..alone by bike in Viet Nam.. #2

Day 2
Phan Rang – Nha Trang
128km
..with millions of yellow butterflies swarming in the air, I commence my today’s trip.. just a short ride, only a bit more than 100 km to my next destination, but the road is absolutely amazing.. I am driving along the coast again, but it is a national park so the nature is pretty intact, not a lot of people, no traffic and no other distractions than a mesmerizing landscape.. the road is curving up and down the coast and every new turn brings yet another breath taking view of the perfectly blue sea, islands and few fishing boats by the coast..
..at one of the stops I meet a couple who are taking their pre-wedding photos.. the scenery is definitely fabulous.. I wish them the best and move on..
..about 20 km before Nha Trang itself, I drive through some newly developed resort area, some are already running, some are still being built but you know that yet another amazing coastline will be given away to package deal holiday seekers.. good luck to them.. I will stick to my way of travelling..
..and then the road beautifully twines around another green mountain slope.. the traffic has become more intense, as cars and busses buzz past me with their horns blazing.. and then I see the city in the distance.. it does not look too shabby..
..I manage to complete the next level driving challenge through the city traffic.. another day without major mishaps.. a happy girl..
..as it is still quite early in the day, I take my daily after ride power nap and go explore the city, I have a specific destination in mind, Long Thanh Gallery.. it is a small gallery that showcases photographs of one of Vietnam’s most prominent photographers Long Thanh. ..all pictures are black and white, the landscapes are modest, the people are real and the work seems very personal.. and then there is the master.. while I am slowly travelling through the unknown stories, a man comes up and starts a conversation, after a minute I realize that it is Long Thanh himself, he invites me to sit down while he is snipping negatives and neatly placing them into plastic pockets.. we talk about photography, about his exhibitions abroad, about the places he has visited in the world, about my road ahead and time in Mui Ne.. unexpected meeting.. but memorable indeed..
..and now, I am sitting on the rooftop of my hostel, sipping not very good but free beer, looking at the sea at the end of the street and let’s see what the evening brings..