A Trip Along the Ho Chi Minh Road
by Vicky Sanders
Once again… long story, but I forget unless I write.
For those on facebook, do not read. I have already shared this with you plus the photos.
5 nights away, 789 km, average 2 litres per 100 km , 4,800,000vnd spent. U turn count infinity minus a couple
Hoi an to Prao – 120 km
Prao to A Luoi – 105 km
A Luoi to Khe Sahn – 106 km
Khe Sahn to Dong Ha 80km
Dong Ha to Hue 70km
Hue to Hoi An – 110 km home again, massive yay.
I know that someone is adding this up and say “ what the” ? Rounded figures guys. Anywho, met up at 7 am, muck around for a bit with cash, fuel, okky straps, go down the road, luggage falling off, another okky strap lesson and off we go(again)
Decided to take the alternate route to Prao as suggested by http://yetigonecrazy.weebly.com/lets-drive-to-prao.html
Only drama of the day was a flat tyre in the middle of nowhere. Gary dropped Wendy and I off in the shade and he and Keith went down the hill to get it fixed. To say it was as hot as Hades in the shade was an understatement. Wendy and I stripped off to our padded bike shorts and not much else to try and keep cool. Such a good look! Did I get a photo? Will I share it? The road we were on was adjacent to a river full of large rocks. There must have been a massive flood at one stage to throw down the boulders from on top of the hill to fill the river.Stunning scenery! I don’t know about the boys but we had a massive laugh about life while waiting for their return. There was a waterfall and rock pool up the top of the hill, but we stayed down waiting for Gary to come back. 20,000 vnd to fix the flat and off we go again. This took about an hour.
At one stage the road turned into a quiet narrow (read one car lane wide) cement road with quite a few rock slides, caused by massive logging on roadside hills and who would have guessed it, a bit of rain, and half the hill falls down. Seriously guys! The hills will soon reclaim this road again.
The weather for the day said a (very high percentage chance ) of thunder storm at the end of the day. And guess what, we had a bit of a mad dash at the end to try to get to Prao before it started. We would have made it with heaps of time to spare if we did not have the tyre drama. Note: This is a reaccuring theme for the five nights away.
The biggest thunder, lightening storm I have ever witnessed while on the road. Almost zero time between the lightening and the thunder caused me to almost jump off the bike at the end. Massive kudo’s to Gary for keeping the bike upright with me trying to jump off. I have never been so glad to get to a destination intact in all my life. The rain was coming down (ha) sideways.
We arrived dripping wet at the booked hotel to find that the owner had on sold our bookings to an easy rider group. Lucky for her there was still rooms available in the hotel next door. She is going to get a sledging on trip advisor from me. I know why she did it. She wanted to keep in good with the easy rider groups who will continue to use her, verses a three room booking of people she did not know. And she could not even use the excuse of not understanding the booking because we got Lila Home stay to talk Vietnamese and do all of our bookings for us. Not to worry, we did not have to go out in the weather to forage for dinner because they found some food for us. Yay. Dinner, beer, shower and bed. Everyone is tired.
For those on facebook, do not read. I have already shared this with you plus the photos.
5 nights away, 789 km, average 2 litres per 100 km , 4,800,000vnd spent. U turn count infinity minus a couple
Hoi an to Prao – 120 km
Prao to A Luoi – 105 km
A Luoi to Khe Sahn – 106 km
Khe Sahn to Dong Ha 80km
Dong Ha to Hue 70km
Hue to Hoi An – 110 km home again, massive yay.
