From Quy Nhon to Nha Trang

Monday, 19.2.2018

At some point, the noise ends (amusement park right next to the hotel) and I can hear the sound of the sea. Really beautiful.

After an early breakfast with a wide selection, we cycle 27 km along the coast around Quy Nhon. It goes up and down and for us, it's a dream because it has often been flat so far. In addition, there is a wide shoulder here that we can use as a bike path and there aren't too many mopeds on the road. But then we have to get off and exchange the bike saddle for the bus seat for 45 minutes. We can't cycle this section. It is a highway and very busy. From the small village of Chi Thanh, we can continue with our mountain bikes. However, not right away, because there is a traffic jam and we have to push our bikes. Now we continue for another 40 km on the bikes, interrupted by a break. Karen from Australia falls off her bike when a car gets too close to her. Fortunately, only a few scratches and of course a huge shock, but she's in good spirits. We eat in the town of Tuy Hoa. Wide two-lane roads lead into the town, which looks like it was built from scratch. The food is okay. In the afternoon, we have to cycle another 23 km as part of the obligatory program and optionally another 10 km. The last 10 km consist of a pass uphill and downhill, around 10 % and if we do it, we will complete 100 km today. We all decide to take the optional route (except Karen, who stays on the bus since the fall). The small hill is great. Nice views and easy to ride.

Now we continue by bus to Nha Trang. In a bay, there are many, many boats. Lobsters are raised here. Loc explains to us that there was recently a typhoon here and the fishermen lost their lobsters, they all swam away. Some fishermen have committed suicide because their livelihood was taken away and they didn't know how to repay the loans to the banks.

At around 6 pm, we arrive in Nha Trang, the party city, the Ballermann of Vietnam with many Chinese and Russian tourists. Many, many high-rise buildings, little soul, lots of noise.

But the hotel is really nice. Beautiful, large rooms with all comforts and a balcony.

By the way, have I mentioned the toilets already? We don't call them that here, instead they are referred to with synonyms, like "Happy Room", possibly "Happy Tree" or "Happy Bush" (when cycling in the countryside).

A look in the mirror tells me that today there was probably too much sun, but too little sunscreen.