Unplanned night under the open sky
N 20°40'14.6'' E 105°05'01.5''
Date:
05.11.2016 until 06.11.2016
Day: 498 – 499
Country:
Vietnam
Province:
Hòa Bình
Location:
May Chau
Latitude N:
20°40’14.6”
Longitude E:
105°05’01.5”
Daily kilometers:
15 km
Total kilometers:
20,347 km
Total altitude meters:
54.661 m
Sunrise:
06:03
Sunset:
5:23 pm
Temperature day max:
22°C
Temperature day min:
19°C
(Photos of the diary entry can be found at the end of the text).
Because of yesterday’s exertion and excitement, we wake up quite exhausted. We are thinking about how we can save even more weight to make the trailers lighter. “We have to get rid of the solar system,” says Tanja. “I don’t like it, but I think you’re right. The weight is currently disproportionate to the benefit,” I think, as the sky has often been very cloudy for a good six months and the electricity yield is therefore far too low.
“Were you able to post the parcel or were there problems with the electronics?” I ask Tanja when she comes back from the post office. “It worked really well. We are now 17 kilograms lighter.” “Great. I’ll dismantle the bracket we built on your trailer for the solar panels later and give it to Vinh. He’s sure to have a use for something like that. That will save another two kilograms,” I think, making us about 20 kilograms lighter in total.
“Sorry, but you have to check out today at noon. All the rooms are fully booked. We didn’t expect you to come back. Otherwise we would have kept your room,” apologizes Ka. “Can we move to the dormitory?” asks Tanja. “Unfortunately not. Ajaci would scare off many of the Vietnamese guests.” “And where should we go then?” I ask, annoyed, as I would have liked to use today to rest a little from yesterday’s false start and the mega repair. “I don’t know. It looks like all the accommodation in Mai Chau is fully booked. We’ve already phoned around. Where there is still availability, they won’t accept your dog,” explains Ka. “But we have to go somewhere, don’t we? Can we go to one of the new bungalows?” Tanja wants to know. “They are also fully booked.” “I’ll see if we can pitch our tent on the lodge grounds,” Tanja considers and trudges off. She returns 20 minutes later without success. “Either the area is too small or it’s all still full of rubble,” she says, whereupon we explore the site again, this time in pairs. “If we clear away the rubble here next to the reception, we’ll have enough space for our tent,” I say confidently. Manh Do and Ka agree and instruct three women from the kitchen to help us move bricks and garbage to the side.
15:00. Our tent now stands on a small earth island. To the left and right, a narrow path leads guests to their bungalows. The fully occupied electric buggies drive past in front of the plant. When the Vietnamese tourists see us and Ajaci in front of our tent, they cheer us on as if we were pop stars. “How nice and quiet it was on our little terrace in front of our bungalow,” I long to go back there. I take a look at the house we lived in for over three months. Two young, stylishly dressed ladies from Hanoi sit enthroned like princesses on the terrace and look down at us. You are sitting in our seat, a petty thought runs through my mind.
In the late afternoon, I follow Vinh’s moped to the small town of Mai Chau. Vinh explains to the mechanic what it’s all about. “Do you agree if we install this moped stand? We just need to adapt it to your rear swing arm,” asks Vinh after consulting with the mechanic. “Absolutely agree,” I reply and tell them to adjust the bracket to the screw length. “No problem,” smiles Vinh. An hour later, it’s done. Tanja’s bike has a new kickstand that was actually designed for a moped. “Much better and more stable than before”, I am delighted with the fantastic repair.
Back at the Nature Lodge, I show Tanja her bike. “Great. It was a good idea to turn back.” “Yes, the bike technology should work perfectly now. What’s more, we’re at least 20 kilograms lighter. “Should we set off again tomorrow?” I ask. Tanja looks at me. “You decide,” she says. “Hm, maybe it would be good if we stayed tomorrow. We can relax all day and then we’ll be refreshed and rested before finally leaving Mai Chau behind us,” I suggest. “Agreed,” laughs Tanja freely.
In the evening, we invite Vinh for a few beers and thank him for his selfless help. Then we sit down in front of our tent. “Somehow it’s nice to spend the night in a tent again, even if the place isn’t exactly ideal right now,” says Tanja, looking up at the dark sky. “I think so too,” I reply, strumming away on Ka’s guitar…
If you would like to find out more about our adventures, you can find our books under this link.
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