A lot of Vietnam

Very cool ride report. I can vouch from my recent trip to the Philippines that it is the people you remember long after the scenery fades to a hazy memory.

Day 10 - Hoi An to MySon and back - Cultural diversion

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375052143/" title="Road to MySon, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2888/10375052143_75b0cd41e2_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Road to MySon, Vietnam"></a>

I rode out to the My Son ruins through flat rice paddy meadows and over lazy streams. Arriving at 10 there were already many tourists who had arrived on the coaches that had been trying to kill me for the last two weeks, so I had to wait a while for a guide.

By this time it was blowing my mind that people were sitting on coaches and being shipped about behind tinted glass from Attraction A to Attraction B.

Poor bugger was frozen to the side of the water I bought, had to peel him off and bin him when some kid started screaming -
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10374856555/" title="Poor little frozen lizard by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3773/10374856555_f20ff15b5b_c.jpg" width="773" height="800" alt="Poor little frozen lizard"></a>

A lovely young lady called Ms. Yung took me around the ruins. I felt wrong for doing such a touristy thing but I had never seen Hindu sites modern or ancient, and the experience was interesting. I had the opportunity to talk to Ms. Yung a while about her education, growing up in the country and moving to Saigon to go to college, before settling in Hoi An to work at the ruins, a very interesting person. I found that many of the girls who worked in tourism had been to Saigon for a degree in language and tourism before returning to their hometown. I wondered if they had a choice.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375139813/" title="Overgrown temples, Myson ruins,, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5512/10375139813_0b4416801f_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Overgrown temples, Myson ruins,, Vietnam"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375124923/" title="Courtyard clearing, MySon ruins, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3787/10375124923_a150220e36_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Courtyard clearing, MySon ruins, Vietnam"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10374919246/" title="Pillar detail, Myson ruins, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7426/10374919246_60f02e8399_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Pillar detail, Myson ruins, Vietnam"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10374891495/" title="Fallen pillars, MySon ruins, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7291/10374891495_2842011405_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Fallen pillars, MySon ruins, Vietnam"></a>

Once back near my hotel I arranged for a guide to accompany me to my next major destination, Kon Tum, for two days. I had heard there were some beautiful secret waterfalls in the valleys ahead but needed some local knowledge to find them. By the evening I was looking forward to being in the middle of nowhere again.

Massively enjoying this read,
you can take it to 100 pages for me!

Good luck

Day 11 - Hoi An to Kham Duc - Venison's dear isn't it

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375206126/" title="Mr Binh, motorbike guide extraodinaire by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2886/10375206126_17de4027d4_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Mr Binh, motorbike guide extraodinaire"></a>

I rode out of Hoi An with war veteran guide Mr. Binh, we soon stopped at his sister in laws for some much appreciated water. Binh is an older chap and the riding was slow going, I saw him narrowly miss a few nasty scrapes and wondered if I had made a mistake crippling myself with the old boy.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375218196/" title="Drying tobacco in the village, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2858/10375218196_fe835e2799_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Drying tobacco in the village, Vietnam"></a>

Near some drying tobacco plants, we stopped to talk to another of Binh's relatives, a 17 year old girl trying to learn English, something she believes will allow her to work in tourism and therefore provide better for her family. Our staggered conversation drew the attention of the cutest gang of troublesome stick wielding kids, laughing and screaming at my presence and alien language. Their eager dog friend demanded to be part of everything they did, including running off when I got the camera out.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375239376/" title="Local gang, a bit shy, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5526/10375239376_89871deacb_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Local gang, a bit shy, Vietnam"></a>

Mid morning we stopped and ate fresh pineapple picked from the mountain earlier that day.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375196424/" title="Pineapple harvest in the mountains, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/10375196424_26dd942972_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Pineapple harvest in the mountains, Vietnam"></a>

