Road to Hoi An

Not as many km today - good thing too because we didn't get a lot of sleep last night. We saddled up at the hotel and took off for the My Lai Massacre Memorial about 15km.  We viewed a half hour documentary on the March 16, 1968 massacre. After took a tour of the grounds and the museum.

In one of the most horrific incidents of violence against civilians during the Vietnam War, a company of American soldiers brutally killed the majority of the population of the South Vietnamese hamlet of My Lai in March 1968. Though exact numbers remain unconfirmed, it is believed that as many as 500 people including women, children and the elderly were killed in the My Lai Massacre.. Higher-ranking U.S. Army officers managed to cover up the events of that day for a year before revelations by a soldier who had heard of the massacre sparked a wave of international outrage and led to a special investigation into the matter. In 1970, a U.S. Army board charged 14 officers of crimes related to the events at My Lai; only one was convicted. The brutality of the My Lai killings and the extent of the cover-up exacerbated growing antiwar sentiment on the home front in the United States and further divided the nation over the continuing American presence in Vietnam.

From the museum we were back on the road for another 18km for a rest stop. Pretty much the same scenery - rice fields, fishing boats, etc. Not much exciting happened until Geoff almost had a collision with a car. I was up ahead, cycling with Sue through the traffic and the cows in the road when we heard a very loud crashing sound. I asked if that was a biker. Yup - then someone said it was Geoff. Well, I just about lost it! I didn't know what to think it looked like the bike was under the car. Then he got up and brushed himself off.  All was fine - no crash. The car stopped short and that was the sound we heard. Geoff was trying to get a shot of the cows going through the traffic when he lost his balance. The driver got out of the car and they both smiled and shook hands. Meanwhile, I was still trying to put my heart back in my chest.

We biked another 5 miles to the rest stop and he was able to check his wounds. Some scraps on his legs and his elbow is pretty banged up. The bike was fine - just a little seat adjustment. Guess he might be sore for a bit. Biked the last 16km of the day to the bus to go to lunch.

Lunch was a hotpot with veggies and fish (for us) with fresh eggs dropped in. While we were eating the pig truck across the street stopped and the driver started hosing down the pigs. As we have been traveling, we keep seeing all these running hoses on the side of the road. One day I asked what they were for, and Binh said to hose down either the trucks and/or animals so they don't over heat. Those pigs were stuffed in there pretty good.

It was a 2 hour bus ride to Hoi An. The hotel is lovely and situated on an island just over the bridge from the main city. This is a very touristy place. Lots of shopping for tailored clothes and handmade shoes. We are here for two nights, so first order of business was laundry. We opted for the smiling man across the street rather than DIY. Not sure we'll have another chance before Hanoi. 

Biking tomorrow is 50km - but it is optional. I have chosen to take a day off and see some of the town and give my tush a rest. Geoff is staying as well and hopes he'll heal some. Several others are taking the day off also. The day after is the 100km with a mountain pass that goes up for 6km. Still thinking about that one.

Walked through the old town and part of the new on the way to dinner. Lots of lights, lots of shops, and lots and lots of tourists.  We may change our mind about biking tomorrow - there is one probably though, most of our clothes are at the laundry. Just have to see what is left and make a decision in the morning. Dinner was tasty with the usual courses only with a slight variation. A short walk back through the lights to our hotel.

Next time...Exploring Hoi An