Our Intrepid Travel tour begins, full quota of 16 clients:
·
3 USA: Ron, Christine and Mari
·
2 Aus: Katrina, Cecil
·
1 Irish: Rob
·
1 UK: Tom (delayed arrival due to flight issues)
·
9 (!!) NZ: Martin, Bill, Mark and Julie, Steve,
Joel, Michael and ourselves
Not so much a mix of ages compared to the Japan group. A couple probably still 30’s, couple maybe late 30’s and all others 60+.
Bizarrely Mark and Julie are from Frankton, and Mark is brother of Gavin
Hillary who we know… small world!!
Trip outline sounds great, but perhaps arduous with some
very long days to come. All out for dinner (bus there) at a restaurant run by
trainee under-privileged kids, a very nice meal before back to bed around 9pm.
A very hard bed which has upset my back a bit.. I can see an anti-inflammatory
or 2 over the next wee while.. also stomach a bit upset, likely due to the huge
mix of food for the day.
25 June: Sunday… 20kms
8am leaving and on the bus for a bit of a walking tour
initially:
Stopped at Ho Chi Min mausoleum, then walked close to his
official residence … a huge French inspired mansion… then through his more
modest home (he was never married) and finally through a very small house made
by a northern Vietnam tribe for him. This is where he spent his final years..
it included a bomb shelter in the gardens, and a very confined peacock
alongside a lake with resident fish.
Viewed 2 pagoda’s in the area, one not that old (single
story) and the other very old (1000 AD).
Back on the bus before being dropped at the temple of
intelligence … again very old .. where the top soldiers in the country competed
to be in the chosen elite guarding the nation.
Lots and lots of people at these places, the temple of
intelligence had offerings from people (fruit, and even kit-kat's), people
lighting incense etc.
Vietnam has 4 animals of importance historically: the
turtle, the phoenix, the unicorn and the dragon. So the temples had numerous
statues of these.
Then it was a drop off at the Intrepid headquarters were we
changed into bike gear and presented with our steeds, Giant MTB’s. There is
only 2 e-bikes out of 16 so I’m thinking we won’t be the most unfit as there is
some ‘big frames’ amongst the group!
Once adjustments all sorted, we biked into the Hanoi
streets… around the edge of the big lake and then into Old Town. A bit scary at
times as seemingly biking the wrong way down streets, through red lights,
weaving between crowds of people, scooters and cars… although surprisingly the
traffic is pretty good around and through us!
A stop for lunch at a Pho skewer place, by then 2pm so after
it was just back to the hotel for free time. We walked from the hotel towards
the Old Town in the evening. Sunday night is market night so it was a busy old
place, the centre of the streets closed off and people all had stalls set up to
sell, sell, sell. Mainly clothes, shoes, sunglasses etc… so much stuff… and the
locals seem to eat their dinner out on the foot path’s as well, must be a
Sunday treat.
We just had banana cake and croissants for dinner, we need a
break from the meat and noodles. A bit skittery so very keen to get rid of it,
tomorrow is our homestay, with 8 people at each place so not the ideal place to
be sick!! Taking an anti-inflammatory to help my back and to help sleep… I sound
like a wreck!
26 June: Monday. 64km
7.30am departure from Hanoi in the pouring rain, travelling
by bus for 2 hours to the small town of Hao Bin where our bikes were sitting,
lined up and waiting to go!
Biking a km or 2 on a main-ish road crossing the Black River
(I think) which was a very wide red silt river before heading down a quiet
riverside road passing through villages, rice fields and by 1 or 2 grazing
buffalo.
After 15km the first of our snack/break stops, the pace has
been pretty fast with most riding up front behind Tong… Noel, Michael (a very
big NZ-er) and I along with the tail end bike mechanic bringing up the rear.
From there another 15km before another snack break… lots of fruit, nuts,
snacks, lemonade etc, very good provisions. We got absolutely soaked on this
leg in a heavy downpour but dried very quickly in the heat!
Amazed at the standard and style of housing, lots of skinny
2 storied concrete houses obviously quite new and built with skill. Lots of
people out working in the fields, a little bit of traffic and a few hello’s
from the oncoming scooters … especially from young people (many school kids on
scooters vs cycles). Had lunch at Man Duc, a bigger town set in against
limestone hills a bit like Ha Long Bay but no sea!
By now the rain was over and the road was dry and we wound
our way by bus to the top of a pass. Bikes ready for us at the top and we free
wheeled about 10km downhill which was great fun. Very courteous traffic, not a
lot of it, which would pass on the opposite side of the road seemingly
oblivious to what might be coming around the corner!
