DAY41: Final Run to Cam Ranh International Airport

On the final day, Day 41, I woke up at 3:30 as usual.

The airport was about 6km away. The scheduled departure time was 6:15pm, so arriving too early would only mean a longer wait.

Still, it was better to go outside than to stay in the hotel.

I checked out before 11am, but the right rear tire of the buggy was flat. I immediately replaced the tube.

It was my first flat tire in Vietnam. There was no foreign object in the tire, so it was probably caused by the deterioration of the tube.

I arrived at the airport in no time. It was a very unexpected final run.

I dismantled the buggy and took a break at a cafe after settling down. I had banh mi and cafe muoi for lunch.

I checked in at the counter after 4pm. The buggy cost an additional 4,000 yen.

The plane was delayed due to strong winds. In the end, it departed at 7:10pm, about an hour later than scheduled.

There was no point in rushing. It was a 45-minute flight to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

I walked a little from the domestic terminal to the international terminal.

There was a quiet area on the third floor, but the air conditioning wasn't very good and it was hot, so I went down to the second floor.

There were many people departing on the second floor as well. There were chairs, so I waited there.

I am supposed to leave Ho Chi Minh City for Kansai Airport at around 1am on May 1st. I arrive at Kansai Airport just after 8am on the same day.

It's always easier to run than to wait.

All I got to do is wait patiently.

*Today's distance: 6.8km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 1,350km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY40 Off@Cam Ranh

 

I woke up later than usual, finished working on my computer, took a shower, had a light meal, and headed out to town. It was already 31 degrees by 10am. I was sweating after just walking 1km along the Asian Highway.

As usual, there wasn't anything in particular I wanted to see or eat, but I walked, keeping my eyes peeled for anything unusual.

This was my last time seeing the various shops and signs along the Asian Highway.

I went into a restaurant and ordered Banh Xeo, the Vietnamese version of okonomiyaki, and sugarcane juice.

I realized that I had only eaten limited kinds of Vietnamese food.

Well, it's not like I'm on a gourmet trip, so it's fine.

I bought food for tomorrow and Vietnamese coffee powder as souvenirs at the supermarket.

When I get back to Japan, my family will be in a Vietnam boom for a while (lol).

There are many Vietnamese restaurants and stores selling Vietnamese food in Osaka Prefecture.

I knew there were a few in Tondabayashi, but I haven't visited them yet. I'll definitely visit them when I get back to Japan.

I think there is something in common between the food we eat because we are all the same rice-eating people.

In other countries (especially America and Europe), there are quite a few foods that I don't like, but strangely, there was nothing that tasted bad in Vietnam.

I'm sure I'll discover many things in Thailand, Cambodia, and India, which I will visit in the future.

The 29th was Showa Day. I left before noon and headed to Cam Ranh International Airport. I disassembled the buggy and took an evening flight to Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

On the 30th, I spent the whole day killing time at the airport. My flight back home departed at around 1am just after midnight. I'm scheduled to arrive at Kansai Airport around 8am Japan time.

Finally, I'll back home. The end of the travel is somewhat sentimental. Will I suffer from Urashima Taro syndrome for a while?

*Today's distance: 0km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 1,343.2km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY39 Nha Trang-Cam Ranh

Day 39, I slept well and feel good.

Today I run 40km to Cam Ranh.

On the 29th, I am supposed to run 6km to the airport.

So my journey across Vietnam will end with less than 50km.

It's sad to think that there is only a little road left to run.

After 17km, I took my first break. I ate a banh mi that I had bought on the way.

After 27km, I reached Cam Lam. I took a break at a cafe. I had Cafe Muoi.

A resort area with a beach and many luxury hotels.

31 degrees is not that hot.

The blue sky, which is rarely seen in the north, is common in the south every day.

The natural heat of the tropics feels different from the unnatural heat of Osaka.

After that, I cooled down with tapioca.

Around 2:30pm, I checked into a hotel in Cam Ranh after running 40.4km.

It wasn't that hot and was quite comfortable.

The Asian Highway, which I have been running all the way from Hanoi, is finally coming to an end.

The day after tomorrow, the 29th, the final run will be at Cam Ranh International Airport. Only 6km left!

*Today's distance: 40.4km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 1,343.2km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY38 DayOff@Nha Trang

A day off to adjust the schedule. Finally, my return home is approaching.

On the 27th, I left Nha Trang and run 40km to Cam Ranh. I stayed in Cam Ranh for two nights. On the 29th, I run about 6km and arrive at the airport.

This is the actual goal of my run across Vietnam.

After packing the buggy, I take a domestic flight to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

On the 30th, I stay overnight at the airport (I don't go to Ho Chi Minh City), and take a Vietjet Air flight to Kansai Airport just after 1am on May 1st, when the date changes. I plan to arrive around 8am.

This morning, I visited Tam Market and wandered around the area. There was nothing in particular I wanted to see, so I just took a walk and came back.

I ate pho, drank cafe muoi, and bought some food. I don't need to carry much drinking water or extra food anymore.

When I arrive at Cam Ranh International Airport, I will reach 20,000km, exactly halfway of PEACE RUN's 40,000km journey across five continents.

PEACE RUN started in 2011, and it's embarrassing to say that I'm only halfway through after 14 years, but during that time, I had to take care of my parents, the COVID pandemic, and I turned 60 myself, so there's a lot that's happened.

There are still 20,000 km to go, and there's still a long way to go in Eurasia, Africa, and South America.

No matter how old I get, my life's work is to complete 40,000 km. I'm going to keep going steadily.

It may be said that my journey is weak compared to the young people who are traveling the world by human power now, but safety and health come first above all else.

I'm risking my life, but I'm not going to sacrifice my life (laughs).

*Today's distance: 0 km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 1,302.8 km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY37 Ninh Hoa-Nha Trang

Day 37, today I go to Nha Trang.

Although there is a small mountain pass, this route allows me to enjoy the mountains and the sea.

As it is the tropical dry season, there has been no rain and the weather has been dry.

I'll  take a day off in Nha Trang to adjust my schedule. Then, on the 27th, I head to Cam Ranh, which is my goal.

After running 18km, I took my first break.

I ate pho at a restaurant. Even if I lose my appetite because of the heat, my energy and appetite will return as I eat.

I can also eat a lot of vegetables.

