theXtraSuitcase

 

Hue to De Nang

 

On my previous post, I mentioned the motorcycle tour around Hue. Well, I let D and the motorcycle guys (Tim and Heui) talk me into scrapping the train ride back to De Nang and instead taking a 5-hour, fun-filled, exciting ride on the back of a motorcycle.  D said it was on his bucket list.  really?  This was the first I had heard of it.  But how could I deny him a bucket list wish?

Let's start off with the video so you can have a better feel for our adventure.

 

 

 

The new me... riding a motorcycle!  I love this photo - me looking so, "I am women, hear me roar". 

 

 

 

 

At the next break, I put on the cute pink jacket I bought at the market for $10.  The girls at the hotel said I should have only paid $5.  I bought it for protection from the sun.  ALL of the girls wear them in Vietnam.  Notice how it covers my hands.  Vietnamese girls cover every bit of skin by wearing the hood under the helmet, wearing a mask, AND socks (with flip-flops).  They do not want to get any sun.

 

 

 

 D spent most of the ride photographing me!

 

 

 

 

 

Our first stop was a little fishing village that was off the beaten path.   A stunning scene.

 

 

 

It was quiet and peaceful.  No other tourists.

 

 

 

Such a hard way of life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back on the road to continue our journey.

 

 

 

 

Every turn had a beautiful view.

 

 

It was interesting to see that these rice fields were at a very different stage than the ones by our hotel in Hoi An, only a few hours away. 

 

 

 

We could not have asked for a more perfect day, puffy white clouds and all.

 

 

D kept trying to get me to "lean" into the turns.  I told him I would lean the other way so we would not topple over.  Yes, I know that is the wrong way... you need to go with the flow.

 

 

What are those relaxing in the water?

 

 

 

Water buffalo!  With a face only a mother could love.  We never get tired of animal sightings!

 

 

 

 

Wait - look at me... I am the pretty one!

 

 

 

 

We took a break at the Elephant Falls.  It was a delightful little stop out in nowhere.  They say hundreds of elephants used to live here.  Sadly, they are now gone.

 

 

The water was very clear and a nice place to swim.  Can you spot D?  He said the water was very cold.

 

 

Tim, having a good time.  But what a tough job, they go back the same night and it takes around 5 hours due to traffic.  They are basically on the bike 10 hours and they turnaround and do it again the next day.  During the busy season, they take the route everyday of the week. 

 

 

No, we were not going the wrong way on a one-way street!

 

 

 

Now that is a proper lean by D!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lunch time!

 

 

 

The most awesome mussels we have ever eaten!  I have been craving them ever since.

 

 

Us with Tim and Heui - they were really easygoing, fun guys.  They made the trip for us!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you look closely in the photo below, you can see a train on the mountain, it was the train we were supposed to take back to Da Nang.  The tickets were only $3 each way so not a big loss.

 

 

 

 

 

You can see De Nang in the distance.  I was not sure I wanted the ride to be over!

 

 

A cool shot of D.  I like the arrows on the road - that was totally by chance. 

 

 

And I'll end with a group shot.  Thank you Tim and Heui - you made a memory for us that we would never forget!