A long journey to Trang An, Ninh Binh

The motor cycle ride was beautiful and interesting, taking me through steep narrow roads over the hills and then along a river and farmlands composed mostly of rice paddies. I stopped at a couple of caves along the way, one on the roadside and the other at Hang Bua which was also near the highway. I rode for too long today and suffered the penalty of a sore back.
This route, as many routes in the Vietnam countryside are truly rural. cows, chickens are often on or alongside the road.
Many of the mountains are composed of limestone, and are easily eroded. Caves are commonplace and not far from the road, indeed in this case adjacent to the road.

Streams are where people wash, bathe and animals do the same. As pure as the water may look, it isn't. I carried a water filter just in case I needed a drink, however I never needed it as I was never too far from a town to replenish my supply.
There is something special about working the land. I spoke to a lady returning from England to be with her family over the Tet festival period. It was important to her to be out in the fields working with her family and friends. You wouldn't know it seeing her in town dolled up looking like anything but a rural worker.
For me, seeing the rice paddies up close, riding or walking on the lane ways separating them, conversing or just waving an acknowledgment was a special part of my visit to Vietnam.
 
I was rather spoilt in Phong Nha with its cave systems, so these ones though pretty did not hold a lot of appeal. The break though, was welcome.
My intent was to only ride 4 to 5 hours stopping at Chi Lo or Thai Hoa, however these towns were fairly uninteresting and noisy with motor traffic. It was early early in the afternoon when I got there so, I thought - okay why not press on to Ninh Binh ?
I made it to Ninh Binh just before dark, or should I say just on dark. I was barely able to get off my motorbike as I suffered a few hours of potholed roads. Driving on this road as away from the main motorway, but it was still busy and not as well maintained.  The sight of the the abrupt rising mountains was a pleasure that I felt I would come to enjoy.
However the bed and its offer of comfort was much more interesting. 
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