When I tried to pay 30,000 dong, the young lady said she didn't need it and treated me to a meal. Thank you.

The minimum temperature in the morning was 25 degrees, and the occasional cloudy sky made it feel cool. The maximum temperature during the day was 32 degrees.

While I was running, an old man on a motorcycle gave me some water. Thank you!

I drank fresh coconut juice at a food stall cafe.

Now having Milano coffee, 5km to go until Nha Trang

It's been a while since I had cafe mui (salted coffee).

Just before 2pm, I checked into the hotel in Nha Trang after runnng 37.1km.

When I come to a big city, the traffic volume increases suddenly and it becomes difficult to run.

I have to be careful at intersections and roundabouts.

Today's room is on the 5th floor with a great view.

Happy to have a refrigerator.

Tomorrow is a day off. The day after tomorrow I'll head to Cam Ranh, and the day after that I'll finish at Cam Ranh International Airport.

Fly back to Ho Chi Minh City.

*Today's distance: 37.1km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 1,302.8km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY36 Van Ninh-Ninh Hoa

Day 36, only 6 more days of my trek in Vietnam.

I will finish at Cam Ranh International Airport.

From there I fly to Ho Chi Minh City.

I return home a week later.

Vietnam seemed long but short as I run through it.

Asia is interesting because it is different in many ways from the past countries.

32 degrees is still not too hot.

It's much better than when I was running across America, when it was over 40 degrees every day and I was running without any shade.

If you are in that kind of environment every day, your body will naturally get used to it.

It's good to have a mind and body that can adapt to any situation immediately.

I cool down every time I find a food stall. I went to a food stall cafe twice today.

The first time, I drank a Red Bull with lots of ice.

The second time, I drank a sugarcane juice. At the second shop, they put ice in my thermos.

There are almost no completely empty areas (areas without shops or towns for the whole day) in Vietnam, so it's nice to be able to rest in places like this several times a day.

Just before 2pm, I checked into a hotel in Ninh Hoa after running 37.5km.

The road was mostly flat, but it was hot again today.

It exceeded 30 degrees after 8am, so the key is how seriously I can run in the early morning hours.

I feel like I haven't eaten much solid food, although I've been drinking a lot of water every day.

Before I knew it, I was already less than 500km away from Ho Chi Minh City. I wanted to run to the end, but I decided to pass it up this time.

*Today's distance: 37.5km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 1,265.7km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY35 Tuy Hoa-Van Ninh

Day 35, it's going to be hot today at 35 degrees.

41km to Khanh Hoa. I'll run with all my heart on the remaining road to the finish line.

I'll think about the future later. Focus on the present, and enjoy it.

Even if there are things in the world that you "have to do," I'm not bound by them. My way of life is to live and act as myself.

I'll be a rolling stone, and keep rolling without gathering moss. I'll keep going until I've smoothed out the edges and become perfectly round...

First break after running 17km.

It's 29 degrees after 8 o'clock.

I tried the corn milk I bought at Win Mart yesterday...it tastes just like sweet corn.

The walking route on Google Maps is closed to pedestrians and bicycles again.

I detoured through the mountains for 5km and rejoined the main road.

I always have trouble finding a place to rest on the mountain route.

40km almost non-stop.

On the way, a truck driver gave me a Red Bull and a couple on a motorbike gave me lunch box. Thank you!

When I stopped at a food stall to drink sugarcane juice, I was approached by some old men who had been partying since the middle of the day and took a commemorative photo.

After 3pm, I ran 46.5km and checked into a hotel in Van Ninh.

In the end, I avoided the tunnel again today and took a route over the mountains. There were few shops and towns in the second half, and the heat was intense.

I didn't stop at any cafes or restaurants, and only took a few breaks in the shade of the trees.

I saw a beautiful beach near the Co Ma Tunnel.

*Today's distance: 46.5km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 1,228.2km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY34 Off@Tuy Hoa

Day 34, I skipped spring and enjoyed summer in Vietnam, but when I return to Japan, it will be late spring to early summer.

It's best if it's not too hot or too cold.

I want to enjoy the fields when I return home.

Things I keep in mind in my daily life that will be useful when traveling...

1) Brush my teeth with salt

2) Never use soap and shampoo (basically use hot water to wash)

3) Eat small meals (less than two meals a day is okay)

4) Use air conditioning to a minimum (it's easier to adapt to hot and cold)

Eco-friendly living is also effective when traveling.

At Highlands Coffee now. A cafe like the Vietnamese version of Starbucks.

Unlike food stalls, it has power outlets and free Wi-Fi. Cafe Muoi Large is 59,000 VND.

Salt coffee (Cafe Muoi) is similar to the idea of ​​salted kelp that comes with Japanese zenzai.

The saltiness plays a role in bringing out the contrasting sweetness.

I used to drink Pocari Sweat with pickled plums in it, so maybe this is the same...

It's midsummer outside. The heat is enough to shave off your motivation.

The wind blowing is like the hot air of a hair dryer.

This heat reminded me of the day I was running through Amboy in the Mojave Desert when I was crossing the US.

No matter what tourist spot I go to, if I'm in the city, I like to visit supermarkets and shopping malls (lol).

About a month ago, when I left Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, I was not without a lot of worries, but I think Vietnam generally welcomed me kindly.

The fact that I didn't have any major troubles or mishaps and had a lot of fun and wonderful experiences is proof of that.

If I could be greedy, I'd like to take the trek on a wilder level.

I only have a few more days to run. About 150km to go. I hope the heat doesn't get too bad.

*Today's distance: 0 km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 1,181.7 km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY33 Tuy An-Tuy Hoa

At the start of the trek on March 19th, 10,000 dong was 59 yen, but as of yesterday, April 20th, it has become 55 yen.

Day 33, today is less than 30 km to Tuy Hoa.

There is a mountain pass less than 100 meters high.

If I work hard today, tomorrow will be my first day off in 13 days.

I will return home in 10 days. I will enjoy the time I have left in Vietnam to the fullest.

After running about 10 km, there is no shade at all, so I go to a cafe stall.

I cool down with a mug of sugarcane juice. Sprinkle salt to taste and drink.

It's so hot I feel like I'm melting. It's 33 degrees in the tropical Vietnamese summer, and if I could, I would like to sleep rocking in a hammock in the shade...

After noon, I ran 26.4 km and checked into a hotel in Tuy Hoa.

