Up early again for breakfast with Tea and Sinh. It's good because it gets me out of bed early and so I make the most of my day. Breakfast is always between 8 and 9. Luckily today it is not raining so no need for my sexy raincoat this time.
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I have decided that today I am going to rent a motorbike and give it a spin. Having never rode a motorbike before I am somewhat nervous about this, especially given what I have seen on the roads here, but I think to myself, awww what the heck, I'll give it a blast. What's the worst that can happen? Before I rnet my Moto I need to get some sunglasses, because when you are travelling at speed, the wind does play havok with the old eyes. So Tea and I drive around looking for someone selling glasses. We find someone and Tea negotiates a good price for the glasses, the true Vietnamese price, not the foreign price.
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After some lunch it is back to the hotel and time to rent the Moto. The girl at reception asks if I have been on a bike before, I tell her never. You should have seen her face, the look of horror. I can tell that she is not too keen to rent me a Moto, perhaps she thinks I am going to die. After her concern I coax her in to renting me one. She takes me out the front and shows me the bike and gives me a crash course in how to ride. Easy. Off I go. I am going to head to Da Nang today, so I know where that is, and the road is good so fingers crossed. I manage to navigate through the town and I am on the main road in no time. It takes me about 40mins to get to my first stop, Marble Mountains. On the road some woman drives along side me asking me the usual questions and offers for me to park my bike at the front of her shop for free, all I have to do is look in her shop after. So I go ahead and do it. Quite a steep climb up the mountain, there is a lift that costs a fortune, but it doesn't even take you to the top, only up the first little bit. Such a rip. I clamber on myself, past various tamples and pagodas. When I get to a cave I go inside and see that I can continue through the cave, I press on, gaining altitude until I am at the highest peak on the mountain. The view? Under whelming. Don't get me wrong, nice view of the beack from here, but that's about it. After enjoying this view it is back down the mountain and over to my bike, and in to the shop as promised. Lots of marble stuff here, the woman is very nice and I say to her that if I don't buy I don't want her to be angry at me. She assures me that she will not. I actually end up buying a black marble (apparently) ring. It's a bit gay but I like it.
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Back on the bike and on to the beach. The beach here is epic, extends as far as the eye can see. Lovely sandy beach with the waves crashing on the shore. I take a few photos of the bike. I really enjoy the freedom that the bike gives me. I enjoy the wind in my hair and the feeling like I am enjoying Vietnam like the locals. It is a glorious day and so I decide to press on. I can see a large white Buddha in the distance, that'll be my next stop. 15mins round the coast and I see what I think is the entrance. I scramble my bike up the slope and get to a parking area, get a ticket and park my bike. It is not too far up to the statue and there are a lot of temples here as well. Im not too fussed I wandering round them all and so I just head to the giant Buddha. This boy is massive, and with the blue sky today it really makes it stand out even more so. Get a couple of good pictures and then it is back to the bike. It is cooking me alive out here today, at least when I am on the bike I can not feel myself being burnt, ha ha ha.
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I decide to head a little bit further round the coast before I have to head home. To be honest I don't want the day to end. I cruise round the coast looking out over the sea and enjoying the winding roads along the outside of the mountains. This is the life. I have a look at my watch and I think it is time for me to head back, not sure driving at night, the first time I have been on a Moto is the best decision. The way home seems significantly shorter than the trip there and I make it back in good time. Earlier than expected. Even better; I'm alive. The girl at reception is pleased to see me home safe and sound. I get in and collapse on the bed. This riding thing really takes it out of you. Just having the wind beating in to your face at 50km takes its toal. I collapse on the bed and fall asleep for 3 hours. I am woken be Tea phoning me asking about dinner. We head out for dinner but I am home early as I am so tired. I get to bed exhausted, but content.