Mekong River

 On arrival to the Scenic Spirit we were first on board and we were warmly welcomed by the crew. They were lined up each side leading to the gangplank, on board and on entry to the lounge. We had our name tags on and they were using our first names, but I had the feeling they knew us anyway and were not always looking at the name tags, this was confirmed later when I didn’t have a name tag yet the crew member used my first name. Others in our group had the same experience as some were not wearing name tags. Our suite is spacious and well appointed. A walk in robe with hanging space and drawers. Drawers under the couch. Direct usb connection for charging devices and some Australian 3 point sockets. The bathroom is modern and enough space for the both of us. The shower is complicated with all the different settings, including one that directs one straight at your belly button! It is easy to adjust the temperature. It is very refreshing. Dinner was delicious. Service fantastic. The Spirit can accommodate 68 passengers but there are only 37 guests on board. Staff and crew total 41 so it is almost one for one.  After dinner the cool group, compromised of a female couple from Yarra Valley, a couple from Winchester England, a couple from Warragul, a couple from NZ and us head off to the bar for drinks. Baileys and port. A great start to our Mekong cruise.

Wednesday 2 November after a great night’s sleep and breakfast we have our first excursion on the Mekong. It is a vast river, very busy and quick flowing. We visit a local industry where they make popped rice just like pop corn. We are back on board for lunch and then have another excursion this pm. 

This afternoon we went to the markets at Sa Deck. They had everything there, all kinds of vegetables, some fruit, meat, poultry, fish, crustaceans and frogs and eels. Most of the larger fish were live in small receptacles filled with water. There is no minimum size for fish or shell fish! It was extremely busy with narrow walkways and scooters going up and down both ways. After a while Ann was feeling a bit off from the fumes of the scooters and the crowded situation. We were glad to get back to the Spirit.