CoffeaRobusta
08-17-2008, 06:15 PM
I finally have a chance to sort through the 800+ photos I took while in Vietnam.
It was quite a trip. Visiting my Mom (she lives in Sweden so I don't get to see her much), family I have never met before, seeing where I was born, and talking to my Mom about what it was like when I was born has certainly given me lots to ponder for a while. During my two weeks there I met nice people, rude people, honest people, and swindlers. Seems much like anywhere else.
I can remember when I first visited Europe, I was struck by how different things were when compared to the US. Later visits showed me how similar we are. I think I can say now that I view differences and similarities at the same time. More importantly, I know know that when you want to make connections with others, focus on the similarities. I think that's why it was so good to bring a fishing pole. Many people in Vietnam fish, for recreation, work, or subsistence. It certainly opened some doors, and peaked the interest of those that shared a fishing interest. They were among the more decent people I met.
Well on to the pics...
One of the first places I fished was this cat fish farm. They were set up as a restruant where the patrons could sit outside, fish, drink beer, and have their catch cooked up if they wanted. The driver we hired for the day liked to fish too and he bagged the first fish...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip062.jpg
Not to be outdone, I bag one too...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip071.jpg
Hmmm.....catfish in a clay pot and Tiger beer
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip068.jpg
After the catfish pond, we went to a friends house near the Siagon river. My cousins fishing the river with me.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip104.jpg
South of Saigon is the city of Can Tho, wher I was born. They have a growing tourisim industry there for people looking of the Mekong experience.
Me boating on the Mekong Delta...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip132.jpg
Floating market....
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip140.jpg
Typical riverside home...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip144.jpg
You could see these fish traps everywhere
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip146.jpg
Snail eggs. These snails get pretty big and are edible. Yummm!
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip156.jpg
Small beam trawler on the river...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip178.jpg
You can find almost any kind of water organisim for eats in the resturants...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip181.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip193.jpg
Down in Ca Mau, where most of my Viet family live. Grandmas house is in the upper right, across the river. We went across in the long-tailed boat pictured in the foreground.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip217.jpg
The catch that came out of a shrimp trap..
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip260.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip259.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip258.jpg
Another cousin helping me fish...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip267.jpg
Almost everywhere you look people have a fish pond. This one is behind my Aunts house. Where I was able to bag another catfish.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip283.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip298.jpg
My cousin and I fished the canal in front of the house too. I caught nothing but he caught two tiny fish.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip291.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip292.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip296.jpg
Hmmm....home cookin'. Just look out for that rice wine.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip320.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip315.jpg
Met this guy near Can Tho, on the way back to Saigon.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip373.jpg
Was he fishing for these?
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip412.jpg
Back in Saigon, my Mom decided we all needed haircuts, and massage (no Boom boom though). Of course my four-year-old nephew got all the attention. Funny kid, he understands English, Vietnamese, and some Chinese, but only wants to speak Swedish.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip486.jpg
After recouping in Saigon, we boarded a sleeper bus to Mui Ne, a relatively new beach resort area. Mui Ne is (was?) a small fishing village, that was discovered by tourists about ten years ago. A solor eclipse drew thousands of people to the area when it was reported that it was the only place in Vietnam that one could view the full eclipse.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip546.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip629.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip630.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip675.jpg
Steaming and drying fish?
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip550.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip551.jpg
Exploring the fairy springs in Mui Ne
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip570.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip571.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip577.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip579.jpg
Beach view from our resort.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip584.jpg
Near Mui Ne is Ta Cu Mountain. At the top is the largest reclining buddha found in Vietnam (49 m). You can walk or take the cable car (we chose cable car). This place was quite sureal. It really made me quiet inside.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip588.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip615.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip624.jpg
Example of the Champa culture that was there before the Vietnamese moved in.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip632.jpg
Lots of people like to fish. This guy didn't speak much English but we hit it off and I let him try my rod. He likes to fish too.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip640.jpg
These kids showed my how to dig clams in the sand and gave me a small hook to use. Note the bamboo pole. I let them fish with my rod for awhile too.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip643.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip645.jpg
Some of the fish they caught...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip647.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip648.jpg
Finally I get one too...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip649.jpg
Young and old like to fish...Note the kite board sail in the background.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip683.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip684.jpg
It was with mixed feelings that I left Vietnam. Certainly happy to get back home (I love California, and missed my GF lots) but turning over lots in my mind about this half of my heritage. I may have to go back someday. Maybe do some work or research. Maybe just grab abackpack and do the whole SE asia thing. It was certainly the trip of a lifetime.
