Day 14 Vietnam Motorbike Tour

This morning I woke up to cackling chickens (where were the roosters)? Wasn’t quite as early either. Had breakfast and hit the road around 8:30. I have not commented on the livestock along the road. Wether it is cows, chickens or dogs, they all seem to know they are suppose to yield to oncoming motorbikes. I assume with a million driving by everyday they catch on quick.

We ran into a light rain which made or pants and coats dirty. Especially when you met the big trucks. You can see from the picture above I am wet and dirty. We traveled 170 miles today. The light rain eventually stopped and I dried out. I have traveled around 1,100 miles on the bike – which is about halfway. Astonishingly, I have no aches and pains and am still enjoying the trek. I still can’t believe I am actually here.

Shortly after lunch we got on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. This is a well travel road simular to one you would see in the US. It was used in the war to transport supplies to the Vietnam troops. As I traveled along, I wondered if the ammunition that killed Craig Rich from my home town of Brighton, Iowa traveled on this road. I remember receiving news of his death. If the war wouldn’t have ended, there is a chance I would have had to go to Vietnam.

We were now traveling around 55 miles per hour and arrived at Tan Ky around 3:00 PM. We were both ready to climb off the bikes. It is currently 75 degrees.

So what am I missing? My lovley wife is first on the list. My cute girls and all my great friends. I am craving chocolate – especially chocolate milk. There is no milk in Vietnam. It is hard to find bread. A good bowl of popcorn would tatse good as well. Also, I can’t wait to check into the Park Hyatt in Ho Chi Minh City for a night of luxury!

I have learned how to pass people on the road, eat the food and all the other weird little things along the way. Each hotel has the same shower setup, a single air conditioner (with a remote) and maybe a towel if you are lucky. The beds are very hard and normally there are no box srpings. (Now you know why the Park Hyatt sounds so good)!

Went out for dinner and had fried rice. Will be looking forward to tomorrow. Lights out!