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Vietnam 2012: “Ten toi la Momi »...made in Italy !
Hellò everybody I’m Maurizio (aka Momi)à Italy
This year for my vacation I chose the Vietnam, country that I’ve missed in 2007 by 100 km ( 62 miles) when I was riding with a little motorbike in Laos http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize51.jpg Why Vietnam ? First of all cause I’ve never been there, that’s always a good reason to visit a country. Further since I was child I was concerned with Vietnam. At the primary school (7 years old) for an italina composition with free title, I chose “The Vietnam War”. It was the 1969 and in 2 weeks I’ve read (on my father’s newspaper) an article about Vietnam War. My teacher wanted to talk with my father that explained that I was a little bit strange kid, quiet, not violent, but very interested to the strategy of the battle and war. The military logistic is for me a science: the war a madness. As most of the people I’ve seen a lot of movies: Apocalipse Now, The Green Berets, The Deer Hunter, Rambo, Hamburger Hill, Platoon, Coming Home ecc... This was probably the first war that came in to houses with real images. Around first days of April I found a very cheap flight Milan-Moscow-Hanoi for 559 €( 717 $) with Aeroflot . I run a little mechanical factory with my brother and so I can decide my week days with him. The problem was to avoid the worst monson days. I decided to start on 19 of May and come back on 13th of June Flight’s ok. Second thing: the bike. On internet I found a very professional agency in Hanoi, that was very helpfull and sent to me a lot of informations. Teh name is Flamingo Travel ( Vietnam Motorbike Rentals, Motorbike Tours Vietnam, Off Road Motorbike Tour, Motorbike Rent Hanoi ) : is a travel agency, that sell air and bus tickets, organizes tours , rent motorbike and also organizes motorbike tours. I chosen a bike very similar to my Suzuki DR 350 the Yamaha Serow 230 cc 21 €/day (28 $/day), 109 kg( 240 pounds) and with a good tank, 10 lt ( 2 gallons) http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize47.jpg Guide book : for a few years I’ve chosen the Footprint. Lucky ther’s the italian translation for Vietnam http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize48.jpg Map: on Amazon I found the Periplus 4,5 € ( 6 $) http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize49.jpg My first idea was to do the North Loop, with Dien Bien Phu, Meo Vac ( on the China border) and Halong Bay. Then ? How the hell could I know ? Maybe try to reach Ho Chi Min City in the south, cause Flamingo Travel was able to organze the drop off : in case of lackness of days is possibile to leave the bike in Ho Chi Min City and get the night train: 36 hours to come back in Hanoi. I’ll see in Vietnam, day by day. I had in mind 2 places: Huè the ancient capital of the Vietnam an the My Lai memorial, where undred of vietnamese civilians were killed by USA marines in 1968. I started from Milano on 19 of May and landed in Hanoi on 20th of May. I’ve ridden with the motorbike from 22th of May to 12th of June for 6.232 km ( 3.872 miles). This is my route...more or less: I didn’t use any GPS. http://i41.servimg.com/u/f41/13/01/39/46/vietna10.jpg Expenses Vietnam Visa (made at the Hanoi Airport) -------------------38€ = 50 $ Milan-Hanoi flight (Aeroflot)--------------------------------------559€= 717 $ Motorbike rent (22 days)------------------------------------------472€= 605$ Travel insurance (england company on line)-----------------95€= 121 $ Food, accomodations, gas, souvenir ecc (in Vietnam)----470€= 603$ Flamingo Travel sent to me pics and mesurement of saddle bags, so I decided to use my light backpack of Ferrino top ut on the rack: they also provide the helmet. In this way I could start with less than 10 kg ( 22 pounds) of luggage http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize53.jpg my gym buddy the Beuto is always my personal chauffeur to reach train station or airport http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize54.jpg the Aeroflot’s menù was excellent http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize55.jpg I landed in Hanoi at 8.00 am. How reach the hostel ? By taxi ? Mhh too easy: try with local transports. Just outside the airport I get the bus 17 http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize56.jpg on the last stop the bridge that bring you to Hanoi is forbidden to pedestrians so I agree with a man on motorbike that for 0,77€= 1 $ bring me and my rucksack to the hostel http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize58.jpg 3,66 €/night( 4,69$/night), 6 bed dormitory, with breakfast and free beer in the afternoon (www.hostelworld.com) ...and just 60 mt ( 66 yards) from Flamingo Travel office http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize59.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize60.jpg I want to emphasize that the owner Mr Hung Nguyen was very helpfull, even during the trip: very professional also. Settled the rent contract, deposit and signed documents I started to visit Hanoi by foot. The capital is known as City of Lakes, so what’s better than Hoan Kiem Lake to begin ? http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize10.gif http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize63.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize64.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize65.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize68.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize67.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize66.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize69.jpg Ahh finally I could see the ceremony in that asian people show to divinities their detachment from material goods: they burn money ! Ok they are false bills, but doesn’t matter. Divinities dont know bills: brilliant idea. http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize70.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize71.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resize72.jpg |
Looks like an awesome trip. Thanks for sharing.
