2000km to Graceland: Hanoi via the HCM Trail

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I love writing post and taking tons of effort scheduling just to have Instagram ruin my hard work by repeating photos. Thank you @instagram

2000km to Graceland: Hanoi via the HCM Trail

Ever since I thought of Vietnam, I thought of motorcycles. I pictured it every-single-time I planned this trip in my head. Yet, there were doubts. I had heard all the stories of it not possible and then possible. There was complete frustration trying to figure it out. One moment I even thought it was never going to happen. I just needed to get there and feel the air.

I was unknowingly preparing for this trip the whole time. I graduated bikes slowly since Chiang Rai. I went from shakey to confident in a day. I went from slow and steady to quick and decisive after a few trips. By the time I left Cambodia, I was ready for the whatever the road may bring.

From Hoi An, Da Nang, Hue, Khe Shan, Phong Nha, Tea Islands, Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, to Hanoi, I’ve covered 2000km on my Honda Wave 110cc otherwise known as “Princess.” (Because she’s a white girl, and I took care of her 😉😁—and her me)).

Beautiful is the only way to describe it. But also astounding, mesmerizing, addicting, fascinating, shocking, relaxing, jaw-dropping, pleasing, fulfilling, exhilarating, and comforting all work too, but beautiful works best.

From start to finish, I’ve seen more of Vietnam than most people could ever see in many trips. I met so many smiling faces, saw so many insane valleys, mountains and rivers, and felt more experiences than I’ll ever be able to tell in a lifetime, but I’m going to try.

I’ve been so many different characters in two weeks time. I saw myself transition through these seamlessly, and now it’s over, it’s kind of hard to believe that’s me in all those different moments. What an incredible place the road turns out to be, and who you can be when you let yourself fly.

If you’ve read this far, if you’ve kept up at all along my journey, thank you. It means more than you’ll ever know. I appreciate every little comment and like people send my way. I can’t wait to share the stories in real life if you ever want. All you gotta do is ask.

Cheers to the journey of 2000km🥂

First moments of the journey!

Big Buddha lady, Da Nang.

Ahn taught me some local words! She was really fun and a great host!

Light game.

Extreme psyche!

Even the little things don’t seem so bad. Super soaked from Khe Sahn to Phong Nha.

First homestay vibes.

Duck life!

Becoming local.

And a celebrity lol.

Bringing it all together. This is the right kind of energy.

The 🥚 egghead never fails.

I have a thousand moments from this journey alone. I ran through it so fast I still need to digest them just to talk about them. I’m glad this was everything I thought it could be. I’m glad Vietnam looked just like the pictures I always imagined. Looking forward to my next bike adventure already. See you again soon Princess.