On Day 3 in the Mekong, we set out early for a boat ride to the floating market in Can Tho (pronounced Con Toe). Farmers transport their produce from their fields in small boats and sell them to bigger boats that then go to Can Tho and sell them to even bigger boats that anchor in the harbor. These boats then sell produce to smaller boats that act as a distribution system, taking produce back out to the communities. Think of it as truck-farming by boat. Our water taxi piloted among the boats, each of them advertising their wares by dangling samples on tall bamboo poles—melons, squash, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbage, etc.. Most of the sellers live on their boats as well, so we saw them washing dishes, hanging laundry, and eating bowls of food bought from the “soup boats.”

From there, we stopped at the land market, with all the typical butcheries, fishmongers and vegetable sellers you might expect, but also including, at one butcher, skinned mice (which we later decided were probably rats, based on their size)!

After the market we started our ride, which today followed various waterways, all beautiful and lush, and perhaps slightly less populous than the Khmer region from the day before. We continue to ride mostly on narrow paths, which give such a personal connection to the place.

Lunch, as on several other days, is in a local streetside spot that serves us Pho Bo (noodles and beef). Delicious. Day three ended with a drive to the Victoria Sam Mountain hotel—amazingly located on a mountain, the first we’ve seen in this country of flatness! Our view over the lush green rice paddies is stunning, although it’s hazy (possibly due to pollution in China?). A swim and some hand laundry before dinner and bed.