Photos of the bus’n’bike trip in northern Pakistan from the 3rd to the 25th of October.
Deosai Plains & Nanga Parbat
Yet to be written. Hopefully soon … 😉
Northern KKH
After two nights in Gilgit it finally was time to really get on the bike in order to explore the northern part of the Karakorum Highway (KKH).
Suddenly in Pakistan
That was the title of the book I chose to read on the flight from Zurich to Islamabad. Admittedly, reading that book and at the same time flying into Pakistan wasn’t exactly easy and gave me some little thrills.
What a Year! A Brief Summary
What a Year! A year of cycling about 18,600 kilometres, visiting 10 countries of our wonderful world, discovering tastes, sceneries and cultures. Continue reading What a Year! A Brief Summary
(North) India in Retrospect
3978 m, 5040 m, 4400 m, 4108 m, 3700 m, 5325 m, 5059 m, 4739 m, 4892 m, 3978 m. Continue reading (North) India in Retrospect
Real India
Back in Delhi, back in real India. Continue reading Real India
Photos North India III
Third selection of photos of Hannes’ and my adventure in North India. The photos cover the ride from Leh to Manali, just like this blog post.
Continue reading Photos North India III
Leh-Manali-Highway
When speaking of the Leh-Manali-Highway, ‘highway’ gets a different, rather literal meaning: the almost 500 km road connecting Leh and Manali has an average elevation of more than 4000 m and crosses the supposedly second-highest road-pass in the world as well as three more close to 5000 m passes and one 4000 m pass.
Continue reading Leh-Manali-Highway
Photos North India II
Second selection of photos of Hannes’ and my adventure in North India. The photos cover the ride from Padum to Leh via Kargil, just like this blog post.
Terribly Beautiful Dirt Road
Fortunately, the two days in Padum were enough for Hannes to recover from the diarrhea as far as possible. Continue reading Terribly Beautiful Dirt Road
Photos North India I
First selection of photos of Hannes’ and my adventure in North India. The photos cover the first two weeks, just like this blog post. Continue reading Photos North India I
Trekking by Bike
When Hannes and I first developed the actual route we want to cycle in Zanskar and Ladakh (North India) we were constantly reassuring ourselves that we have to take it easy, especially at the beginning.
Continue reading Trekking by Bike
South Korea in Retrospect
I spent slightly more than a month in South Korea.
Continue reading South Korea in Retrospect
Rest in Seoul
More than two weeks passed and I only left Seoul a few times for day trips. It’s been the longest period I spent at the same place within the past eleven months.
Race to Seoul
Annoying visa matters urged me to pay Seoul an early visit. Soon after I left Jeju island I (re-)realized that the issue of an India visa takes a minimum of 8 working days or so. Since the flight to New Delhi is already fixed I don’t want to take an unnecessary risk and finally decided to head straight for Seoul.
Continue reading Race to Seoul
Jeju Island
My excursion to Jeju island indeed freed my mind as far as possible from the nasty brooding of the first days of cycling alone in Korea.
Continue reading Jeju Island
Doubts
When entering a new country I usually can’t help comparing it to the country I just left.
Continue reading Doubts
Japan in Retrospect
We spent almost two month in Japan. Plenty of time to cosily cycle the approx. 2,500 km from Tokyo to the westernmost bigger island of Kyushu.
Continue reading Japan in Retrospect
Goodbye J&J
Both, Jela and I, have said goodbye to Japan now. Three days after Jela hopped on the plane home, I am heading for South Korea by ferry now.
Continue reading Goodbye J&J
Photos Japan II
The second and last selection of the photos taken in Japan. The upper collection are the photos taken with Jela’s camera, the lower with mine …
Continue reading Photos Japan II
Rain and Steam
Kyushu is the southernmost island of those five big islands that mainly form Japan. It is also the last island we push our bikes across in Japan since Jela is going to fly back home from here soon and I’ll take the ferry to South Korea. Still, when we arrived, we had plenty of time left. Quite fortunate, because Kyushu is definitely worth it.
A-Bomb and Mad Animals
In Hiroshima we were ready for another day of rest. Just in time, because it was a gray rainy day we were glad to sit it out. Although it is supposed to be rainy season, so far we’ve been fortunate and only had very little rain on the road.
Overnight Stays
The places we chose to stay for the nights since we left Kyoto were of huge variety. It ranged from a big hotel room with all comfort once to camping under a bridge. But step by step. Continue reading Overnight Stays
Tokyo to Kyoto
On our way from Tokyo to Kyoto, we were cycling for two weeks almost incessantly. Not every day exhaustively, but without resting neither. Continue reading Tokyo to Kyoto
Photos Japan I
A first selection of the photos taken in Japan. The first collection are the photos taken with Jela’s camera, the second with mine …
Continue reading Photos Japan I
Japan is not Asia
Japan is not Asia – at least not Asia we have experienced so far.
