Starting 1 March 2024 I'm riding my motorcycle overland from Auckland, New Zealand to Cork Ireland (apart from the watery bits and civil war-y bits). It will be about 18 months of ups and downs (literally), highs and lows, smiles and sighs.
Part of the challenge is to raise NZD $300,000 or more for the intellectually disabled community in NZ ( www.ihc.org.nz www.givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/ihc ).
Good video as usual Ray Good editing and interesting places. That first place was kind of similar to our Norse long houses and temples. Cheers from Sweden
Wow. Well done mate. That certainly brings back many pleasant memories. The White Temple isn't as 'ancient' as most people initially assume but its masterpiece of artistic creation. The mighty Mekong certainly has an aura about it. Your on a roll Ray. Great work
Good video but seems like clickbait and a misleading title. You could have just said why you shouldn't ride a dual sport motorcycle from one end of VN to the other. Has nothing to do with the fact that it's this XR150. These are way more comfortable than the average dual sport (I owned one) and way smaller so more suited in terms of dual sports for VN and slower speeds with rough roads. If you're riding around town, these are way more fun than scooters and would probably take way more of a beating without a problem.
Great stuff Ray. Loved it. Possibly my favourite vid so far! Elephants are a guaranteed winner but you've also captured elements of the cultural and spiritual aspect of Thailand very well. Lots of colour and history. Chiang Mai is wonderful. The iron bridge, old city walls and gate, walking street, the scenery etc. So different from Bangkok. 👍
Cheers Warwick. Yes I could have easily done another week in Chiang Mai but have to keep moving. It's got a great chilled vibe and is also very different fron the beach areas and island resorts.
I think the domed/spire structures are stupas, often used as a burial 'mound' or place for holy relics and so on, a bit like christian shrines I think. Bloody rains for real when it starts eh??!! 🙂
Cheers Jeff. That's very interesting. Yep - when it rains the heavens open up! But it never lasts unlike Auckland where it rains for at least a week at a time! 😮
Just catching up, good grief, thats my biggest concern about doing a rtw trip at my age, falling ill. Im a terrible paitent at home, let along no fixed abode. Hope you are feeling much better in real time 👍
Cheers mate. It was pretty rough but it also helped me put a few things in perspective - if the shit hits the fan for one reason another it's no big deal to take my wallet and my passport and just ditch all the gear and get back to civilization asap. Health and safety first. 👍🏼
At first look, I thought you were going to attempt Hua Hin to Chiang Mai in one day?? That about a 12 hour trip at best. Ah! but then I knew your common sense would prevail. Enjoyed the vid Ray. Yep, the Thai's love their temples. Some are amazingly ornate and colourful. I'll PM you.
I admire the fact you are making your adventure a reality. Everyone rides their own ride but.... I am curious to know why you seem to be sticking to main roads? are you on a super tight schedule? cheers
Great question. When I decided to do this ride I imagined I'd be doing 50/50 dirt/tarseal. I haven't done any dirt since the first two weeks in Australia. You're correct in that time limits on my visa are an issue and I need to cover a lot of distance in the meantime. The other issue is I'm very inexperienced on dirt and not that confident to do much more than gravel roads. Add to that fact that I have about 50kg on the back and crashing on my own in the back blocks of South East Asia it wouldn't add up to a good time. But the main reason is time constraints. Thanks for the question. 😊👍🏼
Great Video Ray. The golden statue in this video is not a chicken, lol Really cool clouds, quite different. If I were you I would go eat out, a restuarant with 1 guest is a warning sign for me. I think it is scary when a couple of Moose step out on the road, cant imagine with elephants. Did you get your monetized yet? I know it wont give much in the begining but anything helps. Cheers from Sweden
Cheers Magnus. Haven't seen any elephants yet. Probably unlikely as there's only about 3,500 wild elephants in Thailand. I thought it would be a lot more. Haven't monetised the channel. Probably won't so that there are less ads for viewers. 😊✌🏼 You having a holiday back home? Enjoy! Can't wait to see Sweden especially Lapland!
I hope you discussed ancient Siamese architecture with archaeology with those ladies dancing on the bars, that boxing looks bloody tough! Good stuff Ray!
Pity about the rain but that's just par for the course in SE Asia. Yep, the roads are pretty good in Thailand . Hua Hin, one of the major golf tourist destinations in Thailand. Good spot. Nice beaches. Pleased you're going to Chiang Mai. You'll be impressed!
If you're complaining about the rain then motorcycle travel is not for you. 😅 Chiang Mai was great. Could have spent another few days there but got to keep moving. Chiang Rai smaller but worthwhile. Stay tuned! 😊✌🏼
Cheers Sehra. Made it all the way to the Golden Triangle and northern border yesterday. Looks a long way from KL on the map! Great to hear you're enjoying Amsterdam even if it's not quite as warm as it should be. 😊
Hey "Bugzee" 😄... I've done about 6700km on the set of Motoz and the front looks almost brand new. The rear has some wear but may 40%? 50? They're amazing. The 3 boys from Brisbane reckon they got 30,000km from a set! Didn't say which model they were running though. Great to hear you're trying out the DR. Probably a little less capable than the KTM but simpler and better for long distance I'd guess. Let me know what you think of it! Cheers mate. Ray.
@@2wheels2everywhere22 I love those Motoz tyres too. Nothing has performed so well and lasted as well too. My friend bought my bike new, spent $3500 on upgrading it and then didn’t ride it much. He did everything on it except the seat, which I have done. A guy over in the Naki did the suspension and did an amazing job! I rode off road two weeks ago with two KTM 690s and had no trouble keeping up.
@@raymondmalone5661 good skills sir. As they say: It's not the guitar/motorcycle/surfboard/whatever it's the skill of the user. Glad to hear you're enjoying the change. The DR will certainly serve you better long distance and in foreign lands where parts are scarce.
Haha. Patong Beach! Not for the faint hearted. Brings back memories from my excursion there a couple of years after the Boxing Day Tsunami. I did go there to play golf though. I'll leave it there LOL. Good to see you bouncing back after what was probably a bout of mild dehydration? It happens so easily up there in that heat and its insidious! . Pleased you got out of 'Dodge' Ray, unscathed? - well, more or less 😆🤣
Man I'd hate to see that place when it's busy. It was enough of a zoo going there in themo soon season. Maybe I'm just too old for that carry on now. 😂
Enjoyed the trip Ray. Didn't know Thailand was one of those carnet countries, thought it was more western and civilized than that. Looking forward to see more from Thailand. Cheers from Sweden
You're right Magnus - no carnet required in Thailand. You do need their Temporary Import Permit though and also local insurance (cheap - NZD$13 for 3 months) even when you have your own. Interestingly, it's mostly Western countries that require the carnet. None of South America require it apparently.
@@magnusb6311 no I think it's the opposite. Most African, Latin American, Middle Eastern & Central Asian (the Stans) countries don't require it. Rest of the world does.
You will find Funicular’s all over the world … en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funicular#:~:text=The%20term%20funicular%20derives%20from,funis%2C%20meaning%20'rope'.
Good to see the border crossing was quiet. I really like that one as it is hassle free and the scenery much better than via the highway. Have a safe onward journey and enjoy Thailand. Dave