From there it was following concrete paths through clusters
of houses and winding between rice fields using the same paths farmers use for
access. Rice seedling stage where they make a small mud area in which seeds are
planted, covered and then transplanted into the larger field later.
The area is Mai Chau and we wove through villages, lots of
produce/local product markets etc much of which was made by the local Thai bred
people. Also people shuttles shuffling tourists around. We stayed in Poon Long
at a traditional Thai homestay. Open dining area at the bottom and a communal
sleeping area upstairs. All of us together apart from 3 who slept downstairs in
the open area. Better than expected, hot showers available and a lovely meal.
An early night with a few snorer’s to ignore. My stomach upset has come right
thankfully.
27 June: Tuesday. 76km
Our homestay worked out just fine, much better than
expected. A 20min bus ride initially then saddled up the bikes on a side
road/path and biked through farmland, rice fields, some cattle. Lovely bigger
undulating hills and getting lots of waves/hello’s from kids and some of the
adults. Biking on a fine morning after a thunderstorm night, arriving at our
first break stop which was a half built house. However the clouds are gathering
and it started to pour with rain, luckily the building was open at the bottom
so we were all able to shelter there … while the tour crew attempted to repair
Mark’s e-bike, again!, it is giving him a lot of trouble. Timing was perfect as by the time all set to go the rain
had stopped.
Continued through undulating hills passing villages, getting
lots of waves, hello’s and the odd finger gestures plus one or 2 kids yelling
out for money… but a really nice ride nonetheless.
Back on the bus along the Ho Chi Minh Road to stop at a
little roadside restaurant, seem to duelling with an Intrepid family tour who
have 2 days of cycling along the same route as us hence joining up at the same
lunch spots too. A smaller group, maybe 8. Post lunch back on the bus for
10mins before cycling cross country again through valleys that are surrounded
by limestone hills. Very picturesque with lots of people in the rice fields
planting with the hills as a dramatic backdrop. Very, very hot so as the day
progressed a few got on the bus instead of biking. At the end we were very
pleased to see the bus stopped to pick us all up… we’re knackered!!! And muddy,
gritty, grimy and sweaty!!
Fast road drive of around an hour through big towns, lots
and lots of industry, big buildings of “something”, one factory obviously
Hyundai Vietnam. A number of concrete plants, apparently what the richest
Vietnamese own I guess due to the obvious high demand for concrete in housing,
roads, paths etc. There were some big churches also being built. A very
industrial area but some of the housing have a look of wealth about them.
Arrived in city of Ninh Binh about 5.30pm, everyone pretty
tired!!.. or nearly everyone… a very wealthy/modern town.
7pm dinner at the hotel, no-one could really be bothered
finding alternative, pretty average but filled the gap. Again thunderstorm rain
this evening. Getting a bit saddle sore, wet pants for 2 days doesn’t help as
well as discovering the extra seat pad (which I initially thought was a bonus)
doesn’t help as it soaks up the rain and remains wet!
28 June: Wednesday. 46km
Based here for day so a short bus ride out into the heat,
34c with lots of sun so felt like 40c. Biked through the area known as “on land
Ha Long Bay” before looping around quieter roads behind Ninh Binh. Possibly
filling in time a bit, the heat had one of 2 of the tour dropping out and
taking the bus.
The limestone karsts around Ninh Binh have been classified
as UNESCO feature, which gives them protection from the concrete industry! They are stunning visually so definitely worth the save.
Lunch at a local restaurant, area speciality is goat meat
which was OK. When going along roads you see whole roasted goat with the stall
owners slicing off what the customer wants, not such a pleasant sight. Also
passed some serious duck farming areas, wet/rice paddies, big ducks and areas
of small nearly feathered ducks.
Also saw some rice being threshed by hand and dried on the
road, some roads actually still busy roads, with farmers spreading it out and
turning it over and over. Doesn’t seem to matter if vehicles drive over it …
guess it helps the threshing! Grain then spread out to dry, protected by a
couple of plastic chairs in lieu of road cones!
Following lunch a visit to Hoa hu, the ancient capital of
Vietnam under the Dinh Dynasty and a walk around the temple. But with the heat there wasn’t too
much interest.
