May Day, May Day, Soft Landing

After the best part of 2 months on the Trail getting saddle sores on the old Minsk, I visited the Hotel Continental Saigon built in the colonial days of 1880. I used it as my base 18 years ago while managing a little independent Scottish oil company, now not so little.

I asked to look around as it was still not fully renovated on my previous visit. Asking the room rates I was offered a 'very special' rate due to Project Pineapple, an offer I could not refuse. Full service and comfort after some bone rattling extreme and exhausting situations. So a sweet treat to myself at the end of the road. A soak in a hot tub, cool air, flat screen TV and fresh dragon fruit.

Security again said "no, no, no, no" when I road my bike to the entrance to unhitch the saddlebags. The parking attendant said "no, no, no, no" when I went to house the Minsk. The most efficient and courteous receptionist smiled when I brought in my spare tyre and called to confirm I was a bone fide guest. "Yes, yes, yes, yes."

With tourism booming and competition on all fronts the management were most considerate with an excellent room overlooking the inner breakfast garden which I recall had singing birds years before and hope to enjoy croissant and cafe in the morning if the forecast heavy rain decides to hold back till later.

Management kindly gave me free internet and while talking withthe Communications Manager he explained that his father died in the last week of the war. City people have forgotten the Cluster Bomb issue he explained with tears welling in his eyes.

A soft landing in Saigon. But the road to Cambodia awaits. Some sections of the Trail were bypassed there due to visa considerations. Those saddle sores will have to get ready for a few more days of aggitation. The last of the Trail beckons. More Cluster Bombed areas to ride through in the last of the Indochina countries.