Eco's Within and Without

Route: Along Cai Rang river Date:  2 July 2019 Mode: walking and by boat ride Duration:   2 hours Fare: 120k dong Difficulty: Communication with locals Highlight: Experience the 100 years tradition of floating market I woke up at 4:30 and prepared for the floating market tour. From my nearby hostel, I walked to the foot of the bridge again. I met two women offering boat ride for 200k. I bargained at 100 but we ended up at 120k. It was a cheaper deal as compared to the 150k offer last night. So, instead of walking to the house where I bargained the night before, I decided to take the deal. When I rode the boat, I noticed another companion touring with me. He looks like 18 years old but when I talked to him, he said that he is 21 years old and working as a clerk in a government education office. The boat is small. It has a capacity of 5 tourists. I compared this size to other boats offering tour along the floating market. They can accommodate up to 20 p...

Route: Hostel near the bridge and traversing the Cai Rang river at the eastern side Date:  1 July 2019 Mode: walking Duration:   3 hours Fare: none Difficulty: keeping oneself safe from crime along the streets Highlight: exploring the bank of the river where floating marketing is done It was still early in the evening when I finally settled myself in my hostel so I decided to take an evening walk tour around. I started from my hotel to the foot of the bridge then along the river bank going south. Then, I saw a path going to the river. I met some people and asked if I could see the floating river at night. They said that there are no sellers in the evening and that the busy hours are in the morning at around 5 or 6 am. When I asked how much the trip is and they opened at 250k dong. But I soon sensed that it can be negotiated. We ended up at 150k and they told me that I can make reservations. But I told them that I will just pay the whole amount in th...

Route: From the west side of Cai Rang river to the east side Date:  1 July 2019 Mode: walking Duration:   4 hours Fare:  none/ Room: 100k dong Difficulty: keeping my things secure, night can be moderately hot outside Highlight: taking photos along the river bank, meeting locals, negotiating prices, exploring the floating market by night From the day’s walk, I went back to the market where I was dropped. Then, I crossed a bigger bridge and went to the eastern side of Cai Rang river. I chanced upon a billboard with 24/24 note and a sign that it is a 24-hour hostel. I entered the place and saw a lady who told that there are plenty rooms available. The with aircon costs 200k while the one with fan is only 100k. I took the fan room because I only need to sleep, take a bath and relax for the night and leave the place early the following morning. I checked in at 19:00. I immediately unpacked my bag and took a bath. My body felt sticky and itchy after a d...

Route: HCM city center to Can Tho floating market Date:  1 July 2019 Mode: Walking, Grab ride, Bus ride Duration:  around 3 hour Fare: 130k dong Difficulty: Communication with majority of locals Highlight: Travel experience from the city to the countryside   My plan for today is to explore Can Tho which is a small city two-hours away form HCM known for the presence of a floating market village as seen in the mapsme. I checked out of VyDa Backpackers hostel at 10:05. I had some few shots of photos with the receptionist upon check out. Then I decided to do a walking tour around the city again while canvassing for the money changer with good rate for my IDR. It turned out the money changers located only two blocks away. Along the walking tour, I saw many empty but green spaces again. I tried to enter into residential areas also and tried their breakfast menu. Breakfast are served right in front of the porch of many residential areas. It is loc...

Route: From bus station at the city center to VyDa Backpacking Hostel Date:  30 June 2019 Mode: Walking Duration: 3 hours Fare: none Difficulty: Backpack getting heavy, slight rain, wet roads, smelly areas Highlight: Exploring the city center where everyday life is visible on the streets I decide to check in at VyDa Backpacking Hostel. It is located at the city center in one of the residential streets. It has sleeper box rooms, cozy, convenient and cool. Much like in KL backpackers’ inn, it has a common room and a free coffee every morning but no free bread. The inn has maximized space as the beds are arranged vertically. Visitors are expected to be quiet all the time so as not to disturb the others. I checked in at 13:30, paying 110,000 dong for a 24-hour stay. There is also a deposit needed and there are 2 options for the deposit – either we give the passport for deposit or give 200,000 dong. They can be claimed upon check out. The wifi is fast and...

Type: City exploration Route: Saigon River to Airport and back, and City Centre walk Date:  30 June 2019 Mode: Walking, bus ride, motor ride Duration: (4:00 – 13:30) Fare: 5,000/ bus ride (Bus station to airport, airport to the bus station) Difficulty: Backpack getting heavy, Street signs and other public boards not in English, communication with locals, smoke from vehicles, tropical hot environment Highlight: Grab bike is everywhere, free wifi can be found anywhere, peaceful airport, trees may be seen along the roads, empty spaces with greens can be everywhere I woke up at 4:00 at the river bank. Having had some brief moments of sleep, I felt that I was slightly charged for the approaching day’s walk. I bought water at 10k dong at a nearby convenience store. I started walking and exploring the city with my backpack getting heavy. By aim was to see how to take a ride going to the airport so that I will know the route when I will there for my flight in the n...