I like this mode of travel. On good roads in and near cities we can go as fast as 65kph (40mph) but once we get back on the mountain roads our speed drops to slow and slower depending on the condition of the road. These roads are one lane so we sometimes stop for the infrequent oncoming truck or bus or wait for a wide spot so we can pass a larger vehicle going our direction.
The children yell hello and wave. Sometimes they will stand out in the road with hands extended trying for a hand slap as we roll by. Justin brought some soccer balls so on occasion we will stop near a group of kids and he will pump up a ball and give it and a pump to the kids.
At our slow speed it's easy to spot wild flowers (including orchids), butterflies and birds of many varieties and follow the state of the various crops as we move up and down through the growing zones.
Yesterday we started at 104 meters and went over two high passes (gateways to heaven) that were well up into the pine climate areas. None of our party brought an altimeter but I estimate the passes at approximately 1500 meters so that would be an elevation change of 1400 meters or so (4500 feet +/-).
Another reason to value riding on motorcycles is the skill of the drivers and their ability to steer away from places where the road has washed out leaving a sheer drop down many hundreds of feet or other hazards of the mountain roads.
Our chief guide, Wing, calls the local buses "moving coffins" because every so often one goes over the side.
At night the bikes roll right into the hotel lobby for safekeeping.
So down the road we go with the wind cooling us a little, enjoying the sights and smelling the smells and saying hello to all the children along the way.
The children yell hello and wave. Sometimes they will stand out in the road with hands extended trying for a hand slap as we roll by. Justin brought some soccer balls so on occasion we will stop near a group of kids and he will pump up a ball and give it and a pump to the kids.
At our slow speed it's easy to spot wild flowers (including orchids), butterflies and birds of many varieties and follow the state of the various crops as we move up and down through the growing zones.
Yesterday we started at 104 meters and went over two high passes (gateways to heaven) that were well up into the pine climate areas. None of our party brought an altimeter but I estimate the passes at approximately 1500 meters so that would be an elevation change of 1400 meters or so (4500 feet +/-).
Another reason to value riding on motorcycles is the skill of the drivers and their ability to steer away from places where the road has washed out leaving a sheer drop down many hundreds of feet or other hazards of the mountain roads.
Our chief guide, Wing, calls the local buses "moving coffins" because every so often one goes over the side.
At night the bikes roll right into the hotel lobby for safekeeping.
So down the road we go with the wind cooling us a little, enjoying the sights and smelling the smells and saying hello to all the children along the way.
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