MeKong Delta trip

Tuesday: 7AM the phone rings - the VN phone ... we got a local sim card ... so cheap. It was John Stokes from ABC Sunshine coast ... asked how I felt about the interview about our activities right now .... there was no time to prepare or get nervous ... he had the tape rolling.

After that we had to rush ... this was the day to go to the MeKong Delta to meet the disadvantaged families for whom we are going to pay for houses to be built. After breakky the bus came and we went with Bob, HIEN and entourage. A camera man, HIEN’s brother SON, who is an architect and QUE. It was a long drive - 2 to 3 hours. Interesting how everything changes once one is out of the big smoke.

Met the CHAIRMAN (blue shirt - see pictures) and his crew .... all on motorbikes - or HONDA’S as the locals call them. The walk to the first house was a piece of cake. Met the people, shook hands, took photos and off we went. Short ride by car ... then only 500 m - we were told - that was on a small path, then we walked on the borders between the rice paddies. A balancing act and in parts where the sun had not dried the rain ... very muddy.
Reached the second house ... middle of the day .... we were exhausted and then we saw the BRIDGE !!! This was not a bridge - a stick over water at best. No way .... So the family came across with ease ... even the doggies can do it!!! Was nice to meet them, a young couple with a 4 year old boy and another baby on the way.
Uli and HIEN got invited to go back via boat to the place where the HONDAS were parked. The challenge was not the boat, but how to get in the boat.
The men had to walk, single file ... and needed a drink ... On the HONDA to the next house, another wobbly bridge, but we managed. Ice cold coconut juice was offered ... very good , only that the ice is not safe to drink ... to late anyway ... coconut is good for your tummy - so no trouble later on at all. Nice family, but the houses ... we would call it a hut.
Back on the HONDA .... last house, little old lady .... you should see her kitchen .... pictures taken, a little chit chat ... back on the bus.

By the time we had lunch it was 4 PM, a world with the chairman is his office .... to hand over the money for the houses, plus another donation for a family who had recently lost their house in a storm. They are currently rebuilding, but running out of funds ... so $200 did the trick.

Back in HCMC by 8:30 PM ... just a bite to eat and then it was time to recharge the batteries.