Readjusting To Life On The Road

Getting back into cycle touring was an adjustment that was easier for us to make than we expected.

We did worry that we’d struggle to adjust to budget living.

To be honest, the cycling part of the cycling tour was never much of a concern. Even though I was super unfit when we left the UK this time around, I knew I’d ride my bike long distance day after day with relative ease.

We re-adapted to Asia easily.

But, we made mistakes and had to re-learn routines that came so naturally to us after 13,000 miles.

– before you cross a border always download the language on the translator
– exchange most of your money (but not all) before you enter a new country, if you can
– SIM cards often need passports otherwise it’s a sweaty walk back to the hotel to fetch it
– Tour de hotel to find a bargain and a decent place to stay is better than expectations on a particular place
– empty glass cabinets storing meat (even if it’s cooking) will make our English digestion unhappy, but street restaurants with good churn is fine.

Some routines we improved massively. We can pack our panniers faster than ever and we love our new system. Most evenings we look around is and say, “is that it?”

What we learned in Phnom Penn is that our western eyes are eyes were often drawn to western-looking places; air conditioned cafes with glass sliding doors.

But, on the budget allocated to the trip this just won’t do.

Our eyes have been adjusting for the last eight weeks as we remember what it really is to travel in Asia. We can sniff out a cheaper place to eat and dine with the locals more easily. We’re braving more foods again, remembering how it is to just try it.

Life is good.