After Da Nang
I left Danang and Steve about 14pm in the afternoon and just I had 2 days time to reach border and 280km distance to ride. So I had to leave there and I couldnt rest more, and I really needed it. However I intended to cycle about 70 km in that day to have certain time to reach border. It was a nice day and no more wind and rain, after few days cycling just under rain; it was great to cycle in a beautiful road just along the beach with very nice view of sea in a cool day. After 45km cycling I arrived to a city and just I was passing through the city that I found a very nice beach and a reasonable guest house, so I changed my mind and just I staid there at night. Finally after long time I had time to relax and walk along the beach and enjoy. It was almost evening and after taking shower I went to the beach, it was amassing, so beautiful and I really was happy to make that decision. A day after I woke up as last few days about 5 in the morning and just started cycling at 5:30 and before sunrise. In that day I had to cycle about 160km to be sure about last day, due to I had just one day more visa and I knew that last day would be in a hilly road and it will take more time, so just I cycled very fast. After 10 days cycling continuously I was in good shape and must important thing , there was no more front wind and rain, just about one hour rain at noon and it was exactly the time that I was napping in a shade.in the afternoon again I began to ride, but front wind began and last 40km was really difficult.
It was about 3 in the afternoon that I arrived to Dong Ha and from that point I had to get out from the main road and ride through road No 9 which leaded me to Lao Bao the border gate of Lao. Just 80km remained and I preferred to cycle more to leave less for last day, so just I continued to a small city about 15km from Dong Ha. I was too tired and didnt decide to sleep in tent, I was looking for a place to stay and in that town was just one hotel which was a little bit expensive for me.
So after stopping few places to eat and drink I cycled ahead to the out of city that I found a Pagoda, it was wonderful, due to Pagoda was a good place to stay, also before I stayed in Pagodas a lot. So I went there and asked them to let sleep there, but after talking with manager I realized that it is for women and I cant stay there. They all shaved their hair and it was difficult to know that they are not men!!!! so she told me go to another Pagoda which is for monks (men), I was going to that place that a guy came to me and asked me “if you are looking for a place to stay?” and I answered him yes, so he told me that he knew a place which is not hotel but they can rent me a room with a low price, it was ok and just I fellow him. We went to a small lane and a house with too many people living there.. after a conversation that the guy had with a lady he told me, sorry they dont have room and if you want to stay , you should share a room with one of the member of family. In normal situation it is fine due to it is a chance to live with local people but I was not in a normal situation and I needed rest and private place to recover myself for following day, so just I went to Pagoda and I told myself if it was not fine I have to go to hotel to rest and save energy for tomorrow. I went to Pagoda; it was really beautiful and huge.
I was looking around that the Monk came and talked to me, when he knew that I want to stay there, just by few minuets the students brought all my luggage to the second floor, I followed them and they brought me to a room, it was wonderful, several times better than the room in hotel and FREE. Always it is the best for a cyclist. Even it had internet and I could use of internet as well. I was very happy to find that place to stay and just I slept very well all the night. In the morning I woke up very early and I began to cycle ahead to Lao.
I had just 70 km to the border and plenty of time, so I didnt over do myself and tried to of landscape. About 2pm I arrived to Lao Bao and crossed the border. Finally Vietnam finished and I could do my job well in Vietnam, about1400km cycling in tow weeks was a hard work and fortunately I did it. I am happy for. I was tired and just after border in a small village I found a guest house and I got a room there to rest and stay. Now I have plenty of time and no more rush, so I can enjoy of beautiful Lao.
Just in Lao everything is very old and it isnt an update country, so I will have some problem for internet or some stuff like that along the way but is cities, it is ok. From now I can write again my stories like before and I can cool down.
10 Aug 2007
