Our quick getaway from Saigon landed us in the heart of the Mekong Delta, also known as the great rice bowl of Vietnam. We stayed in the city of Can Tho, in a small homestay tucked behind one of the main streets. To get to the front door we had to squeeze our packs through a narrow alley, maybe a metre and a half wide, past the neighbours living rooms, while our arrival was announced ahead of us.

Despite the modest accommodation, the owners of the homestay were intelligent business people. We had intended to hire pushbikes and ride around the Delta ourselves, but twenty minutes after arriving we had been convinced to take a seven hour boat tour with the owners' sister. We agreed because boating seemed to be the best way to admire the essence of the delta, and also because we were keen to get into Cambodia to start work at the Sovanna Baitong village project.

Our tour started at 5.30am the next day to ensure we would see the best of the early morning floating markets. We met our guide waiting in the dark alleyway outside, who led us to a little two person wooden row boat (with a 3m long motor attached). Our guide turned out to be a really friendly old woman who did not speak any English and we quickly became confident that we had picked the best mode of transport. As we floated through a network of thriving canals, we witnessed some people who really live off the water. Every house and shop literally extended out and onto the waterway, with farmers loading their boats for the day. They used the water for everything - farming fish and water lillies, having a shower, brushing their teeth, going to the toilet and disposing their rubbish! We're not sure about the hygiene, but the rubbish was definately a problem as we kept getting plastic bags caught on the propellor! Nonetheless, the floating markets were amazing! As we paddled amongst a cluster of wooden boats we were offered all sorts of fresh foods and even bought ice coffee, some spicy bread and a whole pineapple! We stopped to watch people making rice noodles and ate rice grain straight from the field. As we enjoyed the sights and sounds, our guide kept making us things out of palm leaves. We scored matching rings, bracelets, bouncy grass hoppers, and a palm leaf bouquet of roses!

On the way back we stopped at a small restaurant, along with all the other tourists doing similar tours. We'd had breakfast and it was still nowhere near lunchtime, although it seemed oddly appropriate to buy food for ourselves and the guide. There were definitely a few disgruntled tourists, although our guide didn't expect much and we thought she deserved a bonus for doing such a good job.

This turned out to be a fantastic end to our journey through Vietnam. Gratefully satisfied, we are now preparing ourselves for what shenanigans might be awaiting at the border crossing into Cambodia.