30-12-14, 09:01 PM
(30-12-14, 07:38 PM)Phil link Wrote: [quote author=Simon.Pieman link=topic=15588.msg178383#msg178383 date=1419843083]
On the subject of 'extreme' bike tours, I did two weeks bike tour in Vietnam this year and it weighed in at around £1200 -all incl. If anyone is thinking of sucha trip and wants a breakdown of costs and route I'd be happy to supply it with contacts etc.
Was that an organised tour or did you just buy/rent a small bike and went your own way?
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I've in fact done both. A tour around the North with a tour company but a few years before that I rode from Hanoi to Saigon on my own aboard a Chinese 'Honda' (shamelessly inspired by the Top Gear Special). Both rides were great but although self-navigating isn't that difficult, a guide is a big advantage as he doubles as a translator and someone to make sure you get decent food and stay in the better hotels. Vietnamese hotels and restaurants are still poorly covered in the guide books.
On the solo trip I had a real adventure but often got lost and ate dog, cat and ratmeat on occaisions (tasted fine actually) and slept in hotels rooms that were like prison cells -but some were fine. The guided tour was fun everyday with less stress, mostly great food and nice places to stay, especially the homestays. 'Stunning looking country is 'Nam.