Vu Linh (day 15)

Our hosts provided crepe pancakes and preserves, with tea and packet-coffee to start the day. S took us further down the road, briefly along Ba Be lake shore, before following a narrow valley with small farming plots. The locals were getting the fields prepared for the planting after lunar new years.

Our path followed a meandering creek. Thankfully S warned us we'd be crossing it a few times, so A put on his rain pants after the other day's water crossing antics. Majority of the ford's were shallow and quick. However, there were two that involved riding partially upstream. About 3-feet deep! S misjudged one crossing and both he and J were drenched, and had water logged boots... A opted for a less immersive crossing a few meters back. Waterlogged passports probably aren't the best 🤔 Luckily it was a dry warm day, so J didn't stay too wet for too long. Though his boots were another story 👢😔

Eventually we merged with the main road, then meandered back onto smaller concrete roads. The highlight of the day was a chiseled pathway that followed a small river in a tight canyon; very reminiscent of the Othello tunnels near Hope BC, but on a much smaller and less rugged scale.

By noon, we arrived in Ngoc Hoi where we fueled up, then stopped for a drink. We ended up having lunch there as well; greasy fries and fried chicken. I don't think the fryer temperature was hot enough. Not our ideal lunch, but a nice change from the usual. The remainder of the day was mostly broken-asphalt and dusty roads, with the occasional trail shortcut to the next valley. This region has lots pomelo and orange orchards! Our afternoon water break at a small store was entertaining, as the two middle age ladies were very amused by us tourists, as they've never seen any 😎

By late afternoon we arrived near Ho Thuy Dien Thac Ba lake, and the evening homestay.

Cozy room with good AC. Water ran dry at the end of the second shower. Turns out they have a cistern and it takes a while to replenish from the well 🙃

Dinner was delicious. The owner of the homestay joined us too. Lots of apple flavoured rice wine shots. 🍏🍷😋

Another Vietnamese family staying here joined us for a brief visit. Conversation enjoyable as the English was very good. Their eleven year old daughter was very social. She was very curious about our travels, Canada and its weather.

Today's ride, 5hrs for 150km 😎
https://calimoto.com/calimotour/t-HwgHIkceFmRead more