Since we got back home, more than 2 weeks ago by now, I've had the intention to write a post to look back at our bike tour. So many thoughts, ideas, anecdotes, photos kept going through my head and it seemed like it would become a really big post. That's why I've been postponing to write it, as I needed enough time to work on it. As that time has still not materialised, I thought it would be a better idea to go ahead and write the post, but keep it short(er) and sweet... Basically there are a couple of Frequently Asked Questions that keep coming back since we're home, so let's start with these.
 |
Happily on our way in Laos
|
What where the highlights of the trip? It's not an easy answer, because there have been so many great parts, and highlights are not just about scenery, it's also about people you meet (very much), cycling fun, weather, food, mood and so much more. Here's what we liked most:
The overall winner for us would be Yunnan, China, and the first part of Sichuan as well. Stunning scenery, incredibly friendly and helpful people, challenging (but rewarding) cycling, good food, and perfect weather when we were there. Yes, it was certainly the most physically challenging part of our trip, but somehow that's also what makes it so nice.
 |
| The Yangtze River, just after crossing from Yunnan into Sichuan! |
We were positively surprised about the weeks in Malaysia. We've already lived nearly 9 years here, and thought we knew the country. Yet, cycling through this country was a surprising and enriching experience, with beautiful backroads, fascinating kampung life, and people that were even more friendly than we already knew. We're already looking forward to spending more time on our bicycles here in the months and years to come.
 |
| Wonderful, typically tropical lush Taiping lake gardens, |
In Thailand, it was mostly the western side that we preferred, from Kanchanaburi up to Kampaeng Phet (which we liked very much as a place as such as well). A lot of national parks with beautiful nature, less populated, no tourists at all, quiet and good roads - and of course incredibly good food everywhere.
 |
| Agriculture, mountains, national parks, empty roads, no tourists; this is West Thailand |
Laos is a special one. When we were there, we were happy to leave the country after less than 4 weeks, and (as quite a few other cyclists) we were disappointed by the people: unfriendly, uninterested, not helpful, grumpy, ... Looking back at it, it was definitely very beautiful however, with the mountains between Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang as a highlight.
 |
| Scenery between Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, one of the most beautiful parts of the journey - and our first serious mountains |
Also Korea is a bit special, very double. There are a lot of great bicycle lanes in Korea, often along rivers, and they're mostly in very good condition, away from the main roads, with beautiful parks to camp in, and so on. As such it's a fantastic country to cycle through. Add to that the super-friendly and open people, and the delicious food, it makes Korea wonderful. What's double about it, is that you don't cycle much through the "real" Korea because of these cycling lanes, and you really miss that. We did a few parts off those cycling routes (eg from Deagu to Gyeongju) and these were actually the best experiences!
 |
| On the unbelievable Four Rivers bike trail |
Finally, Japan. We had many fantastic days in Japan, but we also had some less. In the end, there were 3 parts that we liked most on the bike: around Mt. Aso in Kyushu, the western side of Honshu and the Tobishima Kaido, and most of Hokkaido (unfortunately the weather was not too much in our favour there).
 |
| Cycling through Shiretoko national park |
Would you do or take anything different? Well, no or definitely not much. It was good to have bought our good Santos touring bikes, as we did not have mechanical problems (unless you count punctures too?). It was good to take the camping gear and we used it a lot in Korea and Japan - even if we hardly used it in the first 5 months, it was good to always have it as a back-up; if we'd go cycling in the tropics only, we probably wouldn't take it . We hardly took anything with us we didn't need or use (still need to make that equipment list too...). We doubted beforehand whether or not to buy the Helinox chairs, and I will never doubt about that again! In terms of timing, I think our trip was almost perfect: in Malaysia and southern Thailand it was hot of course (it always is), but once we were in central Thailand (January) it became cooler. We then moved on to Laos and by the time the weather started to warm up (mid February), we were already in the cooler north, and then into fantastic spring weather in China and Korea, moving into early summer in Japan with only a bit of bad weather in the end, in Hokkaido. We had hardly any rain from mid January (when we got stuck in the South Thailand floods...) until mid June, and a lot of beautiful blue sky and sensational sunsets. The only thing we would do different, is probably (especially in Thailand) we would plan even more national parks on our route, and camp there.
 |
| We would never leave without these anymore. (And the coffee maker of course) |
Would you do it again? And the answer is an unconditional, enthusiastic, eager, even impatient YES! It was absolutely fantastic and we wouldn't hesitate for a moment.
 |
| Where to next?... |