khmerdaze

Hi Kolsie,

Thanks for the heads up re the smog in Northern Laos. I'm hoping to avoid it by getting there around Feb or March & if I remember right the slash & burn usually starts around April. If not I'll just head for Thailand & come down through there.

Re punctures, I've now adopted exactly your method ie 1 x pump, 1 x brand new tube & 1 x patched tube in the bag & will repair punctures at night. That said my last trip through Vietnam (before I was writing things up) I went around 1,700 km before my first puncture struck.

Re my web blog, it's a completely free service (I wouldn't do it if it cost anything). I Googled "free web blogs" & there's lots of them out there but many of the reviews said Blogger.com was the easiest to use. I'm completely useless with technology but found this remarkably easy to set up & update. There's probably better sites out there for anyone who's tech savvy but I'm delighted with Blogger.com particularly with regards to it's ease of use.

Wordpress or Tumblr are other popular free options

One consideration for me is Blogger.com is run by Google so it's unlikely to go tits up one day & loose all my information.

I love the cycling but the writing can sometimes be a chore, however when I'm in a one horse town that shuts down at 8pm it can be quite enjoyable to organize my notes in preparation for my next update (over a few cold beers of course).

If you do decide to run a blog please let me know the address & I'd love to follow your travels. Anyone that can hit a cow whilst cycling is going to have some good tales to tell.

[email protected]

Regards - Scottish Bob

Hi Kaorop,

Thanks for the response & especially some constructive criticism. Re not needing to know about everything I ate & the cost of, 100% mate & your not the first to make this observation. I do get a bit obsessive about food when I'm cycling a lot & want to try & give a flavor of whats on offer & the costs to anyone who's not been to a particular country before, but accept I've went overboard with detail - I'll certainly tone this aspect down in future.

I was aware there were more pleasant coastal roads to follow & as I said " I look forward to returning & enjoying some quieter country roads in Thailand next year." but this time around the priority was to get to Pattaya, restock my wardrobe & return to Cambodia before my visa extension expired. The quickest route was straight down the main highways.

It's a personal thing Kaorop " but would not

be without my edge 810 and now virb (an action cam linked to the 810 gps)." isn't for me - I find the latest technology takes too much of the adventure & fun out of travelling nowadays. I accept I might be making things harder than need be for myself & I might miss out on some things but I enjoy just travelling with an old style map. I did reluctantly buy a smartphone as I couldn't find internet cafes in many places nowadays, but still don't know (or care) about 90% of what it can do, although I admit Google Maps has been handy on occasion.

Sincere thanks for your comments mate, it's given me something to think about before my next update & for sure I will tone down my obsession with food (& the cost of).

Regards - Scottish Bob

Kolsie,

Great minds must think alike as I've just got a 3 month single entry visa for Vietnam. The vague plan is to cycle to Hat Tien, spend a few weeks criss crossing the Mekong Delta & then work my way up primarily the East coast to Hanoi. Might head to China but it might be too cold for me by that time & finally back to Cambodia via Laos. Like all good plans it will be changed numerous times enroute. So if you see an old guy on a black & red Giant bike puffing his way up a hill or more likely sitting by the roadside puffing on a cigarette be sure to stop & say Hi & if we're headed in the same direction the beers will be on me.

One thing that caught me out last time in Vietnam was sunscreen, not so easy to find & this time I've stocked up before I go.

Have a good one Kolsie & I've a feeling our paths are going to cross somewhere out there on the road.

Regards - Scottish Bob

seasia, Kolsie,

Many thanks form your positive feedback. It's very much appreciated.

Kolsie;- I always enjoy cycling Phnom Penh to Sihanukville it's just great cycling country. It sounds like an amazing trip you had in Japan, unfortunately Japan would be outwith my budget - no worries as there's plenty of great routes in Cambodia & surrounding countries for me.

Yeh! the nipples fully recovered from it's unpleasant ordeal

To everyone on this thread - Again many thanks for your positive responses, it's been extremely encouraging.

wantan,

Thanks for the encouraging response.

I love the cycling but the writing can be a chore. Positive feedback like yours keeps me at it.

sidjameson - Thanks for the feedback - It's always heartening to get positive responses.

rikki - Tried with Google maps again but I was close to launching the computer out the window & gave up.

craigt3365 - Thank you - it's nice to feel appreciated

Hi Rikki,

I did try to put a map of my route but couldn't quite work out how to do it. I'm not very good with internet & technollogy but learning as I go along. I'll have another try with google maps later on today.

I've just updated my blog with details of a cycling trip throughout much of Cambodia. I'm not a writer & even less of a photographer but feel it may be of interest to fellow cyclists:-

http://stillroamin.blogspot.com/

My penurious nature seemed to annoy some readers so if you have an aversion to frugal travelers (in most languages Cheap Charlies) perhaps it's better if you skip this post.