2012 - Greg's Cycle Tour of Indochina: Bangkok to HCM City: Day 23: Fri 30 Nov - Tra Vinh to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) 50km

Ride: 50km; total: 1,174km

Day 21: Travinh - Mytho - Ho Chi Minh (50km+ cycling) After breakfast, start with a section of biking cuts off road onto gravel and dirt lanes, and weaves around hamlets, across water channels, and through quiet dense vegetation. This makes for superb biking after a ferry across the graping expanse of Cochien river from Travinh, the pretty tree lined town with a large population of ethnic Khmer. Then another section of crossing rivers and canals by numerous, ubiquitous, fascinating ferries, we bike through the route takes us through narrow roads and lanes, past banana plantations, fields of sugar cane, through the lush green landscape of the delta. The ride lead us right into the heart of the rural Mekong before arriving at Mytho – the gateway of the Mekong delta to end our cycling trip. From Mytho, we transfer a couple of hours to Ho Chi Minh City to avoid the busy traffic. TOUR ENDS.

I felt very sad this morning as it was the last day of the cycle tour. Although I have a couple of days in Saigon before flying home.

After an adequate breakfast we cycled away from the motel at 7:30am and after only 5km we boarded a ferry (passenger/bike only) back to the mainland. From the ferry stop it was 13km on a very rough track/road. My bike didn’t help by having the front shockies permanently locked on to rigid. It was nearly impossible to look around, but it didn't appear to be very interesting anyway. Stopped at the exit of the big ferry which the truck and bus had used to cross. As we were waiting the rain came down in buckets so we waited to see what was going to eventuate. The rain finally stopped so we headed out, but it came down again so we all got covered in dirt and crime from the road. I stopped to put my raincoat on and therefore had to ride the remaining 20km with Bien.

Finally stopped at a servo for the last time with the bikes. It was judged to be too dangerous to ride into Saigon.

Due to all the rain and mud on the road we were a bit grubby so we tried to clean up best we could for lunch in what we were told was a flash restaurant. Some had access to their clothes others just washed the grime off. A 20 minute ride in the bus to the Mekong Restaurant followed. An amazing number of people and coaches, mostly tourists, were in and around the restaurant. We were treated to a very nice lunch well presented in a timely manner. Just as we got back on the bus one of the ladies rushed off. She had left her very expensive Bolle sunglasses in the toilet and went back but they were gone. However she had travel insurance with zero excess so was planning to make a claim. This is the very first and last incident of this nature on the whole trip. Despite the fact that we all carried large sums of money, cameras, phones, passports etc, we did not lose one other thing. At no time did I feel uncomfortable about security on the trip although I was always careful with all my belongings.

Back on the bus for the two hour trip to the motel in Saigon. Booked in, (own room) sorted out my gear and rinsed some clothes. The Lavender Hotel was great for the $75 per night I paid. Nearly directly opposite the main markets and not far from many other attractions. No real window in my room but that was ok as the facilities were modern and clean. Went for a wander around the markets but got so hassled by touts I gave it a miss. The aisles are so clogged with stuff that you often have to turn sideways to walk through. Some of the touts also grab hold of you to try and get you to stop. These markets were full of the same old stuff anyway.

Went to dinner with the group at a 4 star motel near the Opera House. I had ox tail soup with a chicken and chips main, which were both served at the same time. The meal was ok and only cost US$20 with one beer. It was nice to eat in a fancy location for a change. A similar meal would have cost US$5 at a local restaurant. Had a short wander around the night markets and then back to the motel for an early night.