vietnam motorcycle trip

[MFGUSA_imp]

I was there in the late 70's. Hong Kong just before the British released it back to China. I loved watching the shows deep into town near Victoria peak. Thailand was memorable as well as Korea in the winter. My favorite time was doing a civic action project in Batolan Zambales, Phillipines. About 2 months there. They loved us. I will always have the greatest respect for all the people I have met in Asia.

I've spent time in Japan but mostly Military bases like in Sasebo, Kagoshima and the big base in the Sea of Japan. Yokuska. Even made it to the summit of mount Fujiama.

The only time I was able to rent a actual Motorcycle though was Hawaii. But that was nice too although it probably doesn't compare anymore, but maybe I'll get another chance at that this July.

It took Kahones to do what you did.

Jeff

[MFGUSA_imp]

How was the Sabeco 333 beer? Taste anything like San Miguel?

[cb400four_imp]

How was the Sabeco 333 beer? Taste anything like San Miguel?

The 333 beer was great, it tasted more like a slightly sweeter / slightly less hoppy Heineken. Vietnam has several local beers (333, Hanoi, etc) and they were similar in that they are sharp pilsners and served pretty cold, so they are pretty refreshing in the hot weather.

Riding all day, on sometimes unpaved roads, wrestling a small displacement vibrating single cylinder enduro bike with a hard narrow seat: man that first cold beer at the end of the day always tasted great!

[rboe]

Great trip report.

[Greg Davis_imp]

What a awesome trip. Trip of a life time.
It would be cool if you could post a route map, I am sure there are
other vets here that would like to see. Did you go through Tay Ninh
or Cu Chi. Did you see Nui Ba Den?
Was there in 69-70.

Great pictures!!!

Thanks Steve, it was an awesome trip. I'm working with my buddy Jim from the ride and we are putting together a route map and some edited videos from the GoPro cameras. Work crowds out my time but I'll post it soon. We did not get to Tay Ninh or the Nui Ba Den mountain, but we did go to Cu Chi. Our tourguide spent some time in the Cu Chi tunnels during the war and he told us some emotional stories about the fear of being buried alive, day after day -- he is a very tough guy but his experience was so bad that after the war he wouldn't go back into the tunnels even though they were preserved for tourists (I went inside, it was very cramped, he waited topside).

Here is our tour guide describing some details about the tunnels shown in this diorama.

[url=http://s1164.photobucket.com/user/cb400four/media/MyMotorcycles/PostsToMotorcycleForums/vietnammotorcycletour2014/DSC_5088_zps17178560.jpg.html]

I would be humbled in your presence. I know of no one in my circles that would have considered it let alone actually DO it! I've spent a fair amount of time in Asia and dreamt about doing something like that.

Incredible and well put together. You could sell the story to the Discovery Channel.

Thanks mfg! I've lived in Hong Kong from 2008 to 2011 (took the wife and high school kids as well) and also travelled a bit in Asia (Japan, China, Thailand, Cambodia, as well as India) and I've really enjoyed the places I've been; where have you visited?

Thanks Steve, it was an awesome trip. I'm working with my buddy Jim from the ride and we are putting together a route map and some edited videos from the GoPro cameras. Work crowds out my time but I'll post it soon. We did not get to Tay Ninh or the Nui Ba Den mountain, but we did go to Cu Chi. Our tourguide spent some time in the Cu Chi tunnels during the war and he told us some emotional stories about the fear of being buried alive, day after day -- he is a very tough guy but his experience was so bad that after the war he wouldn't go back into the tunnels even though they were preserved for tourists (I went inside, it was very cramped, he waited topside).

Here is our tour guide describing some details about the tunnels shown in this diorama.

[url=http://s1164.photobucket.com/user/cb400four/media/MyMotorcycles/PostsToMotorcycleForums/vietnammotorcycletour2014/DSC_5088_zps17178560.jpg.html]

I would be humbled in your presence. I know of no one in my circles that would have considered it let alone actually DO it! I've spent a fair amount of time in Asia and dreamt about doing something like that.

Incredible and well put together. You could sell the story to the Discovery Channel.

Thanks mfg! I've lived in Hong Kong from 2008 to 2011 (took the wife and high school kids as well) and also travelled a bit in Asia (Japan, China, Thailand, Cambodia, as well as India) and I've really enjoyed the places I've been; where have you visited?
VERY, VERY COOL. Was there in 1968 / 1969 Absolute wonderful post. thank you.

[shysue2_imp]

Wow! Great post, photos, and story. That truly would be the trip of a lifetime. Thanks for posting this!

[MrTim_imp]

Awesome trip report CB400four, some workmates and myself are planning a similar tour of Cambodia in November so this is much appreciated!

Oh and I have to ask, is it common for young women to ride side-saddle on the pillion? I think it looks very lady like and surprisingly appealing!

[Cormanus]

Awesome trip report CB400four, some workmates and myself are planning a similar tour of Cambodia in November so this is much appreciated!

Oh and I have to ask, is it common for young women to ride side-saddle on the pillion? I think it looks very lady like and surprisingly appealing!

Tim, I've worked a bit in Timor-Leste where the practice is very common. Usually a scooter and sometimes with a couple of kids as well.

[cb400four_imp]

Awesome trip report CB400four, some workmates and myself are planning a similar tour of Cambodia in November so this is much appreciated!

Oh and I have to ask, is it common for young women to ride side-saddle on the pillion? I think it looks very lady like and surprisingly appealing!

Tim, I've worked a bit in Timor-Leste where the practice is very common. Usually a scooter and sometimes with a couple of kids as well.

Tim, I've worked a bit in Timor-Leste where the practice is very common. Usually a scooter and sometimes with a couple of kids as well.
MrTim, the trip to Cambodia should be great for you, my wife and I travelled there (not by bike) and we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Drop me a PM if I can be of any help; plus, I'd love to hear about the proposed itinerary.

+1 on Cormanus' comment. In my experience, sidesaddle pillion riders are even more popular in India where long skirts are common; when I was travelling there I noticed that many of the motorbikes have a chrome 'grille' on the left side only which covers the rear wheel and keeps skirts etc from entangling in the wheel when riding sidesaddle.

chrome grille (always on the left side)


and in use

[nate_imp]

Video link of my recent(March 2014) ride to Northern Hanoi Vietnam...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-USpprAv6Lc

Awesome scenic routes, friendly people, all sorts of terrain, great company, cheap beer...

What else can you ask for?

#contented #blessed experience