An Unexpected Start
It was early when I woke up to the gentle rapping of rain on the metal roof. Just above the light fixture that sits high up in the room a gecko sat perched above the window. I had no doubt he had posted above the window most of the night. Ambushing any flying insect that wandered into the glass less window toward the low humming light.
It wasn’t long before Diễm awakened and I could hear others stirring in the house. I had retired rather early the previous night and was unaware of today’s plans in detail. They apparently began with getting up and getting ready now.
I was informed to pack some clothes and make sure I had chargers. I didn’t ask questions and gathered some items to carry. Within a few minutes everyone was gathered at the entrance of the property and our private car had arrived. By 6:15 am we were on our way. To were I had no idea. The Toyota SUV rolled out of An Lao and we plunged south towards Qui Nhon.
The jungle seemed to thicken around us as the rain, fog and low level clouds converged into an almost impenetrable blanket. I knew there were mountains all around, but I was unable to concretely identify them. Like mythical beasts, the mountains and hills rolled on just out of sight.
As the sun slowly began to burn away the layers of saturated atmosphere, I could slowly see the mountain peaks and rolling hilltops begin to emerge through the dense cloud bank. The landscape was so enchanting I could see the origin of the dragons powerful presence in local mythology laid before me.
Mountain ranges are often named in reference to the actions of dragons. Hai Long for instance, a mountain range in the coastal waters of the north, means ascending dragon. Looking at the mountains in this misty morning I can definitely see the imagery. Like the backs of ancient monsters the mountains roll on in the distance.
After a few hours we came to the outskirts of the city of Qui Nhơn. A burgeoning city of over 200,000 a few hours south of Da Nang. Surely I would visit Qui Nhơn on the sea, but for now we turned due west and climbed deep into the mountains.
Higher and Deeper We Go
It was a slow and sometimes treacherous journey as we rose ever higher up the mountain switchbacks towards a yet unknown destination. Town after town came and went as we pushed on ever higher still.
The rice fields had long faded into the distance. Replaced now by more familiar row cropping in the steep heights of the Annamite mountains. After what seemed like hours we reached the apex of our ascent before settling gently down onto the Pleiku Plateau. We had finally reached our destination. The charming highland town and district capital of Kông Chro.
Click here https://youtu.be/rhhtizsAOmg for a short film of the journey.
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