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Hi again

We've spent the last couple of days in and around Hoi An. It's hard to believe that just ten days ago this town was covered in water, with all the shops and restaurants closed - although we have seen some extensive road works on bridges and low lying roads.

Hoi An is famous for its tailors and we have taken the opportunity to have some nice new suits made for a fraction of the price it might otherwise cost, as well as some shoes and some other odds and ends (including an additional bag to fit everything in)!

We've also spent some time looking at some old Chinese and Vietnamese Pagodas and visited China Beach and Marble Mountain.

Today is our hardest riding day, in which we climb 500m up over 10km as we head to Hue.

Bye for now.

Shane

Homestay at Lac Lake

Hi again

Tonight we are in Pleiku, having spent last night at a homestay on Lac Lake. The homestay was in a Long House and could be described as 'rustic'. Having said that, the majority of the longhouses seem to have large tvs and satellite dishes. Still having a good time and we are out of the rain up here in the central highlands - we head back to the coast tomorrow!

Here's some pics of the homestay!

Love Megan and Shane

Nha Trang

Hi again

This morning we leave Nha Trang for the Central Highlands for a homestay with a local hilltribe. The typhoon that was meant to hit us last night didn't come and has weakened, although the rain we had yesterday (nothing bad) did mean we couldn't go out on the ocean for swimming/snorkelling etc. Instead, we headed to some nearby mudbaths and natural mineral water - very relaxing day after 4 days of cycling. We also experienced the night life of Nha Trang, which seems to consist mostly of Australian/English tourists out drinking - in some ways I think it will be nice to be back in the highlands.

Today we do 50km up in the highlands so while there'll be some good hills to get up, I imagine it will be a much easier day than the last couple of 70-80km days that we've been doing!

Anyway, holiday is going well otherwise, so talk soon.

Love Shane

Mui Ne and lots of cycling

Hi All,

We have arrived in Da Lat after two big days of cycling. The scenery is beautiful and riding on back roads enjoyable. We are not too sore - yet. Mui Ne is a resort town and we started today with a swim in the sea which was very warm but quite murky. The cycling tour has only recently started on this route, so the people are very interested in us. Its like the circus has come to town - they think we are hilarious. They also cannot comprehend rich Westerners cycling and keep offering us lifts on their motor bikes. Shane also keeps getting offered massages with 'happy endings'.

Here are some pics.

Love Megan

Ho Chi Minh and Mekong Delta

Xin Chao
Ho Chi Minh very busy - traffic is amazing - millions of scooters and bikes - we have managed to cross the road now which is an experience in itself.

Mekong delta was a much slower pace - stayed in a lovely stilt house on the river. Went for a sunset bike ride. We are eating a little too well - food is so cheap and tasty - beer is less than a dollar!

Start cycling in earnest tomorrow.

Tam biet.

Megan

The Itinerary

Ok - it's getting a little bit closer now, so I thought I'd put up our itinerary so you'd know where we were while we are away!

We fly out on the 16th of November and arrive in Ho Chi Minh City for the start of our trip around the Mekong Delta (17-18 November). Then on 19 November our cycling trip kicks off from Ho Chi Minh City! I've included how far I have (or 'get' depending on your point of view) to cycle each day as well.

19 November - We cycle on roads out of the city to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels (40km).
20 November - We travel out to the coast of the South China Sea in Mui Ne (60km).
21 November - We head towards the central highlands and stop overnight in Dalat (50km).
22 November - We head back to the coast at Nha Trang (80km).
23 November - Spend the day in Nha Trang swimming, snorkelling and eating!
24 November - Head back towards the central highlands to Lak Lake with canoe trip (45km).
25 November - Travel to Pleiku through coffee and rubber plantations (60km).
26 November - Leave the central highlands and ride to the coast at Quy Nhon (100km).
27 November - Travel along the coast to Hoi An, travelling past My Lai (35km).
28 November - See sights around Hoi An, including the Marble Mountain and My Son (35km).
29 November - Free day in Hoi An.
30 November - Keep going up coast to Hue, stop at Lang Co beach (60km).
1 December - Spend the day around Hue including cruise down Perfume River (20km).
2 December - Hanoi - explore Old Quarter (sans bikes!).
3 December - Hanoi - city tour and shopping.
4 December - Halong Bay - kayaking, cruising and eating!
5 December - Yep, same as 4 December.
6 December - A bit more of kayaking, and then heading back to Hanoi.
7 December - More time in Hanoi.
8 December - Fly to Singapore.
9-12 December - See more of Singapore.

Shane