Elias arrives at 10.45 and it is off to get my bike. When we get to the garage, it doesn't look like they have even started any work on my bike. Elias gives the bike the once over and he thinks it is a good one. Only thing is the back tyre doesn't look the same as the one I had yesterday, after some negotiating they change it for an extra $5. We are in the shop for a good 3 hours before my bike is done and ready, I also got new brake discs on the front, only because they broke when the guy was putting the wheel back on! You should see how they do things here. If something doesn't fit, you just hit it with a hammer, or grind a bit off until it fits. They'll try anything before they have to go out any buy a new part. If that's what the need to do, one guy jumps on his bike and disappears off to buy whatever is needed. Of course we are working in Vietnam time, so that'll be why things take longer than normal. When everything is done I pay my cash, $250 and get my keys and papers. Tea has given me a helmet, so I don't need to worry about getting one of those. I get on my bike, wave bye to the garage and off I go.
-----
I have just bought a bike! Mine! All mine! I have not had a test. No one has verified I can ride this thing, but I have it! Ha ha ha. Only in Vietnam! I email Elias, I think we should take the bikes on a good run before the trip, just to open them up, see if anything goes wrong, then we can head back to the garage and get it sorted. So it's off to Da Nang, Elias hasn't been so it'll be good for is to do the 30km each way. So off we go, it's quite busy as we leave Hoi An, lots of bikes and people and everything a real challenge. The thing about driving in Vietnam is that you do not stop. If you are coming from a side road you just power out on to the main road, it's actually more dangerous if you stop, as the people behind you will have to swerve round you. Obviously this is quite hard to get used to. When you have the fear all you want to do is stop. Not an option! Once we get on to the main road things are much easier, nice big 2 lanes carriageway. It's great getting the biker up to speed and enjoying the open road. We get to Da Nang and check out the beach before heading for some food. We stop off at a place along the front, I know it'll be more expensive, but having been in to Da Nang with Tea, there is no way we are heading in there today! We order up a seafood platter, and we get some quail eggs, and a salt and pepper and lime juice dip. With a heap of MSG in it. You can actually see it. I am all over it! Ha. After lunch we head back. We need to get some supplies for the trip so I follow Elias in to the centre of old town. My god. So many people. Driving slowly is an issue I'm having. My accelerator appears to be either all or nothing. Steady cruising doesn't appear to be an option. Of course, I have just started riding, I'm probably not doing it right. Anyway, after a few stalls we get to the shop, and I didn't kill anyone, so I'm feeling good. In the shop we get plastic bags, bungee ropes, some rope and I invest in a good quality rain coat, poncho style. After this Elias and I head to our hostels.
-----
Well, I try to go to my hostel. I stall my bike about 10 times. There are so many people around, I'm struggling with the pressure. As I'm at the side of the road, struggling, some guy comes over saying Moto. He take my bike to the side suggesting that he can fix my issue. I ask him how much, $1, I can live with that. When I get off the bike and take a look I can see that my clutch is b*****ed. So it's convenient that this guy was here. Now for some reason after 2 hours my bike is still not fixed. Then this mechanic tries to leave. I'm not having this, so I start questioning him. Useless, he speaks no English, so I phone Tea, she doesn't answer, so I phone the hostel to get the receptionist to translate for me. So basically, I need a new clutch cable, but apparently everywhere is closed, so I'm to push my bike back, then this guy will come in the morning and fix it. b******s! I'm not really very happy, but I have little choice. So off I go, pushing my bike up the street. As I'm pushing I meet one of the guys from Easy Rider, this is a company that does tours around Vietnam, off the tourist trail, on the back of pimped out Motos. They guys speak really good English and are all so friendly, anyway this guy tries to sell me a tour and I tell him I have just bought a bike. He offers to be my guide, but I say it's ok. Then he asks me why I am pushing my bike. I tell him I have no clutch, he tells me I don't need one. He jumps on, puts the bike in first, then gives me a push and tells me to drive like normal. Sure enough, off I go, working a treat. I do t get very far when my mechanic appears in front of me and flags me over. It is only at this stage that I think to myself, how am I going to stop with no clutch? Dick?! Why did I not ask the Easy Rider guy? I manage to change down a couple of gears then I turn the engine off, it works. Good thinking Marty! So the mechanic fixes my cable and the bike is all good. Off I go to my hotel, at night, brilliant! First day! I hope this is not a sign of things to come! I get home 3 hours after the guy first started on my bike.
-----
I head out for dinner with Tea and say goodbye as I am leaving in the morning for the Moto adventure! We also go to the Japanese bridge and I buy a candle, that is in a little paper boat. You then place this in the river and off it floats. You are supposed to make a wish, as you place it in. I'm glad I got to do this, I have been meaning to but just never got round to it, but as this is my last night I do it. The candles look cool as they float off. After this Tea drops me home and I get some sleep before the adventure tomorrow. Elias will be here at 8.