kevin
Race Dog
Amazing trip of adventure - you really punished that little bike too!
Vietnam - how to ride 2000km and not die >> PART 8
- Thread starter MrBig
- Start date
MrBig
Grey Hound
Thanks for the comments :thumleft:
Reality has caught up with me and writing slowed down as a result but I will be posting more shortly
Reality has caught up with me and writing slowed down as a result but I will be posting more shortly
SACK
Race Dog
MrBig said:
Your definition of "shortly" amuses me.
MrBig
Grey Hound
SACK said:
Africa time? :biggrin:
HAsta MAnjana!!
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That is why Afrikaans coined the term "nou nou" which can mean anything from within the next 5 seconds to eternity... :biggrin:MrBig said:
the ant
Race Dog
RobC said:
:spitcoffee:
Wayne Duck
Race Dog
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Really interesting, and entertaining! Thanks.
Snafu
Grey Hound
:BangHead::BangHead::BangHead:
the ant
Race Dog
:director:
![N[]vA](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/39fc70600d70a0afa40b682c3a695dc0?s=96){kind=avatar}
MrBig
Grey Hound
N[]vA said:to be fair in true Vietnamese tradition the last bit of anything will always drag on
:lol8: aint that the truth
apologies for my tardiness - lost my mojo a bit but getting back on track and will finish this before the end of the week
*Vietnamese promise*
michnus
Bachelor Dog
beeeeeeeefok!! :thumleft: :headbang: :hello2:
chickenbadger
Pack Dog
Epic trip Mr. Big!!! Makes me seriously miss Saigon, and bring up fond memories of my bike trip through the country in 2010!!!
MrBig
Grey Hound
Hoi An to Hue
Distance: 170 km
We left Hoi Ann early – looking forward to the ride ahead as it would take us along a winding coastal road as well as take in the famous Hai Van Pass.
Rice Paddies outside Hoi An
Egg Delivery
Some Propaganda
As we passed through Danang on our way North we crossed over one of the old Dragon bridges and rode alongside the magnificent new 6 lane Tran Thi Ly bridge which sadly opened for business 2 weeks later along with the new Rong (Dragon) Bridge. This brings the number of bridge to cross the Han River in Danag to seven.
Danang Tran Thi Ly Bridge
Fire Breathing Dragon Bridge
[flash=700,400]https://www.youtube.com/v/MhSW7lRHmXs[/flash]
Jeremy Clarkson called the Hai Van Pass "a deserted ribbon of perfection—one of the best coast roads in the world."
Amazing Hai Van Pass
The Hai Van Pass has long been seen as a major bottleneck along the main route from South to North Vietnam.
Visibility on the pass is often reduced by the eponymous mists that rise from the sea.
Along with the road's winding route through the pass, this poses a serious challenge for drivers.
During 2005 the new Hai Van Tunnel was opened for traffic – at 6.3 km the longest tunnel in South East Asia - which not only reduces the distance between Da Nang and Hue by 20km but more importantly saves up to an hour of travelling time.
Even though motorcycles are not allowed in the tunnel there is a shuttle service on which motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians can make the journey.
All this has effectively reduced traffic on the original pass to virtually zero and although I wouldn’t quite agree with the “perfection” part of Jeremy Clarksons statement it remains a remarkable road and a must drive for motorcycle enthusiasts.
It’s quite common to be offered a “Top Gear Tour” from local motorcycle tour companies (like the Vietnam Easy Rider group) in which trip over the pass is the main focus.
Halfway up the pass we stumbled upon a small roadside café – although shack-like in exterior - served a remarkably decent iced-coffee with a killer view to boot.
Drinks on Hai Van Pass
It’s refreshing to stop in these smaller places as it’s easy to get sucked into the ‘tourist’ stops along major scenic routes serving exclusively as a rest stop for tour busses and the like. They tend to be nothing more than overgrown curio shops with the added convenience of semi-clean toilets. A lot of drivers and guides have arrangements with these places where they receive free lunch and drinks if they stop there.
Saltwater lake
Fisherman on lake
The tyres are used to grow farmed oysters and after harvesting it’s common practice to lay the tyres in the roads as the passing vehicles loosens the hardened growth
We weren’t keen on following the A1 Highway the rest of the route and as we came down the pass took a small side road past a lake which turned back to the sea to take us over two ‘islands’ all the way to Hue. Although it was very hot and dusty this was to be one of our best days of riding of the whole trip.
The quality of the road itself is poor but it winds its way through jungles and farmlands just to spit you out onto a long bridge with spectacular views of the surrounding lakes area.
Dusty road through a small village
Roadside Shop
Schoolgirls on bicycles
Having a Break
As we got closer to Hue the surrounds became cluttered with temples and graves.
Quite clearly our way into the city was a back route and we even found ourselves on some dirt every now and then.
Hue is well known for its historic monuments, which have earned it a place in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
The seat of the Nguyen emperors was the Citadel, which occupies a large, walled area on the north side of the Perfume River.
Inside the citadel was a forbidden city where only the emperors, concubines, and those close enough to them were granted access; the punishment for trespassing was death.
Today, little of the Forbidden City remains, though reconstruction efforts are in progress to maintain it as a historic tourist attraction.
Lisa was extremely disappointed to find the Forbidden City only consists of a few foundations and some grassy patches.
Dragon Boats on Perfume River (Not sure where the name comes from but it sure as hell doesn’t smell like perfume to me!)
Main Entrance to Citadel
Remnants from Vietnam War
Imperialist Pigs! :biggrin:
We spent a day or so riding around Hue's sights and hanging out in the backpackers district at night.
