Today started early on Jahan with a pre-breakfast at 6am and debarking to ride ox carts through rice fields at 6:30 am. Following the ox cart ride we went to a public school to visit school children. Breakfast was then served on Jahan. A Kmer fashion demonstration followed and then a wonderful presentation on the “Archaeology of Ankor” by David Brotherson. In the afternoon we took tuk tuk to a local pagoda and then toured silk weaving village.
2/23/2024
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The Jahan
Binh Than Island and Cai Be, Vietnam
We hopped on sampans, local passenger boats, for a cruise to a small village on Binh Than Island to walk through local homes and learn about the process of weaving, drying, and exporting functional mats. At the local community center (which is also a colorful temple), we met with village elders for a short discussion about their lives and the area. Afterward, we did a leisurely cruise through the canals and got to witness the harvesting of water hyacinths, an invasive species common in the Mekong Delta. During the afternoon, we boarded sampans again to visit the island of Tan Phong to visit a group of women making baskets, souvenirs, and other items from water hyacinth. Then, we cruised around the town on six-seater golf carts for a scenic ride through the orchards. After boarding the sampans again, we headed to the small town of Phu An to visit a series of small workshops to see the production of a variety of items including rice paper, rice wine, and coconut candies. Everyone was able to sample the treats. Before dinner, the entire staff and crew of Jahan was introduced during our ship farewell cocktail hour and posed for photos.
