I don’t even know where to start with this part of my adventure, no words could do justice on how amazing these four days were. Four days of utter carnage, so much laughter and by far the most dangerous roads I’ve been on and about 10 near miss accidents on my behalf.
Myself and Katie got the night bus from Hanoi which arrived in Ha Giang at 4am, the hostel kindly let us share a mattress on the common room floor with a random boy, later known as Danny. After around 3 hours total sleep we were up and ready to start a 4 day motorbike.
I got a 2 minute lesson on how to actually ride a semi-automatic and with my huge helmet on and small rucksack strapped onto the back of my bike off we all went a group of around 30 people.
The first day alone has such amazing views up in the mountains! Also ridiculously scary as huge trucks tend to drive round bends entirely in the middle of the road.
Danny became mine and Katie’s new best friend (poor boy) and it resulted in laughter beyond control until we were crying, probably the most I’ve ever laughed.
In between the riding we visited different places. The first day we climbed a mountain (with a lot of whinging) to visit a cave at the top. The motorbike route let you see small vietnamese villages and how the locals live.
Along the way there were many obstacles mainly in the form of roadworks and some very tight squeezes. We weren’t supposed to drive in the dark at any point because its a lot more dangerous however the roadworks meant we drove down a mountain in the dark which was like a rollercoaster of potholes.
Each night we stayed in a homestay and had a ‘family dinner’. Before family dinner started we had to shot ‘happy water’ which was home made rice wine. I can only describe it as tasting like petrol mixed with tequila but it definitely made everyone happy! Then came the too much beer and karaoke, everyone knows I cant sing but I definitely gave it a good shot.
The weather was mainly on our sides apart from a few hours of rain which actually added to the atmosphere. Thank god for my fake North Face jacket i managed to buy the day before!
The second day we went to an illegal border of China. We climbed up some unsteady rocks to reach the point Cambodia turns into Vietnam. We were told if any police came to run as fast as we could, this is always really reassuring.
We then rode on further to somewhere called the ‘Sky Walk’. This was AMAZING. It was like walking on top of the clouds and by far my favourite view I’ve ever seen. At the top there was a group of poor children who were begging for money. One girl decided to give them a small amount and they all jumped on her to fight for it.
Another homestay resulted in again more ‘happy water’, too much beer and the best kind of laughs with the best group of people.
Day three started with the most amazing hangover that i was just so grateful for. Even more so when we realised we were about to embark on the most sweaty and difficult hike of the trip yet, down to a boat ride.
The boat ride was cute but I definitely was not prepared for the climb back up with a hangover in midday sun, I survived though, go me.
The final day consisted of a waterfall and a lot of riding to make it back to the first hostel before dark.
The roads we drove along were mainly tarmac but also a lot of gravel, sand and mud which is so scary to ride on. Not long before the end we had our only accident, Ross went skidding off across gravel resulting in a nasty gravel burn.
I cant even express how amazing this experience was and by far one of my favourites not only in Asia but in my life. The riding, the home-stays and more than anything the lovely group of friends we made who I was beyond sad to leave.
Heres to all of the ‘4 day 4 day’ group and the best experience and views of my life! What a way to end my time in Vietnam.
Wanderlust Adventure 