Thinh Pham

Tag: Road Trip

  • Road Trip By Dream: What Does Love Mean To Us?

    Road Trip By Dream: What Does Love Mean To Us?

    There is a road trip to remember, there is a road trip we never forget, like Road Trip by Dream.

    Dream’s road trip story

    For most of you, Dream is a strange guy. For Minecraft video game fans, he is some of the most favorite Youtuber, primarily well-known for his viral Minecraft videos. The American content creator (his real name is Clay by the way) owns a super hot youtube channel “Dream”, which has attracted 23.7 million subscribers so far. That’s a BIG number if you’re familiar with Youtube, and this year, he launched another channel, “Dream Music.” And guess what? “Roadtrip” is his debut single. Listen now and enjoy yourself!

    It is such a surprise when a hardcore Youtuber of the best-selling video game series of all time turns his head to music realm. And his first ever inspiration happened to be a 20-hour road trip from Florida to the East Coast to visit a girlfriend during his teenage years. Now, whenever he travels on that interstate, it “is paved with memories” of traveling to see his former love.

    But Dream didn’t reveal his story alone. PmBata, a rapper and songwriter from Kansas City, also joins Dream on the track, but his feeling is absolutely in contrast. He recounts a 20-hour journey in his old Ford to visit an ex too, but the relationship became toxic in his case, mentioned in the lyrics “across the Midwest, thinking, ‘What for?’”

    Modern beats on classic affairs

    The beat of this song is crazy, ear-catchy and pleasant to hear. I also highly recommend playing it during a road trip, when you are in a van, driving at dawn or sunset, and see the skyline glowing slowly up or down. It’s such a beautiful and vibrant moment to immerse ourselves into, and be reminiscent of our love in teenagehood. How eager, keen and enthusiastic we were for love relentlessly.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Jason Darejourney (@jason.darejourney)

    The road we were rolling on then becomes a piece in mind that triggers the memories, both sweet and bitter, to come, like an old film and we are now just spectators. I’m kinda sure that for most of us, there is always a road trip to remember. A solo road trip like my motorbike ride in Sapa, Vietnam a couple of years ago. A road trip we did with our dear buddies and loves (I still remember vividly a road trip from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang with my travel buddies). A road trip that marked the end of such a long relationship. A road trip in tears when we tried to forget the one we couldn’t forget though, like a night road trip I did with a friend of mine to Vung Tau long time ago. And the roads somehow carved those memories in our naive mind, long for triggering chances.

    I love traveling after all, as most of the meaningful moments in my life happened on road trips during my twenty-something. And I feel the same feeling as Dream did when he put down words for lyrics. Dream could have written on his other stories and experiences, but eventually Dream’s decision was a memorable road trip in his teenagehood, and that makes it beautiful for a debut.

    Dream and PmBata each wrote their own verses, while the Dutch beatmaker Banrisk and frequent PmBata collaborator Perish Beats produced the track, which now receives positive responses from enthusiastic fans all over the world. The below is lyrics, if you’d like to save and sing along on your own road trip.

    Road Trip by Dream Lyrics

    Secure the bag, know what I’m sayin’?

    Banrisk on the beat

    Ayo, Perish, this sh- hot, boy

    People change like the tides in the ocean

    At least I think or am I dead wrong?

    Foot on the brake, at the light I don’t notice

    I sit and wait until the next song

    20 hours in an old van

    Up the east coast, through the cold wind

    Drove 20 hours by the ocean

    Up the east coast, what a road trip

    Now that interstate is paved with memories

    Of a past life I lived when I was 18

    And evеry winter, I think back to what we used to bе

    In that past life we lived at 18

    Uh, I reminisce about a past life

    Things change, I get it, ’cause nothing lasts right?

    Yeah, and I was thinking ’bout her last night

    Scrolling through our memories, debating ’bout our last times

    Ay, for a minute, we was cool

    Then we flew just a lil’ too close to the sun

    Now we finished, now we through

    Guess we knew one day we would have to grow up

    20 hours in an old Ford

    Across the Midwest, thinking, what for?

