Voyage , Voyage

One thing I always wanted to do was a big bicycle trip. Last month time seemed right (as you might know) so I took my bike out of the shed and set off, just to see where I would finally end up.

Just me, my good old 21-gear mountainbike and the four elementals - earth, heat, water and wind. Dutch-German border town Kerkrade was the ideal starting point. After 6 days in the roasting heat I managed to cross Germany and reach the Czech Republic. Took a more leisurely pace from then on, allowing myself to actually see the places I raced through and to take time to talk to local people. Weather took a turn though (heavy rain) and I was forced to stay in Olomouc for a week, but after that I made it to Slovakia and finally Hungary. After 30 days, of which 12 were resting days, I reached awesome Budapest where I decided to draw the finish line.

The further I got, the more 'challenging' the infrastructure and the bigger the language barrier, but the more surprising the reactions and the more entertaining the conversations whenever I managed to explain who I was and what I was doing. Even border guards, frowning upon the combination of a bicycle and a Dutch passport, were interested. There were days when I met nice locals. There were days when I met nice travellers ( in particular in Loket's lazy river hos(pi)tel, Olomouc' inspiring poets corner, horrific Budapest, MTB-paradise Znojmo and during my current stay in Prague ;-). And there were days when I met no-one but a grumpy person giving me my room key at the end of the day. I'm not sure if I've actually trained or killed my legs - probably the latter - and not sure if I'm ever going to do a thing like this again - probably not. But it's been a great experience and a good feeling knowing that you've cycled all the way from Holland to Hungary without cheating a single meter!

Now on my way back to Holland (by train) where I'll stay for a month or so, after which I'll go to Southeast Asia, probably Bangkok to travel down to my roots in Indonesia. That's pretty much my story. I hope everyone of you (met recently or long ago) is well & happy in wherever you are and whatever you do! To all you foreigners, hopefully our paths will cross again, to all you Dutch, see the text below.

Keep in touch, all the best,

Sander

PS Enfin jullie hebben het wel begrepen, ik ben van Kerkrade naar Budapest gefietst. Het was een geweldige ervaring en nu ben ik even klaar (ermee). Nu op weg naar NL per trein via een # mooie stops, in oktober ga ik dan naar Azie. Misschien zien we elkaar komende tijd nog!

Tot slot nog even de route die ik heb gefietst. Dat ik vanaf Tsjechie ben gaan slingeren is in het kader van sightseeing, niet van bier - ik maak de grap zelf maar alvast voor ik 20 lollige reacties terugkrijg ;-)