Cycling to Nha Trang - it sounded good at the time!
The first day involved an earlier start leaving the comfort of our hotel and breakfast at 07.30. Gurn and Juan picked us up and drove out of the city so we could start peddling. It was probably the best day for weather so far and we knew it would be hot. On the first day we covered 50 km in small stints, resting every hour or so to take on water and get some feeling back into our bottoms. The views as we coasted down the mountains were spectacular and when we went through the rural villages children shouted "hello' to us. We replied by shouting 'hello' or 'Sin Jow' (Vietnamese for hello) which made them giggle and smile.
Finally we arrived at a minority village near Lak and settled down for the night. We had a bottle of Dalat wine over dinner and ate plenty while trying to move in our chairs to get comfortable! Our accommodation that night was a homestay and by 8:15 we were in bed. We slept in a local village hut with four mattresses (with mosquito nets) and an outside loo. Basic but we didn't care and could have slept anywhere after the exhausting day.
The next morning we were woken by a cockerel and a chainsaw around 6am! By the time we got up around 06:45 most the village was active. Feeling 'refreshed' we headed to the restaurant where we'd had dinner last night. Prior to tucking into breakfast (noddles and vegetables) we had an elephant ride planned. Mia, the elephant arrived and we plodded around the village and then went across the lake! The lake was quite deep (2m) and Mia used her trunk to feel the ground in front before bringing it up to the surface, spraying the water out. The most bizarre thing we've done but definitely an amazing experience.
After breakfast we drove to the outskirts to continue our cycling. We weren't looking forward to getting back on the saddles and as soon as we rested our weight on them we knew why! Again the weather was perfect - another hot day. On our second day we managed 40km mostly on the flat (one big hill) and took in the incredible views again. We decided that Vietnam is the most beautiful country we've been to so far and will definitely be coming back one day. We finished the cycling 45km from Nha Trang due to the traffic getting busier. As Juan was packing up the bikes Gurn took us to Noi Quy which was a hot spring in the mountains. The water was like a really hot bath, in some places too hot to put your hand in to test the temperature. We soaked our feet but we really wanted to get in to relax our tired bodies.
Arriving into Nha Trang by minibus we found our hotel and had a quick shower as Gurn and Juan waited. We promised them dinner before they left so they took us to local place away from the tourist area. We had several beers, baby squid and cockels - Rach had noodles with mixed vegetables and beer! The restaurant was on the seafront and displayed the catches of the day in large tanks. A great finish to the day. Gurn and Juan dropped us off at the hotel before heading home and we said our farewells. Both of them, especially Gurn had made our time in Dalat really memorable.
Before heading to bed we bumped into an Irish guy we'd met in Dalat and decided to go for 'one for the road.' Three hours later (it was a long road) we returned to our room and collapsed.
Tomorrow we plan to relax in Nha Trang before making our way up the coast to Hoi An.
Lots of love to everyone.
Mark & Rach. xxx
The first day involved an earlier start leaving the comfort of our hotel and breakfast at 07.30. Gurn and Juan picked us up and drove out of the city so we could start peddling. It was probably the best day for weather so far and we knew it would be hot. On the first day we covered 50 km in small stints, resting every hour or so to take on water and get some feeling back into our bottoms. The views as we coasted down the mountains were spectacular and when we went through the rural villages children shouted "hello' to us. We replied by shouting 'hello' or 'Sin Jow' (Vietnamese for hello) which made them giggle and smile.
Finally we arrived at a minority village near Lak and settled down for the night. We had a bottle of Dalat wine over dinner and ate plenty while trying to move in our chairs to get comfortable! Our accommodation that night was a homestay and by 8:15 we were in bed. We slept in a local village hut with four mattresses (with mosquito nets) and an outside loo. Basic but we didn't care and could have slept anywhere after the exhausting day.
The next morning we were woken by a cockerel and a chainsaw around 6am! By the time we got up around 06:45 most the village was active. Feeling 'refreshed' we headed to the restaurant where we'd had dinner last night. Prior to tucking into breakfast (noddles and vegetables) we had an elephant ride planned. Mia, the elephant arrived and we plodded around the village and then went across the lake! The lake was quite deep (2m) and Mia used her trunk to feel the ground in front before bringing it up to the surface, spraying the water out. The most bizarre thing we've done but definitely an amazing experience.
After breakfast we drove to the outskirts to continue our cycling. We weren't looking forward to getting back on the saddles and as soon as we rested our weight on them we knew why! Again the weather was perfect - another hot day. On our second day we managed 40km mostly on the flat (one big hill) and took in the incredible views again. We decided that Vietnam is the most beautiful country we've been to so far and will definitely be coming back one day. We finished the cycling 45km from Nha Trang due to the traffic getting busier. As Juan was packing up the bikes Gurn took us to Noi Quy which was a hot spring in the mountains. The water was like a really hot bath, in some places too hot to put your hand in to test the temperature. We soaked our feet but we really wanted to get in to relax our tired bodies.
Arriving into Nha Trang by minibus we found our hotel and had a quick shower as Gurn and Juan waited. We promised them dinner before they left so they took us to local place away from the tourist area. We had several beers, baby squid and cockels - Rach had noodles with mixed vegetables and beer! The restaurant was on the seafront and displayed the catches of the day in large tanks. A great finish to the day. Gurn and Juan dropped us off at the hotel before heading home and we said our farewells. Both of them, especially Gurn had made our time in Dalat really memorable.
Before heading to bed we bumped into an Irish guy we'd met in Dalat and decided to go for 'one for the road.' Three hours later (it was a long road) we returned to our room and collapsed.
Tomorrow we plan to relax in Nha Trang before making our way up the coast to Hoi An.
Lots of love to everyone.
Mark & Rach. xxx
Wow! what an incredible experience! The picture of you two on the elephant is incredible, as daddy will say - thats one for the stairs!
ReplyDeleteVietnam sounds awesome, and it is so good that you guys have been able to experience some of the best parts of it!
Hope your bottoms have recovered ok - Do they not sell gel padded shorts in little villages in Vietnam - shocking!!Rachel you should have known better after we could hardly walk after a 3 mile bike ride!
Glad to hear that you are having such an incredible time!
Take care
Love you lots
xxxx
Ha ha!! That road is always a long one isn't it!!
ReplyDeleteThe elephant ride looked and sounded fantastic...not sure about the cycling though...you must be mad!!! So glad that you're enjoying it all and loved the pictures.
All is good here, off shopping with Ellen for a wedding and christening outfit this afternoon...
Take care,
The Emblings xxx
Looking good....hats suit you!
ReplyDeleteWhat about the elephant ears - how cool are they....I approve of te safer activities!
A few beers and one for the road.....home from home,
Lots of love xxx