A BIG THANKS to the TdA scouts, who found this route!
Todays short distance ride was perfect to enjoy the sceneries, people and sunny weather. No rush, no hectic. Simple cruise thru the day and inhale the beauty of the country and people. Although I am one of the strongest in the field, I was immediately caught by Chelsea, todays sweep, meaning I was the slowest on the track. However not because I was suffering from exhaustion, but because the landscape and citizens were so beautiful, and let me stop at every remarkable place. It was ‘picture time’, and a day to really start using the GoPro camera (videos will be prepared at my rest day on Monday).
It was early morning and the kids were on their way to school. The scholars went crazy whenever I stopped and the teachers had a hard time to keep them under control.
These kids didn’t want to turn back to go to their school and posed for me, until their teacher told them to get back to class.
These kids jumped the wall around the school complex to get as close as they could get to me. High 5 is the name of the game. Girls and boys, although Muslims, equally in joy – unimaginable in other parts of the world.
In the afternoon we left the main road and followed a forest road thru gorgeous settlements. Children all ages, too many to count, were already expecting us around every corner and cheered us thru the day.
Some have never seen a ‘white’ person in their life, at least not on a bicycle. Nellie and Chelsea are enjoying it as much as the kids.
Unfortunately time is always too short to stay for longer.
This is an absolutely stunning valley, that we will cycle the next two days. 
People working in the rice fields, with just basic tools or none.
This is it for today. Sorry for being brief with my write up today. Tomorrow is the longest riding day of the tour. Everybody is scheduled for an early and long refreshing sleep. So am I 