    Drove 20 hours, but it’s hopeless

    Across the Midwest, what a road trip

    Now that interstate is paved with memories

    Of a past life I lived when I was 18

    And every winter, I think back to what we used to be

    In that past life we lived at 18…

  • Highway 27: From Coffee Capital to Land of Flower

    Highway 27: From Coffee Capital to Land of Flower

    Central Highland of Vietnam is house to spectacular ranges of mountain and lakes. Among the best route, highway 27, connecting Buon Ma Thuot and Da Lat, features Chu Yang Sin mount, Lak lake with a secluded resort, Buon Tua Srah lake as reservoir for a hydro dam and a beautiful look out from a pass in Phi Lieng that you will never forget.

    The very first scenery that made me stop by was a countryside road surrounded by paddy field but on top of that, the line of tree topped with white blossom gave me a sense of spring and far away, the mountain range played a perfect background for all.

    Turn my head left and I saw ox wandering on fields of green and yellow while the sky was crystal clear painted by gorgeously deep blue. The red figure to the left was an old lady tending grazing cattles.

    Lak lake locates just by a town center but when I passed by, it seemed people heavily partied that I saw few ones. It looked like an abandoned town at that time (Tet holiday).

    When I mostly reached Nam Ka Reserve, the landscape turned more mountainous separated by small rivers bending as snakes. The outlook was so beautiful!

    Along with evergreen mountains, the slope was sometimes occupied by plantations of coffee or other industrial trees, so the landscape looks more artificial.

    And when I enjoyed these views, it took my breath away immediately! How nice it was, the river branched from Buon Tua Srah, with plantation hills touch the water, as heaven on earth.

    The Boun Tua Srah was ahead, welcoming, promising to explore!

    And there I was, a massive lake where a person can see far away though skyline is hidden by mountain ranges. It is simply a majestic view.

    I rode though various passes in Dam Rong, before got stop by this nicest sunset ever in my highland experience, everything was perfect: landscape, the pass, the lake and the timing.

    Last but not least, highway 27 road condition diverses among dust, potholes and even trucks, so remember to pack up with good helmet, mask cover and hold your hand tight as sometimes it turns off road significantly.

  • Highway 19: From Sea To Mountains

    As a goodbye to coastal lines of Tuy Hoa city, you may turn head westward, take a ride to the Central highland, kingdom of majestic mountains and breathe-taking passes to Pleiku via Highway 19.

    The road is not completely well-maintained as well as industrial tree plantations contribute significantly to the view en route.

    You will ride through 2 major pass including An Khe and Mang Yang, the former is house to tremendous industrial tree plantations while the latter boasts charming pine forest.

    Before that, you may be excited with the river bank in the picture above. As seen in the map, highway 19 is as a sneak embracing this river till Thuong Giang, a small town, and you won’t see then.

    The very first moment I thought it was another hydro electric reservoir as the landscape was quite similar that. The pic was taken in Hoa Son, a countryside area of Tay Son district. You won’t probably miss this view as it is just by your right side when heading toward Gia Lai. There are several rest stops nearby as you can park your bike, order an local drink and enjoy the breeze from the river before back on road.

    The second location caught me surprised is the rest of the abandoned Binh Dinh sugar mill plant. It looks like a perfect background for crime movies, where gangs usually settle at building occupied by no man. Scary but curious !

    An Khe is not an typically magnificient mountain pass, the road is rough and it is not majestic as rain forest like Highway 20, it a green foliage of industrial plants, you would feel a sense of artificial there, leaving yourself an unsatisfied feelings.

    Despite like of flower and too much green, the bud and fresh leaves put some red color contrast to the background.

    At the end of the pass, there is a small stop offering hammock rest, where you will enjoy the “Sky Gate” – a panoramic vista toward the landscape of evergreen mountain.

    I was knocked out by this view, though it was merely handmade forest, but I could feel spring spreading in each buds on top foliage, and it was fantastic!

    Just by Ha Tam farm, the curving road is surrounded by cane field in white of blossom, how charming it is !

    I was lucky when cought the pass at its most picturesque moment, a red foliage in front of the green background with a sun ray flying through.

    Surprisingly, Mang Yang Pass in internet world is depicted as a the bloodest battle and partly ending the First Indochina War in 1954.

    History left behind, the scenery is stunning, untouched and due to the high altitude, it is cool down and very relaxing, some vans pass by, making some noise to a great silence.

    Mang Yang say a adorable farewell with a pine forest, where you may take a break in rest stop, enjoy an energy drink and swinging on a hammock, as typical Vietnamese riding experience.

