Part II: Cai Rang, Can Tho & Mekong continued...

Where did we leave off....oh yeah....the city of Can Tho....after waking from a much needed nap in our windowless "budget" room (which we had reluctantly accepted as a downgrade from our reserved "superior" room for half of the "tourist" price......mmmm......) we were ready to find a bargain sanpan and guide to take us to the floating markets at Cai Rang at sunrise. No need to look far, for once we reached the boardwalk, a persistant dark boat man named Hui immediately sold us on a 3 hour tour for half the price the hotel was offering. Thien negotiated as we followed him to see our ride. We were satisfied. It was time to find some food and more photo opp's. We found ourselves amidst a highly energetic crowd, busily finishing the final touches on the the display booths for the Mekong-Can Tho yearly festival. We witnessed rats of all shapes and sizes, from gigantic gold and silver paper maches to woven life-size animated creatures - all of course in celebration of the Year of the Rat, 2008. No, folks, Chinese New Year festivities had not died down and Chunc Mung Nam Moi banners were as prominent as ever! As the sun began to settle, the neon lights took its place. We walked across the bridge which crossed the Cai Khe Canal in search of the well known Victoria Can Tho Hotel. As we approached its secluded location, we began to wonder if we shouldn't have just bitten the bullet and stayed there instead. At first glance we were impressed with its colonial architecture and manicured gardens. The lobby was striking with its open-air patios and magazine pool. But after observing the guests, we realized that this is what we had come here to get away from- not that we don't appreciate the finer things in life, but we had not travelled half-way across the globe to be surrounded by American and European tourists who preffered to visit from a distance. You know, the kind that do not like to "mingle" with the locals, or eat the local fare. They much prefer their Indochina dream unscathed by the not-so-romantic harshness of life. But all that comes with the loss of truly experiencing the heart of Vietnam, of its people.

After our inflated $7.00 bill was paid, we found ourselves back on the street, plopped down at a Bun Xeo street restaurant and enjoyed one of the best Vietnamese crepes we had had yet, and at $2, only a fraction of our Victoria bill (bottled water is normally .20 cents, a liquor $1.50-2, Victoria water 2.50 and the campari a modest 4.50). You can really take it up the arse at some of these "finer" resorts.