A Solo Travellers Mind

The trip to Nimh Binh was a smooth ride, a quick four hour bus and I arrived at my hostel. After checking in, I hired a bicycle, at last finding somewhere I don’t have to get on a motorbike!

The first day was spent at the Bich Dong Pagoda. A pretty area with lots of temples within. Next up was the Thang Nham Bird Park, again some amazing views, with a selection of different birds flying around, I however wouldnt go as far as saying there was anymore than at a local lake. Overall an incredibly beautiful bike ride. Dinner was a huge spread put on by the hosts, with a selection of incredibly tasty food. Followed by free rice wine, lots of new games learnt and a few drinks on the party bus in town with a big group of English lads and ladies.

Waking up a little tender, I nurse the hangover for a few hours before heading out on my bicycle again, this time to Trang An, where I jumped in a little rowing boat and see some of the sights, including the largest cave in the Nimh Binh area and one particularly pretty temple with carp in the river outside!
My final day in Ninh Binh was spent with Netflix and snacks, as the rain absolutely poured outside, before a slightly cramped night bus to Phong Nha.

My first day in Phong Nha was a jam packed tour to Diamond Cave and Dark Cave. Diamond Cave is the largest dry Cave system in Asia (not to be mistaken for the largest wet Cave here in Phong Nha which costs £2000 to visit!). The cave is incredibly wide inside and protected by the British Cave society. Dark Cave was more of an adventure, first having to zip line down across the river, followed by a chilly dip, through the river into the cave and down to the mud baths within. A “soothing” mud bath, was followed by a kayak down stream to a makeshift water park. This is where my life could have easily ended, with me flying down the water slides and flinging myself across the so-called apparatus, before subsequently having to jump off and into the water because it was so difficult.

The second day involved another bicycle ride, this time to the famous Duck Stop! Where I got to feed, play and cuddle ducks (I’m sure this is how swine flu occurs).
The rest of the day the rain again absolutely poured down, meaning it was a chill day with my book intill I caught my bus!

The last couple of days have been some what difficult. With me constantly on the move, self care was placed on the back burner, something that should take priority when in such a transitional period. It’s difficult constantly moving and saying goodbye to people you really get along with, just as much as it’s difficult going somewhere new and not necessarily finding people you meld with all that well. I think this is especially difficult when you are in deep thought about your own relationships in life. One thing I continue to remind mysef, is that although having down days while travelling does seem incredibly bizarre, it’s also perfectly normal. Leaving a country gives you space from past traumas, however the baggage does come with you.