I know that someone is adding this up and say “ what the” ? Rounded figures guys. Anywho, met up at 7 am, muck around for a bit with cash, fuel, okky straps, go down the road, luggage falling off, another okky strap lesson and off we go(again)
Decided to take the alternate route to Prao as suggested by http://yetigonecrazy.weebly.com/lets-drive-to-prao.html
Only drama of the day was a flat tyre in the middle of nowhere. Gary dropped Wendy and I off in the shade and he and Keith went down the hill to get it fixed. To say it was as hot as Hades in the shade was an understatement. Wendy and I stripped off to our padded bike shorts and not much else to try and keep cool. Such a good look! Did I get a photo? Will I share it? The road we were on was adjacent to a river full of large rocks. There must have been a massive flood at one stage to throw down the boulders from on top of the hill to fill the river.Stunning scenery! I don’t know about the boys but we had a massive laugh about life while waiting for their return. There was a waterfall and rock pool up the top of the hill, but we stayed down waiting for Gary to come back. 20,000 vnd to fix the flat and off we go again. This took about an hour.
At one stage the road turned into a quiet narrow (read one car lane wide) cement road with quite a few rock slides, caused by massive logging on roadside hills and who would have guessed it, a bit of rain, and half the hill falls down. Seriously guys! The hills will soon reclaim this road again.
The weather for the day said a (very high percentage chance ) of thunder storm at the end of the day. And guess what, we had a bit of a mad dash at the end to try to get to Prao before it started. We would have made it with heaps of time to spare if we did not have the tyre drama. Note: This is a reaccuring theme for the five nights away.
The biggest thunder, lightening storm I have ever witnessed while on the road. Almost zero time between the lightening and the thunder caused me to almost jump off the bike at the end. Massive kudo’s to Gary for keeping the bike upright with me trying to jump off. I have never been so glad to get to a destination intact in all my life. The rain was coming down (ha) sideways.
We arrived dripping wet at the booked hotel to find that the owner had on sold our bookings to an easy rider group. Lucky for her there was still rooms available in the hotel next door. She is going to get a sledging on trip advisor from me. I know why she did it. She wanted to keep in good with the easy rider groups who will continue to use her, verses a three room booking of people she did not know. And she could not even use the excuse of not understanding the booking because we got Lila Home stay to talk Vietnamese and do all of our bookings for us. Not to worry, we did not have to go out in the weather to forage for dinner because they found some food for us. Yay. Dinner, beer, shower and bed. Everyone is tired.
The morning saw a discussion on the weather forecast. With five different weather app’s on the go, it was all doom and gloom with another definite chance of rain, thunder and lightening. The locals, however, said that it would not rain. We chose to believe the locals and they were right. Just down the road was a wood fired oven being used by the local Banh Mi man. He could not change my money, so I gave him the large note, went back to the hotel to get smaller change, back down for a walk to exchange large money for big money. Early morning walk - . Tick. Bright sunshine, clear sky all the way, until the very end when we got a bit more momentum into the whole exercise in case we had the same situation as the day before with the weather. It never eventuated. Sunshine all day apart from a few drops, not even a shower.
The last time that Gary and I had traveled these roads in the mountains we had misty weather every day so really did not get to appreciate the scenery so much. This time round it was blue sky, zero mist and views to die for. Instead of only one mountain range in front of you, we got to appreciate several rows of mountains into the distance. The parts of the road where there was little hill tribe habitation contained nothing but old growth forest. I will never be able to describe the feeling of being in the company of big old grandfather trees, surrounded by larger than life tree ferns and birds nest plants. The ground is an impenetrable mass of ferns, interspersed with the occasional roadside waterfall in a gulley. There is nothing like this to make you feel like an insignificant speck on the face of the earth. Even over the helmet wind and engine noise you could here the sound of the forest birds.
Of course, there is always a yin to the yang in life. The pockets of inhabitation from the ethnic villagers (at this stage – Co Tu tribe) is surrounded by logging, and very, very poor subsistence farmers. Similar to Australia, where the indigenous communities are the poorest, it is the same in Vietnam. The government has made an effort to house people in small community settlements, along with a wholesale corrugation iron roofing in the area. Considering the rain they get, I should think this a complete blessing. After discussions, I have come to the opinion that I have different ideas on the quality of life of lots of these communities. Sure, there is a community where all the children are innocent and play happily together, but then I see the women doing more than the lion’s share of the agricultural and home / child care work, while the men idle the day away, drinking beer and gambling. I know, I know, it is a different culture Vicky, it still makes me sad and angry. One of these days, the young girls will get enough education to realize that there is more to life. Rant over.
