Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City Motorbike Trip: Day 14 - Da Lat to Mui Ne

In the morning I met up with Ramses, Koon, Gregory, and Oakar. We all had plans to ride motorbikes together to go see waterfalls. The 4 guys rented motorbikes and we took off out of town riding toward Elephant Waterfall.

We got about 5 kilometers out of town and Gregory went too fast on a dirt road. An oncoming bike caused him to swerve and he lost control and crashed. He cut his arm and his leg. Luckily, I had my first air kit. I administered first aid for his cuts. I cleaned, put antibiotic ointment on, and bandaged them. He decided to ride back to Da Lat. Oakar volunteered to ride back with him.

Ramses, Koon, and I continued to Elephant Waterfall. We took pictures and relaxed. It was a nice place to visit.

We rode on toward Pongour Waterfall. When we reached the main highway, Koon and Ramses decided to ride back to Da Lat instead of riding all the way to Pongour Waterfall and then returning to Da Lat when it was dark. We said goodbye and parted ways.

I had a lot of ground to cover to reach Mui Ne. I said goodbye to Koon and Ramses and took off. I went to Pongour waterfall and it was really beautiful. I was glad I took the detour to go see it. I took off my shoes and walked in the water.

I was aiming for Mui Ne but I ended going to Phan Thiet. On the way I rode the best road of the entire trip. It was about 50 kilometers of winding road that went through the jungle and gradually down in elevation. It was a great road for motorcycle riding. I saw very few other vehicles. On both sides of the road there were walls of jungle. The road was constantly turning, changing direction, and going up and down. It was a great opportunity to practice turing and finding the perfect balance between speed, balance, and lean. Towards the end of that stretch of road I was completely in the zone. I felt the road and the bike, heard the engine and the wheels, and saw the road ahead of me. All my senses were focused and every part of me and the bike were working together to slay the road. I almost ran out of gas, so I rode with the engine off as the road was all downhill. Then I could hear the jungle; birds, bugs, animals, and I was more aware of the presence of so many plants.

When I came out of the thick jungle and onto the the plains, I bought a little gas from a lady at a shack. It got dark and I ended up riding another hour after dark before reaching Phan Thiet.

I rode through the town of Phan Thiet and on to Mui Ne. I got a hotel near the beach and met an American couple who were about the same age as my parents and were on vacation. I chatted with them for about an hour. Then I went down the street and ate fried rice for dinner. I was mistaken for a Russian tourist at the restaurant. One of the waitresses started speaking to me in Russian. After dinner I headed to bed.