It was hard to move forward because of the heat.

Fortunately, there was a refrigerator in the room!

Just that makes this summer trek a happy one.

It's in the city so there are lots of shops.

Let's enjoy my day off tomorrow.

*Today's distance: 26.4km 

　Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 1181.7km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY32 Song Cau-Tuy An

Day 32, my journey has finally exceeded one month.

In 10 days, I will leave Ho Chi Minh and return to Japan.

Time flies.

I feel like time is accelerating as I continue to move every day.

I haven't had a day off for a while, but I think I'll take a rest around Tuy Hoa.

I think there will be people running ultramarathons and other competitions around the country today, so please enjoy a great run that will leave a lasting memory rather than a record, with safety and health as your first priority.

The phrase I always use, "GOOD LUCK!", was created by my partner Morimerom (formerly Piapi) 12 years ago. "Luck" in Kanji(Chinese Characters) means run for fun.

I myself would like to run a good life by running happily every day.

GOOD LUCK!

Going over the mountains is hard, but fun.

There is a sense of pleasure in pushing the buggy forward in silence.

I feel like my body and the buggy become one and I can go forever.

If I can become one with the universe, regardless of the heat or drought, there is nothing to fear.

A maximum temperature of 33 degrees is still cool.

Where there is the sea or river, the breeze is a little cooler.

Five more kilometers, so I'll end up running 40 kilometers today.

I had bun bo for dinner before checking into the hotel. Even in the heat, I had a good appetite. My energy and stamina come from my appetite.

I drank sugarcane juice and cafe muoi along the way. I'm looking forward to crunching on the ice.

A little after 3pm, I checked into the hotel in Tuy An after running 40 kilometers.

After crossing the first pass, there were two more small passes to cross.

When climbing, I use my arms, shoulders, back and upper body to push the buggy, but when descending, I need strength in my waist and thighs to keep it from going out of control.

I've been running for 12 days in a row without a day off.

I'm finally getting used to the heat.

*Today's distance: 40km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 1155.3km

*Today's photos here

*YouTube video playlist here

DAY31 An Nhon-Song Cau

Day 31, second floor hotel room. Opening the window, I see the Asian Highway.

When a large truck passes, the tremors are 2-3 on the Richter scale.

I've gotten used to that sort of thing.

If I'm tired, I can sleep soundly without worrying at all.

Today the maximum temperature is 32 degrees, a little cooler than yesterday. On days like this, I'll increase the distance.

Today I'll cross some mountains, and there's a 200m pass about 30km away.

The actual climb is 2-3km. This is probably the last pass I'll cross on this trip.

260km to Kau Lam International Airport.

I can finally see the finish line. Let's keep my guard up and enjoy it until the end.

I started at 5:30, before sunrise.

It's cloudy in the morning, but the sun soon gets stronger.

I take my first break after running 18km.

I feel revived by a 10,000 VND sugarcane juice.

I continued south without stopping in Quy Nhon.

There was a lot of traffic near a city.

I didn't want to finish it quickly.

It's important to enjoy each day slowly.

I passed 25km and started climbing slowly.

I had an early lunch of banh mi in the shade.

The temperature outside was so high that I didn't have to heat it up in the microwave (lol).

At around 2:30pm, I checked into a hotel in Song Cau after running 38.7km.

I crossed a mountain pass on an old road. The altitude was about 260m, so it wasn't that high, but there was no shade, no wind, and it was hot and difficult.

For the most part, I had to push my buggy over the mountain pass. Sometimes people on motorbikes would stop and call out to me, but I didn't understand Vietnamese.

They couldn't speak either English or Japanese. I laughed it off (lol).

In the middle of the climb, two truck drivers and a man in a car gave me two bottles of water and a drink. Thank you!

After descending the mountain, I was revived by a second cup of sugarcane juice at a food stall cafe. I crunched all the ice to cool my body.

Taking a shower and relaxing at the hotel is a small joy for me right now. It reminds me of club activities in high school...

The durian cake I bought at Win Mart was delicious and tasted like Japanese Uiro.

Com is Vietnamese for rice, so I wonder if they use rice flour. I'll buy it again.

*Today's distance: 38.7 km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 1,115.3 km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY30 Phu My-An Nhon

Day 30, today's forecast is 36 degrees.

I'm going to stop running at a suitable time, taking into account my physical condition and the weather.

It's been a while since I felt like my blood was boiling. It's the tropics, so it's natural that it's hot.

But no matter how hot it is, it can't compare to the heat of my passion.

It's already 28 degrees at 7:30 AM.

Strangely, some of the motorcyclists are wearing down jackets.

Is it like a life jacket in case of a fall? All the women on motorbikes, especially the young ones, are covering their heads with hoods and their faces with masks.

Many of the men at the shops are naked.

I thought I heard a strange noise after about 15 kilometers, so I looked at my left wheel and found that a spoke had snapped!

I didn't bring a spare spoke. It was new, so I thought it would be fine, but I was wrong.

Well, it's not like I'll be unable to run right away. I'll ask a bike shop if I can find one.

My legs and body are working hard even in the heat.

It's important not to overwork or push myself, and to let my legs rest from time to time.

Always try to find the right balance for myself.

When I went shopping at WinMart, the cashier lady gave me a lot of milk! Thank you!

After 1pm, I ran 32.4km and checked into the hotel in An Nhon.

If the temperature exceeds 30 degrees, I'd better not push myself.

I'm running at a slow pace, but I don't rush.

The goal is always there.

*Today's distance: 34.2km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 1076.6km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY29 Hoai Nhon-Phu My

Day 29, sometimes it's the children who inspire me.

Adults often look at me with a suspicious look, but most of the children look at me as if I'm a hero or something, and some even say "HELLO!".

I hope that seeing a traveler suddenly appear in their everyday lives gives them hope for the future.

I'm a contrarian, so I hate being the same as everyone else, and I've always thought differently from others.

Thinking the same way as others is boring and uninteresting, so I've always preferred to do things that other people don't do.

My current travels and life may be the end result, or culmination, of that.

There are many scenes that make me feel the peaceful mornings of Vietnam, but the sight of people gathering at food stalls and restaurants before 6am always gives me energy.

The start of the day, meeting people, eating, laughing, talking...

Do people who live in Japanese cities do these things every morning?

While I was running, a high school-like girl riding a motorbike with me handed me a 20,000 VND note.

