As Amir’s Toyota pickup sped away, kicking up a cloud of dust in the late afternoon heat, I watched the sun slowly set over the calm, distant waters of the Malacca Strait. I wasn’t quite sure where on the island I was, or where one should go to find a […]
Throughout Vietnam, daily life revolves around one central, ubiquitous concept – motorbikes. In a country where there seems to be more motorbikes than citizens, these two-wheeled motor vehicles serve virtually every purpose, from commuting families of up to five people, to transporting anything and everything that comes to mind (even […]
Over the past few weeks, I have been amazed at some of the objects that I have seen strapped onto the back of, as well as the sides, front, and bottom of motorbikes in Vietnam. When something needs to be transported, it is either really large, or there are many […]
Traveling is exhausting. It’s a peculiar fatigue, however, that arises from extended periods of being on the road. It usually creeps up and hits you at once, and at the most unexpected times. And there’s a certain indifference that accompanies that fatigue. At times, it takes hold of you as […]
1,700 kilometers. 14 rides. 4 days. 1 road. Part 1 I opened my eyes. Complete darkness. Not a single light or sound. The chilling breeze lightly seeping out of the air conditioning panel forced me deeper under the covers. What time was it? Was the sun already out, or was it […]
It’s a cool, serene night, the landscape lit up by a nearly full moon. There’s a quiet and lonely calmness unique to such isolated, remote corners of the earth. The smell of fresh fish fills the air, reminding me of the hunger I had been suppressing for several hours. But the wait […]