Son Trach, gateway to Phong Nha Ke Bang

The day began at 5.30am when we were woken on the night bus and told we were at our destination, Dong Hoi. We were literally dumped at the side of the road by some motorbike taxis ... not the best start to the day but we managed to make our way to the bus station. From there a 6am 90 minute bus journey to Son Trach. The bus journey was bumpy and you had to be good at dodging wildlife ... dogs, chickens, cows and water buffalo to name just a few. It was also incredibly picturesque and there were people ploughing fields, walking with wooden ploughs behind buffalo pulling them. The way of life in this area has hardly changed for hundreds of years.

We arrived in Son Trach and were pleased to find our hotel room ready as we were knackered so we had some sleep and then had a wander around the village where this pic was taken. Not a lot here except a few hotels and bars which have sprung up over the last four years since the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park opened. We also made our plans to visit some of the caves of the National Park tomorrow.

This evening we watched our first premiership match which was Chelsea v Man U in a bar with a crazy English couple we met who are partying their way around Vietnam and have now bought a motorbike. Good fun but not sure the locals were too impressed.

Haiku
Drinks and football
An old familiar scene
Miles removed from friends