Leaving Southeast Asia for Japan came with a multitude of minor and major reliefs or momentarily welcome changes. It already began with entering the country: a nice border official issued us a free 90-days tourist visa within less than a minute!
Vietnam in Retrospect
Vietnam obviously has become a quite popular touristic destination in the recent years – and deservedly so.
Continue reading Vietnam in Retrospect
Photos – Through Jela’s Eyes IV
Another small selection of photos almost exclusively taken by Jela (with her camera) in Vietnam … (see also https://quietschgelb.wordpress.com/) Continue reading Photos – Through Jela’s Eyes IV
Photos Southeast Asia IV
The last selection of the few photos I took by myself in Southeast Asia (Jela is still doing most of the ‘photo-work’). Continue reading Photos Southeast Asia IV
The Last Kilometers
… in Southeast Asia – at the moment at least. Especially the last hundred kilometers that finally led us to Hanoi weren’t exactly easy for myself. Continue reading The Last Kilometers
Our Way North
After our visit to Hue, about two weeks ago, we changed directions and were heading north again, alternately either close to the coast (more cities and better supply situation) or in the hinterland along the Ho Chi Minh highway (nicer scenery, but a bit more hilly and less varied food wise).
Continue reading Our Way North
Photos – Through Jela’s Eyes III
A third small selection of photos almost exclusively taken by Jela (with her camera) within the past month … (see also https://quietschgelb.wordpress.com/)
Continue reading Photos – Through Jela’s Eyes III
It’s All About the People
Our not entirely positive (and very subjective!) impression of Laos was mainly due to the mixed experience we had with its people. The way the people treat us crucially forms our image and makes us liking or disliking a country.
Continue reading It’s All About the People
Laos in Retrospect
Despite of the rapid economical growth, Laos is still one of the least developed countries in the world. One quarter of the population still lives below the national poverty line.
Continue reading Laos in Retrospect
Borderline
When we applied for our visa for Vietnam we had to exactly determine the date from when we were to cross the border.
Continue reading Borderline
Photos Southeast Asia III
Although Jela is taking picture eagerly with her camera and I got pretty lazy in that respect, there are still a few photos taken by myself. A selection of those I’d like to share here …
Continue reading Photos Southeast Asia III
From Luang Prabang to Vientiane
The route from Luang Prabang south to the capital of Laos, Vientiane, is probably one of the most popular routes for cyclists in Laos.
Continue reading From Luang Prabang to Vientiane
Slow Progress
In the aftermath of our little adventure through the Laos’ hinterland I developed a bad cold.
Continue reading Slow Progress
Photos – Through Jela’s Eyes II
Another small selection of photos almost exclusively taken by Jela (with her camera) within the past month … (see also https://quietschgelb.wordpress.com/)
Continue reading Photos – Through Jela’s Eyes II
Thailand in Retrospect
Almost 1,5 month we spent in Thailand and paced the country nearly in it’s entire length, therewith accumulating about 2300 km.
Continue reading Thailand in Retrospect
Never-ending Dirt Road
As briefly indicated in a previous post, we indeed, tried to escape from the haze of smoke in Northern Thailand. We were just longing for a view further then just a couple of hundred meters and hoped Laos to be less affected. Continue reading Never-ending Dirt Road
Photos – Visit from Home
My parents came to visit us in North-Thailand and were eagerly taking photos, more than 2000 – probably more than I am taking in two month. I tried to select a few below …
Continue reading Photos – Visit from Home
Visit from Home in Smoky Thailand
I am now on the road for about half a year. Months that passed quickly and I am happy that it’s by no means the end of my journey, yet. Hence, not a touch of homesickness.
Continue reading Visit from Home in Smoky Thailand
Chan The Monk
Late afternoon – after a day taken up by cycling – we had a rest at the road side for a fruit dinner with a couple of mangos, half a watermelon and a pomelo.
Continue reading Chan The Monk
Photos – Through Jela’s Eyes I
Small selection of photos almost exclusively taken by Jela (with her camera) within the past two month … (see also https://quietschgelb.wordpress.com/)
Continue reading Photos – Through Jela’s Eyes I
Photos Southeast Asia II
Another small selection of photos, mainly taken in Thailand. As usual, more photos can be found at https://quietschgelb.wordpress.com/
10,000
During the last days I hit the 10,000 km mark on a cycle trip again (whereof Jela and I cycled already almost 3,000 km together). Again, because nearly 10 years back I did my first extended cycling touring trip with Hannes, my brother. On that trip we achieved the 10,000 km after less then 4 month in Northern Mexico (see report here, unfortunately in German). Back then we already noticed how much “monotony, patience, ambition as well as love for cycling” is hidden behind that abstract number.
Continue reading 10,000
โรงแรม
Interesting and hard to decipher post-title, right?
Continue reading โรงแรม
Backpacker’s Realm
Beaches; palm trees; activities like snorkeling or diving in excellent areas; endless accommodations, bars, restaurants etc.; good food; quite easily accessible; … .
Continue reading Backpacker’s Realm