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+1 fabulous photos thank you:thumbup1:
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May 22th: I wake up very early but it’s raining. Ok breakfast http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz122.jpg after this the rain stops, but the sky remain dark and stormy. I fix my luggage and I’m ready to go. Direction is west. http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz123.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz124.jpg ohh a Golf Club http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz125.jpg always delicious the juice from sugar cane http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz126.jpg the landscape begins to change http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz127.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz128.jpg the sky is always dark but I begin to see a lot of bikers that stop to wear rain clothes...it’s better do the same thing, even if isn’t raining. I learn that time noise from sky and rain is very short in Vietnam, but nobody refuses to take refuge from the rain. I had a stop in to a gas station http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz129.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz130.jpg sometimes the rain makes streets into little river and that remind me the road Manali – Leh in India http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz131.jpg in the North of Vietnam there are a lot of monuments in USSR style http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz132.jpg around night I reach Son La that became my first stop in Vietnam. To sleep in Vietnam you can find two kind of accomodation. The hotel named khách sạn and the guest house (cheaper) nha nghi: both take care of your motorbike and put it directly in the hall. http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz133.jpg The room is around 4 €= 5 $ After a quick shower I walked along the main road...ok every Vietnam city has a very big big central road and as in the former USSR cities that’s all. Right and left hotel, shops and restaurants. The owner was very happy to have a foreign client http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz134.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz135.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz136.jpg the food was excelent..this cats which I had given food are still alive http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz137.jpg http://i41.servimg.com/u/f41/13/01/39/46/vietna12.jpg This morning I’d like to reach Dien Bien Phu, where in the 1954 came the big victory of the Viet Minh Army on the French Army and put an end to the Indocina War that has begun in the 1946: to know more please click on this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Indochina_War http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz139.jpg a very important thing. When you travel and decide to download pics from memory card to your notebook, remember to put again the card in the camera: could be very difficult do it when luggages are fixed on the motorbike http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz140.jpg the Vietnam jam, as in Africa and India is amix of vehicles, people and animals http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz141.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz143.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz142.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz144.jpg sometimes the vegetation has a green really incredible http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz145.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz146.jpg What you can do to dry quickly hay or rice ? Use the spaved road http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz147.jpg ohh the rain: i’m on the road but I see a little stand of fruit and a house, so I drive my motorbike in the backyard http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz148.jpg Is a property of a young guy that works as excavator driver: he has showed to me the operating manual. He’s at home with a friend that’s a teacher. They offered to me tea and fruit http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz149.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz150.jpg I arrived to Dien Bien Phu around 1 ,00 pm and so first I had lunch http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz151.jpg this is a celebration of the victory mhh this staircase remind me Odessa and the Potemkin staircase http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz152.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz153.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz154.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz155.jpg the war cemetery http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz156.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz157.jpg I meet a couple of Belgium tourists and we exchange informations on Vietnam: very intresting population. For one year and half they hadn’t a governement, but the country was going on. I started around 3 pm and I decided to arrive as far as possible: normally is a point that you can’t miss. http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz158.jpg a stop for a drink...and rain again http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz159.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz160.jpg Along the road I bought a pillow from a Guest House. I’m short, but the bike is very little with a hard seat http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz161.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz162.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz163.jpg I reach Lai Chau around 7 pm and just one hotel has a room. First eat, the shower can wait http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz164.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz165.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz166.jpg the hotel has a big dining room with wi-fi free, table football, billiard and a room for the national pastime in Vietnam: the karaoke. Every bar, restaurant , private home has one http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz167.jpg around 2 am it’s enough: and this time the owner stops the people to sing. My room is very large and I could arrange clothes and luggage easily http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz168.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz169.jpg |
wow what a facinating blog!
