Cai Be (12/31/2012)

Still Monday, December 31, 2012
Our 14:30 excursion found us once again floating along in a water bus. It was not a very busy day for the floating market in Cai Be.
It is like a floating wholesale market, and cargo boats place their product on a pole to show what is for sale.
This boat has jicamas:

A marine gas station:

Boy trying to fly a kite:

The machine shop for engine repairs:

TV antennas:

The tapioca/cassava vendor is asleep on the job:

Bananas:

This gas station owner has done well enough to build a new house:

We stopped to visit a candy manufacturer. First we saw how puffed rice is made.
Oiled rice kernels are put in a bowl of heated sand to pop or puff:

KSS

Then it is sifted to get out the sand and rice husks:

KSS

Some puffed rice with unpuffed rice in it:

Next we saw mass rice krispie treat production.
They first heat a mixture of oil, shredded coconut, and palm sugar:

Here they tossed in some puffed rice with peanuts:

Two guys did the mixing dance, scooping with their sticks as they circled around the bowl:

Roll out the mixture:

And cut into squares to be packaged.
Now, to see coconut caramels in the making.
Grating the coconut meat:

Put the shredded coconut in a fabric bag and press out the oil/juice:

Heat to caramelize:

Press out into forms:

Cut into cubes and package:

There was also a rice wine still:

Snake wine samples were given out:

Wait, there's more! Making rice paper.
Pour a reduction of rice onto a piece of taut fabric over heat and spread until thin:

Steam for about 10 seconds, then carefully remove:

Robbie takes a turn:

Drying rice paper:

These are cut into small squares to wrap the caramels, and they can be eaten.
A Luffa aegyptiaca/Luffa Sponge Gourd:

A photo op with Susan and Harvey and a python (the latter lives in the rice fields):

We were able to sample goodies:

There were also souvenirs for sale, such as cobra and scorpion wine:

Lacquerware:

When all the shopping was done, we returned to the RV Indochina by water bus.

At our Farewell Cocktail Party, we had a performance of traditional Vietnamese music.
Instruments showcased were the dan nhi/2-string fishhook violin:

KSS

The dan nguyet/moon-shaped 2-string lute:

KSS

The Vietnamized 5-string guitar with scalloped fretboard:

KSS

And the dan bau/Vietnamese monochord:

KSS

KSS

After a Farewell Dinner, we had sort of a New Year's Party where we were to wear our decorated conical hats:

KSS

There were some contests and we participated in one where a couple had to stand on a decreasingly smaller piece of paper without hanging over the edges. We outlasted the others, but upon trying the final smallest size, we keeled over and fell on the floor. Fortunately, I went backwards and had a soft landing, so all was well. They gave us the prize (a book about the Pandaw ships) anyway!
Tomorrow, Ho Chi Minh City 1 Orientation.

Sa Dec 2 Market (12/31/2012)

Still Monday, December 31, 2012
Our water bus took us from the brick factory to the Sa Dec town market.
A fisherman on the riverside of the market stalls:

Produce going to market:

Chau Doc Market:

Shophouses:

A lunch opportunity where we disembarked for the market:

Looong load:

They really wear coolie hats here:

KSS

White eggplants:

"Money" for sale:

To be burned for use of your ancestors.
This lady is pulling open a duck!

This one is trying to weigh a wiggling fish:

Colorful fabrics:

Curcuma longa/Turmeric rhizomes:

Probably ducks' blood:

Colocasia esculenta var./Taro tubers:

Tea preparation of Pandanus amaryllifolius/pandan leaves:

Happy vendor:

Blossoms for cooking; these are pumpkin flowers:

Banana "flowers:"

Big chicken feet:

Rice varieties:

Feather duster for the top of the bus:

Dried stuff:

Fluta alba/Asian Swamp Eels?:

Cuttlefish:

River snails:

Winged beans:

Fish ball meat:

Snakes and turtles:

KSS

At the wholesale market, shallots:

Beets:

Small watermelons:

Pumpkins:

Tamarind pods:

Rose apples:

KSS

Tiny truck:

From the movie and book "l'Amant," the author has a love affair with the son of the Chinese family living here:

Reception hall:

Doorway where you can push the wooden poles across the opening to bar entry, but allow ventilation:

Main hall:

Continuing down the street, dried beans and pasta:

Plastic goods:

Drying water coconut husks:

We returned to the RV Indochina for lunch, and to set sail for Cai Be.
Next, Cai Be.