Day 65 felt like a turning point. The sickness is slowly easing, coconut coffee delivered a surprise win, and a slight navigation mistake led us through misty temples and the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. Add in one of the best lunches we’ve had in Vietnam and a 10km bike ride with Maddie, and it turned into one of those imperfect but beautiful travel days.

Another rough night, but slightly better than the last. With coughs still lingering, we layered up and headed out anyway. We rode bikes into town, coffee by the river watching the foot-rowed paddle boats glide past, a short mountain ride, failed Strava attempts, fire pits at dinner and another spaghetti disappointment. Not our biggest day, but a steady one. Health improving. Spirits lifting. Slow travel at its most honest.

A rough night left half the family down and out, so Maddie and I split off for a freezing bike ride across Ninh Binh. What we found was unexpected, caves, paddle boats, bird sanctuaries and one seriously adventurous day inside the UNESCO-listed Trang An landscape.

A sore back, a sick family and rainy skies in Tam Coc didn’t stop the kilometres ticking over. Between a 4km run, 26km on the bike, a surprise Strava segment win and pharmacy runs for vitamin C and zinc, Day 62 was a mix of solo efforts and quiet family recovery. Not our most adventurous day, but a real one.

Day 61 in Tam Coc was a push and pull between sickness and adventure. With the kids still unwell, we tried to balance rest with a gentle bike ride through rice fields, a café stop by a waterfall, and a wood-fired pizza night that didn’t quite hit the mark. Travel doesn’t stop for sick days, but sometimes you just slow it down.

Day 60 was a slow one. A rough night with everyone sick, a quiet breakfast barely touched, and a full day of rest for Kia and the kids. While they recovered, I found myself riding through limestone mountains and lakes, discovering craft breweries and European-vibe cafés and finishing the day with the worst burrito we’ve had all trip. Not our best day, but a reminder that travel isn’t always adventure, sometimes it’s patience.

A rough night, a six-hour sleeper bus, vomit bags, bottle wees and two sick kids later, we finally made it to Tam Coc. Big transport days while world-schooling aren’t always glamorous, but they’re always memorable.