Today is my birthday!
yeah
I will be in search of ice cream after writing this post.
The road to here has been different. It reminds me a bit of Texas, very dry desert and with lots of scrub and even some cactus. I know, I never would have guessed that Vietnam had cactus. There aren't many trees and only a few hills so the wind is extraordinary, I almost got blown off the bike. Really. But I think it is getting more lush. There are more trees and fewer cows or goats.
Did you know that goats will try to eat all of your baggage. It is true. One goat thought my bag was so delicious he followed me along for two kilometers.
Oh and by the way I reached over 1,500 km in Vietnam. wow.
I also experienced the most interesting bathroom yet. It was a pretty standard bathroom, what made it interesting was the large spider on the wall. It was just sitting there, and since I really had to go, I did. The spider didn't move, so I decided that it wasn't dangerous, just kinky.
And then about 10 km later, a butterfly hit me. Yeah. Who knew they could be so vicious. I was just riding my bike, minding my own business, when a butterfly fluttered along. Then it hit me, and fluttered on by. I was stunned.
However I am currently in a very happy mood, because there was a fruit stand with avocados, and I'm going to get some ice-cream, and maybe find a nice restaurant for dinner.
Till I post again, be good, be happy, and have fun.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Friday, April 6, 2007
decisions
I've made up my mind. I'm going to continue to bike to Saigon, then bike to Cambodia, Laos etc. I think it is best, because the thought of getting on a bus here is kinda scary, and this is supposed to be a bike trip.
I stocked up in NaTreng, and even went to the beach for a few minutes. I was surrounded by hawkers selling everything from sarongs to massages to baubles and to be honest, the beach cafe on the side of the road was better. But I did go on a major shopping spree, got antiseptic ointment in case I fall off my bike again, spf 81 sunscreen (I hope this helps) and various other needful things.
The way to NaTreng was pretty interesting. Mostly hilly (up,up,up, down,down,down, flat,flat,flat, up,up,up, down,down,down, flat,flat,flat etc.etc.)but there was a beautiful cafe right on a beach with small fishing boats, that I had to stop and take a break at. And the view! up up up and then seeing the white rocks emerge from turquoise water. wow.
That is one of the reasons I don't make very good time. For example the coffee shops/cafes here can be very beautiful. They are large, have lots and lots of plants and even a fountain or fish pond.There was one that looked especially cool. (literally, cool and breezy, with lots of flowering plants in terra cotta planters.) I decided to take a break. I get my orange juice followed by several boys. I'm tired so I don't really want to deal. But I smile anyway. They huddle and wisper. Now, I know that you know, when several boys start to wisper and huddle, it usually means trouble. I think to my self, oh no. Then one boy breaks off from the group and runs inside. I start to worry. He comes back with a dictionary. We go back and forth with the dictionary teaching each other new words. It was fun, and when I left one of the boys helped me get rid of a spider that wanted to stow away on board my bike.
I don't really want to quit.
Till I post again, be good, be happy, and have fun.
I stocked up in NaTreng, and even went to the beach for a few minutes. I was surrounded by hawkers selling everything from sarongs to massages to baubles and to be honest, the beach cafe on the side of the road was better. But I did go on a major shopping spree, got antiseptic ointment in case I fall off my bike again, spf 81 sunscreen (I hope this helps) and various other needful things.
The way to NaTreng was pretty interesting. Mostly hilly (up,up,up, down,down,down, flat,flat,flat, up,up,up, down,down,down, flat,flat,flat etc.etc.)but there was a beautiful cafe right on a beach with small fishing boats, that I had to stop and take a break at. And the view! up up up and then seeing the white rocks emerge from turquoise water. wow.
