are to visit.

This is an altar to the previous four generations that occupied the house. Something we do not do in America.

The furniture is all original from the 19th century.

Then a walk through the garden.

Then as we walked back to our boat we saw a group clearing a local graveyard to venerate their grandparents. Again something we don’t do.

During our trip to the next stop we saw other villages and a beautiful Catholic Church.

The next place we visited was a rice factory. Here they first demonstrated how to clean a coconut. Why coconuts in a rice factory you ask. So did I!

Then they made rice paper.

Then they put the rice paper in the sun to dry it.

Then they popped rice.

If you were interested cobra sake was available.

While shopping Sadie May and Downtown Julie Brown demonstrated their international shopping skills.

I was asked if there was anything new about the lawsuit. This summed it up.

It was back to our boat for another trip from Venice on the MeKong.

Here is a nice shot of our home vessel.

Upon arriving look what our cabin steward left for us. This is an art that the Princess will be doing for me back home.

Before lunch, we had a one hour explanation about the “America war.” Because we are in a communist country I am not able to share what they said.

After lunch it was back on the MeKong. I thought to give you a better flavour of the trip I would give you a video of the river view suites we are seeing.

Our first stop was a Cardai temple. This is a fascinating religion. It is a mix of five religions on one. Buddhism, catholic, Hindu, Confuciusism, and I cannot remember the fifth.

Inside there was a picture of three special men and their story.

Here is the altar.

Then above the altar was a special sign of the leaders of the religion.

Outside is the hearse, used for transporting the body of the dead member to the graveyard. By the way there is no charge to the family for this service. Bring this back to America!

We left the temple and went to a local market. I thought more souvenirs. No. It was a place the locals buy their daily food.

Well it was back to the boat. Goat, Bella, Marky Mark and captain did Tai Chi. cocktails and a Vietnamese dinner. The night was still going with Bruno Mars, I drink tequilas until your cloths come off and ABBA.

I am going to bed. Over and out!