Another early start to the day, I’m getting used to these early starts, might have to try and keep them up once I get home. Breakfast, as usual was a mix of Asian and western food and was served on the rooftop of the hotel. The views were pretty good.

We set off from the hotel by bus as it was a bit chaotic on the roads going out but around 30 mins later we were reunited with our trusty steeds.

We cycled along quite a pleasant road with paddy fields on either side. They looked really green. I know that sounds stupid but the colour was really bright and intense.

It was a pretty hot and humid day so we had several water stops along the way.

Not too long after we started we faced a very challenging path which was extremely muddy and pretty much waterlogged in some places. It was really tough cycling over this bit and several of us slipped and slid. In some parts you did have to get off and walk. It was pretty scary and needed a lot of concentration. It was also very humbling to see how the people lived. I can’t imagine what it must be like to live in these conditions.

We found out later that one of the guys had literally destroyed one of the small shacks because as he fell over he grabbed onto a bamboo stick which was the support to a roof and the whole thing fell over!

It was also a bit of Russian roulette with chickens, puppies and children running out in front of your bike as you went along.

At the end of the muddy bit there was a big wooden bridge and it was a relief to be on solid ground again.

We then cycled onto lunch which was at a cafe.

Lunch was more delicious Asian food. I’m getting much better at eating with chopsticks!

After lunch we set off and for the first time we saw mountains. We also cycled past more paddy fields.

We cycled to the killing fields at Ba Chuc. These have nothing to do with the Vietnamese war but are to do with Pol Pot’s regime and the communist party. Basically around 3000 Vietnamese people were killed here in just 12 days in April 1975. Only two women from the village where the killing fields are actually survived. It is a really harrowing experience, and it really makes you think as it only happened a few years ago.

Some people tried to hide in the temple as a place of sanctuary but they were killed anyway. There are bloody landmarks on the walls. The lotus flowers memorial is filled with the skills and bones of the people who were killed here.

As we started to approach Chau Doc the roads became more undulating. I could really feel this on my legs as for the previous days we had mainly been cycling on the flats.

The last 2km of the ride were tough as they were all uphill. I did struggle but I did make it to the top thanks to Sherrien and Jane who helped me through it.

At the top was parrot mountain, so called because the stone looks like a parrot.

We then jumped in the bus to get to our Hotel. I must admit I felt really proud of getting up the hill, it was allegedly a 10% incline! I could feel.it in my legs though as we cycled another 99.6km today.

At the evening meal we had to say goodbye to our Vietnamese guides as tomorrow we cross the border into Cambodia. We have them all some tips and ideas sad to see them go, especially Trong as he was giving some of us some really good shoulder massages. They were all really sweet and lovely guys.

And then we had s couple of drinks before bedtime.