Mui Ne and the One Where Angela Runs Over My Leg With An ATV

Our first destination out on our own without family or a tour guide is Mui Ne, a small beach/resort town a few hours north of Vung Tao.

Mui Ne is Little Russia. Truly. 98% of the tourists had to be Russian. Everything was advertised in Russian, from drink promotions to the menus to booking companies. Sometimes, there was no Vietnamese or English at all!  I wouldn't have any idea what an establishment was until I peered through the window!

Mui Ne is also where our traveler's health teetered between feeling fantastically awesome and horrifically bedridden.  Is it so much to ask to poop like a normal person?!

In Mui Ne, Angela and I took a half day tour to hike Fairy Springs (a slightly above average hike through a creek next to a canyon), watch fisherman at a fishing village, watch the sunset over red sand dunes and rode ATVs over white sand dunes.



Angela and I took turns operating the ATV. I went first. Sure...I drove slowly. Sure...I stopped halfway up hills. But, we were eventually got to our desired locations. Angela drove next. She was wild. I don't think she ever used the brakes. On our way back, there was a long decline. Angela gunned it. "Whoooo!" we wailed. She must have felt some hesitation, because she started to hit the brakes and turn to the left. The ATV started to tilt and instinctively, I put my right foot down. That is when, Angela ran over my leg with the ATV. Great story, watch the videos below to see how awesome the ride was as well as the aftermath. :]

The next day, we rented two motorbikes and Angela and I had our first go at driving one. The guy renting me the bike asked me if I've ever driven one. Of course, I reply. I get on, put a little much gas, and speed right off, barely missing an older gentleman. (I kicked over his garbage can, though.) I stop to look back but hear Lynn's voice, "GO GO GO!" I speed off again, this time, just slightly wobbling through traffic. After I got the hang of it, though, it was such a delight to ride through town! We got to watch a second sunset over the sand dunes before ending the night at a Russian-filled bar, dancing to techno and house.

I was also offered my first one-night stand, which I politely declined.

Hiking Fairy Springs in Mui Ne

Fishing Village in Mui Ne

Awesome cloud on our way to White Sand Dunes

ATVing in a dress? Yes, indeed!

Fun sand dune videos

The aftermath of running over my leg.

Angela and I in front of a lotus pond

Sunset time!

Boy who followed us, trying to sell us rides on his slide. It's common for these boys to also sell marijuana and cocaine.

More sunset action.