What is stress?
“It’s the gap between our expectations and reality. The bigger the gap, the more stress; so expect nothing and accept everything.”
Buddha.
When we started this journey, we had an ambitious plan: begin in Hanoi, cycle 3,500 km, and raise funds for disadvantaged Thai children. Simple, right? Well, reality turned out to be a bit more stubborn. Our available time was shortened, but that 3,500 km target... it’s still on the clock. Not an ideal combination, and yes, it can be quite a struggle. 😅
Through the Bike4Kids team, we learned about the Don Bosco schools and Father John in Phnom Penh. And yes, visiting them was definitely worth it!
Donate now; with €5 per kilometer, you help us reach our goals. Every kilometer, quite literally, makes a difference!
Revisiting our goals.
Back in February, when we came up with this charity ride with the Bike4Kids team, it all sounded so good: cycle 3,500 km across Southeast Asia while raising money for disadvantaged children. How hard could it be? Well, looking back, maybe a bit harder than we thought. Due to various developments, our available time has been reduced, but that 3,500 km goal remained fixed. We realized it was creating a lot of pressure. Physically, we’re pushing our limits, and that’s not even considering local challenges like visas, weather, and logistics.
Last weekend, the truth hit us: this isn’t working. Dries and I independently came to the same conclusion. After a good discussion, we decided to let go of that magical 3,500 km figure. From now on, we’ll just ride and see where we end up. No stress, no frustrations—or so we hope.
Dries could probably write a book about it by now, especially after last week’s visa adventure. He recounts it with humor:"Of course, I had an idea of what cycling through Southeast Asia would be like. Pedaling through stunning landscapes, a few challenges here and there, but mostly just enjoying the journey. Well, reality is a bit different. The certain, predictable world of the West feels far away here, and it started right in Hanoi when I found myself standing alone on the street due to visa issues. No idea what to do, in a completely unfamiliar city with a language I don’t speak. Luckily, there’s Google Translate—my new best friend. Later, when we tried to cross the border into Laos, we were turned away. That’s when I learned to just go with whatever feels right."
But the peak came last week. Dries’ visa for Vietnam expired on November 22, exactly one day before we planned to cross the border. Our bikes had only just arrived, so on the 23rd, we stood at the border—and he wasn’t allowed to continue. "So there I was, heading back to Saigon, alone and quite stressed. Eventually, I got permission to leave, but not before paying a fine. Apparently, they didn’t want to hold on to an old man like me," he chuckles now. I received a lot of help from Mrs. Diep Trang at the Asiana Link Travel agency in Saigon. This is an address to keep and use if you plan to travel in Vietnam or Cambodia; highly recommended.
Thankfully, everything worked out in the end. We’re now reunited in Cambodia, the first kilometers are behind us, and we were so relieved to hit the road together again.
A special encounter along the way.
Over the past few days, we’ve shifted our focus. Away from counting the kilometers we still need to cover and toward the joy and special encounters along the journey. And that has already brought us so much! Through the Bike4Kids team, we heard about the Don Bosco school project in Cambodia and Father John in Phnom Penh. A tip we couldn’t pass up.
After cycling 80 km, we arrived at the Don Bosco complex in Cambodia’s capital. What an impressive place! Don Bosco operates in 140 countries, focusing on education and development for young people. In Cambodia, they run five technical schools, where graduates are almost immediately employed in the workforce. An organization with real impact, that’s clear.
And then there’s Father John. Born in Sneek (The Netherlands) in 1933, he’s dedicated his life to Thailand and Cambodia, where he has founded schools. What a man, and what stories he has to tell! We enjoyed a lunch with him and other priests from across Southeast Asia.
For us, this visit was not only inspiring but also gave extra meaning to our journey. Experiences like this make every kilometer worth it!
KEEP THE KIDS IN SCHOOL – Together, we cycle for brighter futures
Our mission: supporting children in Thailand through education. TCDF (Thai Child Development Foundation) provides scholarships for children with physical and/or mental disabilities who need special care. Donating to TCDF means sustainable giving; this foundation has been making a real difference for 20 years.
Join us and donate! With €5 per kilometer cycled, you help us reach the Bike4Kids goal. Our target is €20,000, and the counter is already at €9.850! We’ve cycled 1,500 km since leaving Hanoi.
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