Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Back to reality...

After another full day in the saddle we head back down to sea level and find ourselves surrounded by stunning sand dunes. The first thing that hits us as we enter the small fishing town of Mui Ne is the smell! This is the home of Vietnam's famous fish sauce and the fermenting, rotton fish bones used for this cooking essential is potent!

As we hit the tourist area of town, which in the usual Vietnamese fashion is totally segregated from where the local's live, we are immediatly once again surrounded by a sea of white faces. In for days on the road in the hills we have not seen one other white face, as true to their promise, the easyriders took us well off the beaten track. We are now however in the land of over-priced restaurants with English menu's and cocktail bars run by ozzie surfers.

I can honestly say that had we not taken the easyrider tour I would have left Vietnam ignorent and a little bitter. We saw things that we would never have realised existed, and gained an insight into this diverse and amazing nation that unfortunatly most people miss on the seven stop bus ticket. Being a tourist in Vietnam is frustrating and for so many people I have met on my travels can be a negative experience. However, the insights we gained in these four days totally made up for the frustrations we had previously experienced. I will forever remember this country for its ability to suprise, amaze, shock, amuse and inspire me.

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