Rach Gia-Cantho

Total Distance:139.66km
Total Time:6h47m38s
Average Speed:20.5km/h
Maximum Speed:34.5km/h
Total Distance So Far:4049.73km

After arriving in Ha Tien, I headed to the island of Phu Quoc. It was a nice place to lay on the beach and relax. However, aside from that there's not a lot to do there. It was a little over-priced and, after just two nights, I thought it was best to head back to the mainland before I ran out of money. I took a boat to Rach Gia, about 100km from Ha Tien. I guess that's cheating a little, but I still have a long way to go. I'm sure I'll more than make up for it. Rach Gia serves pretty much only as a hub to and from Phu Quoc. I was a little surprised by it's size. It is quite a bit larger than I would have imagined. I spent the night there, and the next morning I was off to Cantho.
Riding through Vietnam is much different than anywhere I've been so far. Traffic is insane. The roads are generally pretty good, which was a nice change from my last couple of trips through Cambodia. The way from Rach Gia to Cantho is very populated. Every time one town ends, a new one begins. There is quite a few towns that are almost like miniature cities. Shopping centers, electronic stores, and high buildings line the streets. It was nice to be emerged in something so different from where I have just been. However the crowded streets do make for a fair amount of noise. Riding your bike through roaring motors and honking horns for six and a half hours can wear on you.
Of course, I got lost on my way to Cantho. There is a point where the highway forks into three. At first I went left, continuing for ten kilometers before realizing I was headed the wrong way. So I went back and tried right. Again, after five kilometers, I realized I was going the wrong way. I went back one more time, taking the last turn that was left to take. Obviously, it was the right one. I guess I should have opted to but that GPS system afterall.
Cantho is great. I'm really enjoying myself here. Today I took a boat tour of the Mekong river. They take you to a couple of floating markets, and then down the canals for a slow paced relaxing tour. It was really nice. A great way to unwind. I strongly suggest anyone headed this way check it out. It's a little pricey, but well worth it.
Tomorrow I'm off to Saigon. Attempting to bike into it should be one of my biggest challenges yet. I hear the traffic there is some of the worst in the world. Cross your fingures for us!