The day started early, after we were faced with staying another night at the Somerset. The call was made as we still needed time to get organised. We have had an incredibly lucky run with the bikes.

Mitch picked up a chop shop deluxe bonus called Frankie. When he rides it everyone looks. It’s a tough looking beast that purrs along like a kitten.

Blake picked up an easy rider bonus and is fast becoming the official Kimbi troop carrier.

We finally got our shit together yesterday afternoon about 4:00pm.

We set out from our hotel towards the outskirts of Saigon.

Quick history lesson, about 30 years ago they changed the name of the city from Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City. They amalgamated about 24 districts and provinces into one giant district which covers an impressive amount of land area. So much so that after 3 hours of riding we still haven’t left the speaking metropolis.

How we made it I’ll never know. I’ve never seen such chaos. It was amazing. We were zipping in and out between trucks, buses and cars with a million other bikes rotating around us at all times.

The idea behind driving in Vietnam appears to be that it’s a back – forward method. That is, those at the back must watch those in front and react. Those in front do as they like.

I think we adopted this policy pretty successfully.

I have a video that I will try to upload.

Today the troops are breakfasting in preparation for our next leg. I am in the room on the toilet writing this blog – stomach still giving me the shits (literally).

We are going to reach the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City and the open country roads and head into the lower central mountains. We have about 200km’s to ride today to reach our accommodation in a place called Di Linh. We have heard rumours of a mystical resort down a dead end road that is apparently a must see and stay of Vietnam called: Juliets Guesthouse.

Early start to the day with a buffet breakfast of omelettes, pancakes, fruit and fried rice.

A brisk walk down into the city Center in search for adventure lead us through the markets and back streets around, what I have decided to call the “CBD” of Saigon.

Market streets with slabs of raw meat hanging out eagerly waiting a buyer. Tied up crabs bubbling away in their pots watch us walk while the bugs and fish jump around in their pots.

The heat is terrific you breathe it in along with the taste and smells of everything around you.

The streets are mad whirling circles of buses, taxis and cars circling each other with an even madder assortment of two and three wheeled cycles whirling around them, utter chaos and yet somehow it works, there’s an underlying understanding as if this is not controlled by individuals but somehow the machinations of a higher power.

A trip up to the Bitaxico tower gave us an unrivalled perspective of the vastness of this incredible city, 360 degree views with a sprawling concrete mega city in every direction.

A quick stop at an Adidas shop so Blake could get some socks ended in Kim with a new pro-tennis outfit!!

Discovering the subtle, yet mind boggling flavour of a oolong lai (iced jasmine milk tea) left me gagging like a opium addict for more.

I don’t understand how it can be so hard to find a store that sells maps!!! Hours we spent chasing down a place to sell us some maps!!

After nearly a whole day walking around Saigon we returned to the hotel and lazed about in the pool until some child started throwing up in the pool and we decided that it was time to move on. Back in the apartment we laid down the plans for the next few days and how to get moving.

Blakey Mitch and Kim headed off into the city as the rain pelted down as Blake found a seller for the bike he was after – a Honda Bonus 125cc.

Meanwhile I stayed home clutching at my stomach, throwing up and shitting like a waterfall! All night long the pains and cramps, the fever and flow ons kept coming only this morning have they relented and allowed me a modicum of peace and a shrewd of humanity.