The Vietnam Motorbike trip I've never talked about

I'm going to tell you [music] the story I'm going to tell you [music] the story about my best experience after living in about my best experience after living in about my best experience after living in Vietnam for 7 years about a motorbike Vietnam for 7 years about a motorbike Vietnam for 7 years about a motorbike trip I did with my buddies in the trip I did with my buddies in the trip I did with my buddies in the countryside almost [music] 6 years ago. countryside almost [music] 6 years ago. countryside almost [music] 6 years ago. So today I'm going to go on another So today I'm going to go on another So today I'm going to go on another motorbike trip. I'm going to drive about motorbike trip. I'm going to drive about motorbike trip. I'm going to drive about 2 hours outside of Da Nang on a mission 2 hours outside of Da Nang on a mission 2 hours outside of Da Nang on a mission to find a waterfall. It's a long ride, to find a waterfall. It's a long ride, to find a waterfall. It's a long ride, long story. Trust me, it's a good one. long story. Trust me, it's a good one. long story. Trust me, it's a good one. I'll tell you on the way. All right, so we've been driving about All right, so we've been driving about 20 minutes outside [music] of Da Nang. 20 minutes outside [music] of Da Nang. 20 minutes outside [music] of Da Nang. Very quickly it opens up into the Very quickly it opens up into the Very quickly it opens up into the countryside. So this story begins in countryside. So this story begins in countryside. So this story begins in July 2020. This is COVID time in July 2020. This is COVID time in July 2020. This is COVID time in Vietnam. Most people won't realize, but Vietnam. Most people won't realize, but Vietnam. Most people won't realize, but Vietnam was probably one of the best Vietnam was probably one of the best Vietnam was probably one of the best places in the world you could have been places in the world you could have been places in the world you could have been during COVID. We watched the rest of the during COVID. We watched the rest of the during COVID. We watched the rest of the world [music] shut down, but life in world [music] shut down, but life in world [music] shut down, but life in Vietnam went on as usual. They locked Vietnam went on as usual. They locked Vietnam went on as usual. They locked down the borders very early and for a down the borders very early and for a down the borders very early and for a long time there was no long time there was no long time there was no COVID. But that would eventually change COVID. But that would eventually change COVID. But that would eventually change and has an impact on this story. So two and has an impact on this story. So two and has an impact on this story. So two friends and I, we decided we're going to friends and I, we decided we're going to friends and I, we decided we're going to do a big motorbike trip in the northern do a big motorbike trip in the northern do a big motorbike trip in the northern mountains of Vietnam. We didn't have any mountains of Vietnam. We didn't have any mountains of Vietnam. We didn't have any plan, no idea where we would sleep each plan, no idea where we would sleep each plan, no idea where we would sleep each night. The Vietnamese have a word for night. The Vietnamese have a word for night. The Vietnamese have a word for this. It's called "di phuot", to go this. It's called "di phuot", to go this. It's called "di phuot", to go without a plan, kind of like winging it.

