This is the final post in a four part series on my two-week cycling tour of Vietnam.
To catch up from the beginning start here:
Pedal Power: A Vietnam Cycling Tour from Hanoi to Saigon
Cycling Vietnam from North to South: Hills, Hawkers, and Smiling Children
Vietnam Bicycle Tour Continues: Toilets in Vietnam
After a night of hilarious Karaoke with our whole group and even our truck drivers, we all descended from the Central Highlands for our final ride of the trip. It was kind of bittersweet.
I remembered back before the trip started and during some of the first few rides, I was second guessing my decision to do this two week adventure as I huffed and puffed my way across the countryside.
The Final Ride
Some days the heat was utterly unbearable and the hills were too many and too steep for my legs and lungs. Our final day we rode about 60 kilometers down through the lush green mountainsides of coffee and tea crops. The first part was my favorite—all downhill and super fast.
The last 30 kilometers or so was what our guide called “undulating,” which meant some uphills and some downhills. It would be “same same, but different.” This is a popular phrase in Vietnam. It basically means “similar” and you hear it all the time. There are even t-shirts here printed with the phrase.
I let most of the group pass me and got into my own rhythm and loved it, hills and all. I was finally hitting my stride and it was our last day. Or maybe, psychologically, I knew it was our last day so it was just easier. But “same same” as on previous days, just when I would start to wither from heat and exhaustion with sweat pouring into and stinging my eyes, local kids would be smiling and waving at me as I rode past, just in time to take my mind off any exhaustion I was feeling.
Now, I welcomed the dust in my face, horrible exhaust fumes up my nose, and horns honking in my ears. It was all a part of this amazing country—alive, growing and vibrant. I had trouble not smiling most of the time that I was riding… a problem because bugs kept flying into my mouth. Nearly all the people we met along the journey were extremely poor, but extremely happy and friendly.
It’s About People
As I’ve said before, most tours are good or bad depending on the people. And this one proved that to be true once again. Not only were most of the girls fun and friendly, it was our truck driver, our bus driver, Loi, our wonderful leader, Phuc, and the people of Vietnam that made it special. They all made the trip so good for us and we were all in it together. We rode together, we drank together, ate together, took mud baths together, and sang together.
Mot, Hai, Ba….Yooooo! (One, Two, Three, Cheers!!!)
Vietnam Bicycle Tour Continues: Toilets in Vietnam
The downhill portion of any trip always brings a wonderful sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Speaking of senses, all of yours seemed fulfilled on this final leg of the Phuc and Loi tour. You saw beautiful people through your stinging eyes. You heard the car horns. Your smelled the exhaust fumes and coffee plants. You tasted the bugs (are they the national bird?). You felt the muscle aches and heat. And the 6th sense of knowing you were meant to do this at this time. You even learned to pee standing up. Is there anything you can't do anymore?
Great pictures. The people look really friendly.
They say all good things must end but the memories you'll be taking with you at the end of this tour, will last forever. So many good times shared with new friends and beautiful places that will be etched in your mind forever. And, as this door gently closes, a new one opens to greet and beckon you to yet another amazing place. "Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen." Disraeli