Picking up at Singapore I had a week to relax, pack up my belongings and wander around the city. I didn’t do too much but got to visit the huge aquarium and the Ferris Wheel (Singapore Flyer).

I was really pleased to have an entire pod to myself, visiting mid-afternoon on a weekday is definitely the best time to go!

The end of Asia…

Over looking the city…

I then took my flight to Auckland on the north island and immediately stated cycling away into the countryside. My first destination was the Coromandel peninsula to the east.

The terrain was very hilly but the views were a great reward.

Relaxing in the streams after a long days ride.

Below is hot water beach, at low tide the hot water rises into the pools dug up by yourselves. Reaching temperatures of 60 degrees sometimes it’s a bit too much!

After the Coromandel I rode south towards the city of Rotorua and visited Te Puia Park. The main attraction being the hot water Geyer blasting out from the earth’s surface.

After the city I headed towards Lake Taupo where I had acquired a warmshowers host. On my way to their home I bumped into another English cyclist called Phillip. He was on his way to the same host and eventually to Queenstown on the south Island for roughly the same time as I planned be there. Perfect, we decided to ride together!

Approaching our accommodation in Lake Taupo.

Our hosts Trevor and Rose were fantastic, we stayed for 2 nights. On our day off they lent us their kayaks and we went exploring for the day in perfect weather.

We headed 4km across to a popular area where old Mauri carvings were to be found.

Not everyone wanted to paddle here!

Admiring the mountains on the horizon.

After our wonderful stay in Taupo we decided to give some mountain bike trails and go. However a hot water stream bath was required first.

Our route was called the Timber trail, roughly 80km off road on forest paths.

Passing over the valleys on huge wooden bridges, not for the faint hearted! It swayed very freely…

The route took us 2 days. To be honest our bikes fully loaded weren’t suitable for the task but we managed ok.

Our next trail was the popular, Forgotten world highway towards the south west of the island. A 100 mile stretch following old trade routes,  historic settlements and native bush land.

Whangamomona located centrally on the highway is a self governed Republic and separate to New Zealand.

Our last day along the highway was raining but we made it to the end with big smiles!

We then travelled south to the city of Wellington.

We are now about to cross-over to the south Island. Here awaits us more bicycle trails and the mountainous West coast. Everyone has been saying the south is spectacular, so we’re really hoping it lives up to all the hype!

The north island has been a short and sweet affair but very rewarding. I eagerly anticipate the next 4 weeks in the south!

I now sit in a cosy hostel in the bustling island of Singapore, sipping English tea and munching on peanut butter toast. How I’ve missed these luxuries!

My journey through Thailand and Malaysia to my final destination in Asia have been brisk but fun nonetheless. I’ve been averaging between 100-130km a day. It has been further than anticipated but I passed a few mileage goals along the way which was great.

After cycling through the thin stretch of land in central Thailand I got to the town of Chumpon and then headed West to the coast and the tip of Burma (Myanmar).

A beach near Chumpon.

Sunset over the tip of Burma.

I arrived at a small unremarkable town for Christmas day, however they had some natural hotsprings nearby to relax in.

Man made pools with the hotsprings water filtered through. A cool 40 degrees!

The natural pool further up the mountain.

Passing the 7000 mile mark on boxing day (11,200km)

Passing small waterfalls on the roadside.

I then headed to the island of Phuket. Thailand’s equivalent of Ibiza. I wanted to experience some madness for new years, not usually my first choice of celebration but since I was close it would have been a shame to miss it.

Passing the National park heading south.

More islands between Phuket and the mainland.

Just before reaching Phuket I put my feet up and relaxed for 1 day, the weather has been non-stop sunshine everyday for the past 2 months (sorry to rub it in!).

Below is a representation of my memory for New years.

Just an alcohol fuelled blur!…. Busy to say the least.

I quickly rode out of Phuket and propelled myself into Malaysia and headed towards Penang island.

I bumped into 3 Italian cyclists who were travelling there too and rode together for the day.

I stayed for a weekend relaxing. Eating good food and taking in some sights.

Tikka Masala on Banana leaf.

Kek lok si temple overlooking George town.

Coincidentally Barry was here at the same time (including his friend Ryan who I had met in Tbilisi, Georgia) having spent a fortnight with friends who had got married over the festive period. It was great to catch up again!

