Motorcycle Diary - Hue to Hoi An - January 3 and 4, 2012

So often on our trip we have come in contact with people who have influenced our decisions and such is the case with this motorbike trip from Hue to Hoi An. Last October we met a young woman who told us about her upcoming trip and this is where the idea camr from for our trip. It has turned out to be a trip highlight. Although it must be said it was not Club Med experience. After all you are sitting on a motorbike for 6-8 hours a day for two days.

Day One

I was nervous and concerned about safety when I saw the small 125cc Motorbikes pull up next to our luggage. Doug had assured me that these were large motorcycles so much for his credibility. However, after meeting the two upbeat, charming and funny drivers we were off and what turned out to be an incredible excursion. Luckily the sun shone dor most of our first day which made a favorable impression on the countryside. Our first stop was on the outskirts of Hue at one of the elaborate burial tombs of the last king of Vietnam. Most of the day and indeed the trip wa spent on the Ho Chi Minh Trail that is really a roadway not a dirt trail. You are either climbing or descending and it is dangerous with many rock and land slides along the way. Since it is a remote area we had the road to ourselves. The bookend of the day was a wonderful stop at a mountain village and school. We purchased some pencils and books that we gave to the children. Day one ended at a very basic hotel in another small mountain village. We ate with the family who prepared a very tasty meal.

Day Two

Unlike day one it began with a heavy overcast that soon became a steady rain that printed our drivers with many challenges and for us an exhilarating, exciting and for me a scary scenario. You can well imagine how dirt roads can quickly become a quagmire but the drivers were skilled at manouvering through the mud. Throughout the trip our safety was their priority. In spite of the weather especially when it stopped raining we were able to ride out into the rice paddies and backroads to witness rural Vietnam as it really is. It was an exceptional education for us. One of the outstanding tourist destinations in central Vietnam is the World UNESCO Site - My Son; it is often compared to Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia but My Son is on a much smaller scale. This site is located in the jungle and the misty rain added to the enjoyment of the day. Our trip ended late afternoon when we arrived in historis Hoi An where we will be for the next nine days. Next blog - Hoi An



Trip at a glance

Weather - last 7 days only one day of sun -mix of rain and clouds - average 22 Celsius

Easy Rider Tour costs - 2 days/2people - $240 including overnight accommodation - meals extra