Influencer II
- 2,192
- First Name
- Mike
- Last Name
- Johnston
- Member #
25039
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KN6OIW
Ah, the sweet, sweet taste of wanderlust. It’s been gnawing at my soul like a rabid coyote.
Lately, I’ve found myself captivated by this couple—Charelle and Marcel—who decided that driving from the Netherlands to Singapore in 2024 was a perfectly sane thing to do.
Of course, this got my brain whirring like an old engine on its last leg, and I can’t help but think that a similar “bucket list” adventure might be quietly brewing in the deepest recesses of my skull.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’ve no interest in trekking through the Middle East. Full stop. No sir. Enough said. But starting in Thailand, driving my own rig southward through the steaming chaos that is Southeast Asia... that’s the kind of reckless, absurd journey I could sink my teeth into.
Roll into northern Vietnam with my rig, sweat dripping from every pore as I try to get my bearings. Adjusting to the climate, adapting to the time zone, wondering if I’ve gone mad yet (spoiler alert: I have). Then, it’s off, southward across Vietnam, into Thailand—Bangkok, naturally, for some spice—and finally winding down through Malaysia to the promised land of Singapore. That’s the grand finale. And I’m left to wonder, is this a two month trip? Three if I’m moving every other day? Hell, who knows? But it’s the kind of adventure that gets the blood pumping and the brain frying.
I’m devouring every scrap of Charelle and Marcel’s saga, but it’s a beastly tale, and I’m not even halfway through their writings. But, damn it, I’m hooked. The idea of shipping a vehicle to Asia and dealing with the bureaucratic nightmares of border crossings already has my head in a vice. The paperwork alone might drive a sane person to madness. And let’s not even talk about the logistics of getting Ford parts when my trusty rig inevitably decides to implode. It will. It always does.
What does the crew look like on an adventure like this? Do I venture into the jungles of Southeast Asia as a solitary wolf, or will I be joined by a ragtag crew of reckless souls? I’d probably need someone with a bit more mechanical know-how than me, someone who won’t start crying at the sight of a blown radiator. Who would want to join this team?
Language barriers? Oh, I’ve dealt with that before. No big deal. It’s all part of the game. I’ll raise a glass to my newfound friends in a local bar, squinting at the menu like a confused animal, and laugh in the face of incomprehension. Hell, it’ll probably make for great material for a documentary (I’ve been known to make a few of those on the interwebs).
But here’s the question I really want to toss out to you brave souls: Has anyone here ever embarked on such an absurd, wonderful adventure in Southeast Asia or the countries along this route? If so, what was it like? And, for the truly unhinged among you, is there anyone who’d want to join in on this insanity? It’s probably a few years out, but hell, the planning should start soon, right?
I’m all ears.
Lately, I’ve found myself captivated by this couple—Charelle and Marcel—who decided that driving from the Netherlands to Singapore in 2024 was a perfectly sane thing to do.
Of course, this got my brain whirring like an old engine on its last leg, and I can’t help but think that a similar “bucket list” adventure might be quietly brewing in the deepest recesses of my skull.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’ve no interest in trekking through the Middle East. Full stop. No sir. Enough said. But starting in Thailand, driving my own rig southward through the steaming chaos that is Southeast Asia... that’s the kind of reckless, absurd journey I could sink my teeth into.
Roll into northern Vietnam with my rig, sweat dripping from every pore as I try to get my bearings. Adjusting to the climate, adapting to the time zone, wondering if I’ve gone mad yet (spoiler alert: I have). Then, it’s off, southward across Vietnam, into Thailand—Bangkok, naturally, for some spice—and finally winding down through Malaysia to the promised land of Singapore. That’s the grand finale. And I’m left to wonder, is this a two month trip? Three if I’m moving every other day? Hell, who knows? But it’s the kind of adventure that gets the blood pumping and the brain frying.
I’m devouring every scrap of Charelle and Marcel’s saga, but it’s a beastly tale, and I’m not even halfway through their writings. But, damn it, I’m hooked. The idea of shipping a vehicle to Asia and dealing with the bureaucratic nightmares of border crossings already has my head in a vice. The paperwork alone might drive a sane person to madness. And let’s not even talk about the logistics of getting Ford parts when my trusty rig inevitably decides to implode. It will. It always does.
What does the crew look like on an adventure like this? Do I venture into the jungles of Southeast Asia as a solitary wolf, or will I be joined by a ragtag crew of reckless souls? I’d probably need someone with a bit more mechanical know-how than me, someone who won’t start crying at the sight of a blown radiator. Who would want to join this team?
Language barriers? Oh, I’ve dealt with that before. No big deal. It’s all part of the game. I’ll raise a glass to my newfound friends in a local bar, squinting at the menu like a confused animal, and laugh in the face of incomprehension. Hell, it’ll probably make for great material for a documentary (I’ve been known to make a few of those on the interwebs).
But here’s the question I really want to toss out to you brave souls: Has anyone here ever embarked on such an absurd, wonderful adventure in Southeast Asia or the countries along this route? If so, what was it like? And, for the truly unhinged among you, is there anyone who’d want to join in on this insanity? It’s probably a few years out, but hell, the planning should start soon, right?
I’m all ears.
