"Backwater" Trip in Bến Tre

On Wed morning, our two canoe paddlers were waiting for us by 9am at the harbor in front of the hotel! One of them told me later that she awoke at 2am, worrying about the wind and the strong currents...but once she had committed to do something, she wouldn't back out (even I gave her the hotel's phone # to call if there was any changes...) so she prayed for the our safety. So kind of her! I bet they left home at 7am.

We got our wishes: doing the backwater trip without tourists, going into the very small, quiet, peaceful canals for long ride... It was risky crossing the river, but I  conquered my fear on the water! I was wearing a life vest for the whole time, G and I tried to take turns to paddle to help the two ladies out, because 3/4 of the trip they had to go against the current! I am sure they have arms and shoulders of steel to be able to do that task! I paid them double of what they asked once we arrived. That was hard work!

It was an amazing feeling to just float for 2 hours through the canals, seeing some locals setting jumbo shrimps traps, passing a coconuts processing plant, feeling of being shielded by "a curtain" of water coconut trees, just being immersed in nature...If India's Kerala Province deserves the name "God's own country", Ben Tre is more deserving of this title! (G's opinion)

We arrived at our "paradise" for lunch again. The owner asked his daughter to take us around to visit his relatives where we had a chance to set foot inside 3 local homes, 2 of them very basic and primitive. (G was so appreciative to see all that), One of the homes along a jungle canal was a homestay where they offer a bed to sleep with outdoor bathroom, plus breakfast and dinner included in the fee. Even though the offer sounded interesting, we declined.

Well, the plan to return by canoe was changed to motorbike ride instead. It was 35C and we were tired by 5pm when we got back to the hotel, but surely we had another amazing day!

My cousin came from HCM city to spend time with me the next day, took me to get the best coconut/banana candies in Ben Tre, we talked, walked to market, ate... as G went to do his own thing...

We will say goodbye to Ben Tre and return to Saigon this Friday but will miss it. Beach time should be coming soon. We planned to go to Vung Tau, and if we don't like it there, we would go to Mui Ne, Phan Thiet.  Will see.