That is one of the reasons I don't make very good time. For example the coffee shops/cafes here can be very beautiful. They are large, have lots and lots of plants and even a fountain or fish pond.There was one that looked especially cool. (literally, cool and breezy, with lots of flowering plants in terra cotta planters.) I decided to take a break. I get my orange juice followed by several boys. I'm tired so I don't really want to deal. But I smile anyway. They huddle and wisper. Now, I know that you know, when several boys start to wisper and huddle, it usually means trouble. I think to my self, oh no. Then one boy breaks off from the group and runs inside. I start to worry. He comes back with a dictionary. We go back and forth with the dictionary teaching each other new words. It was fun, and when I left one of the boys helped me get rid of a spider that wanted to stow away on board my bike.
I don't really want to quit.
Till I post again, be good, be happy, and have fun.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Christine the red nosed human, had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it, you could even say it glows.
I have problems.
As you can guess by the title, one of the problems is the sun. I'm beginning to resemble my grandmother's patchwork quilt, I keep burning and peeling. I even got blisters on my thighs. Plus the heat, it is so bad. I met another cyclist on the road, he was a young guy from the Netherlands, and I didn't feel so bad when he mentioned the heat the first thing. ( he was trying to do 110 km a day, was really decked out, even had the front wheel bags and gloves, the whole nine yards)
I'm hoping that in Na Trang (a beach town) I can get some stronger sunscreen. I'm really starting to worry a bit.
Which leads me to my second problem. Every other day I want to just quit. (thanks Joe, for the pick me up) Don't get me wrong, Vietnam is beautiful, China was beautiful. I want to see Laos, I like seeing the world roll by, farmers stopping in the field to wave hello, school girls in their white uniform laughing and shouting and flying a red kite, rice drying gold on the side of the road, a french colonial house set back and painted an impossible pink, drinking sugar cane juice from a stand on the side of the road, under a broad leafed shade tree. Not things for the tourist books or postcards, but still, they make the trip worthwhile. (although I have been known to take a break and 'forget' to lock the bike in the hopes it might get stolen, giving me a face saving way out)
And for me it is the journey, not the destination that is important. Which leads me to my third problem. Hue really did a number on my budget. I have a few options, I can get money sent again, I can change my route and go from Na Trang to Laos, from Laos to Thailand, Thailand to Cambodia, Cambodia back to Thailand, Thailand to Malaysia, Malaysia to Singapore. There are a couple of problems with this plan. One is that I won't get to see most of southern Vietnam. Two is that I will have to back track and go over the same route in Cambodia. I could also just go through Cambodia and skip Laos, but since Laos is one of my favorite countries here I really don't want to do that.
I stare at the map as if it had answers. I don't know why, it isn't that good a map anyway.
I'll probably stick to the original "plan" if you can call it that, and get money sent. I want to splurge on the mineral mud bath massage in Na Treng, and I want to take a detour into Dalat.
This trip although not exactly meticulously planned, is going to take a wee bit longer and cost a wee bit more than originally anticipated.
I'll figure it out. Meanwhile, there is a beautiful coffee shop right on the ocean, calling my name.
So, till I post again, be good, be happy, and have fun.
I have problems.
As you can guess by the title, one of the problems is the sun. I'm beginning to resemble my grandmother's patchwork quilt, I keep burning and peeling. I even got blisters on my thighs. Plus the heat, it is so bad. I met another cyclist on the road, he was a young guy from the Netherlands, and I didn't feel so bad when he mentioned the heat the first thing. ( he was trying to do 110 km a day, was really decked out, even had the front wheel bags and gloves, the whole nine yards)
I'm hoping that in Na Trang (a beach town) I can get some stronger sunscreen. I'm really starting to worry a bit.
