Tuesday : rain overcast sun

Yeah i thought i would feel a bit second hand in the morning today, it was well after 1am before I hit the sack. We met downstairs at 8am to grab some breakfast. Yummy omelets.

We jumped on the bikes about 9am, and with a short ride we arrived at a minority village were the children ran out and greeted Kim and I. We were shown the huts were the families live, shown how they cook, collect water and food from their water well, veggie patch and animals.

Afterwards we passed trough rice fields, and the mountains in the distance looked superb, with the morning storm clouds swirling around. The farmers were using buffalos to cultivate the fields and pull carts. Apparently we were lucky to see these traditional methods, they don't use them much these days, I guess the tractors must of been all broken down today.

Then we hit the back country lanes, where the roads were narrow and sometimes rough and muddy. They were so much fun and we really got to see people go about there daily business, because we were traveling at a much slower speed than on the main roads less traffic too.

We stopped at a pepper corn farm, and the locals absolutly freaked out when kim and i took our helmets off and saw us. There was yelling, smiling, laughing and everyone wanted to say hello to us. It Seemed like the whole village turned up to see us, apparently that some of them have never seen white people before, in person I guess. After we settled in we were shown the 10m high stacks that they build, for the plant to attach itself too. Then the plant is able to grow high, giving the growers more peppers. The farmer told us how and when they harvest the peppers and we got free samples mmm peppery all in need is a ham cheese and tomato sandwich.

After a short turned around because the roads were to bad to continue. (I would of given them a crack) Our next stop was just to refuel the bikes, but turned out to be so much more. We got off the bikes and went for a walk to stretch our legs. There was only two streets in this town, but Again people were yelling out hello from there shops, scooters and laughing as we were walking through them. It was weird it made you feel like there was something on your face like food or something. The town also had this very long concrete bridge heading out of it, which acted as a wall for a lake for irrigation, and there was a cafe/bar ( I'm telling you they are everywhere these cafe ) over looking the lake really nice location. So we decided to go in for a coffee when our guides caught up with us. 4 coffees and a pot of tea for $1.50 crazy. Inside there was a group of people mostly women and they couldn't stop touching, grabbing and laughing at myself an Kim they all had photos with us too. We Felt like celebrities, It rained for a bit while we were there but it gave us to chat as a group while we waited.

It was then time for the highway ride which wrapped through the mountains and valleys and at times reminded me of N.S.W central tablelands apart from all the rice banana plantains ha! Truly great kodak moments of the countryside all day long.

We had lunch at a sort of truck stop and the food was brilliant it's good eating with locals they tell you the right dip and sauce to use with the right food. There are so many extras that come out with each dish.

After another thrash the the hills we came to a house that was making rice paper which is used for many different foods, big one being the old spring roll. So quick to make, I suppose we were watching the pro. When we were there we got to watch some kids play marbles, it brought back memories there. The kids were loving it another big sport here is badminton not the manliest sport but at least it's quiet.

Next stop was for some more fuel but across the road was a brickpitt so we went in. They make their bricks different to ours, they are slightly smaller and the holes go lengthways. Hard job being the cook in this temp all year round.

Next stop was interesting didn't learn much, except that you can not get away with everything in Vietnam. Including speeding we got pulled up by the local NTPD, we were so close to Nha Trang too under 5kms. Corrupt they were also, the driver had to pay them $60 then and there, or pay $180 at the police station and it to go on your record. The police aren't liked all that very much here.

We arrived into town and it was very nice to see the beach but there were so many peolpe probably mostly tourists it was like the gold coast. I said to myself take me back to the bush away from this place, take my back so I can feel like a celebrity again haha!! I'm sure I'll feel different tomorrow at the island water park and soaking up the warm sun. We may go get a butt massage lol! The behind is killing we racked up 350kms today not too bad.

We checked in to our room 5th floor ocean views not too shabby with no reservation. Had another $5 dinner with tinnies and just chilling out
Researching our next move before bed..