Day 11 - to who knows where, with many pictures of plants
I forget many things on these trips because it's such a kaleidoscope of visions. Here's something from a couple of days ago when I went looking for accommodation near Mai Chau. There was a fuel tanker on the road's edge. And then I noticed an oxy setup. There was a fellow welding under the tanker! It would have made a very good photo for the right photographer!
Salubrious accommodation - easy to walk past last night.
It might look like a dive but the management of our hotel take pride in the place. The plants, especially the orchids, make all the difference and attract frogs.
We packed and then walked up the street for coffee and sustenance.
Coffee from an espresso dripped onto condensed milk by a barista who took pride in his work. It comes with a cup of tea! I thought that happened only in Laos!
We got on our way hoping to see a woman selling her fried bananas but she was yet to open. We cruised down the road, crossed the river and checked our directions five times!
We turned right towards the border in this town and started a big climb. The cycling conditions were terrific - light drizzle and cool. As any motorcyclist will tell you: keep away from the painted lines when descending on the wet road. I warned Winston, who reckons they're slicker than owl shit. It's one sad human who knows about the physical properties of owl shit although I've measured the viscosity of chook shit!
After a big climb followed by a descent to a river, the going got easier. There was a lot of gentle up and down through beautiful scenery on a reasonably quiet road. What's more, the roadside was relatively clean. We've already reported piles of garbage. Now let us give credit where it's due: unlike my experience in Indonesia, Vietnam is tackling the problem.
John GrantIt's a big (and expensive) job to set up and maintain a garbage collection system. Credit is due to those communities who tackle the job. Reply to this comment 3 weeks ago
After 55 km I stopped on some steps under an awning for lunch. Almost immediately, a woman came by with a little stool and then a banana. Nearby, was our bicycle of the day and, across the road, a board with more health warnings.
The kms disappeared quickly and I soon rolled into Na Loc, booked into a hotel, washed my clothes and then my body. I asked for things using "translate" and the manager did the same to reply, but in French! Good enough. He even gave us bananas and green tea.
We walked a short way looking for dinner, protected by umbrellas supplied by our host, and got an excellent meal. Restaurateurs are so tolerant of our pantomime and phone translations in attempt to order. Ian asks for something vegetarian, which they try to do, and are usually happy to comply. We've had a terrific day and must not spoil it by misbehaving.
