A Vietnam kayak tour in Hau River
20/02/09 (GMT+7)
The “Take a kayak tour in Hau River” tour, offered by Victoria Can Tho Hotel, which has been enjoyed for a long time by American and Japanese tourists, is now attracting local tourists at a price US$25 per person.
We departed from the wharf of Victoria Can Tho Hotel on Hau River’s banks in doubled-seat kayaks, a boat which originated 8,000 years ago along the Siberian coast line for use by Eskimos.
Everyone on the cruise was feeling a mixture of curiosity and a little fear. Diem, a student at Can Tho City who was in the kayak with me said “I can swim and we have life jackets, so I am not afraid at all.” However, I know many of us are a little nervous as we ride the immense waves of alluvium water in flood season.
Upon reaching the mouth of Hau River we swerved towards Can Tho River in the direction of Chai Village. In the strong winds, many boats and ships traveling to Ninh Kieu wharf created large waves in the water. Diem sat on the hold of the boat, paddling through the water with her hands, trying to feel safe. “I felt scared in that moment but I believed in the boat and I wanted to have an adventure,” said Diem.
Nghia, the tour guide, said that tourists from the US choose this tour to satisfy their need for adventure while the Japanese tourists are willing to struggle with the waves in order to be rewarded with the peaceful waters of the canals.
As sunset arrives we continued the cruise to Au islet. Hau River felt endless and we forged ahead in the waves under the red sun which was falling behind the mountains. Our small kayak seemed to become more diminutive as we continued upstream to Au islet.
Night fell on Au islet and the kayaks drifted silently in the endless lines of ban trees in the small canals. All creatures seemed to go to sleep, but there were occasional sounds of the sweet laughter of tourists. The night was also interrupted by soft sounds of passionate voices singing traditional songs, accompanied by guitars.
Under the shade of ban trees in the faint moonlight the Hau River seemed immense, though gentler. Our small kayaks continued on their return trip to Tay Do.
(Source: VietNamNet/SGT, URL: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/travel/2009/02/829769/)
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