The steep climb to Hai Van Pass that is...
And what a climb it was. 8% grade, most of the way, we started it at just after 0900, and reached the pass right around noon.
The sun was blazing down on us, as we made our way, winding up the steep switch-backs around the eastern side of the mountain.
Right around the half-way point, with everything feeling pretty toasted, and thighs, calves and lungs burning internally from the effort, I spotted a large shade tree, next to a running creek, so we had a decent 30 minute break there before cranking on further.
A few more kilometers later, we stopped again, at a larger waterfall and creek, to wash ourselves down again, and sit under the bridge there, enjoying the cool breeze and shade it afforded us.
A bit of luck was on our side too, as some clouds blew in to give us a break from the searing 36 degree sun, so we saddled up again, and pumped out the last few km's to the pass.
Compared to other climbs we've done in the past, 1600+ feet isn't that high, but doing in it humid 36 degree weather makes it a lot tougher!
As requested, here's a pretty accurate route-map of the journey we've taken so far to Da Nang.
Along the way to Da Nang, we've seen some interesting sights...from the eucalyptus oil sellers that were lining the highway at one district, to the war scarred tanks in the central town square of Dong Ha, some little shoes by the front door of a seemingly abandoned house, to the small fishing canoes along the coastline...
Since we have been in Da Nang, we've had a good wander around the streets near the hotel we're staying at, and I've been watched with great curiosity and bewilderment, as I've gotten into some strange positions to take some strange photos... Spotting the drying, perhaps even discarded sugarcane stems, I got down low on the pavement to shoot them, only to get up after to find a small bunch of teenagers gathered behind me, peering at the photo on the rear screen of my Nikon... The nearest girl looked at the image, then up at me, and said "why!?"... It was a bit hard to explain, so I showed them a few other pictures on my iPhone, (odd, abstract pictures) and received a group "aaah!" and several nods and smiles of understanding...!
I like my picture anyway... It captures what I wanted it to... The city streets of Da Nang;
Today, Tom and I were up early to make our way 10kms south (by taxi... It's a rest day after all!) to The Marble Mountains.
A very worthwhile trip, we felt... We spent a good 3 hours climbing up and down the many steps and seeing all the caves, various alters and prayer areas where incense and Buddha sculptures stood.
We met a very nice, friendly old auntie who insisted we take lots of incense sticks and place them at many of the Buddha prayer areas... I gave a donation to her, for the upkeep of the area, and she was more than happy to have her picture taken too, smiling a happy, but very black, rotten toothy smile..!
This afternoon, we are going to be stocking up on some supplies, as we will be riding back inland, heading south-west along the Ho Chi Minh Highway for the next 900 kms, heading down to Ho Chi Minh City.
From what I can see on the map, we have a reasonable chance of some resupply at a town in 130 km's time, but we might not get that far tomorrow, so we might need some tucker for tomorrow night.
After that town, it'll be another 160-180 km's before pretty much anything else, as my maps show a whole lots of nothing... Just beautiful, uncluttered, uninhabited nothing, which is what we love.
I'll try and do some updates from the road as we go.
There's nothing new on the main website yet, as the Internet here is a bit hit and miss... So I hope this update goes ok, given that I've included a fair number of photos... Fingers crossed!
As always, comments and/or emails are always welcome, and very much appreciated...
Until next time...
RWK.
OUT!
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Location:Phan Chu Trinh,,Vietnam
