Everything from the pig is sold

Chest skin of of pig

Pig Brains

Pig Intestines

Pig  Ears

Ben Thanh Market

Whole fish which is then fillet and used to create the fish balls that are picured below.

Fish at Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City

Buckets of Crabs tied

Frogs waiting to be bought and cooked

Not sure what these are the remains of but it was right by all the frogs and fish.

Bến Thành Market

Bến Thành Market is a large marketplace in the downtown area of  Ho Chi Minh City City. The market is one of the earliest surviving structures in  Saigon. It's a big tourist trap, but it was still interesting to explore.

First Night In Ho Chi Minh City

After a three hour flight we touched down in Ho Chi Minh City. Of course we had to eat and the Vietnamese Pho is noodle soup made with chicken and pork.

Walking along the beach

20 years ago this was a very empty beach area. Today it's got many new hotels but still it is very quiet. The taxi driver last night told me that there is "never a busy season" which suits me fine.

Sea Creatures on the beach at Mui Ne

Not sure if the snake was alive, not sure if this is the snake that they serve on many menus in the area.

Great Vietnamese food.

The fish has been wonderful at this beach area. Most of it is grilled with lemon, garlic and basil. The drink is lemon, mint, and ginger. It was served hot, but was very refreshing.

Adminstrative Snails Fat Baked?????

Hard to read, but these tasty frog and snail dishes were on the menu of the restaurant we ate at.

Scallops grilled over hot coals

After grilling the scallops there was plenty of garlic, lime and basil to eat with them.

Tasha and Regina "attempting" to sled down the White Dunes

The White Dunes - farthest from Mui Ne - are claimed to be the driest spot in Southeast Asia. True or not, their existence is still amazing given the amount of rain the surrounding area receives annually.

White Dunes are known locally as Bau Trang or White Lake. As long as you face the right direction, the White Dunes resemble a miniature desert with beautiful patterns etched into the ever-changing sand by the wind. The presence of Lotus Lake - known locally as Bau Ba - is a glistening reminder that you aren't lost; blooming lotus flowers add a splash of color across the wide surface.

White Sand Dunes, Mui Ne

Cattle blocking traffice on the main road

Amazingly, the cows were more than willing to move for our jeep.

A coastal ride to Mui Ne

One of many fishing boats dotting the coastal waters of the South China Sea.

Sweet snack

After our playing in the soft sand and mud of Fairy Stream, we enjoyed the sweet fried crepe with peanuts that were cooked to perfection.

Fairy Stream, Mui Ne

This little sandy stream is something to be experienced. You walk barefoot in soft sand, the warm water only a few inches deep. On one side are interesting soft sand stone formations. A 20-30 minute walk up ends with a small waterfall

Fairy Stream,

Fairy Stream is a little river that winds its way through bamboo forests, boulders and the dunes behind the village, in parts resembling a miniature version of the Grand Canyon.

Beautiful Mui Ne Vietnam

I'm finally relaxing in Vietnam. As I write this, I'm looking from my a/c room directly to the ocean that is dotted with fishing vessels of various sizes and quality.
I'm trying not to think about the fact that next week at this time, I'll be in meetings back at school in Delaware.

Dichotomy of life at the beaches in Mui Ne Vietnam

It is not lost on me the disparity of the locals and the guests to this beautiful beach. While I am absolutely enjoying the luxury of a four star resort, fishing people are eking out a living by fishing in plastic bathtubs.

Cattle grazing on the beach next to the resort

Every morning the cattle walk the beach to their other grazing spot. Today, this one took his sweet time and was in no rush to walk the beach.

The old and new fishing vessels

A difficult way to make a living

As I wandered the beach this morning, this fishing vessel came in. Besides, just looking like a big plastic tub, it's rudder is a cutting board. I'm not sure if the catch was good or not, or if they use these fish to dry and salt.