The Long and Winding Road

OMG What a day!  Didn't get much sleep last night. The hotel room was stuffy and very small. The hotel is the oldest in the city and it used to be the palace. It appears nothing too much has been done to these rooms since then.

Up and out and on the bus by 7:30. Next destination - Nha Trang. Very big tourist spot on the coast. But first there was this little thing called a mountain pass in the way. Today was our 100km ride. I really tried but I only managed to do 80km. The 20 I skipped were climbing to the top of the pass. I just couldn't breathe - I think it was an altitude problem. So I hopped on the bus and was soon joined by Fiona who also cried Uncle on the last stretch. Everyone else made it up to the top. We were told that the weather was extraordinary - usually it is cold and foggy at the top. It was definitely cool up there but the sky was as blue as could be.

Fiona and I got back on the bikes for the 30km descent down the mountain and another 40km or

so to meet the bus to take us into Nha Trang. The ride down was phenomenal! Very little traffic and a whole lot of scenery. At the bottom, we stopped for lunch at another river restaurant. We were back on the bikes - the hills kept on coming but not as high. I was able to breathe and all was good. It was a bit hairy riding through the villages but we are getting used to the chaos.

Met the bus and arrived at the hotel by 4pm. This place is right across the street from the beach. We have a suite with a beautiful view of the ocean below. The traffic here is just as crazy and a bit more dangerous. Since it is not as congested as Saigon, they go faster and hence, get into more crashes. We have seen 2 since we have been here and never saw one all the time we were in Saigon. 

We hurried and washed off the road dirt to get down to the pool. It was late in the afternoon and the wind was blowing pretty hard. Took a quick swim and headed back to the room. Did some hand wash and relaxed before dinner. Zang ordered some cycle rickshaws to take us all the dinner. What a hoot going through town in one of these. This is another jumping town. Lots of bright lights, music, and plenty of people. Dinner was at a Vietnamese BBQ. Absolutely fabulous. You cook at the table and the smoke flies!

It was back by rickshaw. Tomorrow there is no biking and talk of a boat ride with snorkeling. We'll see what the weather brings. We are back in the tropics again. Meanwhile, a good night's sleep would really feel good about now.

Next time... A Day in Nha Trang