We did it!!

600 long kilometres later, we have finally reached our destination - the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as locals still seem to call it. Quite a change of pace to be back in the urban swell - this one with over 9 millions people (and they say 4.5 million motorbikes!).

We bade farewell to our trusty two-wheel friends yesterday in the chicken village, just outside the lovely town of Dalat. Why is it called the Chicken Village you ask? Well it is quite a cute story...

Once upon a time there was a girl who fell in love with a boy, however they were from neighbouring and rivaling villages. They knew they couldn't marry but their love was so strong that the boy brought the girl home to meet his mother who refused to allow the union....unless the girl could find a chicken with 9 spurs on its legs. So she searched all the surrounding villages and then into the woods, where she eventually died. Now the two ethnic groups live together in harmony, and remember the chicken as a symbol of peace. In fact after 1975 (the end of the war) they asked the government to erect a giant chicken - with 9 spurs - which they did. See the photo. It was a lovely place, but very poor....the woman who showed us around the village was called Dong. She had learned English on her own from books (as well as French and German) and was delightful. The village is poor and children looked quite malnourished. We all bought many items (that we didn't really need) from her shop to try and help a little. Such a treat and recommended to anyone coming this way!

So after a 35km ride from Dalat town to the Chicken Village, it was a quaint and memorable place to leave our bikes and the rest of our support crew. We couldn't have wished for a better guide than 'our Lam' and the drivers and mechanic that safely negotiated our way through the mad roads of Vietnam. Intrepid are an awesome travel company and would highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for an adventure while getting to know the real country and people. www.intrepidtravel.com

Another wee plug is for a shoe shop in Hoi An, who uses all its profits to give to kids in need - in Cao Bang among other places -  shoes, clothes, school rehabilitation and more. The owner Thom (pictured here) is wonderful and has great shoes so if you are in Hoi An, visit here at the Friendly Shoe Shop www.friendlyshophoian.com


So this is where we say goodbye and thanks so much to those of you who have supported us and sent us warm wishes along the way. You have all helped us get up those mountain sides and through the searing heat - for a great cause. While Vietnam is known to many of you as a wonderful tourist destination (as it has been for us) there is also great need here still and we are thrilled to be just a small part of helping kids here who so very desperately need it. Often on my bike I am reminded of Phuc, who I met in Cao Bang, with her two kids Thoy and Duen. She wished for nothing more in life than to be able to feed her two kids that were at this time severely malnourished - even though she works every hour given to her. Please know that your support is needed, and I know through ChildFund it will be put to the very best use through committed and motivated communities in the north of Vietnam.

THANKS AND LOVE FROM THE CYCLING SISTERS XXX