More journeying

Well, yesterday we arrived in Hoi An after coming the long way round from Hue, by motorbike over two days. We booked with a company called Hue Adventures, who are a couple of awesome lads with a good eye for detail and great motorbike technique. We were collected, to the amusement of our hotel staff, early in the morning and all our gear was packed in weatherproof bags and strapped on the bikes. Then we got on, and away we went, out f Hue heading for the Ho Chi Minh trail.  But to get there we had to navigate roadworks, but not as we know them, Jim! Calf-high orange mud, - thank goodness for the blue wet weather gear and wellies provided by Top and Tim. 10 ks of that, took about an hour, but that was after our first stop which was at a roadside stand where coffee was served  and also jackfruit off the tree as we sat there. Then a short walk to a fabulous waterfall pool where we had a swim. Back on the bikes, the mud mentioned earlier, then lunch at a cafe in a village -totally delicious food. Then more riding - frequent stops to " stretch our bums" and a visit to an ethnic minority village. This group worships Ho Chi Minh, and like other minority groups in Vietnam receives free education and medical assistance , which is not the case for the rest of Vietnamese people.pay for everything - not what one expects in a communist state ........

One of the many things which was amusing is the concept f free range livestock  - cows, buffalo, dogs all just plonk in the middle of the road if so inclined, and do not move for traffic. Careful negotiating round calves, piglets, chooks!

 The jungle looks not unlike NZ bush, when you look at the mountains. Very green and way more lush but not unfamiliar. That was a surprise. We stayed overnight in a very nice guest house in Prao up in the mountains. The owners made a delicious meal, and we pottered about exploring a bit before dinner.

Next morning off by 8 to drive the rest of the distance to Hue, with some more exploring. We have learned a Great deal about life in Vietnam out of the cities thanks to our drivers. We went over the Hai ,Van pass, spectacular views, winding roads. Before coming into danang we drove up to another lookout point whe both French and us troops had built bunkers, and explored there a bit, lunch in danang at a workers cafe -again delicious food and the boys made sure we tried everything. Then to Marble Mountain, where we wimped out and took the lift - well, it was HOT HOT HOT and also mid afternoon! But a beautiful spot. Thn to Hoi An.
We were really impressed with the boys - totally prepared for anything, down to tiger balm patches for a stiff neck! So charming knowledgeable and helpful and above my apprehension vanished the minute we talked to them before the trip. Recommend them highly to anyone wanting an adventure.