Great photo's ,text most interesting.i enjoyed it very much.Noel:D
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http://i41.servimg.com/u/f41/13/01/39/46/vietna13.jpg This morning I’ve in mind to reach with a very short distance Sapa, a city that’s a good starting point for some trekking. As in every city here in Vietnam the marketallows you to can see many different physiognomies http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz171.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz172.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz173.jpg from the architectural viewpoint Lai Chau isn’t unforgettable http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz174.jpg just pay attentino to roadsigns and everything goes smoothly http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz175.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz176.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz177.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz178.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz179.jpg No way ! One pillow isn’t enough: my butt is crying (me too). I didn’t see a lot of pillow shops on the roas....ohh it’s a mirage ? No this man sells pillows and sheet !!!!!! Yes: I bought one immediactly and the seller has helped me to fix it over the seat. Double pillow better than one. http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz180.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz181.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz182.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz183.jpg Sapa is on altitude of 1600 mt( 1 miles...as the Denver Broncos Stadium, the Mile High), and during the French occupation became the summer vacation resort of the foreign diplomatics: her weather remind Alpes. http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz184.jpg As in the 2010 in India when I arrived in manali the impressioni s the same: is a city totally full of restaurant souvenir shops, travel agency, england pub, bank, music club in western style...ok nothing wrong with this situation. I’m a tourist as other people and in vacation you’ve got the right to relax, but I don’t need of place like this. I decided to continue and reach Lao Cai a normal Vietnamese city, on the China border. http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz185.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz185.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz186.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz187.jpg Just one problem: I can’t no more read the oil level: the little plastic window is completly dark. A very nice local mechanic called the Flamingo Travel in Hanoi, but read the level remained a mistery: they just said “Stop to put oil !” http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz188.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz189.jpg Lao Cai and ther’s yet sunlight http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz190.jpg …ok I had taken just the picture http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz191.jpg http://laocaistarhotel.com/Accommodation-product.aspx?cate=193 the range is from the Superior room ( 18 €=24$) to Vip Room ( 92€= 118 $). My hotel was 3,12€ =4$ a night. Lao Cai is just a transit city http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz192.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz193.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz194.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz195.jpg dinner http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz196.jpg my hotel room isn’t bad http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz197.jpg In the room I notice a big irritation with a big swelling. When you travel alone, is better to have some medical knoweledge: obviously is a sting. No problem I’ve got the spray, just put a little bit...AAAHHHHHHHH the pain is incredible. It isn’t a sting, but a friction of the sock on the skin...ok the liniment http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz198.jpg |
Vietnam
Bravissimo ,
I have to admit you are doing a really great job , good general explanation about your trip and great pictures too , keep it coming and enjoy it to the fullest. |
I too have enjoyed this episode.
Your problem makes me laugh,I had a ttr250 went on a long trip with my mates on road bikes got to within 250km from home pulled over ,mates stopped asked what i was doing? ,i replied im walking from here my butt is so sore!!!I sold it shortly afterwards brought a varadero which ive had for 12+ years.big bike a little on the heavy side for where you are travelling.Carry on!Noel:D
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Today I’ve planned to reach Ha Giang, a city wehr’s possible get the permit to travel in the North Area of Ha Giang region...it’s easy remember names of region and her capital in Vietnam: it’s the same. The road from Ha Giang to Meo Vac is a dream for a biker. The permit costs around 25 $, I think 10$ every people if you are a bunch of almost 4.
http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz199.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz200.jpg This was my first stop for a coffee http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz201.jpg I’ve never been in a Vietnam “bar” and I remained surprised by the way in that they prepare it. They put the coffee in the “Coffee maker” (made in a light aluminium), then this come on a glass, after hot water and you wait to filter it. Simple but intelligent: this could be a great souvenir. http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz202.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz203.jpg gas station http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz204.jpg gas station’s workers http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz205.jpg gas station’s bathroom http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz206.jpg Could miss a stop due to the rain ? http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz207.jpg Vietnam road accident http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz208.jpg My hotel in Ha Giang: I’m lucky here it’s possibile get the permit http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz209.jpg Dinner http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz210.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz211.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz212.jpg The rice cooker…another candidate as souvenir http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz213.jpg I’ve never seen a hotel where cars and minibus have to cross the reception to go in the parking http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz214.jpg the permit: I can go to sleep http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz215.jpg ohh I’ve got to dry my clotes http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz216.jpg Today is Saturday: I’m going to Meo Vac http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz217.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz218.jpg As I’m going I understand the big difference between landscape in Europe and here. I’m on the mountains, the roads are very similar, good but narrow, but the landscape is something amazing: no pines no fir tree, but jungle. Sometimes I stop the bike just without a reason and I remain to look http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz219.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz220.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz222.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz223.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz224.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz225.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz226.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz227.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz228.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz229.jpg Vietnam-China border http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz230.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz231.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz232.jpg |