The last time that Gary and I had traveled these roads in the mountains we had misty weather every day so really did not get to appreciate the scenery so much. This time round it was blue sky, zero mist and views to die for. Instead of only one mountain range in front of you, we got to appreciate several rows of mountains into the distance. The parts of the road where there was little hill tribe habitation contained nothing but old growth forest. I will never be able to describe the feeling of being in the company of big old grandfather trees, surrounded by larger than life tree ferns and birds nest plants. The ground is an impenetrable mass of ferns, interspersed with the occasional roadside waterfall in a gulley. There is nothing like this to make you feel like an insignificant speck on the face of the earth. Even over the helmet wind and engine noise you could here the sound of the forest birds.
Of course, there is always a yin to the yang in life. The pockets of inhabitation from the ethnic villagers (at this stage – Co Tu tribe) is surrounded by logging, and very, very poor subsistence farmers. Similar to Australia, where the indigenous communities are the poorest, it is the same in Vietnam. The government has made an effort to house people in small community settlements, along with a wholesale corrugation iron roofing in the area. Considering the rain they get, I should think this a complete blessing. After discussions, I have come to the opinion that I have different ideas on the quality of life of lots of these communities. Sure, there is a community where all the children are innocent and play happily together, but then I see the women doing more than the lion’s share of the agricultural and home / child care work, while the men idle the day away, drinking beer and gambling. I know, I know, it is a different culture Vicky, it still makes me sad and angry. One of these days, the young girls will get enough education to realize that there is more to life. Rant over.
So we arrive at A Luoi. Book into our rooms, and they are spacious. We have a wholesale luggage explosion in our room before we go and find some lunch at the café next door. Pho Bo gets an all round thumbs up. Out with the map app to find the road to Hamburger Hill. The café is on the corner of the first road. Too easy.Hamburger Hill. It is a good thing we did the map app because there is ZERO signposting to get to this out of the way hill. Finally we hear the dulcet tones of “you have arrived at your destination “. Hamburger Hill was termed because of the mess it made of soldiers due to the fighting. Officially it is the Don Ap Bia mountain, 1.9 km from the Laotion Border. I think that Colonel Conmy who ordered the capturing of the hill was having a severe testosterone crisis, because none of us could imagine any strategic importance of capturing this hill. Over the ten day battle a total of 72 were KIA and 372 were WIA using 500 tons of ordinance. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hamburger_Hill .)
Even in the relatively cool temperatures of the mountains (compaired to Hoi An), the humidity was murderous. I am pretty sure I know my answer to Colonel Conmy if he said go forth and capture the hill. Mmmm. Answer…No, I think I will sit down and have a cup of tea and listen to the radio thanks.
One of the advantages of little side trips like this is, travelling quite country roads as opposed to the main roads. This is real countryside, housing and communities. A man on a motorbike made us follow him and we found a much easier way back to the main road. Why does a map app invariably take you a very round a bout way. Things to ponder!
We then traveled to the A Loui Markets. They were huge, a rabbit warren of food, drinks and clothes stalls in no apparent order. We bought some roast bbq pork straight off the spit to eat while wandering around. Desert snack time and we find Vietnamese style doughnuts. Grease licking good. (we are on a gym holiday here folks!). For the princely sum of $12 each Gary and I find a set of real wet weathers, pants included. One of these days it is going to be a savior. One should remember to always keep it in the top box. I am betting the time we need it, it is safely stored in the wardrobe in Hoi An.
