Day 40 Banlung

 We spent a very lazy day in Banlung- an early morning visit to the street market where everything was on sale. Looking at all the meat on display made us happy we are vegetarian- fly covered meat on blood stained slabs is not an appetising look. We managed to find a bakery and buy a pastry and baguette and off the market a big bunch of bananas. By the time this was done we headed back and nearer to home bought a box of beer- we are here for a few more days!!!

The morning and early afternoon were spent avoiding the heat of the day but Jen, as you know is unable to keep still, so at 2:30 and 35 degrees we cycled the 5km to a nearby lake. A hilly ride and our sweat strewn bodies yearned for that beautiful cool water. We were not disappointed, the extinct volcano crater surrounded by jungle was sublime. Having had a swim and dried off a little Jen decided to walk around the 2 mile circuit of the lake. 

Now something for the bike nerd readers  (the rest of you can skip this bit). Having done numerous bike tours one gets to wondering what is the best bike for cycle touring. I’ve come to a conclusion on this trip that might surprise. My beloved Rangatira, the frame I built and love was great on its last trip through Europe but on rough surfaces (even with wider tyres) was not the most comfortable on the backside and hands. For the first time on this trip we have hit some poor road surfaces and the front suspension (which is not high spec) and the 27 inch MTB tyres just soak up the lumps and bumps. I thought the straight handlebars would limit the number of positions I could adopt but with the bar extensions this has not been so. They also help when getting out of the saddle. My mate Nick has been telling me about these for years but as is normal I ignore much of his sage advice. So having spent thousands of pounds on bikes over the last 50 years,  my £130 bike from Vietnam has given me the answer to my touring conundrum.

We had another delicious meal cooked by Nita in the evening and were joined by a cacophony of French speakers - we also drank a few beers (at least I did). Which is why I’m writing this blog the next morning- Duracell bunny has cycled back to the lake for a run and a swim, whilst I sit on the porch drinking tea and exercising my fingers and thumb. Each to their own eh.