200 miles to Vinh









The jeep, as you would expect, just loves a rough track and we went on plenty of those today.  It's been terrific, ruts, plenty of big holes, mud, dust - so much dust and a little hit of concrete and Tarmac.  200 miles of pure joy.   The scenery has been stupendous, but, alas, the mean sun did not put in an appearance and so once again the views were marred by haze and any photographs do not possibly do it justice.  We have travelled, for the most part, on the HCM Trail, now a real hinterland, well organised, farming area.  Our welcome has been enthusiastic and very friendly.  We went past an army barracks today and the soldiers on guard saluted us.  It was an bizarre moment.  Cuog told me that they would have thought we were Aamerican war veterans returning to see the battle sights  and a soldier always respects another soldier.


200 miles may not sound much but when your average speed is around 23 mph it's quite far enough for one day.  We all arrived absolutely covered in thick red dust, but with very happy smiles. Our home for the night is unlovely port of Vinh.  Once an historic citadel; partly destroyed by the French In the resistance fighting of the 50's and then annihalated by the US. It was rebuilt after the war, in a hurry, with the aid of East Germany.  It is not beautiful.  

Our hotel, a quirky, rather kitsch affair, that appeals to me hugely,  staff wearing super sexy, very  short skirted uniforms with little airline hostess hats and the men are in very camp little drummer boy uniforms.  The rooms also have one feature I have never had before - bowls for foot washing!  You have to love a hotel with those!


Comments

  1. Anonymous6 April 2014 at 10:52

    Dear Barbara and Adrian,
    I follow your blog and I'm longing for the days in Myanmar.
    Good luck for you and enjoy.
    Love
    Birgit

    ReplyDelete

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