In the main street Gary finds a traditional type building he wants to see. It is a huge sporting complex in the process of being built with a local town hall ready for performances. We have found a venue for the yet to be formed A Luoi Lawn Bowls club J
That night sees us in the hotel restaurant for dinner. We only agreed to go there because the hotel owner was quite insistent that we should. Big mistake. Underline, bold face, Italics here. The food was not nice, and severely over priced. We find out if she has breakfast, what time, etc etc, but then decide after eating the food, and paying the bill, that we will go for a walk and find the local opla, café sua da for breakfast. (egg baquette and vietnamese coffee). A much better option. Another team meeting with weather apps to see what is happening.
Even in the relatively cool temperatures of the mountains (compaired to Hoi An), the humidity was murderous. I am pretty sure I know my answer to Colonel Conmy if he said go forth and capture the hill. Mmmm. Answer…No, I think I will sit down and have a cup of tea and listen to the radio thanks.
One of the advantages of little side trips like this is, travelling quite country roads as opposed to the main roads. This is real countryside, housing and communities. A man on a motorbike made us follow him and we found a much easier way back to the main road. Why does a map app invariably take you a very round a bout way. Things to ponder!
We then traveled to the A Loui Markets. They were huge, a rabbit warren of food, drinks and clothes stalls in no apparent order. We bought some roast bbq pork straight off the spit to eat while wandering around. Desert snack time and we find Vietnamese style doughnuts. Grease licking good. (we are on a gym holiday here folks!). For the princely sum of $12 each Gary and I find a set of real wet weathers, pants included. One of these days it is going to be a savior. One should remember to always keep it in the top box. I am betting the time we need it, it is safely stored in the wardrobe in Hoi An.
In the main street Gary finds a traditional type building he wants to see. It is a huge sporting complex in the process of being built with a local town hall ready for performances. We have found a venue for the yet to be formed A Luoi Lawn Bowls club J
That night sees us in the hotel restaurant for dinner. We only agreed to go there because the hotel owner was quite insistent that we should. Big mistake. Underline, bold face, Italics here. The food was not nice, and severely over priced. We find out if she has breakfast, what time, etc etc, but then decide after eating the food, and paying the bill, that we will go for a walk and find the local opla, café sua da for breakfast. (egg baquette and vietnamese coffee). A much better option. Another team meeting with weather apps to see what is happening.
We decide to keep going onto Khe Sahn. This is the part of the trip that I am hankering to travel. I have heard that this section of the road is a bike riders dream. The road totally lived up the expectations. Up, down, round and round. Stunning. I am in awe of people (engineers Vicky!) who can look at a mountain and can figure out a way of carving it up to make a road with enough switchbacks to travel without an unacceptable incline. And more than that , actually getting it done. This road is seriously thick with vegetation that needs to be chopped, roadsides dynamited, bridges made to achieve a road. It makes the Southern Expressway in Adelaide look like a walk in the park. One part of this days ride saw us travelling alongside the national park of ( I think, don’t quote me) Phong Nha-Khe Bang National Park. This is where I see my first teak tree in the wild. I am glad that I did not get a photo of this because it would just remind me of the lack of old growth forest beside the road. It does go to reinforce the fact, that one of the only ways to keep old growth forest is to make it into a national park. The gorge beside the road is a rock climbers dream. Note: not my dream, scared of heights. Eventually we are on the road of the A Shau valley . To me, this is one of the wonders of Vietnam. I loved it the first time I saw it, and nothing has changed. I still love it. This valley is 25 miles long and one mile wide. It is flanked on either side by steep mountains between 3,000 and 6,000 feet.Crystal clear water in the river. We did stop and have a swim.
Just around the corner is the town of Khe Sahn (for those Cold Chisel fans). Lunch break, more pho bo; I really cant get tired of this staple food! Then off to the hotel to book in. We have views to die for. It is beautiful. At this stage we are only 20 kms to the Lao border crossing , so we are looking at the mountains of Laos. How exciting! I don’t know why but I always get the tingles when I am close to the border of another country. Maybe it is just the possibility of adding another passport stamp.
This is the home of the Khe Sahn Military combat base, (or as the Vietnamese call it the Ta Con Airstrip) where the good old US of A got there ass kicked (according to the winners tale at the museum).