Back to the hotel where we have been doubled up with others in the group so that we have
access to a room for a shower and cool down, and quick catch up. Tonight we are on an
overnight train to Hue so leave this hotel at 7pm for dinner before our
departure at 9.30pm. A 12 hour trip so can’t imagine we will be feeling so
wonderful tomorrow… although a short ride day planned, on new bikes with a
completely new support crew (apart from guide Tung) as our current crew return
to Hanoi.
A fun dinner at an open air restaurant opposite the railway
station on a pleasant evening. A few locals out dancing on the gardens in front
of the station … ended up with a few of our group joining in for some laughs.
Tung assigned rooms on the sleeper train, we are sharing
with Julie and Mark Hillary. Train station very busy with quite a few tourists
and a lot of locals. Lots of kids there that wanted to practice their English
on the tourists. Julie was talking to a 9 year old that obviously had a
prepared list of questions but was very fluent, quite amazing.
Onto the train, 4 bunk cabin which is very clean and tidy.
Julie and Mark promptly took sleeping tablets and zonked out, no issue for
them! To be honest we both also slept reasonably well considering so it worked
out good all round.
29 June: Thursday. 19km
8.30am arrival to disembark at Hue, very basic train
station, straight onto bus and taken to hotel so we could change into cycling
gear and leave luggage although no rooms available yet. Back onto bus and ride to get to
our new bikes, Giants, and mine seems really nice!!
Biking we went although its hot, 36-37c, for some 10km. A
bustling busy city with a centre of the Imperial Citadel.
First stop for snacks and then visit to the royal tomb of
Emperor Tu Duc which was built in 1864-67. Tu Duc had the longest reign of the
Nguyen dynasty … along with 104 wives, but no children! so ended up adopting 3
sons. 2 died soon after adoption whilst the 3rd ruled for 7 months
after Tu Duc death.
Tu Duc designed his own tomb and that of his wives, family
etc. So a large complex of varying temples, shrines with hardly any people so
nice to wander around.
5km of riding had us at our lunch spot, with other tour
groups, then a few more kms riding to the imperial city, a walled enclosure
within the citadel. The city contains palaces for the imperial family along
with shrines, gardens including a bonsai garden. A huge area that once again
wasn’t too busy so a pleasant wander around.
At our lunch spot it was 35c, which was outside under a roof
with fans going, and thunder rattling around although it didn’t come our way…
perhaps cooled things down by a degree?
Back to the hotel by 4pm after a little more riding. The
streets are busy with not quite such forgiving motorists but obviously a
tourist town. Out for a drink with a few of the crew before whole group headed
out to dinner at a flasher sort of place, very nice. After dinner we wandered
around the streets a little, lots of night life, before back to the hotel after
almost getting lost… must take more note of hotel names in future!
Writing diary to the sound of music pumping from somewhere
nearby…
30 June: Friday. 80km (total tour for day, not us
individually)
7.40 hotel departure by bike from hotel and straight through
a fresh food market, lots of scooters on-coming plus some going our way along
with people walking, pushing etc… quite chaotic but short lived.
Wound our way via river paths, mobs of ducks fenced in on
the river, to stop at a historic walking bridge over a small tributary beside a
large river that apparently often floods. Thereafter it was quiet road cycling
and it was hot, very hot!!
20km riding before drinks break, then another 20km section.
37-38c and with no shade so extremely tough. I was 2nd last with
Noel sticking with me to keep me company. Next stretch 12km before a bus trip
to lunch so I sat that stretch out, along with 4 others in the group, as I was
just so hot! A cruisy 12 km then for me, before all on the bus for a 45min
drive to town of Ancu. A very busy restaurant, seafood, oysters in shell, fish
stew with bones, and other fishy things. There was a huge locals party a table
away.. quite rowdy and lots of beer being drunk there.
Back on the bikes for a ride around the estuary edge (10km),
a bit shady so cooler which was nice as well as storm clouds brewing. A drinks
stop at the bottom of the Hai Van (ocean cloud) Pass and while 4 of the group
sat it out on bus the rest of us left just as the rain started. Obviously a bit
of testosterone in the air as well as a “King of the Mountain” title to be had;
Bill got there first, (a retired Doctor from Christchurch). Anyway, we just
slowly zig zagged our way up, a main road but there is an alternative tunnel
route which absorbs most of the traffic. Hence mainly scooter traffic and the
odd truck going over the pass.
10km either side of the pass, a very scenic 500m asl road, a
slow steady climb with the rain easing off 1/3 of the way up. Lots of scooter
drivers, and a chap outside a house, all shouting encouragement which was
heart-warming. After a stop at the top for refreshments and to absorb the view
it was an enjoyable downhill towards the city of Da Nang.
