The trip down the coast to Saigon was without a doubt the high light of the Vietnamese leg of this trip. Qui Nhon, Nha Trang, Vung Tau, I enjoyed then all (oddly enough, Saigon, like Hanoi, I found to be uninspiring, and kinda boring, just another modern city). Staying 2-3 nights in each city seemed to work out well, gave plenty of time to get the flavor of the city without being bored. The best part of the trip was the beautiful coast line and the freedom of the actual ride. When Timmi was working well, he was a joy to ride, slow, but fun. All that being said, I can't wait to get on Greta again.
Side Note: After departing Hoi An, Timmi decided to be a little bit of a pain in the ass. During the rest of the trip down, he managed to burn through seven staters and two plugs. The silver lining of the situation is that I was able to experience first-hand the decency and helpfulness of the Vietnamese people. Each time the bike broke down, within a kilometer or two, a Vietnamese scooter rider would come up and push me to a mechanic. Never asking for money: usually just a point and a final push into a driveway of the garage, and off they would go,
The Southern half of the Vietnam seemed to be awash with a greater degree of propaganda. I'm not sure if I just did not not notice it up north, or the South (who lost the war) needed more convincing that communism was a the answer to all their problems. Everything from propaganda posters, to the name change of the capital city from Saigon to Ho Chi Min (communist leader during the war, which by the way the locals still call Saigon), to the museums of propaganda, the place is plastered with constant reminders that it is now a communist state.
Regardless of the politics of the country, Vietnam is special in most every way, and I truly enjoyed my time there.
Regardless of the politics of the country, Vietnam is special in most every way, and I truly enjoyed my time there.
Side Note: After departing Hoi An, Timmi decided to be a little bit of a pain in the ass. During the rest of the trip down, he managed to burn through seven staters and two plugs. The silver lining of the situation is that I was able to experience first-hand the decency and helpfulness of the Vietnamese people. Each time the bike broke down, within a kilometer or two, a Vietnamese scooter rider would come up and push me to a mechanic. Never asking for money: usually just a point and a final push into a driveway of the garage, and off they would go,
Leg Distance: 603 mi (972 km)
Total Distance Traveled by "Motorcycle:" 35,658 mi (57,518 km)
Countries/Territories Visited: USA, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Gibraltar, France, Monaco, Italy, Vatican City, San Marino, Slovenia, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Transnistria, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Greece, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, China (for 20 seconds), India, Nepal, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam
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