Travel Story: russell cook - vietnam
Mai Chau – Tan Ky: 290 Km the lane
Through rice paddies for about 5km before about
10km of dirt. Dirt was easy but fun. Then 60km of
twisty road before a coffee stop. After morning tea,
40km of local village roads till lunch. Woo hoo - we
did the bamboo floating bridge. Lou had a small off
changing lanes. Was cool and very noisy riding on
the bamboo. We bounced all over the place. Luckily
I didn't get chance to look at the gaps in the
bamboo till I walked back for photos. After lunch
about 160km at quite a fast pace for Vietnam
70-90kmh. Lots of trucks on our side of the road as
they overtake slower scooters in their lane. About
5min from afternoon tea break we spot a totally
naked man pushing his push bike up a hill, despite
lots of other people and kids around. I thought we
should dress to match but when he runs fully into in a manner reminiscent of Brian and the hermit
from the Life of Brian I realise, he’s not your normal
local and decide we’re better off clothed.
Coffee was Vietnamese black coffee with ice cubes.
Yum.
Last 90kmh to Tan Ky. Got here about 445pm. A
good days run. Jazmin did very well in her riding and
in doing the 300km day with varying surfaces
including the bamboo bridge. Her biggest ever –
very impressed. Off to dinner about 730pm. Had
omelette, crispy pork, whole whitebait and stewed
fish and rice. With Vietnam style sauce and a wasabi
oyster sauce. Fish was nice but too many bones.
Whitebait was very strong. Wasabi was nice, very