Better watch it Bear. With threads like this, you may not be allowed to return home. Forum rules, sorry....

Funny seeing that little bike in Repsol trim. Guess that shoots down the theory that they only come on the 1krr....

Thanks for taking us with you!

 

It's my pleasure Demon - and those little Repsol bikes are everywhere. There's not a huge hot up market that I've noticed, but some of those little scooters seem mighty quick out of the box.

And an update for Naga who asked for more details on our bikes. We have two kinds, both Hondas. Mrs SB's and mine are Honda 125cc Fortunes - there's not a lot of detail available on the web about them so here's my summary.

Wheelbase - small
Power - very little
Handling - some
Fuel use - 250-300 km per tank
Tank size - enough to do 250-300 km

It is a pleasant little motorcycle that has taken us more than 800 km over very twisty, very hilly terrain with some off-road stuff. It has taken it all in it's stride and has the legendary Honda reliability. For this trip, the perfect little bike.

I'll try and get a few pictures of the Repsol bike tomorrow.

Cheers, SB

 

Great pics and a tribute to your fortitude, that weather.
I had to laugh at the "luggage racks" on the bikes - as I recall they carry everything including livestock on their bikes over there.
I am surprised at the availability of "Western" style meals and the open markets - assuming this is capitalism at work in Uncle Ho's backyard ?
All of this reminds me of that movie with Arnie the Schwartenoogle - when he couldn't afford a holiday but had the memories implanted in his brain..........
Now I don't have to visit VN - you've done it for all of us..........
A big thank you to you all, even the man in the body-hugging rain poncho It does look like an oversized Durex HEHEHE
Keep on enjoying and sharing........and be safe.

 

Au thats cool! Me liiike )

 

Day 13 Around Ha Noi

We essentially had a recovery day for the walking wounded, Mrs SB with a bruised leg and Jay with his recalcitrant stomach.

I had trouble going to the toilet in the hotel, but only because I had the feeling I was being watched................



A very strange little blue bear!?



A quick morning walk before breakfast found this little Suzuki very much like a GN250 back in Australia. The owner told me it cost him $3,000 USD in Vietnam.

The day was going to be touring the Museums and Monuments of Ha Noi, so armed with a map and money we taxied to the Ho Chi Minh Museum.



They believe in big monuments to Uncle Ho



And a big Uncle Ho! The man is utterly revered by the Vietnamese population - certainly very obvious in the North.

Next was the - empty - Mausoleum for Uncle Ho.



As said in an earlier post, his remains are currently in Russia having his embalming checked or updated to Embalming 2.0

Walking around the square in front of the mausoleum, you come across the Presidential Palace - I think where the current President of Vietnam lives. I was certainly moved on with a shrill whistle when I poked my camera through the imposing entrance gates to take the photo.



The Presidents Residence.

We then wandered off to find the War History Museum, but it had closed for the next hour so Mrs SB and I found an adjacent eatery for a drink and early lunch.



Excitement is a cool, fresh juice mix - apparently. And it has to match your top



This was hands down the best meal I have had since leaving Australia. The Highlands Club sandwich with thin fries was an explosion of taste on the tongue! It was beautiful as was Mrs SB's Ceasar Salad. We're taking the kids back there for farewell lunch tomorrow.



And last but far from least with this meal, let me introduce you to the PERFECT traditional Vietnamese coffee. Strong coffee in a tall glass filled with ice, with a good dollop of condensed milk at the bottom. So very, very moorish.......... The meal, with 4 drinks cost $15 USD



This is the flag tower built in 1812 next door to the restaurant.

Eventually the War History Museum reopened and we went in.



The war materiel left over in Vietnam is astonishing - from the 50's French wars right through to the Vietnam-American war.



A mountain of US aircraft debris



A French helmet from the 57 day battle of Dien Bien Phu - where the Vietnamese trounced the French which led to the splitting of Vietnam on the 17th parallel.



Of course.......



The real tank that drove through the gates of the Presidential palace in Saigon.

After the Museum, we walked the few kilometres back to our hotel amazed at the non-stop traffic and the surprisingly little contact made between the moving, living, motoring throng.



And just how would you say THAT!!!

Heading out for dinner later we came across a pet duck in the street



As would be expected in a town such as Ha Noi with its French heritage, the duck's name was L'Orange (well I like to think it was )

Found a Repsol Honda scooter or two on the way back from dinner





And a couple of guys fettling a lovely restored Motobecane Mobylette Moped



Just beautiful

A very busy day, with very hot, humid temperature as the amount of water the fell overnight was significant. And we are expecting more rain tonight.

I just hope that little blue guy isn't hiding behind the toilet tonight...

Cheers, The Travelling 'Bears

 

Cool photos Seb. Have you run across other "westerners" there while on your travels?

 

We have only seen one other Westerner on a motorcycle - on the way back from Sa Pa, and he didn't stop!

Apart from that, the major destinations (Saigon, Ha Noi, Sa Pa, Ha Long Bay) you see plenty of Aussies, French and Germans with a few Americans thrown in for good measure. Most are on package tours so don't get off the beaten track. It is still a relatively new country for tourism.

Cheers, SB

 

Yep, that's why I was asking. Pretty cool nonetheless....

 

That's spectacular ! Seb fantastic pics - getting a real feel for what you are experiencing over there.

If I saw dogs like that - it'd have me thinking

- Hey ya know what I think it's time for some Chow - I know aweful PUN pretty ruff infact

 

Day 14 Last Day in Ha Noi

It was a quiet day at the Gearcruncher's arms With apologies to Pete Thoeming....................

Last day in Ha Noi, so we had a lazy one. Planned the next 4 days journey south to Hue - about 1000 km away. Booked the next two nights in hotels and then went out for a walk.



Found this lovely little older Honda C70 Cub.



A big Chookie (only a 250cc) being serviced



And this lovely Enfield - sidecar combination

Then found this statue honouring Ly Thai To



Lư Thái Tổ was Đại Việt Emperor and was the founder of the Lư D‎ynasty, he reigned from 1009 to 1028 AD, and I think was the first Emporer to unify Vietnam.

We then took the kids out to the Highlands cafe for lunch for they leave tomorrow and it's Jay's birthday next week. The food was as good if not better than yesterday



We ate way too much then returned to the hotel for a bit of a post-prandial nap..............zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The girls who go pillion who's dresses are seriously short tend to ride side saddle and on the taxi ride back to the hotel after lunch I managed to get a picture - for the style of riding you see - it had nothing to do with the legs



Texting whilst side-saddle. How do they do it??

The Hotel had parked our bike out the front so we had to have a picture taken



The number of bikes in this place defies the imagination



This is one small bike park near where we got dinner!

Tomorrow we resume the road journey - and we are looking forward to it.
South to Hue we go.

Cheers, The Travelling 'Bears