..alone by bike in Viet Nam.. #1

DAY 1
Mui Ne – Phan Rang
156km
..the evening before my departure was properly enjoyed and the morning after I felt a bit, let’s just say, tired.. I had already packed the day before, so around 9 am, I am securing my bag on the back of my new best friend for the upcoming 4 weeks.. the bike used to belong to my dear friend Uģis and I solemnly swore to take good care if it.. and I will try to do my best.. the weather is hot as hell but after spending 6 months in Vietnam, I feel pretty fine wearing jeans in +32.. crazy right?
..just before leaving I had promised to stop by Karen and Sam, a lovey Australian couple that had become friends in the last months, and there I was, sitting in their living room, saying good-byes when Karen suddenly says: “Stop stalling and go already!” And just then I realized that I was doing exactly that, I don’t know why but I was stalling as if I was a bit afraid of the things to come..
..but as soon as I hit the road, and, for obvious reasons, I was taking B roads, I just got swept away by the amazing feeling of freedom, all my belongings were neatly packed behind me, and there was nothing and no one who could interfere, refuse, demand or hold me back..
..so there I am, all by myself on the beautiful costal road to Phan Rang.. turquoise blue water on my right, steep rocky slopes on my left, random goats and no people.. perfect.. after 2h ride, I decide to have a lunch break, I choose a beautiful spot with few benches, a sea view and blazing sun.. but after few minutes of my perfect solitude, just as I have taken my lunchbox with leftovers out of my bag, out of nowhere a local dude pulls up on his Honda Win and just doesn’t let me be.. asks non-essential questions in his limited English, smiles his one-out of three smile and tells me I am beautiful.. thank you very much for your interest but I just want to have my lunch and be on my way.. and, I cannot find my fork.. have you ever been observed sitting on a bench, eating noodles with your fingers? Now, I have..
..anyhow, I soon leave my new admirer all by himself and continue my way.. and I savour my solitude and the roar of my bike.. few kilometres down the road I encounter a sandy obstacle.. the wind has played quite actively and I get stuck in a thick layer of sand.. somebody should give me tips on how to handle this as I just ended up pushing my bike through and that was definitely not an easy job..
..therefore, I decide to take a coffee break in a tiny road side café that Uģis recommended me, and he was right, it was the best Caphe Su Da, I had ever tried..
..Phan Rang does not have lots to offer sightseeing wise, but after a power nap I go to see the Po Klong Garai temple.. beautiful place that is not very well taken care of, unfortunately.. in the smaller towers it is possible to enter, and, just one step in and all that is on mind is how to get out of there.. I have never had such a strong feeling of intruding.. I just feel super uncomfortable.. but the sunset is pretty..
..and as usual, 6 pm and the night has come.. so I go for some street food on the beach.. don’t know half of the stuff I am eating, but all is really delicious.. well, tell me one thing that tastes bad deep-fried.. and today’s discovery, pickled sour mango.. divine!
..well, the night is still young, the hostel is full of backpackers.. so.. talk to you later!
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