Biking, Hiking And Climbing To The Moon

A few days of roaming the town was just what we needed now that the rain had subsided. Not only is the landscape incredible but the small town is full of small markets, side streets and food stalls we've really taken a liking to. It feels like the first time in weeks that finding a delicious plate of recognizable food is fun and easy. We've become regulars at a small stir fry shack and finally checked out the Hot Pot, a perfect pairing for a cool evening.

With our energy levels replenished and legs getting anxious, we rented "Marry Poppins" bicycles today!! baskets and all. Making a move to Moon Hill, an 800 stair-master vertical climb to an over rated lookout point but an exciting journey. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

It was a 45 minute man powered roadside leisurely thrill cruise through the limestone countryside past fruit farmers, bikers, motorcycles, scooters, and of course the odd bus. That's right we passed them.

After the 1600 return staircase trip we got a hot tip from a "guy in the parking lot" suggesting we take the more scenic "road" back through the villages, what a swell idea! Through a village of chickens and roosters, down the path of puddles and rocks, along the fields of grains and orchards, around the packs of dogs and water buffalo, across bridges of bargaining locals and eventually!! back to a highway of scooters and dump trucks.

It would be less then honest of me to claim we had any idea of where we were heading or the total faith in us making it out alive but that's what makes adventure worth tasting, a plate of unknown with a side of lunacy.