Mai Chau is a long way to go for a day tour but as I only have one day left I felt it would be worth it and it was.

I have to say it was not promising- the bus was 50mins late and as we stopped on the mountain pass, to view the valley below all we could see was fog - thick dark fog. However we went a little higher over the actual summit of the pass and it was as if we had gone into another land. It was clear and by the time we reached Mai Chau itself it was clear and warm.

After a great lunch, the 6 of us (out of about 14) who were actually going to ride bikes as part of this biking day in Mai Chau, mounted our trusty steeds and were off. The others got in a large golf buggy and were taken off along concrete paths. We went a little more interesting route along very narrow paths and paddy fields. At one point our guide carried our bikes over a log bridge - at least he carried the girls’ bikes over - tall good looking young German carried his own.

We visited a traditional house and all agreed that being told a floor, made of bamboo that has holes in it, is safe; is not the same as believing it is safe.

Another beautiful part of Vietnam. Oh yes on the way back the fog was still there but had lifted a little and we could just make out the valley below.