without a plan, kind of like winging it. without a plan, kind of like winging it. All right, I got to keep moving. I'm All right, I got to keep moving. I'm All right, I got to keep moving. I'm cooking. So with me on this trip are my friends So with me on this trip are my friends Sholto and Tom. I met both these guys Sholto and Tom. I met both these guys Sholto and Tom. I met both these guys [music] from the rugby team. Sholto's [music] from the rugby team. Sholto's [music] from the rugby team. Sholto's from South Africa and Tom from England. from South Africa and Tom from England. from South Africa and Tom from England. I'd known Sholto for a few months, but I'd known Sholto for a few months, but I'd known Sholto for a few months, but we'd never really hung out outside of we'd never really hung out outside of we'd never really hung out outside of rugby trainings and Tom had only just rugby trainings and Tom had only just rugby trainings and Tom had only just joined the team about a month earlier. joined the team about a month earlier. joined the team about a month earlier. So we barely knew each other at all. So we barely knew each other at all. So we barely knew each other at all. Needless to say, by the end of this trip Needless to say, by the end of this trip Needless to say, by the end of this trip we would all become very close friends. we would all become very close friends. we would all become very close friends. So we each rented an XR 150. We planned So we each rented an XR 150. We planned So we each rented an XR 150. We planned to be gone for about 5 or 6 days. We had to be gone for about 5 or 6 days. We had to be gone for about 5 or 6 days. We had no real plan, just a general direction no real plan, just a general direction no real plan, just a general direction that we wanted to head. We figured we'd that we wanted to head. We figured we'd that we wanted to head. We figured we'd be staying in the countryside, roughing be staying in the countryside, roughing be staying in the countryside, roughing it at homestays most of the time. So, we it at homestays most of the time. So, we it at homestays most of the time. So, we strap up our bags. We head north out of strap up our bags. We head north out of strap up our bags. We head north out of Hanoi towards a town called Mu Cang Hanoi towards a town called Mu Cang Hanoi towards a town called Mu Cang Chai. We only made it about 2 hours Chai. We only made it about 2 hours Chai. We only made it about 2 hours outside of town and Shulto gets a flat outside of town and Shulto gets a flat outside of town and Shulto gets a flat tire. Luckily, we're in a village. We tire. Luckily, we're in a village. We tire. Luckily, we're in a village. We find a mechanic that can change the tube find a mechanic that can change the tube find a mechanic that can change the tube for about 2 bucks. So, no big deal. But, for about 2 bucks. So, no big deal. But, for about 2 bucks. So, no big deal. But, we're already stressing that we've run we're already stressing that we've run we're already stressing that we've run into our first problem so quickly. And into our first problem so quickly. And into our first problem so quickly. And this wouldn't be the last of our this wouldn't be the last of our this wouldn't be the last of our motorbike issues. So, about 5 hours of motorbike issues. So, about 5 hours of motorbike issues. So, about 5 hours of driving the first day, we make it to the driving the first day, we make it to the driving the first day, we make it to the [music] town Mu Cang Chai. We stop for a [music] town Mu Cang Chai. We stop for a [music] town Mu Cang Chai. We stop for a quick drink and we just happen to see a quick drink and we just happen to see a quick drink and we just happen to see a sign for a fancy hot springs resort that sign for a fancy hot springs resort that sign for a fancy hot springs resort that had just been built in the middle of had just been built in the middle of had just been built in the middle of nowhere. So much for [music] roughing it nowhere. So much for [music] roughing it nowhere. So much for [music] roughing it the first couple nights. We get a bag of the first couple nights. We get a bag of the first couple nights. We get a bag of beers. We go hang out in the hot springs beers. We go hang out in the hot springs beers. We go hang out in the hot springs for a [music] while. So, great first

for a [music] while. So, great first for a [music] while. So, great first day. The next day is when the real day. The next day is when the real day. The next day is when the real scenic mountain riding would begin. But, scenic mountain riding would begin. But, scenic mountain riding would begin. But, we would also experience our first major we would also experience our first major we would also experience our first major setback. We're getting closer to the waterfall. We're getting closer to the waterfall. We're about 20 minutes away. I'm dying, We're about 20 minutes away. I'm dying, We're about 20 minutes away. I'm dying, sweating, so hot. Can't wait to jump in sweating, so hot. Can't wait to jump in sweating, so hot. Can't wait to jump in some water. I'm just praying the water's some water. I'm just praying the water's some water. I'm just praying the water's flowing right now. So, next morning, flowing right now. So, next morning, flowing right now. So, next morning, we're up early, have a swim in the we're up early, have a swim in the we're up early, have a swim in the infinity pool overlooking the rice infinity pool overlooking the rice infinity pool overlooking the rice terraces. On the road, now we're in the terraces. On the road, now we're in the terraces. On the road, now we're in the mountains, baby. So, we drive about 2 mountains, baby. So, we drive about 2 mountains, baby. So, we drive about 2 hours, windy mountain roads, barely hours, windy mountain roads, barely hours, windy mountain roads, barely passing a village. All of a sudden, Tom passing a village. All of a sudden, Tom passing a village. All of a sudden, Tom slows down. He pulls over to the side of slows down. He pulls over to the side of slows down. He pulls over to the side of the road. Says, "Uh guys, I think we got the road. Says, "Uh guys, I think we got the road. Says, "Uh guys, I think we got a problem." His clutch cable had a problem." His clutch cable had a problem." His clutch cable had snapped. So, when you twist the snapped. So, when you twist the snapped. So, when you twist the throttle, nothing would happen. It was throttle, nothing would happen. It was throttle, nothing would happen. It was completely disconnected. You couldn't completely disconnected. You couldn't completely disconnected. You couldn't drive the bike. We're in the middle of drive the bike. We're in the middle of drive the bike. We're in the middle of nowhere. We're not even close to a town.

