Motorbiking Vietnam and Laos

[Strong Eagle]

It's a big download (500 meg), and if you are interested, this is a 20 minute clip produced by a young man on our trip with us. Excellent video, the young man should win a prize.

http://www.herbhost.com/biketrip/vietlaotrip.mpg

[earthfriendly]

I enjoyed the video. The market scene actually reminds me of the wet dirt market that I used to love going to in SG with my mom as a kid. And I am drawn to the lovely countryside, the people, the food, the scenery and the way of life.

Would you say Vietnamese countryside is safe for a lone female traveller?

[x9200]

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Price of fame

[Strong Eagle]

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Price of fame

That makes me very unhappy. I have a huge bandwidth allocation on a dedicated server. Must have screwed something up.

[Strong Eagle]

I enjoyed the video. The market scene actually reminds me of the wet dirt market that I used to love going to in SG with my mom as a kid. And I am drawn to the lovely countryside, the people, the food, the scenery and the way of life.

Would you say Vietnamese countryside is safe for a lone female traveller?

I'd say that the Vietnamese country side is safe for the lone female traveler. And, as with other things, common sense is the keyword.

For example, if you are in Son La, this is something of a rough and tumble town. You'd be advised to stick to known venues and stay off the side streets.

But if you were in Mai Chau, where we stayed in the stilt houses, you'd have no issue at all.

On the whole, Vietnam is a great place, with respect for others. I've bike with a woman who has been all over the place... usually in a group... sometimes by yourself.

If you have some ideas of what you'd like to do, I'll put you in conctact with a Brit who lives there. Can tell you a lot more.

[earthfriendly]

Just an idea in my head and don't know when I'll ever get to do it with kids and family to care for. I have never travelled alone and needing more courage. I will keep you in mind if I am ready.

Thanks for posting the video. Open up my eyes and mind to the world of possibilities.

[Strong Eagle]

Should be working now.

[pakjohn]

I tried to book a trip with the outfit in Vietnam, they're really nice folks but I just couldn't match schedules. I have a tentative arrangement with them for next October and will return with 6 or 7 guys that are retiring with me. Can't wait to ride with them after seeing your video!

I did find a guy in North Thailand that could accomodate my schedule and will ride there Mid November for 6 days.

[Strong Eagle]

We are going to do a trip down the Ho Chi Minh trail. There are actually two on the boards. The first is in January, starts in Vientiane. It is the rougher of the two, more trails, carry your own stuff.

The second is in late February and starts in Hanoi... more of a road trip, better hotels, and a chase vehicle.

[pakjohn]

I hope you'll put up another clip or some pictures from your rides.

We're riding newer motocross bikes in Thai but have to leave them at the border of Myanmar and pick up a different ride. Carry our own gear, no chase vehicle, mostly offroad with a bit of paved in the mountains. I'll put up photos in a few weeks when I get back.

Next March is a ride in Cuba, tame compared to Asia but it's like stepping back in time 50 years.

[Strong Eagle]

I hope you'll put up another clip or some pictures from your rides.

We're riding newer motocross bikes in Thai but have to leave them at the border of Myanmar and pick up a different ride. Carry our own gear, no chase vehicle, mostly offroad with a bit of paved in the mountains. I'll put up photos in a few weeks when I get back.

Next March is a ride in Cuba, tame compared to Asia but it's like stepping back in time 50 years.

Sounds mighty cool. We are toying with the idea of a trip through eastern Europe... Romania, Transylvania... all that good stuff.