Running away

Hey - have I mentioned how good it is to be running again? Amazing how an enforced layoff makes one wonder if running will ever happen again let alone when. The hamstring is still very tight at the start of the run but eases with each step - beautifully, any nasty feeling disappears the second I stop. A lot like banging your head against a brick wall......
My runs here in Vietnam have been a wonderful memory 'jog'. Laps of Hoan Kiem Lake are a bit Central Park - seems like the whole city is circulating with you. Central Park becomes Lumphini Park as you run through and around large groups doing exercise routines in both the ancient and modern form. One of the better travel runs.
Onto the ancient town of Hoi An and also some of the best beaches in Vietnam. Clean water and clear white sand - heaven. A morning run here is as exhilarating as it (can be) challenging. We stay this visit on the beach near Cua Dai. On previous visits we have alternated beach/town and with this experience, recommend you choose beach. The town is exquisitely beautiful but stiflingly hot. A couple of hours in town will have you straining to return to the sandy shore! The weather so far has been spectacular in the early morning (clear, still and warm), warmer but pleasantly breezy mid morning developing into a very windy hot afternoon. The evening brings showers but not storms - how good is that!

A tip for running in Vietnam - forget everything you know about running on the road. Also forget footpaths as they are usually extensions of the shops and motorbike parks. Run on the road and run WITH the traffic. Running against the traffic creates angst with all and sundry. Everything flows in a linear fashion (even the cross roads) and so long as you watch forward your back is protected.

I leave you with a pic of a smokey eggplant & pork dish enjoyed at Morning Glory Restaurant in Hoi An. Almost larb like it was sublime and a dish I would cross the world to have again.