A Solo Travellers Mind

My night bus to Cao Bang was pretty undramatic other than having my snacks taken off my before entry (still unsure why). At 5:30am I arrive in Cao Bang and head to my hostel which luckily lets me check in and get some sleep. My first day is a day of planning and getting to grips with this rather small place. I quickly realised that no one speaks English, and that I am the only white traveller around right now… thank god I decided to get a SIM card, google translate to the rescue! My original plan was to stay here for 3 days, and leave on Wednesday. However disaster struck when booking the night bus back and it was FULL! So I’m now leaving a day later… With this in mind I have hired an easy rider for the following two days to take me to the places that bring me to the Chinese border! 

The rest of my day is spent in pure chill mode, ending with a facetime to the auntie, uncle and sohail in the evening! 

Up bright and early, and Huy is waiting for me ready to go. He’s my easy rider for today! Having planned the route myself I’m rather impressed that it’s actually doable! First we head through the most northern parts of Vietnam towards the border, before arriving at Ban Gioc Waterfall, the largest waterfall in SE Asia. It’s a spectacular sight and is well worth the 2 and a half hour ride up here. Next we cruise along the Chinese/Vietnam border before heading south to Thang Hen Eco Lake. Then we head to Mat Than Nui, one of the largest ecological territories in northern Vietnam, where you see the mountain eye, along with fossils in the rocks as you walk across. You can only do this during the dry season as it turns into a lake in the rainy season! The day ends back at Cao Bang with 150 miles of the nearly 300 mile trip complete! A quick bite to eat at the restaurant down the road results in another meal brought for me, a local chap wanting me to try some traditional northern Vietnamese food. He later asks for me to join him and his friends for a drink, however with another big day ahead and tired in my eyes I rain check, with the potential to go tomorrow instead. 

Another early rise, and a message from Huy to say he’s still my easy rider for today and will be here in 10 minutes. The day’s route involved a 50 mile ride north, this time towards Ha Giang, to connect as the loop ends and ride the twisty roads, before heading back to Cao Bang, a 100 mile trip in total!