Nominally this was another recovery day for COVID infected Declan. Recovery day includes head scratches in the morning, lots of lemon, ginger and honey tea and an adventurous (to me) cycle. I am generally apprehensive to get on a road in any form – walking, side car, car, bus, it all scares the smoggy daylight out of me. A rickety bicycle was no exception. The hotel were very proud of their new mountain bikes but already one of the bike’s gears didn’t work and creaked a lot. Things falling apart is a common state in Vietnam. There is a mix of country road (mud), main road and a small (albeit terrifying) stretch of single lane highway.
In the afternoon, after getting very muddy on the 10km cycle tour, we relax in the main outside area of the farmstay as the rain sets in. All accommodation so far in Vietnam has been pretty average: poor lighting, poorer ventilation, even poorer electrical wiring, zero soundproofing and the requisite patches of mould. None are going to make Gourmet Traveller magazine’s January 24 issue.
Also, there will be no blog post tomorrow as we are doing an overnight hike. Fear not, the blog will be back better than ever again the day after.
Caitlin looking very adventurous biking through the jungle. Don’t be fooled by the picture, Caitlin promptly got off the bike and walked. This is a common feature with Caitlin biking and happens on anything resembling an incline or if another vehicle is within sight. As a diligent boyfriend, I routinely have to stop and wait for her to catch up to make sure she hasn’t fallen off. When she eventually catches up, she has an exasperated, terrified look and pulls over asking why have we stopped? DWThis may or may not have been monkey bridge. It was tough to tell. A bridge in the area was definitely monkey bridge. DWAll worth it for Cait as she gets to down some tall frosties. DWI am intrigued by this option but Declan looks around at the happy chooks poking around the property and decides to spare them. CR.The Duck Experience was fun, but we probably have some form of odd avian disease now. Their little beaks are like drills and vibrate all around. In this part of the performance, duck feed was thrown into your cupped feet and the ducks tickled you a lot getting it out. DWCaitlin is wary of the duck. DWCaitlin having a quacking good time. DWI am friend to the duck. DWMore rice paddies with picturesque mountains in the background. There is no haze today and the break in the rain gives us the best views we have had all trip. Caitlin is too busy staring intently on the road while cycling to notice I think. DWWater Buffalo (although this is actually a cow) have their own houses they go to at night as they are such prized commodities. Their little Buffalo shacks are out the front of their owner’s houses. DWCaitlin remembered her swimmers. I discovered while packing that all of my swimmers were in the Mount somehow, despite never having swum there. DWThis tea quickly became Declan’s favourite. Little limes, lemon grass and fresh ginger, with a healthy dose of honey. It was really good – sometimes even I ordered it instead of Vietnamese coffee. Food and drink went on our room number, rather than paying in cash, and we had racked up a staggering number of these teas on our bill in a 48 hour stay. CR.
Wow you are having such an adventure! Cait you need a tandem bike next time and just let Declan do all of the work! I appreciate you sparing thechickens but were you a little tempted? I love anything with peanut sauce.
Love the duck photos hilarious 😂 but the audio was the best!!! looks like you are feeling a little better Declan? Will find out next post 😉 lots of love M xx
The ducks were funny! I felt better that day and now am nearly back to 100%.
We were tempted by the chook, but it would have been too much meat and I didn’t want them to kill a bird we wouldn’t finish.
Glad to see that Declan is receiving moral and medical support from cait.
The duck photos are great although you both have quite different expressions holding the duck.
Being in the pool must have felt great after a hot humid dangerous bike ride.
The tea sounds delicious.
I was very apprehensive about the ducks. The ‘duck performance’ went for about 15minutes and it didn’t need to be a second longer. Declan did so well with the ducks the owner clapped him. None of the other three (including me) got a clap.
The pool was actually freezing!!!! I didn’t spend long in there at all.
I’ve been really enjoying all the teas with the fresh ginger and lemongrass. It makes a big difference to tea in bags.
Wow you are having such an adventure! Cait you need a tandem bike next time and just let Declan do all of the work! I appreciate you sparing thechickens but were you a little tempted? I love anything with peanut sauce.
Love the duck photos hilarious 😂 but the audio was the best!!! looks like you are feeling a little better Declan? Will find out next post 😉 lots of love M xx
The ducks were funny! I felt better that day and now am nearly back to 100%.
We were tempted by the chook, but it would have been too much meat and I didn’t want them to kill a bird we wouldn’t finish.
Glad to see that Declan is receiving moral and medical support from cait.
The duck photos are great although you both have quite different expressions holding the duck.
Being in the pool must have felt great after a hot humid dangerous bike ride.
The tea sounds delicious.
I was very apprehensive about the ducks. The ‘duck performance’ went for about 15minutes and it didn’t need to be a second longer. Declan did so well with the ducks the owner clapped him. None of the other three (including me) got a clap.
The pool was actually freezing!!!! I didn’t spend long in there at all.
I’ve been really enjoying all the teas with the fresh ginger and lemongrass. It makes a big difference to tea in bags.