nowhere. We're not even close to a town. nowhere. We're not even close to a town. So, we're thinking we're absolutely So, we're thinking we're absolutely So, we're thinking we're absolutely [ __ ] right now. [ __ ] right now. [ __ ] right now. After a few minutes sitting there After a few minutes sitting there After a few minutes sitting there panicking, Vietnamese guy pulls up, ends panicking, Vietnamese guy pulls up, ends panicking, Vietnamese guy pulls up, ends up grabbing some wire from the seat of up grabbing some wire from the seat of up grabbing some wire from the seat of his motorbike. He somehow attaches one his motorbike. He somehow attaches one his motorbike. He somehow attaches one end of the wire to the broken cable, end of the wire to the broken cable, end of the wire to the broken cable, wraps it around the throttle handle, you wraps it around the throttle handle, you wraps it around the throttle handle, you twist it, it allows the bike to drive. twist it, it allows the bike to drive. twist it, it allows the bike to drive. We cannot believe that this actually We cannot believe that this actually We cannot believe that this actually works, but it's enough to get us going works, but it's enough to get us going works, but it's enough to get us going till we can at least find somewhere to till we can at least find somewhere to till we can at least find somewhere to fix the bike. We drive for 4 more hours fix the bike. We drive for 4 more hours fix the bike. We drive for 4 more hours before we get to a town that has the before we get to a town that has the before we get to a town that has the right throttle cable to replace it. The right throttle cable to replace it. The right throttle cable to replace it. The bike drove fine the entire way. So, we bike drove fine the entire way. So, we bike drove fine the entire way. So, we end up that night, big city in northern end up that night, big city in northern end up that night, big city in northern Vietnam called Lai Chau, but this is not Vietnam called Lai Chau, but this is not Vietnam called Lai Chau, but this is not somewhere the tourist would ever end up. somewhere the tourist would ever end up. somewhere the tourist would ever end up. We stop for a beer and end up getting We stop for a beer and end up getting We stop for a beer and end up getting steaming drunk with a big group of steaming drunk with a big group of steaming drunk with a big group of locals. Around midnight, we realize we locals. Around midnight, we realize we locals. Around midnight, we realize we haven't booked anywhere to stay, so we haven't booked anywhere to stay, so we haven't booked anywhere to stay, so we wander the town, drunkenly find a hotel. wander the town, drunkenly find a hotel. wander the town, drunkenly find a hotel. Next day is more incredible mountain Next day is more incredible mountain Next day is more incredible mountain driving. Couple hours outside of town, driving. Couple hours outside of town, driving. Couple hours outside of town, we see some local kids jumping off a big we see some local kids jumping off a big we see some local kids jumping off a big rock in the middle of a lake. So, rock in the middle of a lake. So, rock in the middle of a lake. So, obviously we join them. We're sliding obviously we join them. We're sliding obviously we join them. We're sliding down the muddy hill into the water. off down the muddy hill into the water. off down the muddy hill into the water. off the rocks with the kids. It was a great the rocks with the kids. It was a great the rocks with the kids. It was a great experience. Now, we're taking a small experience. Now, we're taking a small experience. Now, we're taking a small windy road up the mountain to a town windy road up the mountain to a town windy road up the mountain to a town called Sinho. We get towards the top of called Sinho. We get towards the top of called Sinho. We get towards the top of the mountain around 2:00 in the the mountain around 2:00 in the the mountain around 2:00 in the afternoon, and the road is blocked.

