Road Rash: Day 2

Busy roads at times!

Driving at dusk.


Me and the boys at the mechanics who helped us out!

Guy at the mechanics working on our bike =)




We started out the day nice and early and by 9:00pm we were on the road. I was smiling. The sun was shining. The day was starting off right. I was also feeling confident of Tiffany's driving skills from the previous days efforts. We drove 3 hours to our lunch destination. We were making good time and the roads were descent.

After a quick bite to eat, which consisted of tofu, rice, and fresh tomatoes (those are the only things we know ho to say in Vietnamese) we were on the road again. I had mentioned to Tiffany over lunch that perhaps I was ready to give driving a go. I was getting a little bored on the back.
Well, lettle did I know the road conditions that we were going to be up against or the events that would transpire! The terrain started to change dramatically and soon after lunch we were on these narrow, windy, single-lane mountain roads with blind corner after blind corner. You had to honk evertime you turned the corner to warn other vehicles coming in your direction. For someone who's only driven a moped 2x before Tiffany was doing a fantastic job but I'd have to say at this point I began to rethink both our motorcycle trip and entrusting my life to Tiffany!

Even as I wrie this my jaw hurts from being clenched so tightly and every muscle in my back hurts from being so tense. I honestly saw my life flash before my eyes today. There were too many close calls that right now I'm having a bit of a hard time being super upbeat about this trip. I'm thinking: Wow we made it through today! Are we going to make it through tomorrow? I'm honestly, seriously thinking this way.

They are doing some major construcion on the roads (well actually they NEED to be doing construction but right now the road is in shambles). For about 1 1/2 hours we were riding straight up this mountainside on a dirt, one-lane road that was super rocky and bumpy. We were not motorcylcing, we were dirtbiking! I felt like I was doing a little motorcross actually! Why take a minsk should anyone ask? Today I understand...

About half way through our day (we were 25 km from the nearest town thank goodness!) we got in our first motorbike wreck. We were turning a blind corner and this big semi-truck was coming straight for us! To avoid a head-on we went off the pavement and onto the gravel and as soon as that happened our bike came crashing down. We were tossed off the bike and it landed on us! We were so fortunate that we weren't going very fast and we got off with a little road rash. Our bike wasn't as fortunate... the gear pedal was completely bent out of shape and the bike was badly out of line. We also smashed the rear-view mirror and the tail light.

We sat there for a bit, at the side of the road. Tiffany took out the tool box again... I just looked at her like whatcha think you're going to do with those plyers? The bike started ok and once we figured out we could use the gears we rode the last 25 km into town with it badly out of line. We stopped in town and conveniently right beside us was a mechanic shop. Thankfully mechanic shops are a dime a dozen in Vietnam. We acted out what happened to the mechanic and he put the bike back in line and put on a new gear pedal. $4 and 10min later we were off again. I love SE Asia! They didn't have a replacement mirror though so I had to look behind me and tap on Tiff's shoulders if someone was about to pass. A bit of an inconvenience but we made it work =)

Once I could get past my fear, I was able to enjoy the beautiful scenery surrounding us. My favorite part was passing all the little villages where hill tribes such as the Black Thai's and Muong lived. They were dressed in their traditional garb and were out working the land. We saw old woman who looked about 70 or 80, but were probably younger, carrying heavy piles of wood on their head and men and women working in the rice fields. The children were especially cute and they were so excited to see us and wave to us as we rode by. It was really neat to see everyone going about their day as usual. You knew it wasn't a put on thing for tourists. I love that!

We spent 10 hours on the bike today! When we arrived in Dien Bien Thu we went for dinner and we actually saw other foreigners. They were a French couple and once we started talking to them we realized we were doing the same trip as them. They looked at us and asked: "Are you girls riding bikes?" (with a big question mark). We explained that Tiffany was driving and how we really don't have experience etc and that I'm quite scared actually. "Wow!" the French guy said. "You mean you girls don't have a motorcycle licence are are doing this trip?" "Yep that's right," we responded. I then said -"we're either some of the coolest girls you'll ever meet or the stupidest. After today I'm feeling we're a little on the stupid side!" He laughed and said "yes, but cool too!"

They wished us luck and we said goodbye. I couldn't help but wish I was his girlfriend getting on the back of his bike and riding away! I'd feel a little bit more safe I think, besides he was also quite cute =) Good-night. I'm praying tonight for safety. We have hit the point of no return. No turning back now!