Don't get me wrong. I've done a lot of cool stuff. Hiking, caving, renting offroad scooters, cycling etc. And met some great people on these buses.

But going anywhere is paramount to being cattle herded to market for hours or days on end. Its easy for people to say "you're doing it wrong", and they may be right but going anywhere really is a logistical nightmare and in Asia everything is tourist price and scamming is just how its done. But that's the Gringo Trail.

Like Mark said, backpacking Asia was probably the wrong place to 'enjoy' backpacking due to the 18-25 crowd but it was the cheapest option and its not freezing cold ;)

Still.. I'm glad I've experienced it. Got a lot more perspective and appreciation for my own transport now. And that was the whole point..

Yes, I'm not particularly sympathetic to your plight, it still sounds better than riding to work in sub-zero temperatures.

Er, I always thought that was in Central and South America? :cool4: :smartass:

Being pissed off at home is bad enough but having the same experience thousands of miles from home is worse. If you don't think it's for you (and 2 months should be enough time to make a reasonable decision) then come home and fall in love with your bike again before your view of the wider world becomes tainted forever. :thumbup1:

Yup.... Exactly.

I booked a flight home and I just arrived back home in the Wirral.

And I'm glad to be home :)

I've just had a walk around my big garden and caressed my tools in the workshop.. Ahhhhhh How I missed my workshop.

So, as soon as the jet lag wears off I'll be back to business :)

Velkommen hjem Ted.

Skål Jake.

Welcome back Ted,
I fly back out again on Wednesday, too cold here and only been back from my trip 4 days. Hope you had a drink in the Pai Pub for me

Wayne

I am glad to know it's not just me that walks in to my garrage after being away smells the air and fondle's my my tools, sighs, sits on the seat, smiles sits in the car smiles. I will give my wife and daughter a hug too if I've been away from them too!

:blushing: :blushing: :blushing: :blushing: :blushing: :helpsmilie:

I recalled this thread before i left for Malaysia,n to my dispair the city buses are non existant as everyone has a car now days,picking up alittle fz150 to tour malaysia. this was after dispairing of alost holiday n sorting the creditcard denials. will post when we get back as wifi is all mobile here. need to sort some medi insuranve also,any suggestions as both Nomads n Hcc have an unusually negative reports.?

Well, just be happy the Buses in SE Asia are upgrading from the headlight flickering, uspension worn out, bouncy carriages from hell they once were.
IMO that is what made my first trip to the Philippines way more fun.
Nothing like going around a twisty mountain road with your headlights going in and out and the bus leaning like it was going to roll on every turn.
Oh not to mention the people who just step right out in front of the bus and the driver merely honks.:oops2:

good times, good times.

And hell, why not spend more time in a bus station. If you are pick pocketed it adds to the adventure while you go look for another camera in your free time :)

It's not the cars in KL replacing buses, it's the MRT - far more comfortable and efficient than taking a bus.

We r in Seremban,saw the first bus on the north side the other day,been here a month.the fz150 is run in now n we came down to Meleka to pickup some gear n off to the east coast on Monday after the laborday family gathering in PD for seafood. nothing like two wheels n a gas fired engine.

thanks for sharing!

What I've learned from backpacking..
 

I just don't think backpacking in SE-Asia could every really be much fun or adventurous if you've already crossed continents by motorcycle Ted. You should have done the middle-East, India or the Stans maybe?

I backpacked in and around all of India on buses, trains etc and I defy anyone who says that taking local buses across Bihar is not an adventure! People should go easy on the 'gap' year backpackers, many of us did them and some of us have to start somewhere. Elitism is never nice - we're all just trying to have fun here :)

But after 15 months of motorcycle solo travel out here in sudamerica, living on a XR 250 and sleeping in a tent, well you just can't compare that to getting bus after bus and hostels (I hate them!). The 40 hour bid rides were one of the reasons I decided to buy a bike!

I'm going home next week - now thinking of doing North America by bicycle only if because its cheaper and I think I'll be able to have more contact with the people, and maybe because I'm too comfortable with the idea of moto travel now?