HOT HOT HOT!!! Vietnam to Cambodia Cycle Challenge Day Two Cycling
Breakfast on the Mekong river promised another glorious and warm day. First stop after breakfast was a boat ride to the largest floating markets on the Mekong Delta. Every fruit or vegetable conceivable was up for sale. The land based market at the river bank adjoining had a huge selection of animals, fish and general goods that the hustle and bustle was exciting.
After the markets we travelled by bus to the start of today's pedal. A quick picnic lunch and we were off. Todays ride was a hot 60km ride where stops every 10 km were in order. The scenery was spectacular, the surpises never ending and the people always friendly.
At the 40km stage we stopped at a cafe for coffee. What an experience for those that enjoy the drink, Vietnamese coffee is wonderfully strong, chocolatey and very sweet all wrapped up in a short black. White coffee comes in the same strength but with condensed milk to sweeten and whiten. Absolutely marvelous.
The heat in the final 20 km was oppressive, very high humidity and and very little wind. Dehydration was a risk however the bottled cold water and comerarderie meanth that we all got there one way or the other.
Today's destination was the Killing Fields at the town of Choeung Ek. This was a sobering visit. Over 3000 people where butchered in 2 weeks in barbaric and inconceivable ways. And, despite this, the people remain friendly and the country continues to heal.
As tonight is the last night in Vietnam before heading into Cambodia, we travelled across to the town of Ha Tien through a thunderous tropical storm that brought both humidity and a few degrees of relief before heading out for dinner. Our guide Mr Phough organised a wonderful feast that finished off with birthday cake and presents for the four participants that celebrated birthdays this month.
Tomorrow we head across to Cambodia and change to a new support crew and change our bikes over so a new chapter begins.
Blog post by Peter Hutchings
