I did a lot of backpacking for years, Ireland (when I was 18) , lots around France, Vietnam, several countries in South and central America, Sri Lanka…. But we became very quickly frustrated with it. You cannot stop on the way, go where you want, you depend on the train/bus. You go from one very touristic centre to another very touristic centre. The restrictions were very annoying. If you want to visit some places you need to hire a car with driver …
Then a few times we went on holiday and rented a car locally (Jordan, Turkey) it was better but…. Once I started biking it was just another world. I wanted to travel with my bike.
I like the challenge of the roads, the feeling of being out there, and the connection it gives you with the country and the locals. Also the fact you can go pretty much where ever you want, stop whenever you want, go to places where backpackers cannot go (unless hiring a car or taxi…) not relying on a stupid time tables etc….
The feeling of freedom is fantastic. Every time I go somewhere without my bike (my family lives in France and my mum is in Spain, so I usually fly over for a quick visit) , I just stare at bikes and bikers and wish I had my bike with me…..
So for us, unless we go visit family for a quick weekend trip, I don’t think I would go to backpacking again. It’s on a bike all the way!
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