It seemed like she was saying, "Buy something cold to drink."

In Japan, underage children don't do this very often.

I wonder if it's normal in Vietnam?

The current temperature is 33 degrees, and the highest temperature is forecast to be 36 degrees at noon.

Rice husks are spread out to dry on the shoulder of the Asian Highway.

It's already rice harvest season in southern Vietnam, and I wonder if rice planting season is just around the corner in Japan.

I've run 21 kilometers and am halfway there. I have Nuoc Dua (coconut juice) at a food stall cafe.

It's delicious with plenty of fruit pulp. I'm happy to bite into the ice. It's already 35 degrees... hot.

Just before 3 p.m., I checked into a hotel in Phu My after running 40.2 kilometers.

I still don't want to run in the blazing sun of 35 degrees in the afternoon.

It seems that the temperature is higher inland than along the coast.

After eating pho in the morning, I ate one popsicle, and everything else was water.

I ran while splashing water on my head, neck, arms, and legs, but the water in the bottle was the same temperature as hot shower water.

*Today's distance: 40.2 km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 1,042.4 km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY28 Duc Pho-Hoai Nhon

Day 28, exactly two weeks later, the trek will end. Whether I cry or laugh, there are only two more weeks.

A day seems long, but it feels like it's over in an instant from when I get out of bed to when I go back to bed.

If I just space out, time will just flow. Start time is 5:50am.

First rest after 22km.

I crossed several small passes in the mountains.

When I went out to town, a woman selling watermelons gave me a whole watermelon. I thought I'd eat it at the hotel tonight.

When I ordered sugarcane juice at a cafe stall, the owner of the shop said I didn't need to pay, so I gratefully accepted it.

Vietnam is full of happy things!!

In the Reiwa era, Japan is obsessed with making money and profits, and no longer values ​​obligations and human feelings.

Here in Vietnam, I think that making people happy is the basis of business and work above all else.

Doing things for others is ultimately for ourselves.

TRÂN HOÀNG PHONG followed me on his motorbike and gave me 50,000 VND and a drink. Thank you!

I was thinking about calling it a day early, so I took a break at a cafe near the hotel.

At around 2:30pm, after 35.4km, I checked into the hotel in Hoai Nhon.

It was a little hot at 30 degrees, but the headwind made it cool and easy to run.

I crossed several mountain passes.

There were many deserted villages, so it was hard to find places to rest.

I could go into a cafe or restaurant, but I can't just drink coffee and eat pho all the time (lol).

*Today's distance: 35.4km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 1002.2km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY27 Quang Ngai-Duc Pho

Day 27, mid-April. In two weeks, I'll be saying goodbye to Vietnam.

Travel may not have an end, but in reality, I need to make a break or reach a milestone.

The highest temperature is 30 degrees today, and I continue south.

This area of ​​Quang Ngai is quiet because the hotel is quite far from the Asian Highway.

People are walking and running even before sunrise.

It's currently 21 degrees. It gets hot all at once when the sun rises.

Unlike Japan, where the four seasons are clearly defined, the tropical southern part of Vietnam is about to be hit by sunrise.

The room is bright and has a good view, and I feel like it's a shame to check out...

I start at 6:20 a.m.

There was a lot of delicious-looking food on the table for the buffet-style breakfast, but I only ate pasta, an omelette, and some raw vegetables.

It would have been nice if this had been dinner...

I took my first break after running 15 kilometers. The sun was strong from the morning. My arms and legs were stinging from sunburn.

I got some water from a guy on a motorbike who looked like a construction worker! Thank you!!

The guy from the shop I passed earlier followed me on his motorbike and gave me some water. Thank you!!

A 16-year-old boy came to talk to me while I was taking a break.

He spoke passionately about his dream of making the poor in rural Vietnam richer.

The sparkle in his eyes reminded me of when I was 16 years old.

I guess some of my dreams from back then have come true. But I still have dreams to achieve!

A boy who looked like a middle school student handed me a bottled drink saying "Hello."

I got a lot of gifts today. Thank you!

I cooled down with Nuoc Mia (sugarcane juice) at a food stall cafe. The breeze was cool and comfortable.

I met Mr.Sahara, a cyclist from Sapporo, Hokkaido.

He said he was going to Africa after crossing Vietnam. I want to support young people who travel!

Before checking into the hotel, I went to a restaurant to fill my stomach... bun bo.

After 4pm, I ran 43.1km and checked into a hotel in Duc Pho.

The hotel I had originally planned to stay at was closed when I got there.

The second one was fully booked.

The third one was a motel run by a woman who studied foreign languages ​​at Da Nang University and her husband.

The shower was practically water, but the room was clean.

Yesterday was the best (lol).

*Today's distance: 43.1km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 966.8km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY26 Nui Thang-Quan Ngai

Day 26, I woke up around 3:30am. I took a shower and had breakfast.

Since I entered the south, I've been getting more calls from people.

Even so, there are still a lot of motorbike riders who look at me suspiciously as they pass me pushing a buggy (lol).

A day, a week, passes by incredibly quickly on this journey.

Does this mean that each day is so fulfilling?

Or is this because there is less time left in life?

It's probably the same with running a 100km or 100mile ultramarathon.

At first, it may seem incredibly long, but as you move forward slowly, one step at a time, the remaining distance gets shorter and shorter.

There will surely be times when it's tough and difficult.

But while you're enjoying the fun to the fullest, you'll reach the goal before you know it.

I always think that everything is a process.

Enjoying life and traveling until the very end, including all kinds of troubles and mishaps, and finishing with a smile will lead to the next start.

That's how I've run so far.

That's how I'll continue to run.

I'm ready to leave, but I've left my passport at the reception desk, so I'm waiting for the receptionist to come.

At 5:45, a young girl, who may be a daughter of the owner came up to go to school, and I checked out.

I ran 8 kilometers and had 2nd breakfast in the cafeteria.

Of course I drank all the pho soup, but it must have all washed away with the sweat I'd been working up today.

The tender tendon meat was delicious.

I wonder if it's unusual to use ceramic dishes.

The floor was also neatly cleaned, showing the owner's meticulousness.

Soon I'll be 20 kilometers away, and it'll be hot when it's sunny, and cool when it's cloudy and breezy.

The weather is always changing, so it's not always the same.

The same goes for my own mind and body.

