Day 20
Country
We had arranged with Joe to meet up in the morning and visit the Khe Sanh combat base where there were some captured American air force relics. When Joe found out that we were heading to Phong Nha national park where he had come from the day before, he recommended we stay at the backpacker's hostel where it was cheap and clean.
We said farewell to Joe after the museum visit and set off along the Ho Chi Minh trail towards Phong Nha. We were warned that there was not much once we left Khe Sanh in the way of towns or petrol stations and were advised to fill up before we left which we did.
Another day of superb mountain passes and stunning scenery which only got better as were neared Phong Nha. Met a couple of other bikers on the way and ran into Ryan once again.
At around lunch time we stopped at a cafe for something to eat but it was closed for Tet. However, as mentioned before, many shops double up as people's houses in Vietnam. Or they set up a shop in front of their houses. This was one such example and the owner took pity on us and despite being closed rustled up some noodles for us to eat.
At Phong Nha we found the hostel and checked in. $4 for a bed in the dorm or $14 for a twin room with en suite bathroom. Breakfast and as much beer as you can drink between 7 and 8 pm included. Bargain. They may as well have paid us to stay there. We got a room and went to check out the town. It was full of travellers/tourists but not like Nha Trang or other party towns. We had Indian food that night.
