No Fixed Abode: Montezuma's revenge

Thu 17 Mar 2016 - Mekong Cruise Day 2, Mang Thit, Tra Ong

Ok so it had to happen to one of us soon or later. Glenn spent most of the night deciding which way to use the toilet and it was decided he’d be foolish to leave the sanctuary of a loo for a few hours. The cook was devastated to hear Glenn was unwell and tried to help making up various concoctions to alleviate the problem. We decided it was best to fast for 24 hours.

Our first trip out this morning didn’t start until 10.00 and by this time Glenn thought he’d be capable of coming out on the small boat taking us along the tributaries and then transferring to an even smaller boat being rowed up along the narrow water inlets to the small villages to see the real locals. This in particular was our main reason for booking this trip. Glenn gingerly stepped into the first boat and concentrated on trying to feel well. This part of the Mekong is very green and water hyacinths float by freely in large masses. We transferred to the very small boat more like a canoe and quietly crept along the narrow waterways amongst the mangroves and overhanging trees passing the locals getting on with their day to day lives. This was the Mekong we had wanted to experience. Circling back we hopped back on the small boat and made our way to pick up the eight Aussies who were joining our cruise. Glenn was now feeling rough and elected not to go on any further tours but to stay on this small boat, where our guide had arranged for a hammock to be put up for Glenn so he could rest and as the last of us stepped off the boat to visit local homemade produce of sweets, popping rice, rice cakes and coconut milk, Glenn promptly threw up over the side of the boat. None of us knew, phew.

Getting back to our cruise boat, Glenn wobbled his way to our cabin and collapsed under the duvet saying I’m going to sleep for awhile.

This left Yvonne free with eight Aussies, one of whom made the mistake of asking how long had we been on holiday for. Seven months was the reply, which then sparked a couple of hours of everyone sharing their own travels stories. Aussies are great travellers and along with their dry humour, especially when Yvonne shared there was possible a convict in the family as discovered in Port Arthur prison in Tasmania, we had a light hearted afternoon together. Glenn was still sleeping but at least not throwing up anymore.

Late afternoon the guide took us out for a walk around a local village where we crossed lush green paddy fields, passed a junior school where the kids were just as amused by us as we were them, visited two local homes and caught a small ferry across the river along with the locals on their bikes and scooters with chickens, pigs and fresh fruit strapped on the racks.

Glenn was still sleeping at dinner time but Yvonne continued to enjoy the company of the Aussies along with a few 333’s (local beer). Although dinner was a bit of a nervous affair as most of the courses were the same as the previous night and the food we ate just before Glenn became ill. Well let’s see what happens to Yvonne in the next 24 hours!