New Year's Resolution

[Digger]

Had a ‘cheap’ room last night and so I decided to indulge a little again tonight...besides, it’s the kids inheritance I’m spending. They would want me to be comfortable. Tonight’s villa cost me $42AUD (they wanted $54...pffhtt).


The beach ‘out the front’ of my Villa. Nice beach (by Asian standards) but deserted. The tide was coming in when this photo was taken

I will stay in Da Nang (next town) for two nights to celebrate TET with the locals. Da Nang is a major city in Central Vietnam and was meant to be Trev’s departure point.

Total so far - 870km

SPOTLink is here;
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

Enjoy your working week Slackers...I’ll be thinkin’bout you.

[Digger]

Monday was supposed to be different then it ended up being. I had to cross the Hai Van Pass, a 20km strip of road that joins the city of Lăng Co and Da Nang in Hue Province. At 500 metres above sea level its the highest Pass in the whole of Vietnam. I did the Pass in 2001 heading south to north but since then a tunnel had been built. Scooters and bicycles are banned in the tunnel but my understanding is that taxi trucks can take you thru the tunnel for a fee.

I wasn’t planning on riding over the Pass but couldn’t locate any signs of taxis or taxi trucks. The officials at the tollway pointed to the Pass and gestures to ‘go that way’. So I did. And I climbed, and I climbed and I climbed. Caught up to another cyclist who was having a break and he confirmed the taxi trucks were operating in a small village at the base of the Pass but you could be excused for not seeing it as it was on a minor slip road. BUMMER.
Climbed the 10km, had a celebration at the top and then enjoyed the fast descent to Da Nang. I stayed there for 2 nights before moving on


Did not expect to have to climb the Hai Van Pass today



Caught up to a 64 yo rider from Manchester, England, who confirmed the taxi trucks were available. He only discovered them by accident when staying in the village the night before



The old French fort at the top of the Pass. Completely blanketed in fog so no views

[Digger]

During the descent...don’t be fooled. It’s was a long grind to the top.



While at Da Nang I stayed at what would be Scarborough Beach here in Da Nang. There was a major US evacuation hospital here during the War. The beach (My Khe) was referred to as China Beach by the Americans



Street vendor...some sort of rice paper taco with different fillings. Less then $2 a piece. I had two. A mans gotta eat

[Digger]

Had a day off and visited a Buddhist site called Marble Mountain. This view is part of the Marble Mountains vista



I never thought I was gunna go to heaven but I did


Heaven is not what I expected. In the distant background is the seaside strip where I am staying. Kinda like a mini Surfers Paradise skyline. I expected to be greeted by an old bearded guy sitting in a big chair and holding a Staff. Strange how perceptions and reality are rarely the same

[Digger]

Inside Huyen Khong Cave, one of many in the mountains



There was so much incense being burned that it left this eerie effect...but smelt nice



Danang prior to departing Wednesday morning. There was a major US evacuation hospital here and soldiers spent R n R here when on leave. The beach is called My Khe but the Americans referred to it as ‘China Beach’. There was a tv series by the same name (China Beach) during the late 80’s about the Hospital and the effects of the war

[Digger]

I rode past the former US Air Force Base on my out of town. I peered over a fence and there is still signs of the old runway present


There is still some infrastructure present, in this case, aircraft hangers. The photo was taken some distance away because I was a little nervous about drawing attention


Part of the Old City, Hoi An. It’s heritage lies in the fact that it was an early Port

Distance cycled to date - 992km.

I will continue heading south (ish) hugging the coastline where I can.

SPOT Link is here;

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

[Digger]

I think the only thing that saved me today (Thursday) was having a big breakfast before I left. I was staying at a hotel that catered for international guests and had an omelet, bacon, toast, cereal, fruit, coffee and juice before leaving. Just as well cause it went all downhill after that.

I continued hugging the coast on backroads and was relying on the accuracy of maps and Apps in the hope that a small Ferry was operating in the boondocks.If it wasn’t then I would have ridden an additional 40km for nothing and would be forced to turn back. No risk; no return. Thankfully the day ended successfully for me and I found a crappy room for $12. No two days are the same lol


The road I was on became quieter with each km I travelled on it and I thought I would have to turn back. Thankfully when I ran out of road there was a small Ferry to carry me across the water gap. I was EXTREMELY thankful. My morale was pretty low at this point


The second Ferry was larger then the first...still relieved I didn’t have to backtrack.

[Digger]

“There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people”.
Howard Zinn - American Historian

A mixed bag of road conditions on Friday ranging from single gravel track to main highways including a toll way. I also spent part of the day visiting the Mÿ Lai massacre site


WARNING - GRAPHIC CONTENT


Before today, this was my limited knowledge of the massacre. I thought about a dozen villages had been killed



A total of 504 women, children and the elderly were the victims. The soldiers must be so proud!



A photographer had been embedded into the Unit.

[Digger]

I went from this...



...to this in a matter of hours. I know which I prefer!



I guess this Little Piggy went to market.

[Digger]

Earlier generations taking up much needed farming space.



The Fleets in...


Like seagulls around a packet of chips at the beach...the days catch being snapped up. In this case, miniature prawns (must be ground to a paste...can’t see any other use for them).

[Digger]

Dry Dock...did I mention I was hugging the Coast?



A back alley thru the suburbs linking small roads using Maps.me App. You won’t find this in a Lonely Planet Guidebook.

I’ll continue south along the coastline heading toward Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon)


Distance cycle to date - 1,220 km.
SPOT Link is here;
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

[Digger]

A couple of really tough climbs on Sunday! I knew about them because I spend a bit of time each evening pouring over maps because I don’t like surprises. I knew they were there, and I knew they were going to be challenging. And I was right. I would have liked another much lower gear just to assist on those really steep climbs.


The view over the handlebars on Sunday. Still hugging the coast but that involves crossing some headland in the far distance.


The reason(s) for my misery on Sunday. Tough, very tough climbs. The descents were fun

[Digger]

Drying Cassava Root. High in complex carbohydrates and used as a replacement if rice is not available. Can be bitter or sweet depending on the variety. Must be peeled before cooking!


There’s a Postcard right there

[Digger]

Moving the herd from one paddock to another


I made an unusual choice for accomodation today (Monday)...a bungalow perched on a hillside overlooking the beach


The view from the inside looking out


So it is...

[Digger]

The village relies on wells for its water supply. Real third world stuff once you venture out of the cities



Therapy!

I need a break...Nha Trang is a couple of days away and I’ll probably pull up there for a couple of nights to fatten up.
In the meantime..back to work Slackers.

Distance cycled to date - 1,357km.