Hot in the Mekong

We need one of these rivercraft at home!

Arriving at My Tho we stepped aboard our waiting putt-putt for a motoring cruise down the Song My Tho, a branch of the muddy Mekong, dodging large barges and all manner of industrial river craft.

We stopped at nearby islands to sample the delights of coconut candy, take in a handicrafts factory, seriously challenge the fitness of several carriage ponies and finally sampled local fruits and honey at an orchard.  Special displays included traditional folk songs and dancing, and a very large python. 

Giving up a chance to pat the python, I quickly headed for the loo only to discover another huge, huge python nearby, fortunately caged. Quickest bathroom break ever!!

I don't care if it's friendly....it looks hungry!

We moved on to a wharf to board, less than gracefully, small row boats, which glided silently up narrow creeks lined with palms and other thick vegetation. Quite eerie, but it also gave us an appreciation of the isolation felt by small river communities. On to lunch, the highlight of which was an elephant ear fish, fried whole, scales and all.

Punting up a narrow creek

The trip to the Dong Tam snake farm did not eventuate sadly (not!). It seems that snakes are used in the manufacture of traditional medicines used to remedy disorders as disparate as mental health issues, rheumatism, coughs, migraine and paralysis.  

An assortment of nasty beasties, when steeped in alcohol, produce a tonic believed to fix all ills & ails plus (as an added bonus) enhance virility. We had come across this tonic on a previous day, when travelling north to Cu Chi tunnels. Jars of snake wine decorated shelves in an edible rice paper making factory at a stop we made.  Well, it's nice to put those beasties to some good use.  As they say, if the snake doesn't kill you, the wine will....

Medicinal Wines...sure