Sticky rice at the Moonlight Hotel
Ba Vi to Hoa Binh. A flat, easy rand fairly pleasant route today allows for some swimming pool time at a newly-built hotel with killer views across to the mountains…
Rain and rivers as I farewell Thac Ba lake
Tac Ba Lake to Lo River. My route continues around Thac Ba lake, continuing through the gentle green hills of team plantation country then straight down the Lo River. Cycling…
Ooh, aah, lovely lake Thac Ba
Lam Thuong valley to Thac Ba Lake (53km). This route leaves the hills behind to meander through open farmland before encountering some breathtaking vistas across Thac Ba Lake. At 53m,…
Cycling bliss on northern back roads
Bac Quang to Xoi Farmstay. An obscure rural back road wends its way through beguiling rural valleys, over hills and suspension bridges, past tea plantations and sublime rice paddies. It’s…
Rocky roads and golden rice fields: cycling south from Ha Giang
Ha Giang to Bac Quang. High limestone karsts provide a dramatic backdrop to the eastern edge of Ha Giang, adding to the excitement as I set off on my journey…
Weirder at Wally’s
A craving for bush camping leads me north of Orbost after some strange homestay conversations. I then battle dirt roads, hills and headwinds to make to the beautiful Cape Conran…
Never look a gift soup in the mouth
Things start to get stranger in far east Gippsland, as I find shelter in a retro caravan and abandon the East Gippsland Rail Trail. “This is for you!” A woman…
Bruthen pub to the rescue
A hot-under-the-collar start to the East Gippsland Rail Trail. Bairnsdale to Bruthen: 34km As a so called communications professional for a major transport project a rather important part of my…
Two types of cows
Some observations on over-polite drivers, bin liners, caravan park culture and bovine behaviour. I looked around for the person with the ruler. You know, the one who measures each and…
A grand old ride on the Grand Ridge Road
Day 6 of my Gippsland tour runs from the rainforest to the beach, with scones, suspension bridges and servo stops all thrown in. I watched with detached curiosity as the…