Soon after that we rode off the road up a bumpy jungle trail to find a quiet valley with a waterfall. I made plenty of audio recordings climbing around on the rocks for different perspectives, I've already used the recordings in several video game projects! For lunch we stopped for a meal of mountain deer meat and chilies, which was great.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375431273/" title="Spicy lunchin a mountain lodge, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7361/10375431273_30c39db549_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Spicy lunchin a mountain lodge, Vietnam"></a>

I then washed the bike for the first time using water piped from a nearby waterfall. Not fifteen minutes down the road we were soaked in a torrential downpour, which would have done the job just as well.&#8232;&#8232; That night we stayed in Kham Duc at the Kham Duc Hotel, which was expanding from little more than a hostel to a mini village in order to house the foreign workers employed at the local gold mines. So I got my own beautiful little bungalow in the middle of a muddy building site. That night dinner was at a local restaurant where, strangely, Binh was the only Vietnamese customer, the others being Australians working at the mines. Binh explained that many Vietnamese had died, and many still do, mining for gold on the mountains around Kham Duc, without the expertise of a professional setup. On a lighter note, I didn't see an ugly girl in Kham Duc, they were all either quite or very attractive, which was nice.

Day 12 - Kham Duc to Kon Tum - Bye bye Toto

Someone was blasting 'Enter Sandman' by Metallica from their hotel room as we left, somehow out of place reverberating down the shabby muddy streets of a small Vietnamese mountain town.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375508413/" title="Valley near Kham Duc, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2830/10375508413_ec5c9bb535_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Valley near Kham Duc, Vietnam"></a>

The riding was through beautiful lush green valleys, despite the overcast weather my spirits were very high! Mid morning we stopped at more waterfalls and crossed squealing rickety bridges.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375272134/" title="Kalimah bridge minor, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/10375272134_9c638a3bf2_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Kalimah bridge minor, Vietnam"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375271495/" title="Little waterfall near KhamDuc, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/10375271495_0a72f9e76c_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Little waterfall near KhamDuc, Vietnam"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375248884/" title="Kalimah bridge major, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2832/10375248884_54df05b082_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Kalimah bridge major, Vietnam"></a>

On returning to the bikes a group of young local men had taken a keen but entirely reverential interest in my vehicle. On the ground next to them was a bag. A mysteriously twitching bag.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375248625/" title="Doggy dinner, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2874/10375248625_5a911fc481_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Doggy dinner, Vietnam"></a>

On seeing the two little paws sticking out the near side, I realized it was a small dog. I then spotted a bowl of herbs, a cruel looking blade, and a rusty old cooking pot. On sensing my will that these objects had nothing to do with the contents of the bag, one of the locals pointed to the dog and then into the pot. I walked around see the dog was having some kind of fear fit, upon asking I was assured that it was healthy. Just frothing and hyperventilating with terror then. As we saddled up the dog was hoisted away into the jungle to become lunch.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375568073/" title="Traditional communal village hall, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/10375568073_b18d490e74_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Traditional communal village hall, Vietnam"></a>

By mid afternoon everything was getting very hot, dry and dusty. We stopped at one of the traditional tall communal houses that the local tribes use for meetings, where I spotted a chained up pet monkey playing with a boy, gnawing the kids knuckles.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375581053/" title="Pet monkey, likes to chew his owner... in Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7397/10375581053_c7b753971f_b.jpg" width="716" height="539" alt="Pet monkey, likes to chew his owner... in Vietnam"></a>

Getting dryyy...

