A PPS to be going on with

After my postscript on Tuesday, I thought that there would not be too much more to say about Vietnam and Northcott, but I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the generosity of more of my old mates, Lyn and Stan Glaser ($250) and Maxine Lacey ($100), who are pushing the total raised by Tony and I closer to $13,000. Thanks to you and to all the great supporters of Northcott Disability Service, I understand that the total raised by the group for Northcott is getting over the $40,000 mark.

Vietnam Cycle Challenge Postscript

Only four days since we arrived back in Sydney and already the adventure seems an age ago. Got an email from Don last night passing on the limericks he and the lads had written for everyone and got another chuckle from those.

When we left each other, we parted with protestations of keeping in touch and meeting again together at a reunion - I hope both these things happen, as I've shared a very special part of my life with Tony, Lee, Katie, Don, Gumza, Hugh, John, David, Marc, Sue, To, Chris, and Wal. Marc and Sue were staying on, as were Katie and Lee, while Hobbo and Wal were heading off to Hong Kong for the Rugby Sevens. When the rest of us got back to Sydney, the combination of a "full house" at baggage claim and customs, along with places to go and people to see, meant we simply dispersed rather than took our leave from each other.

To anyone reading this blog, if you haven't been to Vietnam, go - what a wonderful country and people; if you haven't done a "road trip", do it. To my friends with whom I shared this special time - thank you!

Vietnam Cycle Challenge Day 11 - Thursday 29 March 2007

Today we bid farewell to Hanoi and to Vietnam but before we did, we got another couple of hours to wander round Hanoi. Tony and I had decided to go and visit the "Hanoi Hilton" (Hoa Lo Prison, nicknamed as such by the American POWs who were imprisoned there during the American (Vietnam) War. Don tagged along and we had a most informative, if disturbing, morning, as we toured what is also known as the Maison Centrale, where the French, in turn, had gaoled Vietnamese political dissidents during their occupation.

When we got back to the hotel, no one had a particular interest in lunch, so Chris, Don, Tony and I headed off again, to see what we could see. When we thought we might eat again in Pho 24, Don said he wanted some "authentic" food and so we wandered down an alley where we had the most delicious (if not the most hygenic) meal of our trip. Yes, that is a lady on a motor bike driving between the "chef" and Chris - adds a new dimension to the idea of dining al fresco.

Before we got back to the hotel, Don wanted a shave and we found our street barber, who kindly provided the service. This was my last photo in Vietnam.

We boarded the Vietnam Airlines flight VN783 at 5.00pm reluctantly, but with a host of memories and stories to tell (and photos to show!).

Vietnam Cycle Challenge Day 10 - Wednesday 28 March 2007

We arrived in Hanoi at an ungodly hour and were transferred to the city, where we had local breakfast at Pho 24, and then checked in to the Army Tourist Service hotel. The whole day was free to look around Hanoi, do some shopping and to relax, which we all did quite a bit of (resting).

Before we did that, though, we went to visit the Ho Chi Minh museum and Mausoleum. Here we see Tony with one of the guards outside the Mausoleum. If you're wondering about the bemused look on Tony's face, it's because the guard happily agreed to the photo and then grabbed Tony on the backside (heh heh). The picture of Tony and I in front of the Mausoleum is a more subdued one.

In the evening, we went to The Seasons restaurant for our farewell dinner and were entertained by Don and Hobbo, who had prepared a series of limericks, one for each member of "Team Northcott".

Vietnam Cycle Challenge Day 9 - Tuesday 27 March 2007

We spent the morning in Hue, cycling to the mausoleums of famous Nguyen Emperors. Tony showed his appreciation of the moon house as he viewed the scene.

In the afternoon we boardedthe Reunification Express for an overnight ride to Hanoi. It was here that we said goodbye to our driver, Mr Tri and his assistant Tang (pronounced "tongue"), whom Tony had nicknamed "Bluetongue". We were also able to witness some railway maintenance Vietnam style in the process.

The itinerary said we would have 4 soft-bed berths for the journey, but the picture betrays a more crowded environment. Tony and I were put in charge of the "cold drinks" (kind of like putting Dracula in charge of the blood bank).

Vietnam Cycle Challenge Day 8 - Monday 26 March 2007

Today is "Youth Day" in Vietnam and I wondered whether I would be feeling young or old, especially by the end of today's ride. The first photo shows what we faced at the beginning of our ride which required a 10 km climb over the spectacular Hai Van pass (‘Pass of the Ocean Clouds’).

I'm afraid that I wasn't up to the challenge - in conditions where we estimated the "players' comfort" temperature approaching about 48C, I made it about half-way up and was overcome by the heat and a touch of asthma. Tony struggled further up the hill and we picked him up on the bus about another km or two along the way. On the other hand, Don, Studs, Hobbo, Wal and Chris did the climb in 40 minutes, breaking the previous record of 43 minutes, so we were able to celebrate their success at the top of the pass. Hugh continued the mighty effort, also getting to the top a little later.

Once at the top we freewheeled back to the ocean, then continued through small villages and along a spectacular peninsular coastal road to Hue. Part of the trip involved transfer by ferry, and I was fortunate to catch the captain in the middle of his pre-launch preparations.

In the evening, we dined on the river to the strains of a local "folk" group, who delighted us with a series of instrumental and sung music while we noshed. At the end of the evening we sent our prayer floats off on the river.

Vietnam Cycle Challenge Day 7 - Sunday 25 March 2007

... and on the seventh day, they rested!


Today was a rest day, with time at the beach and in the markets (and trying to find somewhere to do internet *grins*). Tony and I have been getting around on the back of motorbikes (pretty much the local transportation and walking about where we need to. Been to the tailor for the obligatory suit and shirts, as well as some souvenir buying.

Tony has been doing really well with the riding and has shown the benefits of his more extended period of training for the ride. I have struggled on some of the parts but still not bad for only about 6 weeks of intermittent training (certainly could not do this without training). The group has been very supportive and we have worked for each other pretty well - it is reaffirming to be part of this kind of group rather than some of the groups I have worked with in the past.