As things continue to change, I want to be able to respond flexibly to those subtle changes.

It's past noon, and there are 10km left.

It's a little hotter today than yesterday, but it's still easy to run.

Sometimes cloudy, sometimes sunny... If I can increase my distance while it's cool in the morning, I feel much better.

I take a break with Milano coffee at Son Thinh.

It's hot, so I cool down from the inside and outside of my body.

Even if I run slowly, my body temperature will rise if I run for a long time.

Unlike cars, people don't have an automatic cooling function, so I need to intentionally cool myself down.

Today's Caphe Mui tastes like salted soft serve ice cream.

Around 2:30pm, I ran 43.7km and checked into a hotel in Quang Ngai.

I've always stayed in cheap hotels, so today my room was like a suite in a slightly more luxurious hotel.

I was suddenly given a wet towel and a welcome drink, and breakfast is included.

The room was five-star class and super clean. There were no ants or mosquitoes. There was no trash on the floor...amazing!

*Today's distance: 43.7km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 923.7km

*Today's photos here

*YouTube video playlist here

DAY25 Thang Binh-Nui Thanh

Day 25, it rained during the night.

It was raining quite hard and the wind was strong.

The wind direction changed to the north, so it was a tailwind.

Rain was forecast until around 9:00 a.m.

It was still better than the scorching heat.

I had to wrap it up in about two weeks and head to Ho Chi Minh City (probably by air).

I think I can run as far as Cam Ranh.

I ran 11 kilometers and had a late breakfast at a restaurant. It was delicious again today! I drank up the soup too.

The daughter of the restaurant spoke English, so we had a chat.

It was the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, and the number of generations in Vietnam who do not know about the war is increasing, but we talked about how it is important to listen to various stories from those who experienced and survived the war and pass them on.

I also talked about the policy of PEACE RUN, which is for adventure runner Katsuhiko Takashige to run around the world on his own and share peaceful moments with people in each country and region.

It's 22 degrees, a stark difference from yesterday.

Yesterday, my iPhone displayed the high-frequency warning message twice.

It's not good to charge in the hot sun when it's over 35 degrees.

Spending a relaxing time at a cafe is my little happiness right now... Today I enjoyed Cafe Mui (salted coffee) again.

Cloudy with occasional drizzle, 27 degrees.

Weather like today makes running comfortable.

I barely sweated, and in no time I'd run 30 kilometers.

About 10 kilometers left. After leaving Thang Binh, the road narrowed.

After running 40.1 kilometers, I checked into a hotel in Nui Thanh just before 2pm.

It was a cool and comfortable day thanks to the lack of sunshine.

With the tailwind blowing, I thought I could run another 10 kilometers, but I finished anyway to save energy for tomorrow.

I'm so grateful and moved that I was able to finish safely again today!

*Today's distance: 40.1km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 880km

*Today's photos here

*YouTube video playlist here

DAY24 Da Nang-Thang Binh

Day 24. Yesterday was pretty hot, but today is forecast to be even hotter, at 35 degrees.

I need to think of ways to deal with the heat...

It was also nice to be able to experience Vietnamese nature by crossing Hai Van Pass.

It felt similar to climbing up to Mount Kongo.

Let's run today, taking breaks at intervals!

It was still cool in the morning, but the temperature reached its highest point just before noon.

It feels like the climate has changed drastically since I entered the south.

Even in the heat, I kept moving forward, keeping cool.

The shade of the trees and the comfortable breeze were my only salvation.

After walking and running 14 kilometers, my first break was at a cafe.

It was already 30 degrees at 8 o'clock. I had to get into the shade before I overheated...

If the center of my brain that senses heat is affected, I'll collapse. Let's proceed with caution.

The cafe building has an open without doors and windows. There is no air conditioning.

It's reasonably cool in the shade with a fan.

It must have been like this in Japan before there was air conditioning.

I'm drinking a drink called Mia at a food stall.

It's sugarcane juice. It has salt and something like sudachi(looks like a lime) in it, and it's quite tasty.

The owner said to me, "Go and rest," and said, "No charge for your drink," so I enjoyed it.

Thank you!

Around 2:30 pm, I checked into a hotel in Thang Binh after running 35.8 km.

I had originally planned to run 44 km, but in the 36 degree temperature, my head was dizzy and my legs were wobbly.

I stopped at a nice round number.

It was as hot as running in the 47 degree heat when I crossed the US. Safety and health are the top priority on this trek.

Apparently the temperature will drop for the next three days.

However, it seems that in southern Vietnam, the temperature is usually between 25 and 35 degrees every day at this time of year.

There's nothing I can do about the weather, so I just hope my body gets used to the heat.

*Today's distance: 35.8 km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 839.9 km

*Today's photos here

*YouTube video playlist here

DAY23 Lang Co-Da Nang

Day 23. It was so hot that I slept with the electric fan on.

Fortunately, there were no mosquitoes.

This hotel is close to the road, so I could hear the vibrations and horns of large vehicles passing by, but I slept well.

I slept a full 8 hours.

Today I crossed the Hai Van Pass.

In Spain and Portugal, it was normal to cross a mountain pass like this every day.

Today I run 41km to Da Nang.

The pass is 476m above sea level. There is a 10km climb, then a 10km descent, and the rest is flat.

I wonder how steep the winding mountain road is?

The new road tunnel is said to be the longest in Asia, at over 6000m.

Vehicles transporting animals or dangerous goods, motorcycles, and pedestrians are not allowed to pass through.

I started at 5:50am! The scenery of the tidal flats was very beautiful.

There were several shops before the climb, and I bought a banh mi from a woman there. It's nice that they make it right away when I order it.

At 9:20am, after running about 12km for 3.5 hours, I arrived at Hai Van Pass at an altitude of 476m.

There were quite a few tourists. From here, I started to descend all at once. 28km to Da Nang.

While taking a rest, a woman at a convenience store gave me a Coke and corn. Thank you!

It was too hot, so I jumped into a cafe to cool down.

On the way down, I had to brake and save speed to prevent the buggy from going out of control, so I had to use my lower body and arms.

On the long way down, my legs, hips and arms got very tired. I decided to take breaks.

I had completely crossed the mountain before noon.

Back in town... hot, hot. Heaven in the shade.

The Asian Highway was once again a rush of motorbikes and cars...

A young guy from Grab (Vietnamese motorbike taxi) gave me some ice-cold water! Thank you!