afternoon, and the road is blocked. afternoon, and the road is blocked. There'd been a massive landslide, so There'd been a massive landslide, so There'd been a massive landslide, so they had excavators digging out the side they had excavators digging out the side they had excavators digging out the side of the mountain. There was a sign that of the mountain. There was a sign that of the mountain. There was a sign that said the road would be open at 6:00. So, said the road would be open at 6:00. So, said the road would be open at 6:00. So, we go back down the hill the way we we go back down the hill the way we we go back down the hill the way we came, looking for something to eat and came, looking for something to eat and came, looking for something to eat and drink. This is way countryside. No drink. This is way countryside. No drink. This is way countryside. No towns, no villages, just wooden shacks towns, no villages, just wooden shacks towns, no villages, just wooden shacks on the side of the road. We see an old on the side of the road. We see an old on the side of the road. We see an old man yelling, trying to wave us in from man yelling, trying to wave us in from man yelling, trying to wave us in from the side of the road, so we stopped the side of the road, so we stopped the side of the road, so we stopped there. He immediately gives us a case of there. He immediately gives us a case of there. He immediately gives us a case of beer and some ramen noodles. We would beer and some ramen noodles. We would beer and some ramen noodles. We would spend the next 5 hours with this guy, spend the next 5 hours with this guy, spend the next 5 hours with this guy, the craziest character of the trip. The the craziest character of the trip. The the craziest character of the trip. The old man was already drunk when we old man was already drunk when we old man was already drunk when we arrived, and he was beyond excited to arrived, and he was beyond excited to arrived, and he was beyond excited to hang out with us. So, we drink a case of hang out with us. So, we drink a case of hang out with us. So, we drink a case of beer between the four of us, and then beer between the four of us, and then beer between the four of us, and then the old man pulls the cover off this the old man pulls the cover off this the old man pulls the cover off this vintage Honda Win, and he offers to take vintage Honda Win, and he offers to take vintage Honda Win, and he offers to take Sholto for a ride. Now, Sholto's a Sholto for a ride. Now, Sholto's a Sholto for a ride. Now, Sholto's a responsible man. He doesn't think it's a responsible man. He doesn't think it's a responsible man. He doesn't think it's a good idea to ride with this old drunk good idea to ride with this old drunk good idea to ride with this old drunk guy. But, Tom jumps out of the guy. But, Tom jumps out of the guy. But, Tom jumps out of the wheelbarrow that he's sitting in and wheelbarrow that he's sitting in and wheelbarrow that he's sitting in and jumps on the back of the bike. They take jumps on the back of the bike. They take jumps on the back of the bike. They take off up the mountain and they're gone for off up the mountain and they're gone for off up the mountain and they're gone for a good half hour. Just when we're a good half hour. Just when we're a good half hour. Just when we're starting to get a little bit worried, starting to get a little bit worried, starting to get a little bit worried, they come flying down the hill. Before they come flying down the hill. Before they come flying down the hill. Before they even pull up to the house, Tom is they even pull up to the house, Tom is they even pull up to the house, Tom is yelling from the back of the bike, "He's yelling from the back of the bike, "He's yelling from the back of the bike, "He's got no brakes! He's got no brakes, man!"

