The river was narrow, which gave us a feeling we were being closed in on. The river itself was serene and cleaner than expected. The banks were shallow, giving an even more narrow feeling to the river. The locals standing on the outer banks didn't help this particular vacation experience and gave us a curious, anxious feeling. The few splashes of water in our faces by the boat's quick turns avoiding suspicious floating debris made this ride a must! The discrepancy between the small communities on either side of the river was unusual. One side's land was rich and fertile with flower gardens and small, fruitful farms stretching the river's length. While the river's other side was dry, devoid of colorful vegetation, and desolate. The mud huts sprinkled along the riverbank provided surreal proof our American living conditions are truly glorious!