Motorbiking Around Mui Ne

IMG_4098

Steph and I decided to rent a little motorbike and go zipping around Mui Ne the morning of our last day in town.

IMG_4099

Motorbike is the preferred mode of transportation in Vietnam.

IMG_4100

At the central market area.

IMG_4102

Waiting for the stoplight.

IMG_4103

There were a large number of locals enjoying a day out at a sand dune sledding hill.

IMG_4104

Riding along the highway.

IMG_4105IMG_4109IMG_4116

For a junky little motorbike, it did pretty well.

IMG_4120

Steph graciously lent me her glasses so that I could keep my eyes open while we rode.

IMG_4124IMG_4129IMG_4131 IMG_4132

Interesting graves in the cemetery by the road.

IMG_4133 IMG_4134IMG_4140IMG_4142IMG_4144

It was pretty neat finding a Pacific Coast Highway sign in Vietnam.  On the other side of the Pacific, my Honda Pacific Coast was waiting for me.
IMG_4147

A bunch of little round boats being towed somewhere.

IMG_4151IMG_5813

The only gauge that worked on the bike was the fuel gauge.

IMG_5814

Crude heel-toe shifter.  The bike had an automatic clutch.  It was very odd to drive.

IMG_5825

Drum brakes all around!

IMG_5826

It came complete with a kick starter although the electric start worked, too.

IMG_5838

Getting the bike filled up before we returned it.

4WD Tour of Mui Ne

IMG_3951

In Mui Ne we booked a 4×4 jeep tour of the area.  The jeep is a Chinese or Korean knock-off of the old American Willys Jeep.

IMG_5720

 

IMG_3953

These are huge vats of fermenting fish sauce.  It did not smell pleasant.

IMG_3954

Heading upriver in a little sandy gorge. I chose to stay behind rather than wade through the water.

IMG_3956IMG_3962IMG_3965IMG_3970


Steph tried to make friends with a cow. I don’t think the cow liked the hat very much.

IMG_3976IMG_3983IMG_3986

Yang found a freshwater crab.

IMG_3991IMG_4001 IMG_4002

Yup, that’s a snake in the water.


IMG_4016

We didn’t go ostrich riding but evidently you can.

IMG_4017

The fishing port.

IMG_4020

These round waterproof baskets serve as boats.

IMG_4021IMG_4023 IMG_4024IMG_4027

Adrienne, Nhung, and Steph got a ride on one of the boats.

IMG_4029

IMG_5760

There they go!

IMG_4031IMG_4033IMG_4035IMG_4038 IMG_4039 IMG_4040IMG_4044IMG_4052

Next we drove out to the big sand dunes.


Heading into the dunes.

IMG_4054

This interesting freshwater pond is in the middle of the dunes.

IMG_5786

Yang figured out how to stand on lily pads.

IMG_6330

Some kids gambling and smoking.

IMG_5788

Our jeep waiting for us.

IMG_4063IMG_4066

I found myself in my native environment.

IMG_4067

We borrowed some pieces of linoleum to use as sand sleds.

IMG_4070IMG_4079IMG_4081 IMG_4082

Sunset over the dunes.

IMG_4089


Nhung had a hard time sledding down the hill.

IMG_4090
IMG_6331IMG_6341IMG_6343IMG_6357


Adrienne heads down the dunes.


IMG_6364 IMG_6365
IMG_6374

The whole gang in the sand.  I am a giant.


Heading back to civilization at twilight through the sand dunes.
IMG_5812

We found this sign on the back side of our door in the hotel.  They had a strict No Prostitutes policy.

 

 

On the Way to Mui Ne

IMG_3941

From Nha Trang, we headed south along the coast to Mui Ne.

IMG_3942

Lots of lush green scenery.

IMG_3945 IMG_3946

Fishing traps.

IMG_3947

On yet another sleeper bus.

IMG_3948

People kite boarding.

IMG_5695

Not the safest fuel delivery.

IMG_5696

Especially with someone smoking next to the fuel hoses!

IMG_5701IMG_5704 IMG_5705

A line truck working on the power lines.

IMG_5706IMG_5714

Windmills.