Through the Villages

No coastal ride today. We went inland and biked through several small villages. But let's start with this morning's chaos. Went up to the 17th floor restaurant and there was our group patiently waiting at their tables. Usually breakfast is a buffet. We all like to get as much rest as possible, so we just grab what we want, eat, and run to get to the bus on time.  Apparently, this hotel did not get the message - no buffet. So whether we wanted one or not, we were going to have a leisure breakfast - very leisure. Communication was a challenge. Just trying to get a cup of coffee was challenging. Eventually we all ate, whether it was what we ordered or not. It did provide a good laugh for first thing in the morning.

Surprisingly, the bus left on time for our 30 minute ride to meet up with our bikes. It was a 70km

day - give or take. With 2 stops before lunch and then the last 20km before getting back on the bus to get to the new hotel. We traveled through villages, rice paddies, and plenty of construction - this whole country seems to be under construction. This also felt like the hottest day yet. At times, it felt like biking in a steam bath. I wasn't all that comfortable because despite all the Hoo-Ha cream I put on, I still managed to get chaffed. I think it happened after swimming yesterday - not ever getting really dry. Anyway, my butt was burning!  I bailed out at the first stop and took the bus to lunch. I added some more cream and was back on the bike for the after lunch ride. Not sure if that was a good idea or not. I did 52km and Geoff must have done 70km.

We brought the bath products (shampoo, toothpaste, soap, etc) from the hotel to hand out to the kids as we went through the villages. Geoff also had the salted licorice that Alena gave him way back in LA. He handed that out - but we left before they could taste it! 

We arrived at the Seagull Hotel in Quy Nhon, which is on the coast, at around 2ish. The hotel is directly on the beach and the beach is pristine. First thing after check-in is wash clothes - turn our lovely room into a ghetto with clothes hanging everywhere to dry. Then we head for the water. The waves are a bit rougher than where we were yesterday. We hung out for a while, took a stroll down the beach and are now resting comfortably in our spacious room. It is still noisy out there, but we are getting used to it. Vietnam is not a quiet place.

Dinner is at the hotel and we are meeting later than usual tonight.  Since I have the time, I'll briefly introduce you to our group. Olivia, from London, is way younger than any of us and by far the best biker, always in the lead, which is to be expected. Next up would be Hugh from NZ. Young in spirit, he is always at the head right up there with Olivia. Then come the four Canadians - Leslie. Freeman, Sonya, & Joe. They travel in a pack and have their biking skills down pat. They are also near the front. Sue, Hugh's sister from NZ is steady as she goes, and is usually riding by herself, snapping pictures along the way. Winding up in the back bringing up the rear is a toss up between yours truly, Dave from Montreal and Fionna, Hugh's wife.  Geoff, God bless him, rides with me wherever I am in the group. When I do opt for the bus and he is on his own, he can be found not too far from Hugh. So far everyone gets along just fine which is really nice.

picture of the day

Just back from a very elegant dinner. I think this was six courses, but I lost count after four. Geoff and I went up to the Smile Bar on the 12th floor to see what was there. A panorama of the city - tried taking some pix but nothing worth putting up. Tomorrow is another 70km day. The good news is that the biking will be on the coast - more hilly than today. The bad news is that we have a 3 hour bus drive from the end of cycling to the hotel. Hope we can nap.

Next time... Coastin' the Coast - for real