End of the Road

Yesterday was our final day of cycling. We started a few kilometers from the hotel and rode to one of the largest of the "tunnel villages" that were built during the Vietnam (American) war. Around three hundred people lived in these tunnels, only coming out at night, for over three years. During this time seventeen babies were born. The tunnel system allowed the villagers to survive extensive bombing by American forces and to supply nearby military forces. We had a chance to walk through the tunnels. They were almost tall enough for me to stand comfortably throughout and had wells, small side rooms for living spaces, and even a medical area. The tunnels were built into a hillside by the beach and spanned three levels going over 23 meters deep from the surface.

After the tunnels we cycled to the DMZ border on Highway 1. We spent some time at the border, had lunch, and then cycled several more kilometers to the Kids First Vietnam Rehabilitation Village. After meeting with Roger and the staff we went to the hotel for showers and a change of clothes before having dinner at the village. After dinner we had a small party, including a performance by a group of young men and women who have been learning ballroom dancing. It was a very pleasant end to our time on the bikes.