With 12km to go, a guy on a motorbike handed me a 20,000 VND note and said, "Buy something to drink."

I was so grateful and touched by his thoughtfulness in the heat of the day!

The current temperature in Da Nang is 33 degrees.

The sun is so strong that it feels even hotter.

I bought some popsicles at WinMart to cool down. All the cold stuff has killed my appetite.

Just before 4pm, I checked into a hotel in Da Nang after running 39.2km.

It's even harder after crossing the pass...

I kept taking breaks because of the heat (there are plenty of cafes and shops), so I couldn't move forward at all.

Apparently it's going to be even hotter tomorrow than today.

*Today's distance: 39.2km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 804.1km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY22 Phu Loc-Lang Co

Day 22, I used the mosquito coils I brought with me a lot at the hotel. Mosquitoes are everywhere in hot and humid Vietnam. When they fly around my face in the middle of the night, their buzzing wings wake me up. Mosquitoes live in Pingpong Terrace in Tondabayashi all year round, though.

Google Maps pitfalls!?

I followed the pedestrian route and ended up in a tunnel that was closed to pedestrians and cyclists.

I had no choice but to go back over the old road and lose 4km.

I took my first break after running 17km.

Then I came to the Phu Nghia Tunnel, which is also closed to pedestrians and cyclists!?

I was forced to take a detour again. That's all I did today.

This kind of situation can happen in any country.

If you are traveling across Vietnam on foot or by bicycle, be careful between Hue and Da Nang!

After passing the second pass, lunch was waiting for me!

Mackerel, chicken and pork on rice... Leaf salad and soup.

I always eat too much rice.

I'm happy to have a decent meal!

When I asked "How much is it?", the man at the restaurant replied with a smile, "No charge."

What a wonderful and divine response! ? I was so grateful and moved!

After 1pm, I checked into the hotel in Lang Co after running 30.5km.

Maybe it was a bad idea to increase my pace on the descent of the pass, so I cut it short and early to take care of my ankle.

I'll look forward to crossing the Hai Van Pass tomorrow.

I decided that turning back twice in the tunnel was a sign to "not rush."

I'll take it easy here.

*Today's distance: 30.5km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 764.9km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY21 Hue-Phu Loc

Day 21, third week in Vietnam.

I need to arrive in Ho Chi Minh within the next three weeks to catch a flight back to Japan on the night of May 1.

Today marks the halfway point.

Was three weeks long or short?

The time and space of a journey is somehow special and different from normal.

Think about the future in the future. Focus on the present, enjoy the present!

Leaving at 5:45am.

After riding 10km in the middle of the bike wars in Hue city, I took my first break.

A woman's bike stopped and handed me two 50,000 dong bills, a bag containing boiled corn, sweet potatoes, peanuts and Xoi.

I think she said in Vietnamese, "Have a good trip!" Thank you, thank you!

On the way, a local Hue runner joined me and we ran together for about one kilometer.

There were so many cars that I couldn't take any photos. I spoke a little in English, but I'm glad he liked it. Apparently there's an Aeon Mall here in Hue.

I ate the freshly boiled corn I was given.

It's very chewy, unlike the corn in Japan.

It has a natural sweetness even without any toppings. I'm so happy, it's delicious, and I'm so happy!

Vietnam is the best!!

I ran 20km and took a break at a cafe.

It was humid and hot at 29 degrees.

I wanted something cold.

It was a little cooler in the shade. The chirping of the cicadas made me feel even more like summer.

Cafe Mui (salted coffee) again today.

I got my salt intake right. This tastes similar to salted caramel.

I ran 27km and took a break in the shade. The steamed sweet potato I was given earlier is delicious.

In Japan, I only ate roasted sweet potatoes, but these sweet potatoes taste like chestnuts.

About 15km left. I'll cool down in the shade frequently.

Is it because I've been moving south for a long time that the weather is different from the morning forecast?

The temperature is now 31 degrees. I run while splashing water on my head and neck.

Fortunately, there is a cool breeze in the shade.

In Japan, it's hot even in the shade in summer, and it becomes a tropical night at night, but here it's reasonably cool from the time the sun goes down until the morning.

Just before 3pm, I checked into a hotel in Phu Loc after running 40.8 km.

It was hot. I'm glad it was cloudy at times.

Since I was between Hue and Da Nang, there was almost no shortage of cafes and restaurants.

I wish I could carry cold drinks that stay cold...

Today, the total distance traveled from Hanoi exceeded 700 km.

*Today's distance traveled: 40.8 km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 734.4 km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY20 Off@Hue

Day 20, a quiet morning, the only thing lively is the chickens.

Many homes in Vietnam keep chickens. So much so that you don't even need an alarm clock.

They start crowing about two hours before dawn. When I was in elementary school, every school had a chicken coop.

I guess most of them don't exist now. There are a lot of things in Vietnam that remind me of the Showa era.

First thing in the morning, I decided to visit Chua Tu Hieu temple. It's an old temple with a long history. It's 4.8km one way from the hotel.

There is a service called "Grab" that uses motorbikes as a taxi in Vietnam.

While I was walking 10km round trip to the temple, three Grab riders asked me if I wanted a ride.

Vietnamese people use motorbikes, so I guess they don't walk more than 50 meters?

I went into a cafe and ordered cafe mui (salted coffee). This was also delicious...I think I'll get addicted to it.

The sweetness of the whipped cream first hits my tongue, followed by the saltiness. The bitterness of the coffee hits you at the end. It's a new taste!

Visited the Imperial Tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty. Apparently they rent traditional costumes, and many tourists are walking around in cosplay.

For an early lunch, I went to Jollibee, a Hong Kong-style family restaurant.

Fried chicken, rice, tomato, cucumber, lettuce, and soup cost 58,000 VND (340 JPY).

If I were traveling in another country, I might have stayed in my hotel, even in a tourist area.

But in Vietnam, it's fun to wander around an ordinary town.

People, shops, towns... you can discover all sorts of things just by walking.

It's similar to Japan before the high economic growth period.

Vietnam is interesting now, as there is still so much I don't know.

I got hungry after 3pm, so I went out into the town.

At a restaurant, I had round noodles topped with fried pork, peanuts, and vegetables.

I dipped it in fish sauce and sweet and sour sauce. This is also delicious. My lips are tingling because I put too much doubanjiang on it.

