The Northwest Trek

When you are stuck taking trains and buses you only end up where all the other tourists end up. On motorbike travelling becomes entirely different. Two days ago I left Hanoi with Josh, a friend from my hometown who I ran into on the streets of Hanoi. Five days ago neither of us had any knowledge of the other being abroad, but here we are motorbiking through northwest Vietnam. The first day on the bikes was incredible, the wind rushing by my fake RayBan sunglasses made me feel like a part of the scene. There was only one shock on that first day, which was a beautiful 18-hole golf course 60km outside of Hanoi in the middle of nowhere. The day finished over a breathtaking mountain pass then down into a stilt village where we put up for the night at a guesthouse. Day two began with less nervousness and more excitment. The plan was to trek to Son La, only about a four hour ride. The first two hours passed smoothly with the green scenery. I was focusing on Ramos, feeling out the turns and listening to the sounds of the engine. I pulled into a small village and shut off the engine, there was no sign of Josh so I decided to sit on the curb and rest. Maybe he stop to take a picture. Five minutes later I began to think something might have gone wrong and when a man on his motorbike pulled up and mimed a crash my worry became a reality. I kicked Ramos into gear and sped back along the road. Josh was nearly 5km back. He was walking his bike when I pulled up and seemed to be all in one piece. He confirmed that he was okay, just a few scratches and some shock. The bike looked to be in worse shape. We walked our bikes back into the small village and sat down to lunch. The only thing they seem to eat around here is pho, which is rice noodle soup with beef or chicken. They eat it breakfast lunch and dinner, I am sick of it already. After lunch we put our attention on the bike. It still started, but the gear shift was bent out of shape. After a few slight adjustments we were back on the road, trying to make Son La before sun down. Today we will try for Lai Chau, then on to Sapa from there. It will be nice to get this first trek under my belt before heading down the coast.