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Published: December 27th 2012
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Farewell to our bikes
It was a great experience traveling with our bikes, now they have been sold to another couple who will hopefully experience the same beautiful country that we did. We will miss our bikes thou Since we had the time, we decided to take the scenic route from Vinh Long to My Tho, and soak up our last day of driving on small roads, and off the beaten track. We took the ferry to Cho Lach, drove around Ben Tre Island, through mango groves and jakfruit plantations, by fishing villages and endless markets. We soaked up the coffee as well, and even stopped to take photos of precarious, overpacked motorbikes on their way to market.
Arriving in Tan An that evening, we could feel the proximity of HCMC, the modernity and the traffic, and felt so lucky to have been able to experience the true face of the country in such a close and intimate way.
The next day we drove into HCMC, and all the pictures of maps we had taken with our phone paid off. The route we followed (on Van Vo Kiet) was painless, easy and avoided all the central insanity. Having safely arrived in Saigon, we headed off to meet Mark and Mathilde, the lovely couple who were to inherit our bikes, our map, our stuff and our experience...
We ended up spending the whole afternoon helping them plan
The backstreets
This picture was taken about 15 meters from the busiest tourist trap in HCMC. They didnt just go outside because the AC didnt work, but it was their bed for the night a route and answering questions, and it felt great to be able to help them on their way as we had been helped (ok, maybe more...)
We spent the next day strolling (pedestrians again!) around HCMC, and the day after we met up with M & M again to give them a masterclass in securing a bag to motorcycle with bungee chords (a perfected art) and sent them on their way. As we got ready for our own departure the next day, we were able to look back on our time in Vietnam, and feel how fortunate we'd been and really appreciate what an amzing adventure it's been so far. And there is so much more ahead!
Lessons learned in first country visited:
- If someone local (who you already have an iffy feeling about) tells you something is too difficult to do yourself, try to do it anyway.
- Never succumb to the initial mobbing that occurs when you arrive at a bus station/town/attraction. Ask people what they are offering, and compare. Always choose someone you like and seems trustworthy (if you are a good judge of character)
- You will pay
HCMC traffic
None of us would say that HCMC traffic is that bad compared to what we had seen on our way, but it can most certainly be hectic too much for some things. As long as you are happy and had a good experience, don't dwell on 5 USD. It's worth more to them than it is to you anyway.
- Have fun bargaining. It's a game to them as well.
- Smile. We know, it gets tiring. You will win people over, put them at ease, and when in touristy areas they will treat you better than all those grumpy Russians...
- Accept kindness. Don't always try to give people money when they refuse it, even though they seem very poor.
- If people offer to keep your stuff /watch your bike/ put your bag somewhere safe, and they have a place of business, 99% of the time it will be the safest option. Really. In SEAsia, of course. Don't try this in Morocco...
- Try to trust people. It's much easier than not trusting them.
- Take your time.
- Enjoy yourself!
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