Today I started my crazy journey to Hanoi. I decided to take the road less traveled, and have since been informed I may be the first to do so.
My journey started off really well, with a huge, open highway. The rules of Vietnam are simple: give way to anyone bigger than you, and try not to hit anyone.
That second rule is negotiable, apprantly, based on the number of people driving the wrong way, but I didn't see one collision.
From the open highway, I heard to Cat Tien National Park. One of the largest parks, and home to a lot of released from captivity gibbons. I only saw a couple, and wasn't quick enough with the camera to get a snap.
Tourists aren't meant to be allowed into the park at all, but I didn't get stopped at any of the gates, so I just went in. My moto this trip has always been "I don't see any signs in English saying no!"
At first, the road was great - paved and everything, but it soon disappeared from underneath me, and became a 50km stretch of knee deep sand I had to coax the bike through.
At one point, I had to get off to help push some else's trailored bike up one patch where it had gotten bogged, covering me and everything I own in a thick layer of sand and dirt.
Even a 20minute shower didn't get it all off.
I am proud to say that I didnt fall off once, but I did have to step away from the falling bike twice when I got stuck in particylarly soft sand.
I stopped in one village along the way to buy a bottle of water and some petrol, and I think I made their year by giving them 100,000dong (about $7) as she gave me 2 extra bottles of iced tea.
The hostel manager says I'm brave as apparently the area is known for elephant attacks. I hadn't heard this, and I don't think I believe him anyway, because I didn't even see any elephants, and I thought they were extinct here anyway. At least he respects my adventuring/stupidity!!
The hotel I'm staying at is adorable. I have my own freestanding little villa thing with 2 double beds, and it's the first time over had a room to myself this whole trip. It's kinda nice, but also weird.
Tomorrow, Gibbons and Dalat xx