• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Global Rally Organisation

Routes that capture the imagination

  • Home
  • Africa 2020
  • 2018 Asia rally
  • Previous Rallies
    • All Previous Rallies
    • Pan American 2016
    • Rallye Med 2014
    • La Gira Andina 2012
    • Panama to Alaska 2008
    • London to Sydney 2005
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Africa 2020
  • 2018 Asia rally
  • Previous Rallies
    • All Previous Rallies
    • Pan American 2016
    • Rallye Med 2014
    • La Gira Andina 2012
    • Panama to Alaska 2008
    • London to Sydney 2005
  • Contact

Day 7 — Ke Ga to Can Tho

March 6, 2018 //  by Global Rally//  2 Comments

We knew this day was going to be tricky because we needed a 2 hr briefing the night before to explain that although the roadbook was accurate, some of the roads we were to take are not on the map. So everyone gathered to mark up their maps with the intended route.

Although the day was to be only 360kms, we started at 06:30 because we had two challenges. We were to transit Saigon, now known as Ho Chi Minh City and we also had two ferries to take across the mighty Mekong river. So an 8 hour day was to be in prospect, but that turned out to be optimistic: in the extreme for some.

The challenges of the day were mainly for the navigators although for drivers it was a day of “working the traffic”, ducking and diving, dodging and weaving in and out of trucks, buses and mainly motor cycles.

The first part of the drive was lovely, along the coast and through a nature reserve to a beach village where they still practice coracle fishing. Nearby, we stopped at a museum dedicated to military history of the Vietnam war.

The beach village was swarming with kids keen on collecting the ‘give away’ picture cards that we all carry; oh and climbing into the cars for a photoshoot.

Beyond that the day’s challenges were several.

Firstly, we had to transit Ho Chi Minh City (HCM) which at the best of times is to be avoided. But to enjoy the delights of the Mekong Delta, it is the only way to get there.

In Vietnam, people only get one week’s holiday per year and it occurs to coincide with the Vietnamese New Year. Today, Saturday, is the first day of that week and the whole nation is on the move. So the traffic was appalling.

Secondly, the air in this part of Vietnam is thick with pollution. Fires are lit along the road, sometimes to burn scrub and sometimes to burn rubbish that has been dumped outside as there is not rubbish collection. So the air in which we travelled was thick to breathe.

Thirdly, it was hot, dammed hot, (as Robin Williams said so eloquently in “Good Morning Vietnam”) and the combination of heat, dust, noise and hassle from the traffic made it difficult to make the right decisions at critical junctions.

Fourthly, the queue for the second ferry was over an hour as only about 8 cars could get on, along with 8 thousand motorcycles (I exaggerate).

So by the time that we got to the lovely hotel in Can Tho it was almost 5pm. Some made it earlier, but due to breakdown problems, two cars along with Paul our mechanic did not make it until late. At the time of writing, they are still not in.

Although it was a difficult day for many, the spirit of the group remained upbeat and positive in the evening. The Victoria Hotel where we are staying is right on the banks of the Mekong and has all the air of an old colonial Hotel; very comfortable and grand.

There is sad news and good news. The sad news is that Stuart’s daughter Becky, who has occupied his co-pilot seat from the start, has left us to return to South Africa. Thank you Becky for joining us, it was great fun.

The good news is that Stuart is joined by Chris, a familiar friend who has ‘global rallied’ before with us. Welcome Chris and enjoy the ride.

Late news. Everybody got in last night; one couple at 10:30 (long story) one couple at 12:30 and our back up at 3am (even longer story)

More tomorrow but we are relieved at last.

PS we have also made the local news in Vietnam:  Click here to have a read

Related

Category: Asia Rally 2018, VietnamTag: 2018 rally

Previous Post: « A post full of smiles
Next Post: Day 6 — A day off »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. John, Melinda & Betty Ford

    February 12, 2018 at 9:03 pm

    We’re enjoying the blog – wish we could have been with you. Pleased to see a real car in the line up – we know that a Model A is the ultimate rally experience! Best wishes and good luck to all –

    Reply
    • Global Rally

      February 13, 2018 at 11:00 am

      Isnt that car a beauty? The oldest in our team and definitely one to make people smile when they see her coming along the road.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Latest Updates

  • They’re back!
  • Shouldn’t be long now…..
  • Cars in the Canaries
  • Continental drift
  • Homeward Bound

Categories

  • Africa Rally 2020
  • Asia Rally 2018
    • About the cars
    • Cambodia
    • Laos
    • Myanmar
    • Thailand
    • Vietnam
  • Previous Rallies
  • Uncategorized

Follow us on Twitter

My Tweets

Who are the GRO?

We are a non-profit making organisation created for people who relish a challenge and an interest in classic cars. Combining these two things allows our members to explore the world.
The charge for all rallies will be “at cost”, save for a pre-stated administration fee for organising the event and the shared cost of the service / medical crew. We are able to do this as we will also be participating in the adventure and the countries are ones we wish to visit.

Subscribe for updates

Enter your email address to subscribe to news and updates by email.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Copyright © 2023 Global Rally Organisation · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Mai Theme