Back on the bus to a 1 ½ hour drive to Hoi An, a very pretty
(inner city anyway), very touristy town. Lots of flowers and lanterns
everywhere.
Out to dinner with the group, everyone very tired, then a
quick look at a tailor shop. Too pressured and nothing leapt out at me anyway.
Wandered around the night market where obviously bargaining is a must if you
wanted anything. Saw one dress I liked enough to enquire about although the
wrong colour it was probably the right size. Couldn’t be bothered to even try
it on, too hot, but the price dropped from 550,000 to 200,000 by time I left
and I hadn’t even asked! Happy hour, closing special etc etc
Back to the hotel and a well earned rest.
1 July: Saturday. No biking
8am start and a pleasant surprise of an open taxi to take us
to our walking tour of the old town. Shops just opening and not many tourists
about yet… but the heat is coming on!!
Hoi An was a busy port town for Chan people before the river
silted up. Chinese and Japanese influences are obvious, a very attractive town.
Following the walking tour it was back to the hotel for a lie down and a swim
in the hotel pool.
Went and found a lovely trendy bakery just down the road for
lunch, thanks google maps/reviews. Laundry returned, while the white things
aren’t spotless everything is clean smelling and cheap to get done so very
pleased.
A lazy afternoon including a second swim in pool before we
wandered down a small side street on way to old town and found a great family
restaurant with obviously a few westerners in it. Got talking to a Tasmanian
couple at the next table, there were there for 3 weeks this year and have
booked for 6 weeks next year. A wander through the old town to finish off the day,
lots of families and activities while we had a bit of a half hearted look for a
shirt for Noel. Back to hotel by 9pm
2 July: Sunday. 51km
Cycle departure 7.30am and through some streets before very
quickly out into the rural areas again, rice and water buffalo, as well
as a whole lot of new beach apartments before crossing over a massive bridge
before back down to the sea with lots of fishing boats.
A stop in the shade for some photos, the group moved off
again and disappeared around a corner whilst the last few (including us) were
putting helmets on etc, to set off less than a minute later. Thought we were on
right track until came to a dead end … we had obviously lost the tail end of
main group as well as our tail end mechanic who had been on phone had also
disappeared not knowing we were on wrong path, um!!
The 5 of us went back to the last stopping point and managed
to message Tung… another 15 minutes later the mechanic came back to find us
having caught up with the main group to discover 5 were missing!! So, caught up
with main group and all well, and then a drinks break some 10 minutes later.
Wound around roads for another 15km or so, nothing great at all,
just around the side of a golf resort on a section of double laned road beside
hotels, a Disney type complex viewable in the distance and then rubbish, seemed
to follow smaller roads all lined with rubbish as well as an awful lot of
cemeteries… a bit of an odd ride section. Unfortunately 3 of us, Michael and
us, got mis-mothered again at an intersection, and this time the tail end
mechanic and Ron (another rider) didn’t turn up behind us which immediately had
us concerned that we were lost again! Noel doubled back and found the mechanic
and Ron sitting in a café!! (Ron feeling ill)… more time lost for Tung and us
a bit annoyed as there should have been a bit more watching at intersections to
ensure all were OK.. but all ended well.
Bus then loaded up and 1 ½ hour drive to a lunch break,
beside a beach but in the middle of nowhere seemingly, then another 1 ½ hour
drive following the coast. There is some huge developments underway, planned
and some already there.
Back on the bikes before biking over the largest inland
bridge in Vietnam, Thi Nai Bridge, over a sea estuary into the bustling town of Quy Nhon … right on rush hour!! The roundabouts were very busy and it was a bit
of an adventure getting through but all arrived safely at our hotel about
6.30pm. An older style hotel right beside the beach, after a shower the rooftop
bar beckoned … lovely … lots of neon lights and lots of Vietnamese with
children on holiday, so a fun vibe.
After a drink, and an ordinary sort of meal at the hotel, we
went for a walk along the beach … some of the group had already sea swum before
dinner. Lots and lots of Vietnamese on the beach and adjoining parks, small
amusement areas including bumper cars, Ferris wheels etc and just starting to
run out of patrons at 9.30pm. The sea is very warm, and so is the air!!
3 July: Monday. 65km
Today is a potential 90 to 100km day, depending on how
serious one is. 7.30am bus departure to get us out of town. One of 2 of us in
group not feeling 100% but not awful… food? Its already hot, 35-36c.
