Cycling the length of Vietnam was even harder than it sounds for this Scot.
25-year-old Morag Hobbs, originally from Aberdeenshire, set off on her adventure with friend Lawrence Potter. The ambitious pair planned to cycle from Ho Chi Minh City all the way to Hanoi.
After a few hiccups and bike break-downs, things took a turn for the worse when Ms Hobbs contracted dengue fever, a virus transmitted by mosquitos, and was bed ridden for over a week.
Against all odds, the pair made it to their final destination, having cycled almost 2000km altogether.
Having finally reached Hanoi, it’s safe to say Ms Hobbs has learned a few lessons along the way.
On Facebook, she wrote: “Things I've learnt from cycling HCM - Hanoi:
1. We are determined, and if we put our mind to something we'll do it.
2. Saying that, looking at a map would've helped before starting, 1000km changed to 2000km very quickly.
3. Anyone can have fitness goals. Neither of us knew about bikes, cycling or this level of endurance before starting and we completed it in under a month.
4. Learning about bikes, or even how to fix a puncture, before starting would have helped.
5. You never know your own limitations unless you push them. I had no idea I could cycle 100km a day repeatedly. I had no idea I could navigate through a country without getting lost. I had no idea I could push a bike 20km up a mountain without crying.
6. Mosquitoes can kill you, listen to your mum and wear long sleeves!
7. Vietnamese hospitals aren't all terrible.
8. The human body is amazing, I've drank the whole way and it's only given up on me once (thanks to the mozzy).
9. Lorry (Lawrence Potter) is the best travel companion I could ever ask for. He is my kindred spirit, my partner in crime, my inspiration and for all purposes the brother I never had.
10. Travel is my one true love, over the past month I have never felt happier, more in awe of the world or free. Vietnam has shown me that the world and people in it are wonderful, generous and connected.
11. Finally, the last month has taught me that ambition is a funny thing. I always equated ambition with career, but now I think my ambition lies in tangible challenges I can lay out in front of me. I am ready for the next challenge, whatever that may be. For now, I'm going to drink beer and weep with joy that I can sell my bike.”
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