We then have a quick visit to the combat base and museum before they close for the day. The museum is full of famous war correspondent photos which only partially portray the horror of war. My opinion only, but I think a good idea, next time countries get into an argy bargy re religion, oil, politics, the leaders should get into a closed room and have a box on. Winner takes all. I think it is seriously unfair to use the lives of young defense men and women to achieve your countries agenda.
Unfortunately Khe Sahn in the province of Quang Tri, is immediately south of the dimilatarized zone which separated the North from the South. Consequently, it has been ravaged by the effects of Napalm, Agent Orange and ordnance.
Just around the corner is the town of Khe Sahn (for those Cold Chisel fans). Lunch break, more pho bo; I really cant get tired of this staple food! Then off to the hotel to book in. We have views to die for. It is beautiful. At this stage we are only 20 kms to the Lao border crossing , so we are looking at the mountains of Laos. How exciting! I don’t know why but I always get the tingles when I am close to the border of another country. Maybe it is just the possibility of adding another passport stamp.
This is the home of the Khe Sahn Military combat base, (or as the Vietnamese call it the Ta Con Airstrip) where the good old US of A got there ass kicked (according to the winners tale at the museum).
We then have a quick visit to the combat base and museum before they close for the day. The museum is full of famous war correspondent photos which only partially portray the horror of war. My opinion only, but I think a good idea, next time countries get into an argy bargy re religion, oil, politics, the leaders should get into a closed room and have a box on. Winner takes all. I think it is seriously unfair to use the lives of young defense men and women to achieve your countries agenda.
Unfortunately Khe Sahn in the province of Quang Tri, is immediately south of the dimilatarized zone which separated the North from the South. Consequently, it has been ravaged by the effects of Napalm, Agent Orange and ordnance.
It has been estimated that around three times the ordnance used in WW11 has been dropped over Vietnam between 1959 and 1975 (the period of the Vietnam War, or as theycall it here the American War. It has been estimated that unexploded ordnance is close to 84% in this area. Many farmers have been disabled or died merely by farming their land. Another thing that the leaving (loosing) army should be required to fix, or at the very least compensate for. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/sep/18/vietnam-unexploded-landmines-bombs
In addition, US Military forces released over 72 million litres of agent orange, to reduce the food growing capabilities of the locals, and destroy the forest cover in a mission called Operation Ranch Hand. Ironic name of an operation if ever I heard one.
http://www.popstoolkit.com/about/articles/aodioxinhotspotsvietnam.aspx
And to further the insult, Napalm was used to burn down sections of the forest to eliminate the cover of fighters.
http://vietnamwbb.weebly.com/napalm-agent-orange.htm
Now the most terrible thing about all of this crap hurled at the inhabitants of the hill tribes in my mind is this. You go to the museum and see who is living in the hills. This is the home of the ethnic minorities, subsistence farmers. They are already severely disadvantaged as a group because the Vietnamese government seems to not give a hoot about them (discounting the new houses and roofs of course). These guys almost do not care or know about the wider Vietnamese population. And they get caught up in the fighting in the most appalling way. Go the museum one of these days. You will get the picture that I have not adequately tried to explain.
Rant over.
After the base, we went to the top of the town, where there is a seven tiered pagoda and a war cemetery. Now this was stunning. Not for the pagoda, but for the view. It was a total 360 degree view of mountains. You could see very dark storm clouds roll in, so after a while we quit and went back for another shower. Seriously sweaty humid weather before the storms hit.
We all went out for dinner at the local pizza shop. Suprisingly good! Crust not crunchy enough, but hey, not so bad . We do a pretty shabby impersonation of their food at times also.
