1. Turned in my resignation at work
2. Purchased one-way ticket to Vietnam
3. Vietnam Visa

Say Whaaatt!!! Yup no BSing. Ive reached a point in my career where it was time for a change, but before i make that change I've been having thoughts of going to see the world. The travel bug has hit me hard in the last year and is one of the main reasons for retiring from racing.  So a few weeks ago i finally made the decision to do it. Turned in my letter, bought a ticket and got a visa.

So far the plan is to fly into Hanoi, buy a motorcycle(mostly influenced by the Top gear episode in Vietnam) and head south and figure out the rest when i get there. Eventually i plan to end in Singapore, hop through some of the islands in Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Japan, and China. And some where in there make a trek to Nepal for Everest base Camp. Depending on the season i get back to the US, trip around the US stay with random DMF'ers along the way, then come October head south. Baja, hop over to the mainland head towards Argentina. Id like to take a year or more if possible to do all of this.

So at a high level thats the plan, who knows how far ill make it or when money will run out. But i think its going to be fun till it does.

Group ride anyone?

Fack yeah, Dan.    Vroom, vroom.   [moto]

PS:  need me to babysit your KTM?  

Quote from: Spidey on December 11, 2009, 05:04:47 PM
PS:  need me to babysit your KTM? 

Get in line, Jammen has already filed out the paper work, just trying to get me to sign.

May need someone to babysit the CR125 

   [moto]

Is there any more to the choice of Vietnam than just the TG ep?  

get some of this to dip your old boy in before you go:

Soooooooo jealous.

You will keep us (the DMF) posted.

And of course, if you need anything, I hope you won't hesitate to let us know. 

Daniel...wow!  What can I say...you're going to have an amazing time and you will be missed.  Come back to us soon(ish) and in one piece.  You going to do a blog or something?  I have a friend that traveled a bunch.  I could put you in touch with her.  She managed to stay on the road for nearly 3 years all over the world--mostly Asia and S. America. 

Quote from: GrendelsTwin on December 11, 2009, 05:22:58 PM
 [moto]
Is there any more to the choice of Vietnam than just the TG ep?  

Geographically its a good place to start, Its The farthest North East i can get without being in China. Sapa and Halong Bay look beautiful. As it turns out its going to be easier to get a bike and registration in my name in Vietnam. Where as trying to get a bike and Reg in Thailand is more challenging. Also not many bikes are allowed to enter Vietnam, but going to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand with a bike should be no issues.

Quote from: ducatiz on December 11, 2009, 05:30:30 PM
get some of this to dip your old boy in before you go:

Nice,the other option i was looking into was hot wax, or a bucket of latex paint. This seems less painful and more durable.

Im guessing you've done this before

Quote from: Obsessed? on December 11, 2009, 05:30:50 PM
Soooooooo jealous.

You will keep us (the DMF) posted.

And of course, if you need anything, I hope you won't hesitate to let us know. 

will do, haven't yet decided the media channel. Blog, DMF, FB, ect.. May have to do all, as long as the code is the same, i can just type once and cut and paste everywhere.

Quote from: mostrobelle on December 11, 2009, 06:24:25 PM
Daniel...wow!  What can I say...you're going to have an amazing time and you will be missed.  Come back to us soon(ish) and in one piece.  You going to do a blog or something?  I have a friend that traveled a bunch.  I could put you in touch with her.  She managed to stay on the road for nearly 3 years all over the world--mostly Asia and S. America. 

Blog FB, DMF, ill keep in touch somehow. Sharing the Pictures and stories is going to be some of the fun of this trip.

Does you friend have a blog? I have lots of questions still, but there has been a lot of resocures on the net that i can pick through. Thinking im just going to bounce along and research a few days before i get to a location, just cause theres so much info out there.

 

Quote from: DanTheMan on December 11, 2009, 06:59:04 PM
Blog FB, DMF, ill keep in touch somehow. Sharing the Pictures and stories is going to be some of the fun of this trip.

Does you friend have a blog? I have lots of questions still, but there has been a lot of resocures on the net that i can pick through. Thinking im just going to bounce along and research a few days before i get to a location, just cause theres so much info out there.

She returned last summer, but I bet her blog is still up.  Traveling is her passion.  She works a few years at a time here in the States and then takes off to explore.  I'll shoot her an email and put you two in touch.  If you need her, then you've got her with just a phone call... If I were you, I'd pick her brain a little.  She's not...er....a prude--about anything--and she might be able to tell you how to have a good time safely.   

dtm ... you should chat with michael paratore (the guy who used to manage the DOCs @ the factory in italy) ... he spent a year in vietnam ... knows all the things to do, and all the things NOT TO DO. 

all i remember from his many tales of daring do while in vietnam is that he wrecked a bunch of vespas, and came back with a nasty intestinal parasite (that he still has after 5 years).

Can you bring me back from Snake Wine. I hear Vietnam is famous for that =)



So when are we throwing you a going away party. I think Rabbits Foot Meadery is in order.