RobiNZ Personal Blog

ANZAC Day 2008, in Vietnam

Although ANZAC Day is always significant I will remember 25 April 2008. I was on a cycle tour of Vietnam with a neat bunch of people from New Zealand, Australia, Holland and Japan. It was was a non-riding day, a bus ride from Hue to Hoi An. Over the trip our Vietnamese guide had shared quite a lot of his life story. He was a child in the war, his father had served with the South Vietnamese army, alongside US (and I presume ANZAC) which meant a hard life post war. Some of his family had escaped to the U.S.,... Read more →

Cần Thơ to Hồ Chí Minh City | Day 8 Vietnam Cycle Tour

The itinerary: A feature of the Mekong Delta are the floating markets situated at the main river junctions. An early morning boat trip will take us to visit one of the largest floating markets at Cai Rang where you will see a large variety of local produce being sold from all manner of boats. Hau river sunrise! OK, maybe not sunrise but an early start to visit the Cái Răng floating market. Morning calm on the river. The boy (left)* was a brilliant tour guide, all done with sign language as he was deaf. Linda, Me, Christine, Larry, Liz, Mike... Read more →

Phú Quốc to Cần Thơ | Day 7 Vietnam Cycle Tour

The itinerary: This morning we take a short early morning flight back to the mainland, arriving around 9.00am we cycle for the rest of the day on the very quiet Highway. The road follows the canal network, along which you will see the famous monkey bridges used by the villagers to get across the canals. Clear the runway... Noticed on touchdown, at smaller airports, there were security bikes patrolling to clear the runway of animals, or people? Back of the bike Binh on the road as we all exercised 'island rested legs'! Mike goes by... Linda, chased by a bunch... Read more →

Phú Quốc Island Boat Trip | (Rest) Day 6 Vietnam Cycle Tour

The itinerary: We charter a private boat to travel to the idyllic An Thoi islands, unpopulated gems famous for their crystal-clear water & magnificent coral. Snorkelling here is a must. We will eat a fresh seafood lunch on an island paradise, before returning to our resort mid-afternoon. The boat trip We drove to the southern end of Phú Quốc for the boat trip*. The port village smelt of fish... a lot... everywhere. Fresh caught, tonight's dinner maybe? Tuna? Lots of colourful fishing boats; most small, traditional, and seemed to be family operated. Our vessel for the day (photo by Binh... Read more →

Rạch Giá to Phú Quốc Island | Day 5 Vietnam Cycle Tour

The itinerary: A chance to rest our legs as we spend two days off the bikes. We travel by hydrofoil to the beautiful Phu Quoc tropical island, (imagine Bali or Phuket 20 years ago), beautiful beaches, clear water, rainforest & few visitors. To Phu Quoc, by air Before the trip we had been advised the hydrofoil was probably not going to happen. I was a bit disappointed they weren't running but flying was more comfortable than a three-hour hydrofoil ride! Have no idea why I didn't take any photos of the flight that replaced it as usually do (photos below... Read more →

Châu Đốc to Rạch Giá | Day 4 Vietnam Cycle Tour

The itinerary: Our early morning ride takes us past the sacred Sam Mountain and the famous Tay An Pagoda & temples. From the summit on a clear day, we can enjoy fabulous views towards Cambodia. An early start afloat... Not in the itinerary, an even earlier start to visit a floating village. I photographed Nahn & Mike photographing us. Substantial houses floating on the river. The ever-present hyacinth plants, like floating gardens. This fellow was on alert but seemed happy with life afloat. We visited this floating fish farm. Access through the floor to the fish living below. Idyllic sunrise... Read more →

Long Xuyên to Châu Đốc | Day 3 Vietnam Cycle Tour

The itinerary: Today’s ride follows the canal system all the way to Chau Doc. This is a great way to see the river lifestyles of the local people - the canals are alive with boats transporting goods & the banks are lined with houses & fish cages. In the afternoon we take a boat tour to visit a floating village. Leaving Long Xuyên Woke to this view, a city home to about 400,000 people. We were on the road quite early, to beat the heat and although not a huge distance (~58km) there are lots of sights, stops, to take... Read more →

Hồ Chí Minh City to Long Xuyên | Day 2 Vietnam Cycle Tour

The itinerary: The trip, for real, starts today... The trip starts by driving out of the city to start our cycling on the quiet Highway 30. Immediately you will see the essence of the Mekong Delta. The countryside is pancake flat with brilliant green rice fields laced with a network of canals & rivers. Getting rural The drive out the city, to rural Mekong Delta, was memorable itself. Once free of city traffic we headed out on a new expressway, part of the extensive development evident around all Vietnamese cities. We had 2 passenger vans + small truck for 16... Read more →

Getting to Hồ Chí Minh City (Saigon) | Day 1 Vietnam Cycle Tour

It is finally time to head off on my first international, albeit not that intrepid, cycle tour. It's organised by Adventure South, led by Bas, with whom I've done many New Zealand tours. The itinerary summary: A fully supported 8-day bicycle vacation based in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam followed by 6 days visiting the highlights of Northern Vietnam. Cycle with the locals and be part of their daily lives, travel alongside the Cambodian border, visit floating markets and kick back at an island resort before finishing flying north to take in the delights of Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue &... Read more →