106 kms at 35 degrees and 100% humidity.
Once again up early for a sumptuous breakfast at which our hostess surprises with gifts of calendars and hats for the men or jewellry pouches for the women - very nice touch! The first and last quarters of todays ride are along the shore amongst large sand-dunes. Today we have our first casualty - Faye is barreling along at 28 kph with Jean and Janet when an elderly moped driver coming towards her suddenly turns left across her path, leaving her no room to manoeuvre and she collides with it mid-ships, falling off - fortunately she suffered no broken bones or joint injuries, just a large abrasion to the back of her left elbow and other lesser abrasions. Her rental bike suffered a broken spoke that was fixed overnight, and she has been able to continue fortunately, but it could have been very nasty.
In general the population is very non-compliant with the rules of the road, of which it appears there are none - only suggestions, perhaps. It is very important that one assumes the worst when mopeds are about you, and other cyclists too.
We visit a fishing village, a shop manufacturing outsized and rather grotesque redwood furniture from driftwood stumps, and a dragon fruit plantation (see photo). The kids all holler "HELLO!" and break into gales of giggles when we answer the same. The older and more adventurous yell "What you name? Where you from? How are you" I even thought I heard a "Mon ami". All learn English as the second language in school. (Hear that, Quebec).
The day finished with another great dinner at our 4-star resort on the beach. It's a bit ostentatious. We're told it's a joint government-private partnership. It has capacity for perhaps 1000, and this day our little band of 20 are the only clients. We're outnumbered two to one by the staff. It appearsd there was a lot of overbuilding in this area 2-3 years ago.
Photos TBA later
No comments:
Post a Comment