100 Kilometers and runnin' (ride report now in the Philippines)

[angler]

Great pics and great report.  Keep them coming!

[Juan]

Looking good Dan, good luck. 

[Spidey]

I bet about right now you're glad you bought that 2-stroke dirt bike a coupla years ago.   

Nice shots, DTM.  That Sachs is exactly the one we were talkin' about a while back.  See if you can fit one in your bag and smuggle it back.        Any boobies pics yet?

[DanTheMan]

I bet about right now you're glad you bought that 2-stroke dirt bike a coupla years ago.   

Nice shots, DTM.  That Sachs is exactly the one we were talkin' about a while back.  See if you can fit one in your bag and smuggle it back.        Any boobies pics yet?

I cant tell you how invaluable the last year i spent riding dirtbike's with Jammen and friends has been. It makes passing on the shoulder, riding these "highways" so much easier. Doesn't matter how big the construction or dirt pile i come across, it hasn't been much of a challenge. I want to do some more off-roading, but i don't want to thrash the bike too much.

That Sachs would make a great city bike! Its small enough i can bag it up as a carry-on. 

No boobies, but i think i staid in a brothel the other night.

[DanTheMan]

some beach and new years shots. First from Quy Nhon and then Nha trang


Best rest stop ever. Fresh coconuts and hammocks!


Rice


View from outside of my hotel in Quy Nhon


Dinghy's to get to the bigger boats


Fishing nets in Quy Nhon


Bai Bau beach, I saved a seat for you


Nha Trang, reminds me of Waikiki


New Years parade




Drummers




Nha Trang New Years 2

[Duck-Stew]

Dude...  Awesome shots.

Oh, and thanks for saving me a seat.  I'll be right over. 

[DanTheMan]

Dude...  Awesome shots.

Oh, and thanks for saving me a seat.  I'll be right over. 

www.kayak.com for cheap flights

[DanTheMan]

Road Karma and Improv Parts


I forget who mentioned it one time but a friend of mine (Duck-Stew i believe it was you?) said something about Road Karma. Something to the effect wherever you break down, that's where you were meant to break down and the road will help you out. Whether the part that you need is laying on the side of the road or you just stopped in front of the only mechanic in town. For me my saving part was a guy names Ny. Riding down the freeway as fast as the little Minsk would go I had a blow out. Valve stem decided it was time to depart from the tube. The rear tire went to mush and I managed to get it off the road and stopped before it put me down.  I ran through my list of options, did i just pass a moto shop? Don't know, I think so. Can I fix myself? Yes I have the tools but no air pump. Where can I get an air pump? Mime conversations with the locals. As I stood there Ny shouted out "Do you need some help?" My thoughts, holy sh*t that was English, and good, I'm saved!!! And the Road shall provide. Ny stopped for some roadside corn to bring home, and, well I just happened to be there looking like a lost puppy. He found a house a few meters up the road that had an air pump, as that was the only tool missing to complete the job. With his help we had it repaired and road ready in short amount of time. I tried to compensate him for his help, but he refused. He said he always helps visitors in need in his country and all he asked was I do the same. No problem. Turns out he was also headed to HCMC so he offered to lead me in as the signs can get a bit confusing when entering the major cities. Thanks again NY! Experiences like this make the trip special. By the way, he thought I was nuken futs (crazy) for doing this on my own not knowing anyone here. I laughed, yup you can call me crazy =)


Improvised parts. Life on the road with a motorbike (or any vehicle) can be tough. Sometimes I need parts and they just aren't around. Or lack of communication (my fault for not knowing the language) makes it harder to find parts I need, so I just have to make them. Today I needed a gasket between the header and the exhaust pipe.  An air leak here is not good for optimal performance of a motor so I needed to fix.

Step 1. Get an aluminum can. Soda, Beer, whatever and empty it. The fun part. Remove the top and bottom. Be careful, its sharp.

Step 2. Cut it down the middle


Step 3. Install between the header pipe and exhaust can to close off air leaks.


Step 4. Apply bandages.

[Rob Hilding]

Actually both step three and four could be captioned " Apply Bandages"



I am really enjoying your travelogue - thanks for the posts!

[Popeye the Sailor]

Step 4. Apply bandages.

DanTheEmoMan

[mostrobelle]

Subscribed...I have some catching up to do though.  Didn't realize you've been posting here.  I would have come in to razz you earlier.  I heard you peed on my bushes during your going away party.  Remind me when you get back: I owe ya.   

[DanTheMan]

Actually both step three and four could be captioned " Apply Bandages"
I am really enjoying your travelogue - thanks for the posts!

Aw that would have been better!

Glad your enjoying!

DanTheEmoMan

I was going to make jokes about it if anyone asked, but no one did. They probably thought it was some sort of spirtual bracelet thats these hippy dudes are wearing

Subscribed...I have some catching up to do though.  Didn't realize you've been posting here.  I would have come in to razz you earlier.  I heard you peed on my bushes during your going away party.  Remind me when you get back: I owe ya.   

It was your neighbors house. And Jimbo made me do it.

[Desmostro]

ya, WTF DTM? you know the MOB needs an ingraven invitation to step outside.
Sheeesh. I've been missing out.

Excellent stuff btw!!! Bravo 

Subscribed...I have some catching up to do though.  Didn't realize you've been posting here.  I would have come in to razz you earlier.  I heard you peed on my bushes during your going away party.  Remind me when you get back: I owe ya.   

I'll hold him down, you pee on him. It'll cure him of any juju he picked up abroad or he may just be used to it by the time he gets back.   I read something about water sports and Phucket a few posts back. 

[DanTheMan]

ya, WTF DTM? you know the MOB needs an ingraven invitation to step outside.
Sheeesh. I've been missing out.

gees i guess so, i posted when i got it started 

[DanTheMan]

Ok lets see we got a little bit of Saigon, ( i like that better than Ho Chi Minh City) the mekong delta, and Phu Quoc island where i'm at now

Amazing road from Nha Tranf to Delat, with about 15K of dirt. I get some strange looks when im standing up riding the bike past tour buses and everyone on scooters




Year of the tiger, Tet Festival decorations




Badass dog


Three hour tour on the Mekong


Tour ended with a tow in


Ferry ride to Phu Quoc island


Long pier


"Smoking Joe", I've never named any of my bikes but i think it's appropriate.


Beaches




Coconut or beer, hmmm?


Rush hour in the harbor


Absolutely incredible sunsets, hard to choose one picture