Biked for 50km before lunch and it is getting extremely hot,
probably in the low 40’s. Along a road that was not super busy but did have
construction. Through a few cattle being tended on the roadside. By lunchtime a
couple of the group were close to heat stroke and Michael had already pulled
out with illness.
I opted out of the next leg along with 5 others, a 12km leg
and bus showing outside temp of 44.5c !!! Noel battled that one out but bussed
the next, I gave the next a go which was 16km weaving through towns on a small
main road before opting out at next stop too … seems like madness in this heat just
to tick the box!
The next section as we viewed from the bus was along double
laned roads more or less empty although massive new developments (tourist?)
being built along the coast. Beautiful sandy beach stretching in both
directions for miles but so many hotels being built!
Meanwhile the keen of the group who wanted to do 100km
continued along the beach roads, past an air-force base to an inconspicuous stop
at a railway crossing … but yay, 6 finished there although only 5 did the whole
100km day, what a day given the heat, a couple nearly heat stroked out!!
On to our hotel in the city of Nha Trang. A very, very busy
city with lots and lots of hotels built to cater for the Chinese and Russian
tourists. Now full of Vietnamese holiday makers, city front runs along a
beautiful golden sand beach. We opted to do our own thing for dinner, I was
after chips to quell the queasiness! Found a Korean BBQ restaurant that had 4
customers, but at least 7 staff!!
There is a few tired folk in the group this evening.
4 July: Tuesday (no biking)
8.30am optional day today, breakfast a bit sparse but mainly
as there is a schoolboy soccer team in house who had cleaned out the breakfast
bar! A few of the group still feeling the effects of yesterdays heat, Tom our
youngest in particular with a severe case of heat stroke.
13 of us (3 opted out) bussed then walked around Po Nagar
temple. Built in the 8-13th centuries by the Cham people, it is a
Hindu temple built for the goddess Yan Po Nagar. A massive number of Vietnamese
tourists there!
It was then it was to the harbour to board a boat, stopped
at an area of floating fish villages where 4 ladies in little round boats took
us for a row around … which was quite tricky balancing!! Noel and I were the only passengers on one of these boats, and our little lady took us to her family fish farm
platform so we got a close up look at the various fish and shell fish.
Some small sharks, sea bass (very cool looking) in very
clear water. They catch the various species further out at sea then hold and
feed them in the farming areas. Also presented with (well ended up purchasing)
a cold coconut to drink… kept us going!
Back onto the bigger boat which took us out beside an island
were snorkelling was able to be done. The sea is lovely and warm, saw piper
fish, a few star fish, corral, angel fish, some other small fish of unknown
type as well as unfortunately quite a lot of plastic and a bit of rubbish at
the bottom of the sea too.
On to a different area beside another island where we linked
up with 3 other tourist boats where another boat then brought in lunch for us
all … a huge spread of seafood dishes. An opportunity to snorkel again, I opted
out as the rubbish is somewhat off putting!!
Back to hotel for an afternoon at leisure and blog catch up.
Noel has a cold or something so a bit subdued today.
Found dinner at a rooftop bar, which had a pool although we
didn’t use it. Japanese food to order, could have had chips and a sandwich but
went for Okonomiyaki and a beer. Watching an orange moon rise over the lit
Ferris Wheel on an island. A walk around followed to a shopping mall, Noel
scored a light cap to wear under helmet as needed. A stroll back to the hotel
via the beach… how lucky are we 😊
5 July: Wednesday. 70km
7.30am departure again for a 25min drive to get us out of
the city.
Biked through the countryside, cows and lotus flowers before
our first stop, then seemed to be biking through Eucalyptus forests and
villages. Nice quiet undulating roads. After our second stop we were warned of
a hillier section so some opted for the bus. Noel was offered an e-bike by Mark
so took up the offer. Quite a busy road that was up and down but it wasn’t
awful. 60km done before lunch. (Noel not sold on the e-bike, although think it
was the type of bike and Mark is continuing to have issues with it too and this is his second for trip!).
After a way too big a lunch, with a whole lot of wasted
food, we bussed to the top of Bidoup-Nui Pass. A long winding road up to 2287m
asl and the National Park which is considered the roof of the central
highlands.