Around 1 pm i reach a little city:ok right time toh ave lunch. I’ve got two tin can of fish: if I can find some bread, that’s all I need. Ahh french bread: baguette
http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz233.jpg The city is little, but the Ho Chi Min picture is very large http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz234.jpg along a road I see some big buildings. They looks uninhabitated: a good place to take a rest and eat. Maybe a school or some guid hall. At the moment zero check point: maybe I had could avoid to pay the 25$ permit. http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz235.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz236.jpg voilà baguette avec poisson http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz237.jpg I’m ready to go when appears a men : a keeper ? He cheers to me and then take out a cellphone. I don’t undertand why he’s taking a picture of my bike behind. He calls me pointig at the screen of his cellphone. Probably he likes to show to me the picture. Suddendly I understand that democracy is a little bit far from Vietnam. He has a list of plates, even mine. With the number of the plates of my bike ther’s the date of the permit. How many people are keeping me under surveillance ? http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz238.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz239.jpg I had a stop to take a picture, but I see 2 Black Hmong ( a Vietnam tribe) walking and bringing cattle. I hope to don’t have problems with this wild men: the problems in the comunication can get the encounter very dangerous. I turn with my camera...but they see me. My blood became cold, but they don’t care of me: I’m safe. http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz240.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz241.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz242.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz243.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz244.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz245.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz246.jpg This time no risk with the locals: I use the zoom http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz247.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz248.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz249.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz250.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz251.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz252.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz253.jpg Finally Meo Vac: lucky, a Yamaha service http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz254.jpg To sleep I search in the little city and I meet 4 english bikers that I saw in Ha Giang. Their hotel is the only in the city: others accomodations are Guest House. Reception restaurant...12 $ (9,4 €) for room: Ahhhhhhh After a while I find my place 4$ (3,14 €) for the room. Ok http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz255.jpg The Guest House is run by a family: Father, mother and 4 daughters. The oldest is 14 years old and the mother is 34...ok at the age of 40 in Vietnam you can became grandfather http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz256.jpg The daughter that is 14 years old knows 10 english words, but my phrasebook helps a lot. After a shower I’m back in the hall and I notice the wonderful fish that they cooked for dinner. I point my finger on the fish and on me, to try to ask: “Can you cook one for me ?” They smile and invite me to eat with the family http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz257.jpg My efforts with chopsticks always are fun for asian people..and sometimes a friend of the family looks at me from outside. I could let pay a ticket for the show http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz258.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz259.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz260.jpg this isn’t the fifth daughter, but a friend from Ha Giang http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz261.jpg no way to can pay the dinner: I’m a guest of the family, and so I go to sleep. |
Some video
Despite is Sunday I woke up at 6 am. The sky is cloudy and this is normal in this days, but why should I start today ? Sunday means market and here is right beheind my Guest House. Ok today free day and let’s go to the Meo Vac market. I’m gonig on the right side of the vacation: every day I prpare a schedule that always change. Perfect. At 6,30 am I’m at the market http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz262.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz263.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz264.jpg As in every market/bazar of Asia since the first moment you’re overwhelmed from sounds and colors http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz264.jpg meat..looks fresh http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz265.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz266.jpg cheese http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz267.jpg sweets…mhh this remino me that it’s breakfast time http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz268.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz269.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz270.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz271.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz272.jpg |
two of the england bikers of Ha Giang
http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz273.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz274.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz276.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz277.jpg Life isn’t easy for vietnamese womens. Look at this young mom: she’s breastfeeding and serving clients at the same time. http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz278.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz279.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz280.jpg furtively I tried to take a pic of this two children, but one had seen me and she had coverei the face. Immediately I thought “ very bad pic”, but after a while I changed opinion. One of my best shot . http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz281.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz282.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz283.jpg strange: they are selling gas and in the city there are 2 big gas station: ok it wasn’t gas , but something very similar to italian grappa, a kind of brandy distilled from wine or must. This should be distilled from rice. Vietnam is a great country, you can have an happy hour even before 8 am: I paid and they let me taste it http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz284.jpg cowbells http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz285.jpg How time flies: is noon. Time to lunch http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz286.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz287.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz288.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz289.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz290.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz291.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz292.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz293.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz294.jpg how many crafts you can see http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz295.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz297.jpg I was looking for somebody able to repair my boots, and at my guest house they wrote on a slip the phrase “ I need to repair my boots” in vietnamese http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz298.jpg I found the cobbler, but my boots are too thick for his machine http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz299.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz300.jpg I can try to repair myself: so I bought some superglue for tires Behind the market ther’s a place in that you can buy and sell every kind of animal http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz301.