Adventurous Kate contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!
Swimming in the Mekong.
It just sounds wrong, doesn’t it?
I hear Mekong and I think Vietnam War. I picture Forrest Gump wading through chest-deep water in full military gear, the rain coming upwards.
Even Lonely Planet warned that the Mekong would be muddy and disgusting through December, not turning bright turquoise until early in the New Year. Swimming in a sewer would probably be more pleasant, the book said.
Yet here I was, on a sunset cruise on Don Det, Si Phan Don, amongst a jovial bunch of Brits and Germans, sipping on Lao Lao and contemplating jumping into the glassy, green-gray river.
“I wonder if it has those deadly microscopic fish,” one of the English guys said. “The ones that swim up inside you when you pee and then stick their spikes into you.”
“Pretty sure that’s just the Amazon,” I replied. “No specific warnings about swimming in the Mekong, other than it’s a bit gross.”
Which was true. It wasn’t dangerous. It was that it could possibly be borderline unpleasant. Why would I let that stop me?
And then it hit me.
Most people who warned me about traveling in Asia were the kind of people who wouldn’t dream of taking a trip like this themselves. So why would I let them decide what I would and wouldn’t do?
There were innocuous worries like, “How will you find tampons?” And there were more serious warnings like, “What will you do when the Khmer Rouge rises again?” For the record, I’ve managed just fine, and Pol Pot is dead.
I wasn’t going to let these worries stop me from enjoying the trip of my dreams. And that water looked good.
I dove into the Mekong. The guys followed suit.
The worries? Unfounded. Swimming in the Mekong is a blast.
Good to know that the “…those deadly microscopic fish…that swim up inside you when you pee…” didn’t attack. Sounds like you had a good time. Your willingness to take risks continues to inspire me.
Sounds pretty gross. I’ll stick to Ao Nuy Beach.
thats pretty cool. might have to check it out. turns out i need to see Vietnam in early-mid march.
Thanks!
-Rick
That is very adventurous on your part, but all that’s running through my head is “gross gross gross”. But glad to see that you’re coming out of it with a great experience and without any used tampons in tow! 🙂
That doesn’t sounds too bad at all! I’ve swam is some questional lakes and rivers and I’m still alive. In fact I think my immune system is strong for it!
Not bad at ALL! I don’t think I clarified it enough…it wasn’t bad at ALL!
You are sooo right! The ones who usually warn against visiting a place are usually the ones who lack the adventurous spirit to do so. Good on you for diving in anyway.
Haha Kate you’re awesome. ‘Nuff said.
I definately think your immune system will be stronger for it…merry christmas Kate!!!!
Love it. It just gies to show you gotta take any travel advice or opinions with a grain of salt. I mean if were up to some people we wouldn’t travel at all. What a horrible thought that is.
wait until you grow that third arm
Way to “jump right in!” My boyfriend once jumped into a river in India to cool off from the heat and I was too afraid of the sanitary conditions to join him. He had a blast swimming around while I sat in the blazing sun, watching. Afterwards, we went upriver and saw people washing clothes, bathing and one man even urinating into the river so I had a great laugh over Matt swimming in pee. All in all, no harm done, Matt had a nice swim and I had a good laugh.
Good things happen when you throw caution to the wind!
WHEW! I’ll add that to the “things I won’t be doing” list…
I could say, “Ew, that looks gross,” but the truth is that my sister and I used to swim in the pond in our front yard every summer. With all the fish, pond weeds and goose poop in that pond, I’m quite confident that it was probably every bit as gross as the Mekong.
Hahaha! The Mekong actually wasn’t that bad…I think you’ve got me beat! 🙂
Bit intimidated for it, but it looks fantastic! 😀
Lela London – Fashion Blog and Shoe Blog
I *loved* swimming off Don Det (I’m guessing that’s where the tube pic is). The Mekong awes me. It’s a privilege to swim in a mighty river like that. I love that beautiful murky green-ness as you descend, water buffalo in the water with you… And, yeah, all the hygiene stuff that entails, I guess.
Thanks for the memories. And look forward to your tube report from lovely Vang Vieng. Actually, I look forward to you in Vang Vieng a LOT!
I feel the same way, Theodora! I felt privileged to be swimming there! (And I’m afraid of what I’ll get up to in Vang Vieng, especially after considering how much time I spent in party-hard Sihanoukville…)
Tell me you went to the Snake Pit Bar?! We went as mother and son to the restaurant, which was fun. But I think solo female in the snakey stripper bit would have been more entertaining copy.
What a cool experience. A memory like that should always trump gross factor, and I love that you dove in first!
Good for you! One of my best travel experiences was skinny dipping in the Amazon!!! I never listen to warnings LOL.
Wow! Lucky you, you got to swim in the Mekong! I love Mekong and I’m glad to know that it is not like swimming in a sewer!
Looks like a great adventure. There is nothing like swimming in sewer water (or something worse than it.)
Honestly, I don’t think I can resist the temptation should I get the opportunity either. =)
I think you’re becoming one of my new travel heroes! Ping pong shows to the Mekong. Damn. I heard there was marine life in there that the world has never seen. I wouldn’t have the nerve/
just wait and go back in a few months you’ll probably find a dolphin dead because they are dying in the mekong
Surprised no one has asked this already… but how / where in the Mekong did you go swimming? from the dock / inner tubes in the photos it seems like it might be a place others can go to and enjoy as well — care to share? 😉
This was just a short boat ride from Don Det — if I remember the sunset correctly, we were west of Don Det.