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375399525/" title="Dry hills, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2806/10375399525_b1330d0058_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Dry hills, Vietnam"></a>

We stopped near this hill, where Binh said he was involved in a battle with the Viet Cong. He fought on the side of the Americans, firing his AK47 into the Jungle. He is not sure if he killed anyone, he had friends that were shot or otherwise injured and died. I could see that although he was not emotional, he just didn't want to be probed about it much.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375381294/" title="Battle mountain, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3764/10375381294_448c155c3f_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Battle mountain, Vietnam"></a>

We stayed in a decent hotel in Kon Tum. In the eve we went for a Viet-Valhallian cook it yourself BBQ feast of deer, jungle pig, rice, popadom and some pigeon/random bird soup.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375368884/" title="Binh mans the BBQ in Kon Tom, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5550/10375368884_60f5d834db_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Binh mans the BBQ in Kon Tom, Vietnam"></a>

Binh told me of his previous jobs, he had worked at the Hoi An docks loading cargo ships by hand when the war entered his life and he was given a gun to go fight for the Americans. I didn't ask too much about the war, as I previously mentioned Binh would close up quick, but after it was over Binh had simply returned to the docks. When it came to farewell I tipped Binh the equivalent of 15 dollars, with tears in his eyes he sincerely (but incorrectly) said 'you are very kind' in his croaky old way.* It cut me like a knife that the old boy would be saying such a thing in that way to a lucky young git from another world, just passing though.

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Day 13 - Kon Tum to Buon Ma Thuot - Burn my throat

On my lonesome again I forced myself back into early starts. After an hour, just south of Pleiko, I stopped for another coffee good enough to warrant the destruction of multiple planets in celebration of its wonder, and a pack of biscuits. Witness the awesomeness-

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375392176/" title="Awesome Vietnamese coffee by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5504/10375392176_6e2b395029_b.jpg" width="1024" height="698" alt="Awesome Vietnamese coffee"></a>

Today I became obsessed with these strange abused tractor husks, there were so many in different colours, shapes, and sizes, that I began to take way too many photos of what is, essentially, fairly boring junk. Here are some studs showing off to the local ladies on theirs -

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375457456/" title="Vietnamese rude boyz by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5541/10375457456_1fcc6a15d3_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Vietnamese rude boyz"></a>

The drivers of these junktors are even more careless and nihilistic than your average Vietnamese road user, swinging huge loads into the road without a glance either way, driving at a snails pace dead centre of the road and generally being dangerous dicks. When I spotted a scene where one had t-boned a scooter, leaving a crying man sprawled in the dirt clutching a rather broken looking lower appendage, I rode over for a photo of the offending junktor, but the policeman saw me and shouted 'No photo!'

In fact everything was starting to look a bit Mad Max -
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375445185/" title="Shack town, central Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7325/10375445185_67bc47d11a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Shack town, central Vietnam"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375415214/" title="Happy working couple and their sweet ride, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3692/10375415214_158e6602cb_b.jpg" width="1024" height="650" alt="Happy working couple and their sweet ride, Vietnam"></a>

After many dusty towns, I stopped in a forest for a break under a low tarpaulin, where I had some surprisingly tasty boiled corn. From another tent across the road ran a very kind lady to give me a free slice of fresh melon and stare at me. Lovely.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375647463/" title="Lunch spot on the road to Buon Ma Thuot, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/10375647463_18fef8c523_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Lunch spot on the road to Buon Ma Thuot, Vietnam"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375417384/" title="Simple lunch, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5508/10375417384_3998b7e66f_c.jpg" width="800" height="759" alt="Simple lunch, Vietnam"></a>

Three hours later, sweaty as an impassioned badger and covered in dirt, I crawled into a hotel in Buon Ma Thuot, where a stunned receptionist expressed her amazement at my voyage and amusement at my bedraggled form.

Day 14 - Buon Ma Thuot to Dalat - Run to the hills

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10382647926/" title="Plains near BMT, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7449/10382647926_474d6a7b7c_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Plains near BMT, Vietnam"></a>

Another early start, this time for Dalat, had the stunning receptionist from yesterday express how happy she was to meet me and how sad she was I was leaving, if only I could break hearts so easily in Shanghai...

