Hoi An :: 12/09

So, our three day motorcycle journey turned into four. It was sometime during dinner on our first night, throwing back shots of rice wine with our fresh boiled shrimp and rice, that Nathan and I decided that this was too much fun to make it short... too beautiful to rush... to real to forget.

Joining us on our first day were two girls from Denmark and a young couple from Austria. Each of us piled onto the back of our respective guide's motorcycle, leaning back against our overstuffed packs. This (mom) is one case where overpacking is a virtue. The more stuff you've crammed into your rucksack, the more backrest you have to relax on the ride.

Now, at the moment, it simply is not possible or justified for me to go into tremendous detail. Just know that the scenery was magic, the guides were outstanding, and the REAL Vietnam was all ours.

After the first night, Nathan and I split off with Chin and Nathan's driver, while the others went whatever way they were going. So, for the next three days it would be just the four of us. two motorcycles, and one open road.

The second day was actually the worst, if I actually had to call one as such. It was our longest day... about 250 kilometers. We visited rural workers, factories, villages, and more, and ended the night with a meal that goes far beyond words. Over a small chiminee-like piece of potters, loaded with fired wood and topped with a small grill, we ate, fondu-style, "wild meat." I put that in quotes because when Chin says it, it sounds like "whale meat." Nathan and I were looking forward to such a strange meal, but had absolutely no idea how the hell these guys found themselves a whale. So, our WILD meat consisted of cow, deer, goat, and rabbit. All them were spectacular (I mean SPECTACULAR) but I didn't care as much for the rabbit... too many little bones.

The highlight from the third day, a shorter day of riding, was a visit to an orphanage where we brought great smiles to the faces of the kids. Nathan, by the way, standing at 6'2", is a God to these people. For people who rarely see Westerners, Nathan is what you might call... A FREAK. Dinner on the third night was seafood hot pot... squid, shrimp, and tuna boiled in a soup. No whale.

Today, are extended fourth and last day, was more of the same, easy riding up the Ho Chi Minh trail (which we actually started yesterday). This morning, however, underneath a gorgeous waterfall, we were able to actually see and walk on the real Ho Chi Minh Trail, the same trail used by the NVA to head into southern Vietnam.

Now, safely off our bikes and with sad goodbyes to Chin and the other guide (his name escapes me... I suck), we are in a wonderful, lively little town called Hoi An. We plan to stay here for about three nights before heading up to Hue, and in that time we have already lined up some clothing to be made. It's just something you have to do when you are in S.E. Asia.

So, that is all for now. And if you are reading this, considering Chin as a guide... DO IT! You won't regret a single penny, but you'll forever regret not having the experience.