Most Inspirational Moment
For me, visiting a Third World country is best accommplished on a bicycle. However, well meaning you are, if you use a vehicle you will always appear as a 'tourist'. When you ride into a village or town, dusty and dirty on a bike you are approachable and friendly. The local people may think you are nuts to ride a bike when you could use a vehicle but you are definitely 'one of us' not 'one of them'.Seeing Vietnam on a mountain bike was a great joy. I am old enough to remember the Vietnam War and back then I never thought for one moment that I would one day have the opportunity to visit the country and be welcomed by the people I met.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent. A genuinely nice person. 'Bonded' with the Group very quickly and successfully.Very helpful, he did everything to make the holiday pleasant and totally successful. Very well organised.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you want to go to Vietnam, go soon before the country develops. Along the coast the first resorts and golf clubs are being build. I have the feeling that in a few years Vietnam will have changed its character and probably not for the better. Vietnamese drivers retain the old French road customs and expect you to give way to the right; that is correct, I haven't mixed up my directions. Motor bikes and cars drivers emerge from side roads without looking left and are surprised if those on the main road are not overly pleased.