got no brakes! He's got no brakes, man!" got no brakes! He's got no brakes, man!" Sure enough, they pull up and Tom Sure enough, they pull up and Tom Sure enough, they pull up and Tom demonstrates that neither the front or demonstrates that neither the front or demonstrates that neither the front or the back brake is even connected He said the back brake is even connected He said the back brake is even connected He said the old man was whipping around corners, the old man was whipping around corners, the old man was whipping around corners, just laughing hysterically. Sounded just laughing hysterically. Sounded just laughing hysterically. Sounded terrifying. We finally say goodbye to terrifying. We finally say goodbye to terrifying. We finally say goodbye to the old man. The road opens and we're the old man. The road opens and we're the old man. The road opens and we're able to get to Sin Ho by about 10:00 at able to get to Sin Ho by about 10:00 at able to get to Sin Ho by about 10:00 at night. Throw our bags in the one and night. Throw our bags in the one and night. Throw our bags in the one and only hotel in town. only hotel in town. only hotel in town. >> Accommodation for the night. >> Accommodation for the night. >> Accommodation for the night. >> But, as soon as we arrived in this town, >> But, as soon as we arrived in this town, >> But, as soon as we arrived in this town, we felt a weird vibe. We knew something we felt a weird vibe. We knew something we felt a weird vibe. We knew something was off. We try a few different was off. We try a few different was off. We try a few different restaurants that have people sitting in restaurants that have people sitting in restaurants that have people sitting in there eating. Every one of the shop there eating. Every one of the shop there eating. Every one of the shop owners shoo us away. And this isn't owners shoo us away. And this isn't owners shoo us away. And this isn't common in Vietnam. Normally, people are common in Vietnam. Normally, people are common in Vietnam. Normally, people are super friendly, excited to see you. But, super friendly, excited to see you. But, super friendly, excited to see you. But, nobody will let us come and eat at the nobody will let us come and eat at the nobody will let us come and eat at the restaurant. So, we're thinking, "What's restaurant. So, we're thinking, "What's restaurant. So, we're thinking, "What's going on in this town?" We come across going on in this town?" We come across going on in this town?" We come across this bar that seems to be filled with this bar that seems to be filled with this bar that seems to be filled with young people and we're able to go in. We young people and we're able to go in. We young people and we're able to go in. We get to talking with some locals. get to talking with some locals. get to talking with some locals. Everything seems fine. After about 15 Everything seems fine. After about 15 Everything seems fine. After about 15 minutes, we noticed that the music minutes, we noticed that the music minutes, we noticed that the music stopped playing and everyone had cleared stopped playing and everyone had cleared stopped playing and everyone had cleared out of the bar. Now, we know something's out of the bar. Now, we know something's out of the bar. Now, we know something's wrong. Just then, about eight police wrong. Just then, about eight police wrong. Just then, about eight police officers walk into the bar. They start officers walk into the bar. They start officers walk into the bar. They start asking for our passports. We gather that asking for our passports. We gather that asking for our passports. We gather that we're in big trouble and we need to go we're in big trouble and we need to go we're in big trouble and we need to go with them to the police station. At this with them to the police station. At this with them to the police station. At this point, it's not looking good. All right, point, it's not looking good. All right, point, it's not looking good. All right, next stop, hopefully waterfall.

>> All right, we found a waterfall. >> All right, we found a waterfall. A little bit of a trek to get here, but A little bit of a trek to get here, but A little bit of a trek to get here, but hey, we're all good. So, the police take hey, we're all good. So, the police take hey, we're all good. So, the police take us out of this bar, they take us back to us out of this bar, they take us back to us out of this bar, they take us back to the police station on the back of their the police station on the back of their the police station on the back of their motorbikes. They start asking, "What are motorbikes. They start asking, "What are motorbikes. They start asking, "What are we doing there? How did we get there? we doing there? How did we get there? we doing there? How did we get there? Did we cross the border from China?" So, Did we cross the border from China?" So, Did we cross the border from China?" So, just a week earlier, there had been the just a week earlier, there had been the just a week earlier, there had been the first reported outbreaks of COVID in first reported outbreaks of COVID in first reported outbreaks of COVID in Central Vietnam. So, they're grilling Central Vietnam. So, they're grilling Central Vietnam. So, they're grilling us, "Where did we come from?" You got to us, "Where did we come from?" You got to us, "Where did we come from?" You got to remember, this is early days of COVID remember, this is early days of COVID remember, this is early days of COVID when everybody thought having COVID