Elred Lawrence

I live with my wife, Maureen, in Cape Town enjoy the benefits of living in the midst of this most beautiful city.  We’re both retired and , according to social norms, should be taking it easy, yet the travel bug and  desire to cycle the world keeps me planning new adventures.

I started my working life as a radio officer in the merchant navy hence I spent 8 years being paid to travel the world, explore exotic destinations, meet wonderful people and enjoy a variety of flavours and cuisines.  Throughout the rest of my working days I endeavoured to travel as much as possible, especially with my family to destinations within South Africa and for a glorious holiday in Europe..

I have always loved travel but when I saw an article about the Camino to Santiago de Compestela in Spain, I decided to cycle it as I did not have time to  walk the trail.  1100 kms and 12  glorious days of cycling, staying in the albergues, learning to understand the mystique that is the Camino and absolutely loving the freedom of cycling alone through beautiful nature hooked me.

I then decided to be intrepid and cycle the lesser known but unbelievably beautiful Via Francigena.  The pilgrim trail from Canterbury Cathedral (UK) to The Vatican in Rome (Italy)  A more challenging 2500 kms over 6 weeks through 4 different countries but equally joyous.  In my experience, there is nothing as glorious as cycling small back roads, single forest tracks, canal tow paths, past vineyards, rice-paddies, tomato  and corn plantations, seeing the little creatures, listening to the birds and breathing clean crisp air.

Life’s worries and concerns just fade away and the day’s problems are reduced to 3 simple needs.  A place to sleep, food to eat and a place to wash body and laundry.

My next adventure is to cycle from Singapore to Hong Kong via Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and China.  a more daunting 12000 kms and 7 months on the road and that is really what this blog is all about.   However before that, I had to  go to Bridgewater UK and collect a new bicycle that was built for me.  It seemed too simple to go directly to London and return so I planned a more interesting trip some aspects are on this blog.  This blog starts, as all adventures should, with a journey.  You can see the detail of my previouis journey through SE Asia from Singapore to Hong Kong in this blog.

My latest adventure

Cycling through Bali and Java to Jakarta and then across to Vietnam to cycle from HCMC to Da Lat before returnng home