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Phong Nha

Day 9

This is a badly needed rest day. 

We had to check out of Phong Nha Green Homestay around 11:30 AM. They were full for the following night. We did leave our laundry. BTW laundry service is ubiquitous and very affordable. The Vietnamese people are very entrepreneurial: if you have laundry machines, make money with them. 

We checked into Phong Nha Memory Homestay along the river. The accommodations were doable but it was hot and the A/C was poor.

 Naps, naps, and more naps were the plan for the day.

Near sunset we set out on a riding tour of the area. Dusk turned to dark too quickly and we were caught out several kilometers out of town. For the first time we had to drive and navigate in the dark. I vowed to never do that again.

Parking the bike at the homestay, I dropped it (again). Embarrassing. I attribute it to the bike being very tall (tiptoes sometimes) and my being fatigued. Once again locals magically appeared and helped me up, which I gratefully accepted. I had already set out the rules with Lauren that she was not to help me. It simply would not do to have the young motorcyclist lifting her old motorcyclist Dad off the pavement. Check back with me in a decade or two and I may change my position.

We walked maybe 500 meters to a floating restaurant boat on the river and chose a table outside.

Dinner on the river in Phong Nha.

We were the only customers. French fries (!), seafood noodles stir fry, and beers. Delicious and affordable. Once again, Vietnam does not disappoint.

Having done our day of rest, upon return to our Homestay we booked local tours for the next day. One thing about Vietnam, almost all local lodging can book tours and have the tour operators pick you up where you stay.

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