Last week, four of us booked the only available flight from HCMC, Tan Son Nhat Airport to Ca Mau Airport. Although, I called up Vasco (Vietnam Air Services Company) about a week in advance, the seats had been fully taken up on one of our selected days so we had to push back our trip by a day.
We arrived at the Domestic Terminal at around 5am for our flight at 5.55am. The place was quiet, although well lit and was already filled with weary-eyed passengers. Shortly, the check-in gate opened and inside the airport, shops began to open as if on cue. We were able to have our quick breakfast before we boarded our flight that would take us to Ca Mau Airport.
We arrived at the Domestic Terminal at around 5am for our flight at 5.55am. The place was quiet, although well lit and was already filled with weary-eyed passengers. Shortly, the check-in gate opened and inside the airport, shops began to open as if on cue. We were able to have our quick breakfast before we boarded our flight that would take us to Ca Mau Airport.
Looking through the windows of the 65-seater plane, one could see that Ca Mau is a province of streams and waterways running through rice plantations and other vegetations and not much else.
The pilot did a smooth touchdown at the short runway of the airport and we taxied to the terminal nearby where ours was the only plane in sight. A control tower stood nearby, although given that there is only one flight in and one flight out of the airport a day, it could seriously be done away with.
We observed from a short distance away that our luggage were unloaded onto a canvassed mini-lorry and transported all of 20 meters to the front door of the terminal as we stood waiting. We grabbed what was ours as the workers pushed the load through the front door...nothing quite like a conveyor belt system, seriously! But then there was no need to. The claimants were orderly and there was no shoving and pushing. Such was the first of many pleasant encounters we had with the people of Ca Mau.
We stayed at Best CM Hotel, a really nice 3-Star Hotel, which cost us USD39.00/night. It was a beautiful hotel and service was excellent. The service staff at every dept were very friendly and the bosses mingled among the employees and talked to everyone like a family member. Food was good and consistent as the lady boss was ever present in the kitchen during meal times to ensure quality and consistency.
An alfresco cafe was located on the top floor (9th), which provided a breezy setting to go with your coffee. Satellite TV projected onto a huge screen was available much like any pub in a big city. There was even an outdoor swimming pool at the back of the hotel.
We went sightseeing to a place called Ap Da Bac or Da Bac village, which was about a 2-hour drive away from our hotel.
The drive for much of the way was through endless streams upon streams and small bridges across the muddy streams. However, we loved the experience because the oneness with nature could be felt and breathed. We were also full of pride to have stepped foot on a place where not many were given the opportunity to venture.
We went sightseeing to a place called Ap Da Bac or Da Bac village, which was about a 2-hour drive away from our hotel.
The drive for much of the way was through endless streams upon streams and small bridges across the muddy streams. However, we loved the experience because the oneness with nature could be felt and breathed. We were also full of pride to have stepped foot on a place where not many were given the opportunity to venture.
After 2 days of uneventful but incredibly absorbing and highly satisfying time immersing ourselves into the ways of life of the Ca Mau people and their nature, we left with really fond memories and a longing desire to return again in the near future... and next time, I would not be able to resist getting myself pampered with a half-hour session of pedicure and manicure for only 10000 dong, much like this friend of mine.
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