Serendipity

March 3, 2010

We're now about 650km away from our final destination HCMC, but in a couple of days we get to the deciding mountain stages. This is where I'll unleash my assault and take the yellow jersey. I've been playing the food poisoning card up until this point and the peloton will suffer once we reach the high peaks of Da Lat.

Today we had an extremely enjoyable 100km ride along the coast from Quy Nh’on to Tuy Hoa. It all started with a stupidly steep climb up a 20% gradient that I had to get off and walk! I wasn’t going to be soft and use my little ring like the other guys ;-) A couple of our hardmen made it all the way to the top without stopping which was very admirable.

The whole ride was very disorganized with the group split into three for the entire ride. It was a comedy of errors which looked more like a 100km madison than a touring ride. We forgot the golden rule: start a ride together; finish a ride together. Disobey this during any ride and it never fails to cause more trouble than it’s worth.

We ended up stopping at a mind-blowing 5 star resort (Vietstar Resort) for $35/night. The rooms are stunning and the swimming pool and grounds are immaculate. Isn’t it wonderful when you stumble on something completely unexpected?

The suspicious thing about this place is that we’re the only ones staying here. It almost seems like it’s a Russian money laundering operation. Oh well…works for us.

Tomorrow we have a 130km jaunt to Nha Trang along rolling coastal roads. Nha Trang is supposed to be a much more touristy city with night markets, pubs, beaches, etc. Everywhere we’ve been staying up until now has been very rural with very little Western influence. It’s astounding how friendly and inviting all the Vietnamese people have been to us.

Sugar cane juice is sensational. It’s squeezed straight from the cane with a little bit of kumquat, lime (I think) and salt added. Makes for a great sports drink during a long, hot ride!

Nothing like a bowl of pho after a ride and some Saigon brew to wash it down

Much of our day is consumed by eating. We really don’t need the second or third serving but it’s hard to say no.

This is how the moms drop the kids off at school. No streets lined up with soccer moms driving BMW SUV’s here…

It didn’t take long for the kids to spot me with the camera

Next thing I knew there were dozens of them going bananas trying to get into the shot! The Principal quickly came over and gave me a scolding for getting them all wound up.

This lady gave us a really nice soy dessert on the side of the street

I’ll never get enough of the cafe sau da beside the pool!

Life is good

The best thing about today was a clubhouse sandwich with fries. I’m loving the Vietnamese food, but it sure was nice to have something familiar for a snack!

tags: vietnam

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http://asuter.blogspot.com/ Andy

These are amazing stories and photos. What a trip!
rowey

What a great trip.
Last time someone I was with in Malaysia order a club sandwich, it came out with a nice bite size chunk missing – teeth marks and all. Out of all the food that I have seen people get crook from has mainly been the Asian attempts at western food and the dodgy ice; or maybe that was just the shear amount of alcohol mixed with it.
Stay upright and have fun.
Scott

Looks like a great time Wade.

I have one piece of advice – and don't ignore this like I did –

There is a very real chance that one or more of you will get some sort of stomach parasite such a giardia. You being tough as blokes (like me) will tell yourself to 'tough it out' and 'it'll pass'. But DON'T. If you suffer any symptoms like – bloating, excessive gas, reflux, no appetite, weight loss, etc etc go and see your GP when you get home! These bugs don't pass through your system for months and rapid weight loss can result. This might sound like a good idea for you WW, but trust me the loss in strength, appetite, motivation, lethargy and distinct lack of energy can sap you totally.

Most stomach bugs can be zapped with one or two short courses of anti-biotics. So easy.

Enjoy the rest of your trip.
SM

Looks like another great day,
Thanks for the update
MtbSkillsCoachPat

Good advice for young players!
Yep Giardia is better than any diet shake – weight loss pill.
I lost 12kg in just 4 short months ;-).
Not fun when you are traveling especially when in high altitude, still I made it to Everest Base camp but it certainly put me in a world of feeling 'crap' ;-)
http://www.happyfamilies.com.au Justin Coulson

I'm enjoying this holiday by proxy so much! Loving the updates. For about 15 minutes a day I feel like I'm not at this desk!
Guest

Apart from Giardia, which I picked up here in Aus ! You can also get a variety of other intestinal parasites. I picked up 2 nasties, from either food or a swimming pool I was told, and it took 4 rounds of antibiotics that killed my guts, and they've not been the same since.
BillyBuster

Second or third serving? Looking at the familiar 'Don't talk to me, I've eaten so much I'm in pain' look on CJ's face I'd say he'd have tucked away at least 7! . . . plus beers. Or could I be completely wrong? Is he just . . . bloated and concentating on holding his gas?!
NB

what a load of shite. I have travelled extensively through asia- Vietnam, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Malaysia, and loads of my friends have done even more than me. Nothing more than traveller's diarrhoea, which you can get anywhere, yes, even Western countries. If you have common sense, you will be fine. Bah.
http://twitter.com/Sumo_21 Chris Riordan

I think I preferred it when I was just jealous of the local rides you were doing.
Awesome photos as per usual.
rgmerk

Question – did any of you fit compacts (or…egad…triples) to your bikes for this trip?
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What worries me is after I took a good look at the sandwich picture I noticed a big chuck taken out of one of my pieces as well! I didn't do that. Ug..
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