The Untold Secret of Mekong Delta

By Darshini.S

I have read many articles about people who live in Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Here is what I observe myself: People in Mekong Delta mostly live on the boat. Its because they don't have and don't afford to own a house or land. The living cost in their city is pretty high where they can only afford a boat house. Many children were born and grown up on the boat and most of them were not sent to school to further their education. The kids usually inherit their parents' job.

Mekong river people do trading here for their living. They sell vegetables, self-made household items, fruits, clothes and etc. The most interesting part is they do trading while they are on the boat and it will be cruising through the river. They trade quickly by transferring one item to another boat upon request and receive something in return as their barter trade. Some do barter trade and some take money in exchange. Our tour guide, Andy says that people in Mekong Delta do not worship money as in the most important element to living. They are used to live on the boat their lifelong by trade in their needs accordingly. "They don't go for entertainment, they don't go out to mix around, therefore, why do they need money for?" Andy says. He also says that people in Mekong Delta use to say 'money is not important, love is'. I think, rather than Paris, Mekong Delta should get the name 'City of Love'.

Along Mekong river, most of the paddy fields are fresh. If you are driving along the highway, you will be wondering to find many white/brown cemented area in the middle of every paddy field. They are cemetery! You can find a lot of cemetery in the middle of paddy field. The owner/family members prefer to be buried in their own land after they deceased. Usually, this is like their golden request and Inherited by generations. Some cemetery are built just by the side of their homes, and some are in the middle of the paddy field, looking like a gazebo or a hut.

 

So if you are planning to visit Mekong Delta, please enjoy the journey as you will learn life lessons along the journey. Adiós, till I come back with my next shorties on Mekong River Cruise journey which was pretty awesome too.

p/s: All images are copyrighted to the writer.

With love,

Journey To Mars

[gallery ids="141"]

One Night at Lee Jetty - Penang

Maeklong Market, Bangkok

Often seeing in the photo sharing networks, Maeklong Market’s picture deeply captured in my heart. Thus, I decided to make a trip to Bangkok just to visit the place. We, the three backpackers were all set to Bangkok then.

Upon reaching, I had difficulties to approach the  Thais to ask about the best route to the market. Some don’t know, some don’t understand and some even ask, ‘Got such place?’.

To my surprise, people there do not recognize the market as Maeklong Market. It is best known as Dangerous Market or Train Market.

As usual, the local Tuk-Tuk drivers refer us to the Tourism Office for us to get the best package to the market. Trust me! The packages are EXPENSIVE. Just follow our route, which we followed from another blogger with the train schedule has been updated to the latest one. Personally, I would like to thank www.migrationology.com to provide us the route info.

If you are staying in Khao Sarn road or nearby to the city centre, get the metered taxy to Wang Wian Yai Station. The best to be at the train station is by 8.30am. The train from Wang Wian Yai leaves at sharp 8.35am. You will have to cross the overhead bridge if you get down at the opposite of the station. So plan your timing correctly so that you don’t miss the train.

[caption id="attachment_100" align="alignleft" width="300"] Train Schedule[/caption]

8.35am                 -              Train leaves Wang Wian Yai to Maha Chai.

9.30am                 -              Arrive at Maha Chai Station. You need to walk to the ferry from here. The route is little bit confusing. Get down at your left, just walk straight to the right for 100 meters. You will see markets along the way, but don’t worry. Take your own sweet to round the place as you have ample of time for the next train.

11.00am               -              Take ferry to cross the river. It’s very quick and frequently departs. So not to worry too.

11.15am               -              Arrive at Ban Laem ferry pier. Walk to the right, as you see the sign board to the station.

11.40am               -              Arrive at Ban Laem train station. Purchase your ticket at the counter and wait   for the train to arrive. The route to the train stations looks abandoned but that is the right one.

12.05pm               -              Train leaves Ban Laem to Maeklong Station.

13.05pm               -              Train arrives at Maeklong Station.

14.30pm               -              Train leaves Maeklong to Ban Laem (Last train of the day)

[caption id="attachment_98" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Ban Laem Train Station Route[/caption]

It was pretty excited to see the train arrives and everyone were ready with their gadgets ready. Photographers were prepared with tripod and their correct camera settings to get the best shot. Me…I was just with my iPhone :)

[caption id="attachment_92" align="alignleft" width="300"] Ticket to Maha Chai[/caption]

If you wonder how much it cost you roughly, here is the calculation (per pax):

Taxi from Khao Sarn to Wang Wian Yai Station = THB 200

Wang Wian Yai to MaHa Chai by train  = THB 10

Maha Chai Ferry to Ban Laem Ferry Pier = walking distance

Ban Laem Ferry across river to Ban Laem Train Station = THB 3

Ban Laem to Maek Long by train = THB 30

Per way = THB 243 for 2 hours beautiful journey.

Return will be the same cost too. Unless if you have decided to take taxi from Ban Laem Station to Khao Sarn Road, it will cost you approximately THB 350 - THB 400 depending on the traffic and the journey is about 1 hour.

The reason why did I say travel by yourself cost you lesser is because via tour group, it costs you at least THB 1000 for the trip. There are few cheap ones at Khao Sarn road, which costs about THB 250 but I rather not to choose them due to safety issue.

So what else? Start packing then!



With love.

Travel Tips - 5 Ways To Make Your Trip A Success

Hey friends, I guess you all know that I am just back from my LONE RANGER trip from Hong Kong. I would like to share some of my tips with you for your future travel plans.

1) PLAN IMMEDIATELY
Sudden plan works better than future plans.
Trust me, you are not gona save a penny if you are not serious about your vacation and spending for vacation. Never plan something which takes more than 3 months to do it. Most of the plans will be scrapped off as we are all norm to have last minute calls and changes.

2) BUY TICKETS ONCE PLANNED
When you have planned to go somewhere,quickly buy your tickets either is it your flight or train. Just do it! Never think twice or else forget about the plan.



3) INVITE FRIENDS ONLY AFTER TICKET IS BOUGHT/ITINERARY PLANNED
In most of my experience, I will need to postpone my plan whenever I plan it in a group. Either one of them will have to back off or will ask us to change the date. We cant be pleasing everyone at one time, right? So, plan it alone and share it only with that one person that will respond YES to you.


4) DO THOROUGH RESEARCH
Before you are deciding to visit a place or country, do thorough research 1st so that you know what are you going to do there. Many people around you will ask so many questions about your trip and if you cant answer them, you are going to feel down!
Plus, it is important that you know what are you going to do if you are going to travel alone.
Research have to include:
- accommodation
- mode of transport
- food to find
- main 3 places to visit (short trip)
- special visit/meeting

5) GET EXCITED
Dont ever think that 'oh dear, why did I plan it' or 'why did I buy the ticket'. Get excited! Talk to friends about your trip and get them suggest if they have been the place before. Sharing information keeps you to anticipate what is there waiting for you.

Thats all I can say. Just think about a place you want to go, book the ticket, plan the trip, and Go!

Have a good trip 😊

Irony of Life?

Take 5, and take a deep breath before reading this.

Have you ever feel demotivated when you suggest to your nearest one about your dream or plan?

Often we deny our passion and desire to change because we tend to live on other people's opinion.

Here are some situations to ponder, which shows the circle of our usual routine in life:

A: I want to work.
B: How long do you want to work? Do business and be your own boss!


A: I want to do business.
B: Don't only look for profit, help others to grow too!


A: I want to do social services.
B: Nah...don't waste your time as you gain nothing in that. Focus in career and life!


A: I want to buy a house.
B: Do you really afford to pay for it, depending on your monthly income? Get something on your part time!


Can you see? The people is deciding for you. Why are we allowing people to decide our destiny when the same people are not going to help us when we fail?

What do you get at the end of the day? The same you for the next 30/40 years!!!

Never be afraid of the decisions you make. Never get someone to decide for you! At the end of the day you are the person who is going to evaluate your life, your fulfillment and achievements.


-be the change you want to see the world-

Hong Kong in Two Nights

This article is to let you to explore Hong Kong Island's 'must go' places if you are on a 3D 2N trip to there. Feel free to contact me shall you need more information about traveling to HK :)


Day 1

Upon arrival , change simcard at 7eleven (85HKD) with data usage. That is cheap, and just nice to be used for 3 days.

Go to Tung Shin Station, and grab lunch there if can. That is the central station to get Cable car to Ngong Ping ( Lantau Island). It is dvisable to take the pass at 175HKD per person and it gives you to enter the fast lane with fishing village tour and return transport. If without pass, the price will be 135HKD per person and you will need to wait in the long queue. Trust me, damn long queue!

You will see beautiful Large Buddha statue at the top of the hill and walking around the place will take you some time. Spend abt 3-4 hours in Lantau Island and come down to station by 6pm.



By time you reach the ground, you will already be feeling hungry. Take the MTR to Kowloon station and you will reach to a night market place. You can find so many varities of food, souvenirs and tshirts. Not all shops are cheap so you will really need to negotiate with them.



From there go to Avenue of Stars. It will take you approximately 30-40min to reach the place by MTR. Or you can choose to walk if you want to enjoy the scenery.

No ticket is needed to visit Avenue of Stars. All you need is your camera because I am sure that you will want to take alot of pictures there!
(It is a good place for riverside building night-view photography)




Back to hotel

********************************

Day 2

Breakfast at hotel



Visit temple in Kowloon town, then go to Central. Visit the most longest outdoor escalator and it brings you to the top of the town. You can vist Sun Yat Sen memorial park there.

Back to central and visit to all luxury brands outlets there. Lunch at central.



Go to Peak Tramp Station - advisable to purchase the pass earlier or else the queue is too long. I took bus and it was fun too. Bus cost only 23HKD per way whereas train fare is 40HKD per way.

At the peak, go to the Maddamme Tassauds candle museum. Have a nice brewed coffee break at sky terrace. U need pass for that. Tramp ticket is including sky terrace.

By sunset go to edge of the sky terrace and enjoy the view. Trust me, you will never feel to get down from that place! Its cooling with wonderful view!



Come down around 8pm and have your dinner somewhere in the town.
Free & Easy




Back to hotel

********************************

Day 3

Breakfast at hotel

City tour by tramp.



If it is a race day, go to HK Jockey Club. Spend about 2 hours there. Race starts at 12.30pm.



(If wana go to Macau, you can leave to Macau by ferry after breakfast itself)

You can also choose to go to the Hong Kong Disneyland. If you want to enter in, be there by 10am and enjoy every part of it. If you have decided to go only to see the entrance and experience the unique train ride, you can go there after your visit to Jockey Club or Macau (half day tour).




*** The End ***


Dear reader, I am an ordinary backpacker who travels smart by choosing the best/cheapest way to reach my destination. Doesnt matter if it is a package or planned trip, I make sure that every penny spent is worth.

Please drop me an email to know about Travel Smart at :
darshini.sm@gmail.com

Or add me in my FB at :
Darshini Sitharam


-the more you travel, the more you will travel-