All posts tagged: motorbike

Ride Like a Local: How to not crash a motorbike and ruin your trip

Wherever you go you will notice backpackers wrapped in bandages. Unfortunately, not all of those wraps are concealing brand new holiday tattoos. In fact, most are the result of injuries suffered from scooter/motorbike crashes. (Since I’ve mentioned it, don’t get a tattoo. Tattoos heal best out of water and direct sunlight.) If you’re considering a bike rental here’s what you need to know: Only attempt to operate a bike if you are an experienced automobile driver. Save motorbike rentals for the Thai islands or smaller northern cities (Chiang Mai, Pai, etcetera). PS – they drive on ‘the other side of the street’ in Thailand. Most rentals shops require you to surrender your passport as collateral. Ask other backpackers with bike rentals about reputable shops. Some people will tell you never to leave your passport as a damage deposit. This is one of those decisions you’ll have to cut your backpacker teeth on, so to speak. Bikes come in automatic or manual transmission. If you’re taking one on a multi-day road trip (say from Chiang Mai to Pai) …

What the Battambang?! I am Not Feeling This…

Lonely Planet, you failed me. You sensationally hyped Battambang’s wealth of charming colonial French architecture, nearly antiquated bamboo train, and tragic Killing Cave. “It is the type of place where travelers lose themselves.” Oh B.S. I have a special place in my heart for France and charming French architecture, but don’t bet the bank on Battambang being the beacon of colonial architecture in Cambodia. Battambang is dusty, run down and lackluster. Shortly after the Central Market closes late at night, garbage – strewn into the street – attracts a healthy population of rats. For foodies, there is an absolute lack of quality establishments and we encountered strange adaptations of standard dishes (as in, strange bad). For social enthusiasts, a lack of life after 11:00 is wholly disheartening. Okay, but Battambang is the location of the nearly obsolete Norry. These bamboo trains travel slowly along rail road lines, disassembling when encountering train traffic. It is Old World travel and there seems to be a persistent rumor that they will soon be pulled from the lines permanently. …

How I Nearly Killed Greg’s Dream

Okay, a motorbike trip to Pai, sure to be a highlight of the trip. One obstacle: I have never driven a motorbike. Pai is a darling little town in the highlands, approximately 130 kilometers north of Chiang Mai. The journey begins with 30km on a Thai expressway and the 98km after the exit is characterized by 794 curves and a steep ascent through the mountains. The trip can be done in 3-5 hours from Chiang Mai.    One night in a pub, Greg heard that many make the trip to Pai by motorbike and he was instantly sold on the idea. Okay, a motorbike trip to Pai, sure to be a highlight of the trip. One obstacle: I have never driven a motorbike. But I can learn right?    Let me take a moment to digress. Greg and I have very different learning styles. While on Ko Tao, Greg had been griping about the amount of scuba diving theory and lecture we had to do before getting into the ocean. With Jason and I as …