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10375462315/" title="My favourite from Vietnam, the road to Dalat by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7403/10375462315_b92479c8c7_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="My favourite from Vietnam, the road to Dalat"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10382691956/" title="Farmland on the way to Dalat, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5486/10382691956_48055c2193_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Farmland on the way to Dalat, Vietnam"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10382846963/" title="In the hills near Dalat, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2852/10382846963_d0748f4bcc_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="In the hills near Dalat, Vietnam"></a>

I rode through rolling hills, wild west-alike towns and expanses of flat seemingly isolated rice fields, stopping for a cool drink with a very accommodating family around noon. Two ladies and one teenage boy were chopping wood whilst the young kids rested and played in the heat.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10382679306/" title="Kids resting in their roadside home, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3754/10382679306_ab1d6239be_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Kids resting in their roadside home, Vietnam"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10382607934/" title="Not many posers in Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7363/10382607934_eda8431523_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Not many posers in Vietnam"></a>

The scenery seemed to change with every new valley.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10382626744/" title="Lake in the mountains, near Dalat, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2805/10382626744_7d820ac6bb_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Lake in the mountains, near Dalat, Vietnam"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10382622754/" title="Climbing to the clouds, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5538/10382622754_7d6c318cae_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Climbing to the clouds, Vietnam"></a>

On an awful potholed, steep, rocky, unforgivingly bumpy road just south of Krong No I saw a thick dark snake cross in front of me, nearly spanning the width of the road. Things were starting to get very hot and with the roads being ridiculously hard work I was getting rather warm and dehydrated.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10382817563/" title="Apparently a brand new highway, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/10382817563_ce88167907_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Apparently a brand new highway, Vietnam"></a>

My next drink stop in a wooden shack high on a hillside saw me make more new friends, young farmers with some intriguing tattoos, mainly concerning mermaids... I barely had time to cool off before we were downing rice wine and eating spicy lemon chicken together.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10383961225/" title="Another drinking buddy, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2818/10383961225_23d8713fef_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Another drinking buddy, Vietnam"></a>

I had to escape further wine and gambling on games of pool before I was too wasted to ride. Even more dehydrated and half cut I coasted down the mountain to a town apparently fashioned entirely from awkward low walls and sheets of junky scrap metal. I popped into a shop to grab some water, on leaving the shop I saw 8 small faces staring at me over a wall behind which was my bike. I let a few of them have a sit on the bike.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10384000676/" title="Local lads, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3784/10384000676_3eff476250_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Local lads, Vietnam"></a>

The traffic up to Dalat was frustratingly dangerous, mainly thanks to the genocidal drivers of tour vans and enormous coaches. I stopped in the centre of town and took in the sights of chubby sun burned tourists ambling around overcrowded streets. I ate a western style beef burger then grabbed a room at the fairly priced Long Vuong hotel. That evening I went to a massage parlor, where I also got to float about in a Jacuzzi and sweat the filth out in a Steam Room, a highly recommended way to end a days riding in Vietnam.

Day 15 - Dalat to Phan Thiet - King of the Mountain

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10384124633/" title="Cool mid morning riding, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5472/10384124633_54788e6131_b.jpg" width="1024" height="894" alt="Cool mid morning riding, Vietnam"></a>

I had a late start after chatting to a lovely bloke called Simon from England over breakfast. After getting thoroughly drenched in a torrential downpour leaving Dalat I found a fantastic route to Phan Thiet. Miles and miles of quiet, winding, narrow roads of fair quality through dense jungle and isolated settlements.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10384060436/" title="Heading down the mountain, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3665/10384060436_764d61ccf1_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Heading down the mountain, Vietnam"></a>

The weather was great, with a cool breeze and no rain. Not even the heat and traffic of the coastal area I had to get through in the late afternoon could ruin it. Challenging, rewarding, this was to be my favorite riding of the entire adventure. It felt like the valleys were untouched.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10384061725/" title="Lovely bends, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7304/10384061725_2a94d83028_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Lovely bends, Vietnam"></a>