Food and drink is remarkably cheap and it’s easy to meet some interesting people.
Remarkably it’s also possible to keep seeing familiar faces every now and then.
In Hue we ran into 2 girls for the 3rd time since we first met them a week before in Nha Trang.
Hue is also a good place for handmade silk clothing at excellent prices.
The best part of it is you can choose a dress (well the girls can anyway) and have it tailored while the husband have beer across the road. :biggrin:
Funky Bike - wouldnt mind one for buzzing around town!
Local Beer
Next up - Hue to Phong Nha Khe Bang
Distance: 170 km
We left Hoi Ann early – looking forward to the ride ahead as it would take us along a winding coastal road as well as take in the famous Hai Van Pass.
Rice Paddies outside Hoi An
Egg Delivery
Some Propaganda
As we passed through Danang on our way North we crossed over one of the old Dragon bridges and rode alongside the magnificent new 6 lane Tran Thi Ly bridge which sadly opened for business 2 weeks later along with the new Rong (Dragon) Bridge. This brings the number of bridge to cross the Han River in Danag to seven.
Danang Tran Thi Ly Bridge
Fire Breathing Dragon Bridge
[flash=700,400]https://www.youtube.com/v/MhSW7lRHmXs[/flash]
Jeremy Clarkson called the Hai Van Pass "a deserted ribbon of perfection—one of the best coast roads in the world."
Amazing Hai Van Pass
The Hai Van Pass has long been seen as a major bottleneck along the main route from South to North Vietnam.
Visibility on the pass is often reduced by the eponymous mists that rise from the sea.
Along with the road's winding route through the pass, this poses a serious challenge for drivers.
During 2005 the new Hai Van Tunnel was opened for traffic – at 6.3 km the longest tunnel in South East Asia - which not only reduces the distance between Da Nang and Hue by 20km but more importantly saves up to an hour of travelling time.
Even though motorcycles are not allowed in the tunnel there is a shuttle service on which motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians can make the journey.
All this has effectively reduced traffic on the original pass to virtually zero and although I wouldn’t quite agree with the “perfection” part of Jeremy Clarksons statement it remains a remarkable road and a must drive for motorcycle enthusiasts.
It’s quite common to be offered a “Top Gear Tour” from local motorcycle tour companies (like the Vietnam Easy Rider group) in which trip over the pass is the main focus.
Halfway up the pass we stumbled upon a small roadside café – although shack-like in exterior - served a remarkably decent iced-coffee with a killer view to boot.
Drinks on Hai Van Pass
It’s refreshing to stop in these smaller places as it’s easy to get sucked into the ‘tourist’ stops along major scenic routes serving exclusively as a rest stop for tour busses and the like. They tend to be nothing more than overgrown curio shops with the added convenience of semi-clean toilets. A lot of drivers and guides have arrangements with these places where they receive free lunch and drinks if they stop there.
Saltwater lake
Fisherman on lake
The tyres are used to grow farmed oysters and after harvesting it’s common practice to lay the tyres in the roads as the passing vehicles loosens the hardened growth
We weren’t keen on following the A1 Highway the rest of the route and as we came down the pass took a small side road past a lake which turned back to the sea to take us over two ‘islands’ all the way to Hue. Although it was very hot and dusty this was to be one of our best days of riding of the whole trip.
The quality of the road itself is poor but it winds its way through jungles and farmlands just to spit you out onto a long bridge with spectacular views of the surrounding lakes area.
Dusty road through a small village
Roadside Shop
Schoolgirls on bicycles
Having a Break
As we got closer to Hue the surrounds became cluttered with temples and graves.
Quite clearly our way into the city was a back route and we even found ourselves on some dirt every now and then.
Hue is well known for its historic monuments, which have earned it a place in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
The seat of the Nguyen emperors was the Citadel, which occupies a large, walled area on the north side of the Perfume River.
Inside the citadel was a forbidden city where only the emperors, concubines, and those close enough to them were granted access; the punishment for trespassing was death.
Today, little of the Forbidden City remains, though reconstruction efforts are in progress to maintain it as a historic tourist attraction.
Lisa was extremely disappointed to find the Forbidden City only consists of a few foundations and some grassy patches.
Dragon Boats on Perfume River (Not sure where the name comes from but it sure as hell doesn’t smell like perfume to me!)
Main Entrance to Citadel
Remnants from Vietnam War
Imperialist Pigs! :biggrin:
We spent a day or so riding around Hue's sights and hanging out in the backpackers district at night.
Food and drink is remarkably cheap and it’s easy to meet some interesting people.
Remarkably it’s also possible to keep seeing familiar faces every now and then.
In Hue we ran into 2 girls for the 3rd time since we first met them a week before in Nha Trang.
Hue is also a good place for handmade silk clothing at excellent prices.
The best part of it is you can choose a dress (well the girls can anyway) and have it tailored while the husband have beer across the road. :biggrin:
Funky Bike - wouldnt mind one for buzzing around town!
Local Beer
Next up - Hue to Phong Nha Khe Bang
the ant
Race Dog
Keep it coming PLEASE! :sip:
Awesome Report!
!!
!!
!!
!!
mountainboy
Race Dog
hey, lekker J!!!!!!
nice report
I'm positive I stayed at the same hotel in Hoi An - great country for scoot around :thumleft:
so, how about some pics of them pretty tan lines :biggrin:
nice report
I'm positive I stayed at the same hotel in Hoi An - great country for scoot around :thumleft:
so, how about some pics of them pretty tan lines :biggrin:
