Still fighting the heat and the mountains

    A shorter ride of forty miles changes nothing, the strategy remains the same.  I got an early start at 6:40 from Tuy Hoa. Flat and steady for a good hour before mountains appeared and the road was heading right for them.  Hugging the coast helped but I still had to climb a modest mountain pass.  The heat and humidity were my constant companion. Spectacular views interspersed with islands and house boats out in the distant bays made for a good visuals while I made my way up, down and around following the coast.  A break for lunch at a third world roadside restaurant set me up for the last eight miles to Van Gia.  I drifted through town and decided to visit the shoreline where I thought the hotels would be located. Being a fishing village morphed into small city, the developers have not come to town yet.  Hotels were not readily apparent even online while cooling off at a cafe.  As I was leaving to wander the streets, a waiter (Hein, pronounced Hing) approached me and offered to fill my water bottles.  Returning with water and ice in each of my bottles, I asked if he know of any local hotels.  He pointed to the waterfront.  Five minutes down the road, he suddenly appeared on his motorbike and motioned for me to follow.  Winding through the back side streets, he led me to what was the only decent hotel in the city.  Without much ado, he rode off.  Later that evening I had dinner there and thanked Hein again. He let me take his picture for the record.   Dinner was a feast and I will need the fuel for tomorrow’s ride to Nha Trang forty miles south.  I will rise st 5:00 and try to get off by  6:15.