In addition, US Military forces released over 72 million litres of agent orange, to reduce the food growing capabilities of the locals, and destroy the forest cover in a mission called Operation Ranch Hand. Ironic name of an operation if ever I heard one.
http://www.popstoolkit.com/about/articles/aodioxinhotspotsvietnam.aspx
And to further the insult, Napalm was used to burn down sections of the forest to eliminate the cover of fighters.
http://vietnamwbb.weebly.com/napalm-agent-orange.htm
Now the most terrible thing about all of this crap hurled at the inhabitants of the hill tribes in my mind is this. You go to the museum and see who is living in the hills. This is the home of the ethnic minorities, subsistence farmers. They are already severely disadvantaged as a group because the Vietnamese government seems to not give a hoot about them (discounting the new houses and roofs of course). These guys almost do not care or know about the wider Vietnamese population. And they get caught up in the fighting in the most appalling way. Go the museum one of these days. You will get the picture that I have not adequately tried to explain.
Rant over.
After the base, we went to the top of the town, where there is a seven tiered pagoda and a war cemetery. Now this was stunning. Not for the pagoda, but for the view. It was a total 360 degree view of mountains. You could see very dark storm clouds roll in, so after a while we quit and went back for another shower. Seriously sweaty humid weather before the storms hit.
We all went out for dinner at the local pizza shop. Suprisingly good! Crust not crunchy enough, but hey, not so bad . We do a pretty shabby impersonation of their food at times also.
Next day. Khe Sahn to Dong Ha. Unfortunatley I was woken with the migraine from hell during the night. I went down to breakfast and Wendy adequately described it with “you look like shit”. Yep, that’s me… never going to have a poker face, what you see is what you get. To be fair I did have the lazy eye from Doctor Jeckyl and Mr Hyde. Decided to give the next days travel a miss and try and sleep it off. Keith and Wendy went on without us to the town of Dong Ha. I Nicked one of Gary’s sleeping tablets and proceeded to sleep the migraine off. It worked, we stayed another day, I slept while Gary decided to go for a ride to the border for a nosey. I think he told me what else he did, but I was in a fog and did not comprehend anything.
Now the real trip for us to Dong Ha. Up, pack, breakfast and off we toddle. I think we only stopped once on the way to visit a war cemetery. One thing the Vietnamese do big time is war cemeteries. Almost put the every town Anzac memorial to shame. I guess one of the other things that is more than poignant is that they have mass graves, like you see in Arlington Cemetery in America. This view is a real kick in the guts. A lot of the graves have marking on them Viet Liet Sy (meaning Matry soldier - unknown). There was a wreath laying ceremony happening at the time.
Meet up with Keith and Wendy, and have a big drink break at the local café. I can not believe how much fluid you can drink in this country and still be thirsty. Stock up for more water for the next 70kms to Hue. Yay, finally we are at the home of the Jade Hotel. It is almost a second home, the amount of time we spend there. Cuddles with the staff, sit down to the cold wet face washer refresher. Can their be anything better? I think not. Juice, fruit and rooms. On no…. we are on the fourth floor and no elevators! There is going to be economic trips up and down to the room for the next few hours. Energy is a short price commodity at the moment for all of us. Refreshed and out the door to find the Elephant and Tiger Fighting arena, and more importantly the place where they looked after the favoured elephants. This was a one horse race, the elephants represented royalty, so therefore would always win. The way this was achieved was to take out the claws and teeth of the tigers. Wouldn’t you just love to go to work the day you had to de claw and teeth the tigers? OHS, life insurance, ZIP. Just around the corner was the place the elephants lived and then buried when it was time to fall off the perch. I must be tired now, because I am imaging an elephant falling off the perch. This was a beautiful place, facing a large water lilly pond. Feng Shui … tick.
Another flat tyre, this time they find the culprit, a large cut in the tyre. Bush mechanic guru cuts up an old plastic oil bottle glues it to a piece of old inner tube then glues on the inside of the tyre. Once pumped up the split opens up, no problems fill the gap with layers of super glue and sand then shapes it to the tread pattern. And it worked. So now our bush mechanic kit should include fencing wire, reel of duct tape and super glue.
