Tan Son to Ta Xau

Awoken by the drums and trumpets, I peered out the third floor window, to see the funeral procession walking past, up the steep road. The brightly coloured coffin held aloft by mourners was in stark contrast to the grey miserable day. Looking down to the entrance, the shiny tiles told me all I needed to know, Wet weather gear today. 

I paid the guy in reception, who had spent the entire time on a mattress covered with a blanked, only standing to deal with their only customer. It was 500,000 Viet Dollars, which sounds a lot, but its actually about £7.50. You can’t put your tent up in a muddy, cabbage smelling field for that in the Uk and you’d not get free WiFi.

On the bike, headed out of town, I searched for somewhere to eat and drink.  The only place open had a hotdog sausage and no bread. The coffee was the local stuff that tastes gritty.

I had two options, a relatively short ride of 97km or a longer, 247km, scenic route including a ferry crossing. I would decide at the point where the two routes separated. That decission came up in less than an hour, I wanted more time on the bike and who doesn’t love a ferry crossing?

The music in the video is apt, as I was on my way to happiness. As I rode up into the North, closing in on the Chinese border, the sun made an appearance and I was drying out.

I was in a nice flow on lovely little back roads. I was having so much fun I even found a few miles of off road. I just went and played on the trails for half an hour before heading back to the same start point. That’s when you know you’re having fun.

Then as I neared the end a 10km steep climb up through the clouds. I got a few glimpses of the clouds and sun. Then all of a sudden this clearing in the middle of roadworks gave me the opportunity to grab three photos before the sun set.

The lodge I was staying in looked amazing all modern lodges with double glazing. The lad at reception had no clue and no interest in my booking. He rang someone who must have told him to look on my phone and see how much I was paying. Clearly not enough for the nice lodges.

By the time the bike was unloaded it was dark and misty. I walked to the row of roadside cafes but none were open. Eventually a nice guy showed me a resteraunt on Google maps. I rode there and chose from the limited menu. Cabbage salad and fries. It was really good food.