I recommend this in the hot season.

I wandered around the nearby market.

T-shirts and other things are sold for about 300 to 500 yen.

A lot of Vietnamese clothing is coming into Japan, but it's so cheap here.

I bought water and food for tomorrow at WinMart.

Today, the sky finally looked like blue. But it's hot.

It's supposed to rise to 30 degrees tomorrow. I'm glad to be cool in the shade.

*Today's distance: 16.8 km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 693.6 km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY19 Hai Lnag-Hue

Day 19. I went to bed at 8 o'clock last night, but a total of seven trains passed close by.

Different trains make different vibrations.

Heavy freight trains make a lot of noise and vibrations when they pass by.

I remembered the "crunching, crunching" sound that broke through the sky when I camped in a tent near a runway while crossing the United States.

Surprisingly, it's easy to sleep when I'm tired.

Today is about 30 km to Hue. I'll finish by noon.

I'll take tomorrow off and try to rest.

Travel becomes boring when it becomes monotonous. It's better to keep looking for changes and enjoying each day.

Apparently it rained again in the middle of the night. Drizzle, then cloudy.

I ran 12 km and ate bun bo at a restaurant along the Asian Highway.

Today it was only 29 degrees, but it seems that the rest of this week will be over 30 degrees.

There are some places where the unpaved shoulders of the road are full of puddles and mud, so it's unavoidable.

Even if I wash my shoes and socks, they get dirty again quickly. Thanks to that, I've started to hand wash my underwear and socks every day.

Taking a break on the side of the Asian Highway. It's nice when the wind blows. It's usually a tailwind.

Nguyen, from Hanoi, is cycling across Vietnam. He said he's been to Japan before.

It seems human-powered travelers don't come often in Vietnam, but there are quite a few of them.

At a cafe in Hue now. Hue is also a big city! There are more people, motorbikes, and cars, and it's getting lively.

The promenade along the river is pleasant. I took a detour and it was past noon.

Being near the river is calming and soothing.

Maybe it's because I usually run along the river.

Maybe the gentle flow of the river makes people feel relaxed.

Around 3pm, after running 37.9km, I checked into a hotel in Hue.

I must have entered the wrong destination on Google Maps by mistake, so I went back the way I came and ended up running an extra 6km.

The hotel is close to Hue Imperial Palace and in a quiet area. However, there is always someone singing karaoke at the hotel, and it's really tone-deaf.

*Today's distance: 37.9km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 676.8km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY18 Gio Linh-Hai Lang

Day 18, it started raining during the night.

I woke up to the sound of rain pounding on the roof.

But why does the weather forecast say it's cloudy?

Is it impossible to see clear blue skies in Vietnam?

If anyone knows, please let me know.

I started just before 6am. I entered Dong Hai town soon after.

I ran 13km and took my first break. I ate a banh mi that I bought on the roadside in Dong Ha town.

Today's had a boiled egg. The baguette was fluffy with a crispy exterior. The taste changes depending on who makes it.

As I entered the south, there were more general stores.

They were all made in a similar way.

They didn't sell fresh food, but they did sell detergent, shampoo, and other daily necessities, as well as snacks. Many stores required you to take your shoes off before entering.

The scenery on the Asian Highway also changed in many ways.

There were places with no shops, places with a few small shops scattered around, and places with shops lined up in a row in the downtown area...

Places with large populations are convenient locations, so there is a lot of traffic and people.

On the way, a boy of elementary school joined me on a bicycle.

He was a cheerful and honest boy with a big smile on his face even though he didn't understand the language.

It was like seeing myself from a long, long time ago.

15km after leaving Dong Ha, I was feeling down because there was nothing there, when I found a restaurant!

Without hesitation, I walked in and ordered a rice dish.

It was a generous portion of rice, topped with deep-fried tofu, chicken, pork, and leaves. It was simple but had a great Asian flavor.

At 2:30pm, I checked into a hotel in Hai Lang after running 42.6km.

The last 15km felt unusually long because it was so monotonous and I was so sleepy.

Fortunately, it wasn't too hot, even though the temperature was 27°C.

There was about 30km left until Hue. Today's hotel was also nice and clean.

After taking a shower and relaxing in bed, I heard a 3-level earthquake and a lot of noise!

I wondered what it was, and realized that the train tracks were running right next to me.

I wonder what the last train will be? Surely there wouldn't be a super long freight train running in the middle of the night (as they often did in the US)...?

*Today's distance: 42.6 km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 638.9 km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY17 Le Thuy-Gio Linh

Day 17, I was forced to squat to relieve myself in a toilet without a seat. I had to maintain a stable posture by using my quadriceps. However, I was required to use my head and body more than I would if I were sitting on a normal Western-style toilet.

I looked at the other vacant rooms and saw that the toilet had a seat. I wonder if the owner thought, "This person will be fine without a seat"...?

Today was another 44km trek on the Asian Highway 1. The temperature was 20-27 degrees. By the way, it was 25-35 degrees in Ho Chi Minh today. It was gradually changing from subtropical to tropical. There might be a rain shower. I'd like to make a commercial video of myself washing my head with a rain shower (lol).

I get advice like, "If you go to XXX, you should see YYY, it's delicious, so you should definitely eat zzz," but I'm a contrarian, so I don't do that much. It's often more fun if I don't have any prior information. I enjoy my own free-spirited travels and life.

Started before 6 o'clock.

After 18km, I finally took a break. I had pho bo at a restaurant along the Asian Highway. The chilli peppers, herbs and coriander served as stomach medicine. This restaurant was also delicious.

After 25km, I took a break on the side of the Asian Highway. If I run with a buggy, I can have a mobile cafe that I can enjoy anywhere. The downside is that when it gets hot, I can't carry fresh food, and cold food quickly becomes lukewarm. It's still okay at the current temperature, but I want to avoid heat above 40 degrees as much as possible.

Around 1pm, I arrived at the former Military Demarcation Line Memorial Park, located at 17 degrees north, on the banks of the Hien Luong Bridge. 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War, I once again prayed for lasting peace in the world.

After 3pm, I ran 45.7km and checked into a hotel in Gio Linh. The hotel I had planned to stay at went out of business, so I went another 2km south. The room was very clean and cost 200,000 VND (1,200 JPY). There was no refrigerator, but the toilet had a toilet seat! It's nice to find a cheap hotel.

