Plans Plans plans

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We're currently still in the UK trying to get everything sorted out before we leave on what is for us a pretty major trip.....
We've bought a "Rough Guide" and a "Frommers Guide" and spent hours trawling the web for any information we can find and luckily found there's lots of really great stuff from bloggers here on TravelBlog, in fact it was reading Andrew Horsmans Vietnam travel blog a couple of months ago that proved the major inspiration for the trip, (especially his "easyrider" motorbike trip blogs)....About a month after reading Andys blogs we saw the Topgear Vietnam special and pretty much decided there and then to do the trip from Northern Vietnam right down to Phu Quoc via the Central Highlands, Saigon and the Mekong Delta as a solo motorbike tour..(given the fact that we've currently only ever ridden to Wales and back a couple of times you'll guess that at this point with only a few weeks to go we're pretty much shitting ourselves)...We're qualified riders here in the UK so have decided that we're going to buy a dirt bike (probably a Minsk as they seem pretty cheap and are supposed to be easy to keep running), take our own safety gear and as little other luggage as possible and do the trip 2 up...So thats two 45 litre rucksacks/two daybags/two humans (one a damn sight bigger than the other) on a 125cc dirtbike for the best part of 2000 miles...Well, I suppose we could have always gone to "CenterParcs"......

Anyone planning a similar trip remember to factor in the cost of vaccinations and malaria tabs...we didnt and have just exceeded the £500 mark for the two of us so a bit of an oversight in the planning department to say the least...Also you'll need to allow the best part of three months to get all the innoculations done in time (even fast tracking those its possible to)....



Anyway...Obviously not a great deal to say at this point.......I just wanted to get the blog started..
Will post next on arrival in Hanoi.......

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Photos

Rhianydd on her V-Strom
I dont think we'll be buying a bike quite this big!

Comments

[James]

Hello
Hello, I see that you have travelled fairly extensively. I am especially interested in what China and South America are like, Brazil in particular? Regards James

[StuartandRhianydd]

Brazil & China
Hi James We've spent time in the Northern part of Brazil in and around Salvador and up the Coconut coast or Ligna Verde...Salvador is a fantastic city especially at carnival time (which is much more traditional and "real" than carnival in Rio.....getting around is easy with good public transport and cheap car hire....Beaches and beach culture up the coast from salvador is laid back and beautiful...check out Itacimirim and praia de forte. All in all Brazil is a great place for the independent traveller and with only a smattering of Portuguese (just phrase book stuff) you shouldnt come unstuck for anything...If you've got any spanish at all you'll be laughing... China is a bit difficult to sum up...vastly diverse..we went to peking,shanghai,xian,chongking and a cruise on the yangtze.....fantastic experience but very difficult without using organized tours/trips/guides so consequently can work out a bit pricey....... Wherever you go have a great time. Cheers Stuart

[squirtlet]

Happy Traveling
Hi Guys Seems you have a good idea of where u want to go and how you're gonna get there. Have a fantastic trip and I look forward to keeping up to date with the trip via the blog. And it is Lagos Nigeria where we are!

[Andy Horsman]

Bon Voyage!
Hi there, I just wanted to wish you well for your trip - sounds like you'll have a fantastic time! Thanks very much for letting me know you're off, I'll be reading your blogs with interest. Say hi to Vietnam for me! Happy travels! Andy

[StuartandRhianydd]

Hey Squirt
Good to hear from you shortie....Havent we all turned into a bunch of well travelled types? From Dudley and Prestatyn to Nam and Nigeria.......Its a funny old world! Stay in touch Love S'n'R

[Shar]

Hello from Wales
What a great time it look s like you and Stu had on your travels, Your Dad sent the blog link to my mum (auntie Meg) So I thought I would send a HELLO from Wales Hope your well Shar xx

[StuartandRhianydd]

Hi Sharon
Good to hear from you..Glad you like the blog... we are intending to post some more as soon as we can...Keep checking in! Love Rhianydd