And just like that, it’s over! Seven weeks ago we arrived in Vietnam—excited about the road that lay ahead and slightly apprehensive about a country we were unfamiliar with. Having toured Thailand twice, we viewed Vietnam as its southeast Asian “cousin”. One we haven’t met, and one we wanted to know. The events of the past seven weeks will continue to swirl in our hearts and minds and eventually settle into its own place, forming an enduring memory.
The natural scenery in Vietnam was rich and stunning. Some of the greatest rewards were proportionate to effort—cycling up, and up, into elevations that could have been a prelude to even better. Bigger, beautiful lush green mountain ranges lay tantalizingly inland. We, however, chose a coastal route having no delusions about our ability or willingness to suffer. It was a little more work to tour Vietnam by bicycle.
Cuisine was unapologetically Vietnamese, but it’s of little national concern when economic reliance on tourism is only half that of Thailand. Local & fresh—vegetables, herbs, fruit, meat and seafood made up the menu and there was much to appreciate.
Early on, we slid into a slump where we second-guessed ourselves, asking ourselves a critical question, Why are we even here? All the creature comforts were just a plane, train or bus ride away…. But cycle tours are a treasure hunt and we were there to discover. No regrets! We were inspired. At times, frustrated. Frequently exhilarated. Always enriched.
A series of three flights will return us to our familiar life, and the comforts of home. We feel gratitude—for the opportunity to experience Vietnam in our favourite way—on two wheels.
Tạm biệt, Vietnam