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Lao villages and banana pancakes

By |2019-08-15T10:03:59+02:00 1st November, 2015|Categories: Central Laos, Laos|Tags: , , , , , |

Contemplating on routes and distances is a favourite task of ours: 130km main road or 230km mountains unpaved? We were still in Nong Khiaw, where we had been resting and eating for six days. Now it was time to leave our bungalow by the Nam Ou river and hit the road. We knew that the route to [...]

This is how we stay warm in winter as low as – 30°C

By |2019-08-15T10:03:59+02:00 24th October, 2015|Categories: This is how by TwistingSpokes.com, Travel tips|Tags: , |

‘This is how we stay warm in winter as low as - 30°C’ is a part of the series “This is how… by twistingspokes.com”. While cycling in winter sounds scary and cold, it can be a wonderful experience! We cycled off from home in the Netherlands during winter and crossed over the Alps before we got spring [...]

Returning to Laos by bicycle

By |2019-08-15T10:03:59+02:00 14th October, 2015|Categories: Laos, North Laos|Tags: , , |

After more than 11 years (Martin) and 8 years (Susanne) since we separately visited Laos as backpackers, we are now back again only this time together and by bicycle. Returning to Laos by bicycle has already given us new insights to this little country where communism is the base of the country. Crossing the Mohan - Boten [...]

Yunnan a tropical endeavour

By |2019-08-15T10:03:59+02:00 14th October, 2015|Categories: China, Jungle & bugs, South West China|Tags: , , |

The final chapter of China had begun. We were cycling from Lijiang through Yunnan province to the border with Laos. We were at lower altitude and it was getting more warm and humid. We were looking forward to different food, different scenery and meeting more travellers on the road. Yunnan a tropical endeavour and a finale of [...]

The Tibetan Plateau comes to an end in Yunnan

By |2019-08-15T10:03:59+02:00 25th September, 2015|Categories: China, High mountains, West China|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

A well known section of bicycle touring in China. This is what we were preparing ourselves for. Mountain passes up to 4720 meter and no idea about the quality of the roads. We were heading out on an endeavour which would become one of our highlights of our journey. From the wild west of Litang, past mystical [...]

Tibetan hospitality, a high road, Seda to Litang

By |2019-08-15T10:03:59+02:00 11th September, 2015|Categories: China, High mountains, Hospitality, Off the beaten path, West China|Tags: , , , |

Seda and Larung Gar had left a strong impression on us but visa time and wanting to get on the road we left Seda (Sertar). We had almost run out of oats and Martin had used a few hours searching and asking in all Chinese shops nowhere to be found. By chance as we where heading to [...]

Cycling up and over 4000m+ passes in Gansu, Qinghai and Sichuan

By |2019-08-15T10:03:59+02:00 3rd September, 2015|Categories: China, High mountains, Off the beaten path, West China|Tags: , , , |

Finally we were heading south again. We knew the next stretch was going to be challenging. Cycling through Gansu, Qinghai and Sichuan on our way to Yunnan would bring us over many many passes and the first were coming up. We were cycling up and over 4000m+ passes in Gansu, Qinghai and Sichuan to reach the World largest [...]

Xian to Labrang en-route to the Amdo Tibetans

By |2019-08-15T10:03:59+02:00 22nd August, 2015|Categories: Ancient civilizations, China, High mountains, West China|Tags: , , , , , |

Contemplating on our route through west China we noticed that we had a chance to experience the life of the Amdo Tibetans. So we quickly decided on going west from Xian instead of south to Chengdu. We were cycling from Xian to Labrang en-route to the Amdo Tibetans. This trip has been very interesting so we have [...]

Qingdao to Xi’an: peaches for everyone

By |2019-08-15T10:03:59+02:00 1st August, 2015|Categories: Central China, China, Modern cities|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

What would China have in store for us this time? After cycling the Northwest and Northeast we are now on our way from Qingdao to Xi'an to shortly get back on the Silk Road. In China a route of 4500 km and more than 80000 meters elevation gain is waiting. Excited is maybe not the right word, [...]

Holidaying, WWOOFing, cycling

By |2019-08-15T10:03:59+02:00 14th July, 2015|Categories: Eastern South Korea, Jungle & bugs, South Korea, Volunteering|Tags: , , |

It was time for a holiday! Susanne’s family were visiting. Afterwards we would be cycling back to the farm where Susanne volunteered before, while Martin was in Denmark, and then we would cycle back to Seoul to arrange our visa for the next leg of our trip. Long story short: we did some holidaying, WWOOFing and cycling. [...]

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