I found an isolated village at the top of the highest peak and had a Coke. Shy locals peered from their work binding stick bundles to see the alien and his craft.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10384260403/" title="More lovely bends, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7437/10384260403_12266d36fc_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="More lovely bends, Vietnam"></a>

The road twisted down for a long time before suddenly I burst out of the jungle into fantastically smooth corners on wide roads in golden forests. Soon I was on flat plains and rice fields, the spread out towns adding to the sense of space I felt after the claustrophobic jungle.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10384290043/" title="Dude near Phan Thiet, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3788/10384290043_0e84512d54_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Dude near Phan Thiet, Vietnam"></a>

It didn't matter what day it was or I where I happened to be, every day I saw big gangs of kids cycling home after school, quite cute really.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10384020856/" title="Cycling kids, everywhere in Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5478/10384020856_fa0e8d5047_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Cycling kids, everywhere in Vietnam"></a>

Some of the boats in the harbor of Phan Thiet were less sea worthy than others.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10384166606/" title="Boats in Pham Thiet harbour, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3796/10384166606_ffaf72553b_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Boats in Pham Thiet harbour, Vietnam"></a>

As with all cities in Vietnam, Phan Thiet was a nightmare to ride through, particularly in fading light. I ended up going too far, all the way to the harbor. A Policeman eagerly helped get me on the road to Mui Ne. I rode into town in darkness, but soon found the recommendable Dragonfly guesthouse. There were lots of tourists around.

Cream-crackered, I went next door for a fresh seafood BBQ fit for Thor himself. A live acoustic band played whatever that genre is that gets played for tourists worldwide. After just two beers I was ready for a walk on the beach and then bed.&#8232;&#8232; The next day I did very little, just walked on the gorgeous beach and checked the bike over.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10384282196/" title="Mui Ne beach, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7369/10384282196_569097d527_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Mui Ne beach, Vietnam"></a>

Great story and photos, I hope to go there one day!

Great write up!

Thanks for sharing. I have personal connections to Vietnam and some of your pictures nearly made me cry. Again thanks for sharing.

Wow, thanks, well the people were genuinely lovely, and I hope you get to see those connections soon!

Oh, how does one ever forget hwy 9 aka "bloody route 9". Thanks for mention of Camp Carroll which we referred to as "Charlie Charlie". West through the Rock Pile to Khe Sanh, points west and south all serious Indian country. To me it's Hallowed ground.

I signed up...Good RR

Subscrived...

Great ride report!! I'm planning on a trip there in February and this is a huge help, thanks! Any chance of a map to show your rough route ?

Not possible, sorry. And that would ruin half your fun anyway :)
Thanks for the kind words though!

Day 16 - 17 - No riding - some touristy things

Most of the tourist sites around Mui Ne are not worth the time and effort. But I saw a few memorable things -

Lake near a popular local hang out -

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10384394783/" title="Lakes at the white dunes near Mui Ne, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3744/10384394783_78154db8a8_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Lakes at the white dunes near Mui Ne, Vietnam"></a>


Mui Ne Harbor -

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10384242025/" title="Mui Ne harbour, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2883/10384242025_11efc1f560_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Mui Ne harbour, Vietnam"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10384230985/" title="Sorting fish in the morning sun, Mui Ne, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2859/10384230985_32f8365900_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Sorting fish in the morning sun, Mui Ne, Vietnam"></a>


Mui Ne Market -

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/105997606@N06/10384435993/" title="Mui Ne market, Vietnam by rolandeshaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3697/10384435993_69240a09e2_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Mui Ne market, Vietnam"></a>

Thanks so much for your RR to a place many of us will probably never go to.
The country looks very beautiful and the people as well.....gotta love those sun
hats they wear - so simple, yet very light and functional.
Can you please stop posting so many food pics, I was getting peckish every time
I came back to your thread.

Never