Then I made a 4 day dash to the capital city of Kuala Lumpur.

I’d been dreaming of visiting the Petronas twin towers since the beginning of this whole trip. I am chuffed to bits to have made it here!

The final leg of my journey to Singapore was quite tame, quiet smooth roads led gently to the island.

Passing the 8000 mile mark.

The last beach before heading over the border.

So now I am finished with Asia. Technically starting in Istanbul, Turkey roughly 7 months ago.

That’s now 2 continents, 20 countries and 13,000km cycled. PHEW!!!

My next destination is New Zealand and then Australia.

I was planning on cycling Australia first but was reliably informed that the weather would be much more pleasant and favourable if I did it in reverse order. So I will.

I’m really excited about New Zealand and will be exploring both islands for 6 weeks.

So central asia has been and gone!
I think back to what I’ve just cycled through and it seems incredible. What a crazy experience.

So Barry and I arrived in Bangkok, Thailand at the end of October, our flight was via Moscow so we flew backwards initially. Moscow is roughly level with Istanbul on a map. So what took us 4 months to cycle took 4 hours on a plane!

We stayed in a hotel for 2 nights to rest before parting ways. It had been tremendous cycling with Barry and everyone we met on the road along the way. Now it was time for some solo riding.

It was wierd cycling alone again for the first time since france. But I only had 400km to go before meeting my parents in Siem Reap, Cambodia!

It was just fantastic to see my parents again after 7 months. They would be here for 2 weeks.

After a few hours from arriving they fell asleep.

The next 3 days we spent visiting the temples, local villages and county side. Above is the biggest temple. Angkor Wat, a quite magnificent structure.

Angkor wat from above …

Taking a ride in a tuktuk …..

The popular and very loud ‘Pub street’

The night market ….

My new bicycle mascot!

A few more temples (Angkor Thom).

A boat trip to the ‘floating villages’

…. and a little rafting swap trip. It was very relaxing.

Enjoying lunch at one of our hotels.

We then moved onto a town called Battambang. Here we saw millions of bats leave the cave above.

A lookout over the countyside.

Fruit bats sleeping during the day.

Riding along the Bamboo train!! No health and safety here.

Buying local fruits from a street stall.

Our roof top pool on the hotel in the capital city, Phnom Penh.

The city square.

Fish spa treatment, not for the ticklish!!

Dinner and traditional show on our last evening.

Another farewell …..

The 2 weeks with my parents were incredible and I had a brilliant time. Thank you so much for coming out to visit xx

After an emotional goodbye it was time to get going again.

I decided to cycle back to Phnom penh and then to the south coast and continue back to Bangkok. Making a big 800 mile loop.

Some of the roads were unfinished and trucks kicked up a lot of dust!

Bananas for 50p a bunch!

Hitting my 6000 miles ….

Slip streaming a tuktuk

Lovely guesthouse accommodation

My first beach in what felt like forever.

My 800 mile loop from Bangkok to Phnom penh and back via the south coast.

My last few glimpses of Cambodia ..

When I arrived back on Bangkok my good friend Andy flew in to visit for 9 days.

On the first day we visited the Grand Palace. Stunning architecture and decoration.

On day 2 we hired scooters and made our way up 500 miles to the city of Chiang Mai in the north.

It was Andy’s birthday on the day we arrived … 🙂

The day after we went to an elephant sanctuary. I know there may be people who disagree with riding elephants but from what we saw and did it was just lovely. It was if we werent there, uprooting trees, knocking things over. Thrashing around in the mud and water. A great experience to see and feel these majestic animals up close 🙂

We also visited a few historical sights.

On our last day we went whitewater rafting! This is the moment our guide took us down the biggest section of rapids ….. backwards!!!

Luckily we both just survived the inevitable tumble. Andy gasping for air and my back having been battered on the rocks we continued on to the finish …

The ride back from Chiang Mai

Again after another goodbye it was time to move again.

I am heading south towards the beach resorts of Phuket to spend christmas and new years there.

I’ve also visited and stayed at a few nice beaches along the way.

So my solo aventure has well and truely started.

After Phuket I will cross into Malaysia and go to Kuala lumpur and then on to Singapore. Exciting times lay ahead 🙂

Next blog I intend to be at the end of January.

I wish you all a lovely Christmas and a wonderful new year!!