Wrap up and Reflections

 

              Reflections - nice to be home  

• No more Asian cycling tours for me.  I’ve seen enough countries over there, enjoyed them all immensely, but the pollution, noise, litter, crowds and the lack of fresh air is just not worth the effort anymore. 
• Maybe, in hindsight I could have avoided picking up the virus, but being locked in a small bus (the windows of which could not be opened) surrounded by sick people who didn’t care / know about protecting themselves or others from the virus, it was a near impossible task. If I had noticed sooner that the unthinking bus driver had set the aircon on recycle instead of fresh air we all could have been breathing better air and maybe avoided the virus. 
• The guides did not have any idea what to do regarding the virus.  They had no preventive measures in place; they either didn’t know or didn’t care.  They should have had Rapid Tests to ensure they had a good chance of detecting it early.  The mini-bus where we were going to spend a lot of time in should have been well ventilated and had windows you could open.  
• Some people arrived at the tour already sick, they should have been tested immediately and isolated if positive. It was just a total disregard of the situation in the real world.  
• I was very disappointed with the lack of support I got from the tour company once I was diagnosed with COVID.  They just completely wiped their hands of me.  I did not expect any refund or compensation for pulling out, however they could have offered to get me accommodation at their discounted rate.  Seeing I’m not coming back for anymore tours, it’s a bit academic. 
• Until this virus has done its thing I will not be going on tours which I have no control over.  You can’t rely on others to do the right thing for themselves or for others around them. Some people carry on as if the virus never existed.  

Day 23: Wed 1 Mar - Brisbane to Home

Coming into land at Brisbane 

Drive: 277 km 

On the Singapore Brisbane leg all I be wanted to do was sleep.  So after a light vegetarian meal I settled down in my Business Class bed/chair and went to sleep.  I didn’t know much about anything until the hostess woke me for breakfast about an hour before we were due into Brisbane. The best rest I’ve had on a plane ever.  We didn’t make up for the late departure so we were a little late into Brisbane  

Cleared immigration and customs in about 20 minutes and after walking to the pickup point I was met in a couple of minutes by Wens. She was certainly a sight for sore eyes. It was so good to be home and in the car on the way home.  Not that I was aware of much, I slept most of the way.  It was so nice to be driven into the front gate at the Hippo Farm. 

Day 22: Tue 28 Feb - Hanoi to Singapore to Brisbane

Temp: 15 to 23C

I’ve waited for this day since I first became ill, 10 days ago.  If I’d known what I know now I’d have gotten Wens to book me a flight home; any airline, any schedule.  I was hoping for a quick recovery and then get back on the bike. That realistically was never going to happen with me being so sick. I should’ve realised that.  History; it’s not going to worry me. 

Up at 4am for a shower and last minute packing before heading out to the airport at 5am.  Apart from the taxi not turning up until 5:17am, (I knew I had plenty of time so wasn’t concerned) everything went smoothly, including the relatively light traffic.  It took me a while to work out that the hoards of people in a long queue were not part of my mob.  I soon located the Business Class check in for Vietnam Airlines.  I was in a queue of one, for a choice of two counters. Security and immigration took no time at all and I could have gone straight to the Business Lounge but elected to do a lap of the airport first. I was in the Business Lounge sipping on coffee at 6:12am.  The flight left spot on time and the three hours in the air went fairly quickly. VA is a pretty basic service, no inflight entertainment, no much offered in the way of drinks (alcoholic or non) and when I asked for a bottle of water she came out with the tiniest glass of water I’ve ever seen.  And that’s business class, imagine the poor buggers at the back.  I did get some fresh fruit and yoghurt though, which is all I really needed. 

The BL in Hanoi is large, immaculately clean and well stocked with food, drinks and essentials.  So that’s why I was ok with not getting much on the flight.  

Singapore seemed unusually quiet when we arrived. I had a wander to stretch the legs and headed for the Qantas Club. Alas, I had a two hour wait ahead of me as it doesn’t open till 3pm!  Mr Joyce has got a lot to answer for, since he took over the airline has continued to go backwards.  Some more wandering to kill some time before heading back to the club.  I see on the board that my flight has been delayed by about 50 minutes. I’m hoping that it is going to leave at the new scheduled time.  