when everybody thought having COVID when everybody thought having COVID meant you were dead. If you were even meant you were dead. If you were even meant you were dead. If you were even suspected of being near someone that had suspected of being near someone that had suspected of being near someone that had COVID, they would put you in a military COVID, they would put you in a military COVID, they would put you in a military quarantine zone for a month. So, we're quarantine zone for a month. So, we're quarantine zone for a month. So, we're going back and forth trying to explain going back and forth trying to explain going back and forth trying to explain that we've been in Hanoi since before that we've been in Hanoi since before that we've been in Hanoi since before COVID happened. We live in Vietnam, COVID happened. We live in Vietnam, COVID happened. We live in Vietnam, we're just traveling by motorbike. I we're just traveling by motorbike. I we're just traveling by motorbike. I won't make it too dramatic. We go back won't make it too dramatic. We go back won't make it too dramatic. We go back and forth, he finally gives us our and forth, he finally gives us our and forth, he finally gives us our passports back, and the last thing he passports back, and the last thing he passports back, and the last thing he translate is 6:00 a.m. leave town. So, translate is 6:00 a.m. leave town. So, translate is 6:00 a.m. leave town. So, we walk out of the police station, we walk out of the police station, we walk out of the police station, immediately Shota says, "All right, immediately Shota says, "All right, immediately Shota says, "All right, boys, straight to bed. We're out of here boys, straight to bed. We're out of here boys, straight to bed. We're out of here at 5:30." Me and Tom are like, "Fuck at 5:30." Me and Tom are like, "Fuck at 5:30." Me and Tom are like, "Fuck that. We're getting some beers." So, we that. We're getting some beers." So, we that. We're getting some beers." So, we end up drinking in the garage of the end up drinking in the garage of the end up drinking in the garage of the hostel until 2:00 in the morning. We're hostel until 2:00 in the morning. We're hostel until 2:00 in the morning. We're still up at 5:00 a.m. straight out of still up at 5:00 a.m. straight out of still up at 5:00 a.m. straight out of town. That next day would be the best town. That next day would be the best town. That next day would be the best day of the whole trip, mostly because we day of the whole trip, mostly because we day of the whole trip, mostly because we felt like we'd just gotten away with felt like we'd just gotten away with felt like we'd just gotten away with something. Ow! Get away from me, bee.

something. Ow! Get away from me, bee. something. Ow! Get away from me, bee. Hey, [ __ ] hell. I know for a fact Hey, [ __ ] hell. I know for a fact Hey, [ __ ] hell. I know for a fact that this trip was one of the best that this trip was one of the best that this trip was one of the best experiences living in Vietnam for all experiences living in Vietnam for all experiences living in Vietnam for all three of us. For months, every time we three of us. For months, every time we three of us. For months, every time we saw each other, we would laugh and talk saw each other, we would laugh and talk saw each other, we would laugh and talk about that trip, but the story doesn't about that trip, but the story doesn't about that trip, but the story doesn't end there. About 8 months later, Tom end there. About 8 months later, Tom end there. About 8 months later, Tom passed away. He had a heart condition passed away. He had a heart condition passed away. He had a heart condition that nobody knew about, and he died in that nobody knew about, and he died in that nobody knew about, and he died in his sleep. his sleep. his sleep. He was 32 years old. Tom and I had He was 32 years old. Tom and I had He was 32 years old. Tom and I had become best friends over those next 8 become best friends over those next 8 become best friends over those next 8 months, and when he died, the entire months, and when he died, the entire months, and when he died, the entire expat community of Hanoi was devastated. expat community of Hanoi was devastated. expat community of Hanoi was devastated. Turns out he was a lot of people's best Turns out he was a lot of people's best Turns out he was a lot of people's best friend. Tom was an absolute legend. So, friend. Tom was an absolute legend. So, friend. Tom was an absolute legend. So, I guess the moral of the story is life I guess the moral of the story is life I guess the moral of the story is life is short. Quit waiting around for the is short. Quit waiting around for the is short. Quit waiting around for the perfect time to go on that trip or take perfect time to go on that trip or take perfect time to go on that trip or take an adventure with your buddies. Do an adventure with your buddies. Do an adventure with your buddies. Do something cool today. Who knows how much something cool today. Who knows how much something cool today. Who knows how much time we got left? time we got left? time we got left? This one's for my buddy Tom. Thanks for watching. See you in the next Thanks for watching. See you in the next one. >> There's my life.

>> There's my life. >> Hello. >> Hello. >> Hello. >> Oh, it's good. >> Oh, it's good. >> Oh, it's good. Oh, it's in there. Oh, it's in there. Oh, it's in there. Oh my god, it is. Oh my god, it is. Oh my god, it is. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Oh. I was thinking we