Following our tour of Cu Chi we set off for the Mekong Delta in Southern Vietnam. Since I hadn't eaten in almost 7 hours I was naturally starting to get cranky. Our guide, Long, informed us that we would have a feast upon our arrival complete with elephant, a local delicacy. Now, I am all about embracing local culture and trying new foods, but the thought of eating an elephant was horrifying to me. Horrifying to me but hilarious to Long and Emily since the elephant turned out to be a type of large fish caught in the river, not the animal for which this blog is named. (I also learned that they do eat crocodiles now, but not elephants)
After our four course lunch we donned our $1 conical hats, sipped from our coconuts, and boarded a long boat to tour the Ben Tre peninsula of the Mekong Delta region. Via walking, row boat, and horse and carriage we stopped by a coconut candy factory and a honey bee farm. The honey bee farm was also home to Big Baby, a 5-year-old, 50 pound python. Although we refused to drape it over our shoulders for a picture, we did pet it. (Ok - I only touched it with one finger but for those of you who are familiar with my fear of snakes this is a big deal.) Our guide said the mother weighed over 130 pounds and was in a cage on the other side of the house. After the elephant incident I didn't believe him, but sure enough, mom was right around the corner and needless to say we did not stop to pet her.
Before heading home we stopped at Unicorn Island to sample all of the local fruits. Yes Laura, the mix included both dragon fruit and sapodilla (sp?). You would also be proud that I stopped at most trees and asked whether or not the things growing on them were edible.
Tonight we are supposed to go out with Vinh to a local karaoke bar, but given that we have a 6:30am flight to Hanoi tomorrow morning we might opt for sleep. As Em said, "You convinced me to run around through villages and sleep in random people's huts, of course I'm want to get some sleep in the hotel tonight!"
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Dear Elephant,
Words alone will not suffice to express my pride in your touching an enormous snake. Twiggy would be so proud; he/she/it has not died in vain.
I've just read both your blog and Strangle a Giraffe the whole way through, in one sitting. I'm holding you to your promise of crazy travel in two year's time. Oh! Stateside notes - while road tripping down to Washington today I won a trivial pursuit game in no small part due to my knowing Professor Minerva McGonagall's moniker. Be proud.
Love and miss you,
Laura
P.S. I checked on your apartment for you and emptied the bathroom bucket. All is well although I was half convinced the guy who kicked in your door was lying in wait downstairs.
P.P.S. I commend your unstated but generous use of spell check.
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