First Impressions of Hanoi... or Maybe Not?

As you prepare for a new week, Dries and I are preparing for something else entirely: a cycling adventure through Vietnam! Although we should be wandering the streets of Hanoi by now, I’m still here in the Netherlands… with quite a story to tell. Last week was a whirlwind of final bike rides, goodbyes, and… a minor visa mishap. Curious for a little behind-the-scenes?

The Final Preparations in the Netherlands

It all started Tuesday, when Dries and I – each on our own route – took a final bike ride in the Netherlands. There was a touch of melancholy in the air; even though it was “see you later,” I knew it meant goodbye to my regular cycling routes for the coming months. Back home, I armed myself with screwdrivers and duct tape to fit my bike into a 140 cm box, quite the puzzle compared to my usual 170 cm box. After half an hour of stacking, shifting, and minor frustration, mission accomplished: my bike was packed like a sardine, ready for departure.

With my carefully listed packing items spread out on the table, I began organizing my bags, hoping to keep everything under that magical 30-kilo limit. Highly recommended, by the way – laying things out first really helps you remember (almost) everything.

The Big Departure (or Not)

Thursday was the big day. Partners, family, and friends came together to see us off at Schiphol. At the check-in counter, everything seemed to be going smoothly – well, at least for Dries and his bike.

Unfortunately, when I presented my visa, the ever-friendly stewardess noticed a tiny mistake in the numbers. A 2 instead of a 1, and bam! – a “no go.”

While Dries sailed off to the departure gate, I took a few deep breaths and counted to ten as he disappeared down the hall.

First Impressions of Hanoi (from Dries’s Perspective)

While I was back at my kitchen table in Edam that night, Dries had arrived safely in Hanoi. His first message? “Bike and I made it! Scooters everywhere, busier than I ever imagined.

The people are friendly, and the street life is mesmerizing.” It sounds like the city has captivated him already.

What’s Next?

For now, my bike is safely stored at Schiphol, and I’m working on a new visa. With any luck, I’ll be off to Hanoi next week. Stay tuned! Because this Vietnam adventure has only just begun, even if my first impressions are still here in the Netherlands.

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