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz302.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz303.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz304.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz305.jpg Back to the Guest House and I can notice that everibody is very busy in preparation of the brunch...ok Vietnam brunch. Remember that today is Sunday http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz306.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz307.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz308.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz309.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz310.jpg They don’t want I help in any way: I’m the guest. Ok I can try to repair my boots: here’s the results http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz312.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz314.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz313.jpg Now I can read my guide, write my daily diary, relax...wrong the children come around me. Ok baby sittering for food ! http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz311.jpg paper and felr-tip pen http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz315.jpg they offered to me fresh fruit: note that even a little children in Vietnam is able to use a big knife http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz316.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz319.jpg they didn’t know the play to paint faces on the fingers http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz317.jpg One of the children showed me her hands: ok picture #1 http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz318.jpg we sat in the hall…20 people more or less..ok this means at least 20 rounds of drinks http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz320.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz321.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz322.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz323.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz324.jpg this is the Guest House owner http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz325.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz326.jpg after the brunch I helped to wash the dishes…every man was looking at me as a man from Mars: I was doing awomen job ! http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz328.jpg |
I relaxed for half hour ( ok I had more than 20 drinks), but the sky wasn’t bad and so I took the bike to go to visit a a little temple on the top of the hill and after I’ve driven out of the city, an the road, without a destination
http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz327.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz329.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz330.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz331.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz332.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz333.jpg finally a city: I don’t know both name and position http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz335.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz336.jpg always pay attentino on the road in Vietnam http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz337.jpg after some hours I was back to Meo Vac http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz338.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz339.jpg After lunch I begin to help with dishes, but the owner grab my arm and shake his head: ok is a women job, and I seat with him in the hall. After a while, in quick succession every children walked through the hall and every children said something to the father. He answered to everyone, always interrupting to read the newspaper. Finally even the wife went through the hall and said something. I watched this man , for some minutes, smoking and reading his newspaper but after I gave to mìhim a slap on the back. I showed to him one finger that means him and after 5 fingers that mean 4 children + 1 wife: he smiled and nod to me. Situation are the same all over the world: I can’t imagine The president of the USA, Barack Obama when the First Lady is angry...mhh even my brother is married but I can imagine the same situation Now I can go to sleep..ohh no before is better to tidy up the room http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz340.jpg |
This morning, I’m not very happy to start again, but I’ve got to drive. Unforgettable Meo Vac. I can’t tellyou where I had the stop over at the end of the day, cause it was dark and I have not seen any signal. I should have been more or less near Cao Bang.
http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/copia_10.jpg breakfast http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz341.jpg I can start http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz342.jpg I’m driving eastward. Full tank, sky not bad beautiful landscape, everything’s fine. But the world is a big balance, that follow the Murphy’s Law, and immediately comes the offset: the engine of my bike stops to work. http://i41.servimg.com/u/f41/13/01/39/46/vietna16.jpg Big silence in the Vietnam mountains, just me and mt (not working) bike: what can I do ? First I take a picture http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz343.jpg With my mechanical skills, I’m able top ut gas in the tank, check oil level ( ok not here in Vietnam) inflate air in tires and check pressure, put oil on the chain transmission. So now I just can wait and try again to start: It has worked and the bike started again This is the second “technical pit stop” http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz344.jpg At the end of the day I had 10 pit stop, but after the fifth this situation looks like a sign from the sky that push me to keep going. Once I could heard the voice of Vietnam Divinities http://i41.servimg.com/u/f41/13/01/39/46/englis10.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz347.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz348.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz349.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz349.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz351.jpg I’ts one o clock: to take a rest I went in the backyard of this desert school http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz352.jpg After a nap I met a family of teachers that also works in the school as caretakers http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz353.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz354.jpg In Vietnam working in the road maintenance is very hard: not a lot of machinery http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz355.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz356.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz357.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz358.jpg My t-shirt and my ass are burning: I’ve got to stop http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz359.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz360.jpg Dark It’s coming, but I’ve seen what in my map I marked with a ? http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz361.jpg They’ve got a bed and a place for my bike http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz362.jpg fresh food http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz363.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz364.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz365.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz366.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz367.jpg Do you think that in a restaurant, in Vietnam, a touris can remain alone without a drink ? ? http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz368.jpg I was lucky, just 6 people at the table. The Guest House/restaurant is also a karaoke point. In a little room downstairs ther’s everything http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz369.jpg http://i31.servimg.com/u/f31/13/01/39/46/resiz370.jpg |
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