From the top of the pass we biked down 10km before the bikes
were loaded into the van and we bussed to the city of Dalat, the city of
eternal spring and also renowned as the Honeymoon city. The temperatures are
cooler, coats and jersey required, it is located at similar metres asl to the
Remarkables! The trip in passed huge areas of large tunnel houses and
earthworks putting in more tunnel houses. Flowers, vege, strawberries etc. Also
large areas of coffee grown in this area.
First stop was the summer palace of Bao Dei’s, the final
emperor of the Nguyan dynasty and last to rule Vietnam in 1945. An art deco
style building, didn’t look great from the outside but was nice inside with
much of the period furniture still on display.
From there it was to the “Crazy House” which was built from
Feb 1990 on by architect Dang Viet Nga who modelled it to simulate the image of
old tree stumps in an old forest. A maze of up and down steps and vast concrete
structures of trees etc. The architect was the daughter of the chair of the
communist party … hence why it was allowed and quite possibly some communist
funds disappeared into it’s construction!
It is still lived in, and several of the themed rooms are
holiday rentals. Quite fascinating if somewhat of a Disneyland effect.
We independently went out to a lovely local pizza place…
real local vibe, fantastic food and a pet bird that mimicked Noels cough,
funny!
6 July: Thursday. 82km
Not so hot, and lots of downhills so the 80+ km wasn’t too
exhausting.
Initial short bus ride before 20km mainly downhill section
before a stop at a coffee shop. Followed by 16km through coffee plantations,
corn, lettuce, tomatoes, spinach, egg plants and plants that grow silkworms.
Silkworms grown on mulberry bushes apparently.
Back onto the bus for 1 ½ hours to end up at Gia Bac Pass,
unloaded and 24km of mostly (although a bit “undulating”) downhill to lunch at
a roadside café. While lunching there was a thunderstorm and heavy rain …
great timing!
Final 20km downhill before 25min bus ride to Phan Thiet, a
lovely beach resort hotel with private beach and pools. Unfortunately, the sea
was dreadfully polluted according to the 2 or 3 of the group that tried to swim
in it. But the pool was lovely! Lots of Vietnamese kids as it is school holiday
period.
During the day we drove through some prosperous towns, some
quite smart houses which are bigger than those to the north. Definitely seem
like a bit of one-upmanship going on too. Obviously a very productive area
although the tunnel houses disappeared as we dropped down towards sea level and
warmer temps. There is also still a lot of the speciality, large, buildings
built to attract birds for the production of nests used in birds-nest soup.
Quite phenomenal buildings, look like hotels almost, and many have bird calls
being broadcast on loudspeakers. Guides advise it is a very lucrative business.
7 of us dined at hotel, to be joined by 4 of the others who
had partaken in quite a few wines … very entertaining.
7 July: Friday. 39km
After an amazing breakfast it was on the bus by 8am, a 30min
ride out of the city. Onto the bikes and along beach road which wasn’t very
busy. Massive development happening, new resort complexes going up and many
half-built ones at a standstill. Behind the beach strip where the ground rises
there was a lot of plantings and stabilisation work underway presumably for
more massive development. It will be interesting to see it in 20 year’s or so.
2 bike sections of about 20km each this morning.
Beautiful coastline from a distance.
We have now finished the biking for this tour, after a
coffee stop it was bussing 1 ½ hours to a lunch spot in a small family run
restaurant under some trees. A one plate lunch each which seems far less
wasteful than the whole lot of food often received.
From there another 2 ½ hours to Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City. The
last hour was in very heavy traffic, passing lots of rubber tree plantations.
This morning we had spotted dragon fruit plants which is a succulent/cactus
type of plant. There is likely money in it as there is flash houses on the
orchards!
Our hotel is a older type, but right on the river and on a
main thoroughfare. The city is a whole lot more modern than expected,
skyscrapers everywhere. A lovely clean room on the 1st floor, street
facing so a bit noisy and smaller than we have become accustomed to … but
absolutely fine.
Last group meal together, Tung took us to a food
court/street food market which was humming! Tacos we chose which were yummy,
A nice way to finish our tour with a very good group, will
likely see some of them again sometime.
It’s been a fun tour … a lot of hard work, buckets of sweat,
but great fun to get amongst it. The hello’s along the way has been uplifting,
perhaps the naughty ones giving the fingers not so much (but only a few of
them)
Huge, huge development in Vietnam and if they could sort the
beach/sea pollution it has a very bright future. Although with 100 million
people it needs to be progressive.
Such a great group of people to travel which resulted in,
overall, a very, very good tour. Quite bizarrely the two times we got heavy
rain we were stopped under shelters, perfect timing!!