For lunch in the club I had one of the tastiest seafood laksas I’ve had for ages.  I could have went mad on the grog as it was everywhere but not these days, settled for a sparkling water.  Just had to have some dessert, cake and custard, very nice.  Was conscious of the fact that they will feed us on the plane so must save some room for that. 

Our new ETD 8:05pm and a new gate meant that I left the lounge about 7pm, there’s no way I was going to be late. 

I just can’t understand why they have to check everyone in and then pack us all in a tiny lounge area meant for half the numbers.  We waited and waited and then finally was allowed onto the plane.  Once on board it felt so much more comfortable. 

       Our aircraft for Hanoi to Singapore 

         The Business Lounge in Hanoi

         A very quiet airport in Hanoi 

Outside this morning, the usual Asian haze

  

Day 21: Mon 27 Feb - Hanoi

Temp:13 to 22C fine and sunny, with the ever present Asian haze. 

When I thought I’d finally got rid of that cough, it came back and some.  It gave me a had time throughout the night.  Although after taking a sleep-right about midnight I seemed to relax and sleep better.  

Didn’t see any of the gang at breakfast, I think that I’m the last one to leave.  Wasn’t feeling all that flash after breakfast so I just went back to my room and slept some more.  The day really dragged on, seemed to go on forever.  Apart from a walk around the lake I didn’t do much at all.   I just wasn’t up to it and didn’t really want to push myself physically.  

Went and booked a taxi for 5am tomorrow, paid for it and my outstanding room service bills. I asked if I could pay in AS$ and he quoted some ridiculous amount about twice as much as it should have been.  I said no, I’ll pay it by credit card, so he changed the amount to a more realistic one, but I insisted in putting it on the card.  I’m not sure if it was a genuine mistake or he was trying to rip me off.  I’m glad that I’d done the conversion in my room and knew what the sum should’ve been.  

Spent a bit of time sorting out my gear, disposing of a couple of things I don’t need and reading an e-book on my phone. I’m ok with that but I don’t enjoy it as much as a physical book.  

About 4pm I started to feel a little better so after some green tea I went outside wandering.  An interesting neighbourhood catering for both the locals and the tourists. Lots of foot massages available, can’t think of anything worse myself but some people must enjoy them going on the number of establishments.  The food available is mostly local non-westernised stuff which I wouldn’t like to chance.  The souvenir sellers are all over the place but they don’t hassle you like they used to do on previous trips.  I bought a couple of hats / caps for Stan, not big on souvenirs. 

I wasn’t that hungry, even though the last time I had eaten was breakfast, so I just picked up a sandwich and yoghurt drink from the corner store.  It did the trick.  

No pics today as I didn’t see anything new. 

Day 20: Sun 26 Feb - Hanoi

           Fancy shopping 

        Room service pumpkin soup and chicken 

        Fancy shopping 

                Sunset on the lake 
Temp: 14 to 24C very cool early pleasant later. Hanoi is certainly different than Saigon. 

Still coughing during the night but not enough to deprive me of the sleep I know I need to get over this.  Met up with Kev at breakfast again and chatted about cycle touring in Europe. Kev agrees with me, he won’t be doing anymore tours in Asia, just about seen the best available.  

Lingered over breakfast before heading out for another walk around the little lake.  The people out enjoying a near perfect day weather wise was outstanding. They love the little e-cars for the kids so there were 100s of these things driving around the closed streets.  

I was targeted three times by groups of kids practicing their English. They had set questions and would write my answers in a book.  They had safety vests on and name tags to show their school.  Their parents / teachers were always hovering nearby to protect them.  

Ended up in the Opera House area which is where all the “money stores” are located. Zero interest from me in that overpriced and overrated stuff.  

Managed to stay out till 11:30am when I decided I’d had enough and went for a sleep. 

