The floating market of Cai Rang - 31st Jan

This morning we boarded a boat to visit the floating market at Cai Rang. It took us about half an hour to reach the market but on route we took loads of photos of all the other boats on the river and the houses either side which were simple wooden huts on stilts.

Homes along the river

When we reached the market it was great watching all the local farmers trading their produce on the water which was a centuries old tradition. The boats were full of fresh fruit and vegetables with sticks at the end of each boat displaying the item the farmer was selling. As well as this there were canteen boats selling hot noodle soup and little rowing boats selling lottery tickets.

Anyone for cabbages?

After a circuit of the market we sailed back to the hotel and boarded the bus to take us back to Ho Chi Minh. Fortunately the journey back was much quieter and we got back with no hold ups. Half way back we stopped again at the lovely service station and had some lunch.

More houses along the river

Market day in Can Tho

Currys delivery

Back at the hotel Andy and I went for a walk around the town. The preparations for Chinese New Year were really building and they'd closed the road outside the hotel as this was a main parade where there were lots of floral decorations and lots of statues of cats to celebrate the new year. Many families had brought their children to come and see all the festivities and they all seemed really excited having all their photos taken by the decorations.

In the evening we went out for our final dinner with Carolyn and Bonnie to the Lemongrass. Again the food was really great and afterwards we went for a final ice cream at Fannies.

Lemongrass restaurant

Lanterns for Chinese New Year

One final glace at Fannies

After this Bonnie and Carolyn headed back to the hotel but Andy and I decided to stop out for a beer. There was a bar by our hotel and we found a table outside. The beer was expensive compared with what we'd paid before but it was great just enjoying the atmosphere and sharing in people's excitement of the forthcoming Chinese New Year. I felt sad this was our final night in Vietnam but glad we had one final experience still to go in Cambodia before it would be time to head home.

Hoards of people coming to look at the decorations

View from our hotel room