Thursday, November 9. My experience is being impacted by the heat (95!) and humidity (99%!!). It’s become a drag on my consciousness.

Bus ride to the Mekong River Delta. We stopped off at a “hammock cafe” to try their iced coffee with coconut milk. These cafes supposedly exist for long haul motorbike couriers adn there were infact several of them resting. Surprisingly (a little), one was a woman.

Boarded a “Rice Barge” for one of the numerous islands. Navigated through a canal to visit a local farmer of exotic fruits. Very happy, eager farmer, who was missing his upper four teeth. Mentioned that propaganda messages were broadcast over speakers from 5 to 7 every day, both AM and PM. He let us sample several fruits. We left on sampan boats (three to a boat) with a woman rower using a fixed paddle. Very quiet ride for about ten minutes. The ancient, peaceful mood was broken only after she unloaded us and we learn that the boats had hidden engines.

We returned to the hotel for a short siesta. I found the local Irish bar and had chili with (fried) rice. Marvelous, but no Guinness on tap. The minimum order exceeds their requirement.

In the evening we traveled via taxi to a small theater for a Water Puppet show. Very interesting. Absolutely amazing how they manipulate many, fairly large, puppets from behind a curtain. The amount of coordination required of the puppeteers must be incredible. Highly entertaining. The band on each side of the pool also did the puppet voices. Magical.