It was quite a trip. Visiting my Mom (she lives in Sweden so I don't get to see her much), family I have never met before, seeing where I was born, and talking to my Mom about what it was like when I was born has certainly given me lots to ponder for a while. During my two weeks there I met nice people, rude people, honest people, and swindlers. Seems much like anywhere else.
I can remember when I first visited Europe, I was struck by how different things were when compared to the US. Later visits showed me how similar we are. I think I can say now that I view differences and similarities at the same time. More importantly, I know know that when you want to make connections with others, focus on the similarities. I think that's why it was so good to bring a fishing pole. Many people in Vietnam fish, for recreation, work, or subsistence. It certainly opened some doors, and peaked the interest of those that shared a fishing interest. They were among the more decent people I met.
Well on to the pics...
One of the first places I fished was this cat fish farm. They were set up as a restruant where the patrons could sit outside, fish, drink beer, and have their catch cooked up if they wanted. The driver we hired for the day liked to fish too and he bagged the first fish...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip062.jpg
Not to be outdone, I bag one too...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip071.jpg
Hmmm.....catfish in a clay pot and Tiger beer
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip068.jpg
After the catfish pond, we went to a friends house near the Siagon river. My cousins fishing the river with me.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip104.jpg
South of Saigon is the city of Can Tho, wher I was born. They have a growing tourisim industry there for people looking of the Mekong experience.
Me boating on the Mekong Delta...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip132.jpg
Floating market....
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip140.jpg
Typical riverside home...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip144.jpg
You could see these fish traps everywhere
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip146.jpg
Snail eggs. These snails get pretty big and are edible. Yummm!
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip156.jpg
Small beam trawler on the river...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip178.jpg
You can find almost any kind of water organisim for eats in the resturants...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip181.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip193.jpg
Down in Ca Mau, where most of my Viet family live. Grandmas house is in the upper right, across the river. We went across in the long-tailed boat pictured in the foreground.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip217.jpg
The catch that came out of a shrimp trap..
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip260.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip259.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip258.jpg
Another cousin helping me fish...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip267.jpg
Almost everywhere you look people have a fish pond. This one is behind my Aunts house. Where I was able to bag another catfish.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip283.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip298.jpg
My cousin and I fished the canal in front of the house too. I caught nothing but he caught two tiny fish.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip291.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip292.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip296.jpg
Hmmm....home cookin'. Just look out for that rice wine.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip320.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip315.jpg
Met this guy near Can Tho, on the way back to Saigon.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip373.jpg
Was he fishing for these?
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip412.jpg
Back in Saigon, my Mom decided we all needed haircuts, and massage (no Boom boom though). Of course my four-year-old nephew got all the attention. Funny kid, he understands English, Vietnamese, and some Chinese, but only wants to speak Swedish.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip486.jpg
After recouping in Saigon, we boarded a sleeper bus to Mui Ne, a relatively new beach resort area. Mui Ne is (was?) a small fishing village, that was discovered by tourists about ten years ago. A solor eclipse drew thousands of people to the area when it was reported that it was the only place in Vietnam that one could view the full eclipse.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip546.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip629.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip630.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip675.jpg
Steaming and drying fish?
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip550.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip551.jpg
Exploring the fairy springs in Mui Ne
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip570.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip571.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip577.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip579.jpg
Beach view from our resort.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip584.jpg
Near Mui Ne is Ta Cu Mountain. At the top is the largest reclining buddha found in Vietnam (49 m). You can walk or take the cable car (we chose cable car). This place was quite sureal. It really made me quiet inside.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip588.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip615.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip624.jpg
Example of the Champa culture that was there before the Vietnamese moved in.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip632.jpg
Lots of people like to fish. This guy didn't speak much English but we hit it off and I let him try my rod. He likes to fish too.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip640.jpg
These kids showed my how to dig clams in the sand and gave me a small hook to use. Note the bamboo pole. I let them fish with my rod for awhile too.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip643.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip645.jpg
Some of the fish they caught...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip647.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip648.jpg
Finally I get one too...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip649.jpg
Young and old like to fish...Note the kite board sail in the background.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip683.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip684.jpg
It was with mixed feelings that I left Vietnam. Certainly happy to get back home (I love California, and missed my GF lots) but turning over lots in my mind about this half of my heritage. I may have to go back someday. Maybe do some work or research. Maybe just grab abackpack and do the whole SE asia thing. It was certainly the trip of a lifetime.