Mekong Cai Rang Floating Market

The next day we were at the wharf at 6 am to load on to the boat to take us to the floating market. The water level had dropped in the tributary (it is tidal influenced) so much that we were “stuck” and it took our cheerful rower lady time to get some water in the bailer to loosen the mud while we rocked the boat but we got underway. During the trip she remained standing while steering and making coconut leaf bracelets, crowns and flowers for us.

Tom addressed the issue of environmental pollution with us. Due to the Mekong’s many tributaries and the instability of the shore line, standard garbage trucks can not get down to where people live so there is a build up in smaller waterways and we could see this. At one point, our captain lady had to cut a rubber glove and some clothing that was entangled around the propeller.

Cai Rai market was as expected and there seemed to be slightly more boats selling things than tourists but far from the 200 boats that used to bob to trade wholesale produce here not so long ago. Some of the boats were tourist oriented (we bought excellent coffees) and one allowed us to disembark and sit on the boat/barge and order a plate of fruit. It was quite pleasant with a breeze and watching the other boats bob about. There was one more stop that involved seeing dried rice noodles being made along with various regional foods such as dried/cured tiny frogs but nothing that we could buy to support the locals.Read more