Which leads me to my second problem. Every other day I want to just quit. (thanks Joe, for the pick me up) Don't get me wrong, Vietnam is beautiful, China was beautiful. I want to see Laos, I like seeing the world roll by, farmers stopping in the field to wave hello, school girls in their white uniform laughing and shouting and flying a red kite, rice drying gold on the side of the road, a french colonial house set back and painted an impossible pink, drinking sugar cane juice from a stand on the side of the road, under a broad leafed shade tree. Not things for the tourist books or postcards, but still, they make the trip worthwhile. (although I have been known to take a break and 'forget' to lock the bike in the hopes it might get stolen, giving me a face saving way out)
And for me it is the journey, not the destination that is important. Which leads me to my third problem. Hue really did a number on my budget. I have a few options, I can get money sent again, I can change my route and go from Na Trang to Laos, from Laos to Thailand, Thailand to Cambodia, Cambodia back to Thailand, Thailand to Malaysia, Malaysia to Singapore. There are a couple of problems with this plan. One is that I won't get to see most of southern Vietnam. Two is that I will have to back track and go over the same route in Cambodia. I could also just go through Cambodia and skip Laos, but since Laos is one of my favorite countries here I really don't want to do that.
I stare at the map as if it had answers. I don't know why, it isn't that good a map anyway.
I'll probably stick to the original "plan" if you can call it that, and get money sent. I want to splurge on the mineral mud bath massage in Na Treng, and I want to take a detour into Dalat.
This trip although not exactly meticulously planned, is going to take a wee bit longer and cost a wee bit more than originally anticipated.
I'll figure it out. Meanwhile, there is a beautiful coffee shop right on the ocean, calling my name.
So, till I post again, be good, be happy, and have fun.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
back in the saddle again
It felt sooooo good to finally leave Hue, and be back on my bike. For the first couple of hours. It dawned on me that I probably should have ridden my bike a bit more. Then I got sunburned, despite spf 30 sunscreen. I was wearing my new shorts, and my poor thighs haven't seen the sun in a long time. They were a wee bit ill prepared.
There were hills and mountains as well. The first mountain pass was fairly easy, and pretty small and short. The second mountain pass was a bit more steep, but it didn't last that long. The third mountain pass was more difficult and a bit higher and steeper. When I got to Lang Co, I decided to stop. It is a beach resort town, but I really didn't want to sit in any more sun. I'm a bit, how can I put it, not too happy with sunshine right now. I sat on the balcony of my hotel and watched the world go by instead. There was no electricity again, I think it its a nation wide problem.
I'm so glad I waited till morning to start the last mountain pass to get to DaNang. It reminded me of the mountain that wouldn't' end in China. Only this one did end. Apparently I'm inspiring to a couple from Chicago. They couldn't get over that I was doing this by myself. That made me feel good. Especially since on the way up the mountain I didn't get any spectacular views, because that morning it was spectacularly foggy.
On the away down I did get a glimpse of the bay surrounded by the fog shrouded mountain. It was worth the trip.
I then headed out of Da Nang, and on to Hoi An. I thought Hoi An was on Hwy 1, but again, I was wrong.
But I now know how to get to Hwy 1, my hotel has a deck overlooking the river (and I'm about to go and have a coffee there after I post this) and I had a wonderful fried noodle w/pumpkin for dinner.
Life is ok.
Till I post again, be good, be happy, and have fun
There were hills and mountains as well. The first mountain pass was fairly easy, and pretty small and short. The second mountain pass was a bit more steep, but it didn't last that long. The third mountain pass was more difficult and a bit higher and steeper. When I got to Lang Co, I decided to stop. It is a beach resort town, but I really didn't want to sit in any more sun. I'm a bit, how can I put it, not too happy with sunshine right now. I sat on the balcony of my hotel and watched the world go by instead. There was no electricity again, I think it its a nation wide problem.
I'm so glad I waited till morning to start the last mountain pass to get to DaNang. It reminded me of the mountain that wouldn't' end in China. Only this one did end. Apparently I'm inspiring to a couple from Chicago. They couldn't get over that I was doing this by myself. That made me feel good. Especially since on the way up the mountain I didn't get any spectacular views, because that morning it was spectacularly foggy.
On the away down I did get a glimpse of the bay surrounded by the fog shrouded mountain. It was worth the trip.
I then headed out of Da Nang, and on to Hoi An. I thought Hoi An was on Hwy 1, but again, I was wrong.
