I woke up with a slight cough this morning, and it was misty and slightly drizzely out.
It was tough leaving the peacefullness and freindliness of the Green Peace Gardens – I could have stayed a few days there yet…
Along the way, out of nowhere, a group of 6 Belgian cyclists (all retired) appeared out of nowhere cycling as though they were out for a quick Sunday afternoon cycle. Evidently, they have been in Vietnam for 8 weeks already, but with their “typical” Dutch/Begian-Style bikes, no cycling clothes, no saddle bags (all their things were in the hotel for the day), they certainly seemed a lot more out of place than we were (or less so), and certainly made me think I was dreaming it all.
We were heading south – our tour was to pass us by an old Cathedral. The first we say (evident as it was tall and stood out), was not the Site for pilgramage, but it was the first western/Christian Church that we have seen out here in the countryside.
About 2km further on, we came to a much older site – The Cathedral Phat Diem:
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The cathedral has a really interesting European/Vietnamese architecture mix – built in late 1800s. The massive wooden interior structures are amazing, and the peacefulness of the area is quite inspiring. A little off the beaten track, but well worth the visit.
The rest of the cycle was a mix of towns, villages, countryside, minor and major roads…
At last, we made it to Sam Son – a sea-side town about 15km east of Tanh Hao (the local province capital). Our first look at the sea!!
The town itself was so quiet it was spooky – hardly any traffic in the evening, with mist and think low clouds – it seems like almost a ghost town. Quite in contrast to what it is surely like in the summer based on the huge hotel complexes lined up along the seaside road – one huge hotel complex after the other (all a little in the years, but otherwise impressive).
It took us about 1/2 hour of walking around before we found someplace that was open serving food. But some great seafood was what we found.
If you’re wondering why everything was so quiet: Tet.
A combination of our Christmas (with decorating trees, with ornaments, and gifts) and New Years celebrations – everything shuts down here for Tet.
(98km / 93 m)