Now the real trip for us to Dong Ha. Up, pack, breakfast and off we toddle. I think we only stopped once on the way to visit a war cemetery. One thing the Vietnamese do big time is war cemeteries. Almost put the every town Anzac memorial to shame. I guess one of the other things that is more than poignant is that they have mass graves, like you see in Arlington Cemetery in America. This view is a real kick in the guts. A lot of the graves have marking on them Viet Liet Sy (meaning Matry soldier - unknown). There was a wreath laying ceremony happening at the time.
Meet up with Keith and Wendy, and have a big drink break at the local café. I can not believe how much fluid you can drink in this country and still be thirsty. Stock up for more water for the next 70kms to Hue. Yay, finally we are at the home of the Jade Hotel. It is almost a second home, the amount of time we spend there. Cuddles with the staff, sit down to the cold wet face washer refresher. Can their be anything better? I think not. Juice, fruit and rooms. On no…. we are on the fourth floor and no elevators! There is going to be economic trips up and down to the room for the next few hours. Energy is a short price commodity at the moment for all of us. Refreshed and out the door to find the Elephant and Tiger Fighting arena, and more importantly the place where they looked after the favoured elephants. This was a one horse race, the elephants represented royalty, so therefore would always win. The way this was achieved was to take out the claws and teeth of the tigers. Wouldn’t you just love to go to work the day you had to de claw and teeth the tigers? OHS, life insurance, ZIP. Just around the corner was the place the elephants lived and then buried when it was time to fall off the perch. I must be tired now, because I am imaging an elephant falling off the perch. This was a beautiful place, facing a large water lilly pond. Feng Shui … tick.
Another flat tyre, this time they find the culprit, a large cut in the tyre. Bush mechanic guru cuts up an old plastic oil bottle glues it to a piece of old inner tube then glues on the inside of the tyre. Once pumped up the split opens up, no problems fill the gap with layers of super glue and sand then shapes it to the tread pattern. And it worked. So now our bush mechanic kit should include fencing wire, reel of duct tape and super glue.
Massive shout out to Barney (Hoi An Food Safari) for telling us all about Nina’s café. Yum, Yum, Yum… I mean Ngon, Ngon, Ngon. It was a case of eat and vacate the table because of the big line up outside waiting for a seat. Tummies full we head off to the DMZ bar for a flaming B52. Kahlua, Sambucca, Vodka and ???, One of these drinks is set alight and poured into the glass while you guzzle. Delicious but it was also hard to drink because it honestly feels like you are drinking flames. It was only after you finish that you can taste what you have drunk. By now, the day is done, we are stuffed, literally and figuratively. Arrange to meet for breakfast at 8(ish) to discuss riding home.
Keith is going it alone to be with his adopted Vietnamese family for a bit, while the three of us do the last bit. Its almost home, it is not a struggle, a quick flit up the Hai Van pass to coffee at Café of the Clouds. It is clear, good view, so we stay for a bit Down the hill, whoosh, we are home. And the washing begins. It is good to be away, its good to be home. Time to write and sort photos. Time to plan the next adventure.
As Jerry would say “ life is short, get out there”. He is getting poetic as he had a birthday.
cheers everyone.
Vicky on behalf of the four travelers ( one of which who would spell and grammar check before pressing send
Keith is going it alone to be with his adopted Vietnamese family for a bit, while the three of us do the last bit. Its almost home, it is not a struggle, a quick flit up the Hai Van pass to coffee at Café of the Clouds. It is clear, good view, so we stay for a bit Down the hill, whoosh, we are home. And the washing begins. It is good to be away, its good to be home. Time to write and sort photos. Time to plan the next adventure.
As Jerry would say “ life is short, get out there”. He is getting poetic as he had a birthday.
cheers everyone.
Vicky on behalf of the four travelers ( one of which who would spell and grammar check before pressing send
Webmaster Note: Big thanks to Vicky and Gary for writing this and sharing it, and their great photos, on this site!!
All photos copyright Vicky Sanders and Gary Davies.
All photos copyright Vicky Sanders and Gary Davies.