Didn’t venture out again until dinner time when the worms started biting. Did another lap of the lake. Couldn’t find anything I fancied for dinner so went back to my room and ordered room service. 

               The markets were busy 

          A closed street being used as a play area

        Kids having fun in hire e-cars. 

        Hanoi Opera House 

A lovely old French era building 

 An outdoor photograph exhibition, stunning!

Day 19: Sat 25 Feb - Hanoi

Temp: 17 to 23C mostly sunny with a very cool breeze 

The cough was relentless last night, but I did manage some sleep regardless. Had a very nice coffee in my room about 4:45am and potted around till about 7am when I had a chat with Wens. Caught up with Kev at breakfast, good to see him back safe and feeling much better. I’m guessing he had the virus too but managed to shake it off on his own. 

Went for a walk around the nearby lake after breakfast, they had closed the road to all traffic (maybe a weekend thing) including motorcycles. What a lovely change, lots of families out with their kids enjoying the fresh air. It certainly was cool; thinking I should have been wearing a jumper.  I made it all the way around, but I’d certainly had enough by the time I’d finished.  

Had some green tea and slept on and off for a few hours. About 2pm I started feeling peckish so went out walking to find some food. Had an ice cream and yoghurt drink from the local corner store. Dessert out of the way I went looking for real food. Found a place that looked clean and reasonably priced. Had a seafood hotpot and orange juice. Very nice but when I went to pay it seemed much more expensive. Checked the menu and it didn’t include VAT, service fee, etc, etc.  Although it was still pretty good, under AS19 for a lovely meal and fresh orange juice. 

It was quickly starting to cool down, so as I didn’t want to get cold, I headed back to the hotel and a nice warm room. 

By the time I had finished my evening routine I was ready for bed. 

          Nice quiet streets 

          The lake temple 

                 Bridge to the lake temple 

          A govt building 

          View at breakfast 

                   Lake walk

                    Dinner 

                   Some old Chinese bloke

                     Lakeside 

         A real contrast from the traffic of yesterday 

Day 18: Fri 24 Feb - Hanoi

          These eight blokes hauled this big tank up from the ground with two ropes 

         My third room 705

         The men sat there on their phones while this young lady did all the concrete mixing with a shovel 

         The building. 

            Room service 

Temp: 17 to 20C and showers, I know where I’m staying. 

A very ordinary nights sleep, just can’t seem to stop the cough no matter how I sleep or what I take.  I suppose it will go away when it’s good and ready. 

This was the last day of the tour, everyone will arrive back here today for final celebrations and a farewell dinner.  Without me of course. By the look of the pictures on FB it was a great few days away.  It’s just a shame that I paid for all that food, (three meals a day, snacks, drinks etc), support, bicycle, accommodation and transport but never got to see anything.  I’m not sure what I will get back via travel insurance, we’ll see.  

Unfortunately I booked a few extra days on the end of the tour just to have a look around Hanoi again. I certainly would have preferred it if I was going home tomorrow. However this may give me a chance to shake off the last of the virus as I’d hate to be getting on the plane sick. Or worse taking it home to Wendy. 

Had a nice hot bath, did some washing before wandering upstairs for breakfast. The fruit was good but the rest tended to stick in my throat and bring on spasms of coughing, which doesn’t go over well these days. I sat as far from everyone as possible.  I do feel pretty bad still but the constant coughing is the worst part.  Don’t know why medical science can’t work out a way to stop it in its tracks. 

I decided not to go out at all today maybe that’s why I coughed last night. So I just relaxed, read my book, done some sudoku and slept.  About midday they rang to say my room, the third one (605, 806 & 705) was ready. They came and got me and helped carry my stuff.  Back to a small (normal) sized room without any external windows. At least I don’t have to move again until I leave on Tuesday morning.  

A bit of gear sorting helped to kill some time.  I’m praying really hard that tomorrow I will be improved, or at least stop coughing. 

About 6pm I suddenly felt very hungry so I ordered some room service, grilled chicken and rice with some bread. Didn’t get through it all but ate most of it.