But I now know how to get to Hwy 1, my hotel has a deck overlooking the river (and I'm about to go and have a coffee there after I post this) and I had a wonderful fried noodle w/pumpkin for dinner.
Life is ok.
Till I post again, be good, be happy, and have fun
Monday, March 26, 2007
leaving
Well, apparently my visa will be ready tomorrow morning. I mailed my winter clothes ( it cost more than I thought it would) to Aunt Veda, got my bike fixed up (it cost less than I thought it would, but not enough to make up for the mail) sewed the rips in my bike bag, and started the packing.
I did meet two interesting young women, who were here on a Buddhist pilgrimage. We are going to meet later, I can't wait to hear about their adventure.
I can't wait to get started again.
I know that sometimes it is a bit boring, and sometimes it is hard, and many times I want to quit, and I whine about the b.s. But.
I can't wait to get started again, see Da Nang, see some of the coast line.
Till I post again, be good, be happy and have fun.
I did meet two interesting young women, who were here on a Buddhist pilgrimage. We are going to meet later, I can't wait to hear about their adventure.
I can't wait to get started again.
I know that sometimes it is a bit boring, and sometimes it is hard, and many times I want to quit, and I whine about the b.s. But.
I can't wait to get started again, see Da Nang, see some of the coast line.
Till I post again, be good, be happy and have fun.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
hey
The word is Wednesday morning. I will get my visa on Wednesday. It is for Vietnam, and I really really feel frustrated. But. I will go on, and Damn It, I am going to Singapore.
I think I might have to rush through Cambodia though, but that is ok, according to my map, the road from Kratie to Strung Treng is "interesting"
I'll see when I get there, and since I have to go the rest of the way through Vietnam, and get the new visas in Saigon (for Cambodia and Laos),
I'm not quite sure why I'm doing this.
Till I post again, be good, be happy, and have fun.
I think I might have to rush through Cambodia though, but that is ok, according to my map, the road from Kratie to Strung Treng is "interesting"
I'll see when I get there, and since I have to go the rest of the way through Vietnam, and get the new visas in Saigon (for Cambodia and Laos),
I'm not quite sure why I'm doing this.
Till I post again, be good, be happy, and have fun.
Friday, March 23, 2007
sigh
I'm still in Hue
I can't go to another town and have them send my passport because I need the visa for the hotels.
I can't hurry the government. (and since I offered to pay even more for a hurry-up and she said it was impossible, I tend to believe her more that it really is a government thing and not a fraud thing)
The electricity keeps going off in my neighborhood.
I don't want to see another pagoda.
I am obviously not a "good" tourist. I find most of the touristy sites to be profoundly boring. But I thought some of the dusty not on the map towns to be pretty interesting.
My front tire has another flat, but I think I'll wait till Monday to fix that and mail my winter clothes.
On the bright side:
I found a restaurant that has a beautiful avocado salad. I love avocado.
The riverfront park is beautiful. I like sitting by the river, watching it lazily meander downstream while on the bridge everyone is hurrying and scurrying across.
Till I post again be good, be happy, and have fun.
I can't go to another town and have them send my passport because I need the visa for the hotels.
I can't hurry the government. (and since I offered to pay even more for a hurry-up and she said it was impossible, I tend to believe her more that it really is a government thing and not a fraud thing)
The electricity keeps going off in my neighborhood.
I don't want to see another pagoda.
I am obviously not a "good" tourist. I find most of the touristy sites to be profoundly boring. But I thought some of the dusty not on the map towns to be pretty interesting.
My front tire has another flat, but I think I'll wait till Monday to fix that and mail my winter clothes.
On the bright side:
I found a restaurant that has a beautiful avocado salad. I love avocado.
The riverfront park is beautiful. I like sitting by the river, watching it lazily meander downstream while on the bridge everyone is hurrying and scurrying across.
Till I post again be good, be happy, and have fun.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)