The karaoke next to the hotel was really loud. It was at a level that would get me sued for noise pollution in Japan. I was so tone deaf that I couldn't believe my eardrums. I wonder if the person singing with him/her had damaged eardrums? I could hear the sound from 100 meters away from another karaoke store I passed today.

*Today's distance: 45.7 km 

 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 596.3 km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY16 Quang Ninh-Le Thuy

Day 16, I woke up naturally before 4am. I'm still in Japan time even though I'm in Vietnam.

Yesterday, I traveled over 500km from Hanoi. It's the same distance as the distance between Kyoto and Tokyo. I've completed about one third of the planned distance.

The buggy is mainly on paved roads, so there have been no problems so far.

Last year, there were too many bumpy off-road sections in Spain and Portugal.

I'm not pushing myself too hard, so I'm in good mental health and in good health.

Before 5am, something that sounds like the national anthem was played over the local radio, and I could hear announcements in Vietnamese.

It's strange that no one complained.

Other things I heard in the morning: the horns of cars driving on the Asian Highway, the crowing of chickens, and conversations between passersby (Vietnamese people tend to be quite loud).

At 5:50am, I was seen off by Mr.Quang, the hotel manager, and started my run.

He had worked in Tokyo for about three years, so he can speak Japanese.

Thank you for your hospitality.

I bought some banh mi for lunch at the bakery.

All the students around here start going to school at 6 o'clock, so the roads are crowded.

Today's temperature is 20-25 degrees. A little humid.

It's currently 21 degrees. I went into a cafe to take a break.

The coffee here is more bitter than sweet.

But it's delicious.

I could have taken the day off, but I'll shorten the distance and finish early.

I ran 20 kilometers and took a break. A general store-like convenience store in the countryside.

Japan used to have a lot of privately owned shops, but what about now?

These kinds of shops, which are always used by local people and are indispensable to the area, liven up the community.

A shop like this where you know the names and faces of the staff and customers alike...

Cloudy with occasional drizzle. There are not many cars on the Asian Highway today.

Large vehicles over 10 tons are not allowed to pass through.

There are some wind turbine propellers spinning.

A rice paddy area on the plains. Most of the work is done by hand, and it doesn't look like they're using much machinery.

Just before lunch, I ran 31.3 km and checked into a hotel in Le Thuy.

I finished up with a shorter distance without taking a break.

The weather was cloudy, with occasional drizzle.

At today's hotel, the shower had hot water but the water pressure was quite low.

Even at the same 2.5 million VND, there can be quite a difference between good and bad hotels.

Today was a dud.

But there was a roof and a ceiling, and I was grateful and moved just to be able to stay there!

*Today's distance: 31.3 km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 550.6 km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY15 Bo Trach-Quang Ninh

Day 15, I naturally woke up before 4am.

Today's temperature is 18-24 degrees. It gets hotter as I go south.

It's been raining and it's been chilly, but soon I'll be in southern Vietnam.

I'll be entering the tropical climate. I've been getting weaker and weaker lately.

I started before 6am. Today the main route was the Asian Highway again.

I soon crossed a mountain pass. That said, it was only a 30m hill. It was a long, gradual climb.

I ran 26km and entered the city of Dong Hoi, and took a break at a cafe.

It was sunny and a little hot.

I was grateful for a cold drink. The coffee here was not too sweet. 

I alternated it with hot tea.

There was a lot of traffic in the city, and of course the horn war was fierce.

Today I saw a two-lane road jammed, and a truck behind a car kept honking its horn, but the car just kept driving slowly. The truck next to it was also moving slowly. The large truck kept honking its horn. Was this some kind of revenge for the tailgating?

It is common to see large trucks driving through groups of motorbikes in the city.

After that, I had lunch at a restaurant just after crossing the Nyat Le River.

Today I had rice. It was topped with spring rolls, deep-fried tofu, meat, and shrimp, and came with soup.

The rice was dry, but the seasoning was suitable for Japanese people.

If I eat just this, I can't move for a while (lol).

These days, I basically only have one main meal. The rest is fruits like bananas, nuts, and flour-based foods.

On the way, I passed a resort spot called Regal Resort. It was deserted. Some parts of the hotel had been demolished.

It must have been a very prosperous place in the past. It's not like the Tale of the Heike, but the bell of impermanence sounds.

Just before 3pm, I ran 41.7km and checked into a hotel in Quang Ninh.

The weather was just right, not too hot or too cold. I was allowed to use the washing machine at the hotel. It cost 300 yen for 50,000 VND.

*Today's distance: 41.7 km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 519.3 km

*Today's photos are here

*YouTube video playlist is here

DAY14 Ky Anh-Bo Trach

I started at 6am. It had been a while since I last had a rain-free day. I could run on dry roads with dry shoes.

I was amazed at how good it felt to have dry shoes inside!

However, when the road is dry, dust starts to fly up.

This is the second week of my trek.

A day spent running on the Asian Highway.

15 degrees in the morning, 22 degrees during the day.

It's a coastal area, but it's mountainous.

As usual, there are a lot of large vehicles such as trucks and buses.

It looks like there will be no towns or shops for a while.

There is a tunnel just after I enter Quang Binh Province.

Tunnels are quite scary places for my buggy.

With large vehicles coming and going, it's always a scare.

There was a sidewalk, but there were stairs along the way, so it was a disaster.

I carried the buggy down and then dashed down the road for about 50 meters.

It was thrilling and so scary!

The bun bo I had at the food stall was also delicious. As I passed a local restaurant, an old man at the restaurant recommended something to me.

He said, "Just stop by," so I accepted.

Today I had bun bo instead of pho. Unlike pho, which has flat noodles, bun bo has round noodles. The taste of the soup and the hardness of the noodles vary slightly depending on the restaurant.

Children often called out "Hello!" to me.

I replied with a smile. Just knowing that made me feel happy.

3:30 p.m. Today was 45.2 km away. I finished at the hotel in Bo Trach.

Just like yesterday, I took a cold shower.

I kept the tap running to wait for hot water, but it was only a little lukewarm.

Well, I guess it's better to be able to take a shower.

This shows that there aren't many countries in the world where I can drink tap water and take a warm shower whenever I want.

*Today's distance: 45.2km 

 Total distance from Noi Bai International Airport: 477.6km

*Today's photos here

*YouTube video playlist here