    It was spring when I rode on the pass, when the pine turned brown, gorgeous painted in sunshine. It was stunning and jaw-dropping moment.

  • How to check your motorbike before and after the road trip

    How to check your motorbike before and after the road trip

    Biking with our own bike is the best but sometimes we have to rent bikes to travel around so these quick bike checking tips may help you enjoy the biketrip more safely.

    1. Engine

    The engine is heart of motorbike. So it deserves to check first. A good engine brings you a beautiful roadtrip experience. These below checks should be done:

    – Good ignition from electronic starter and pedal ?

    – The engine sound good, fume clear?

    – Locate the spark plug and check it still good.

    – Motor lubricant is fresh and enough?

    *Let bike run in 2-5 minutes to check for any abnormalities.

    2. Wheels

    Good wheels keep your bike balanced and stick to the road, so:

    – Is it balance, no broken strokes?

    – Pressure is good, no leaks in air-lock, tread is fresh, not worn-out too much?

    Note: check bike luggage rack durability if you intentionally attach stuff into it.

    3. Handlebar

    You can not speed up with a loose handling right? So you’d better check whether it is:

    – turn left/ right well

    – fixed position, not deviated

    4. Breaks

    I don’t think you would mount on a non-brake bike, it’s dangerous. Worn brakes also possibly cause deadly accidents when you can not stop in emergency cases.

    – Try braking to feel whether it is well-adjusted, pads are worn, even the strings is strong.

    – If using disk brake, check for fluid also.

    5. Chain

    A good chain should improve the traction, you will know it when your bike climbs slope and carry heavy objects.

    So, the chain should be tensed appropriate (just a bit loose) and lubricated

    6. Light

    Imagine you drive in dim/ dark sky with no light: nightmare !! So it’s essential to check lighting system.

    – Turn on light system, check high/low light button, the halogen bulbs/ LED, dashboard, signal lights, tail light, horn.

    – Check battery by press horn button and listening to the sound, if the battery is exhausted, it sounds murmur

    7. Mirror – Seat

    We don’t have eyes at back, so mirrors are our eyes.

    Your bike should have enough 2 mirror and it adjustable to fit your body pose on bike.

    Your seat is comfort.

    8. Helmet/ gear and licenses

    Some country require wearing helmets so ask the agency whether they support you.

    In some extreme biking experience (like my biketrip from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang), you should also put on protection gear to minimize all damage in case of accidents.

    Licenses is merely impossible to ask agency for, but at least you can make copy. It aids you in some negotiations with REAL police.

  • Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang: Roadtrip tips

    Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang: Roadtrip tips

    One of the most exciting adventurous roadtrip I’ve ever made. It’s quite dangerous if you’re not well-prepared so I note some important tips help you to finish it !

    Gasoline station

    When planning, we thought that the route was very long and tough, stiff uphill, and the fuel would be much more consumed than usual, the gasoline station might be rare because of mountainous terrain.

    However, when we were on road, we found out something:

    The gasoline were quite close to one another, just 30-50 km, so no need to bring a back-up fuel container. And even if there was no nearby station, you can buy gasoline at mostly groceries in villages, at higher cost.

    Road condition: rough and muddy, challenging and relaxing

    There are two directions from Kasi to Luang Prabang city: follow 4/4C highway and you get extreme biking experience – sharp curves and steep roads, both and stick to highway 13 via Phoukoun for much relaxing riding.

    At first, we followed highway 4 and it was so much challenge: heavy rains, erosion, big deep holes on road and low temperature condition, especially when wind blowing strong made it extremely hard to handle. And we fell off on road, sliding 4-5 meters away, a van passed by but there’s not collision. We were lucky. We get muddy but nothing broken or bleeding.

     We were lucky. We get muddy but nothing broken or bleeding

    Since then, we rode more carefully. More and more tough the route was. Once there’s a heavily eroded part on road forcing me to walk and my partner slowly moved over. It’s very cold and wet. My body kept shaking.

    The second erosion, where we nearly reach the peak, was much more worse. There was even a local team with technical vehicle to flatten the road so that traffic flow was enabled. So adventurous it was, I even saw a cliff by my side.

    When we headed back from Phonsavan via highway 13, everything was more easier. The main problem was just dense fog at certain height, when you’re down, it gets clear.

    Your bike condition

    Another problem we faced was our rental bike. Though we had checked and done some fixing, it’s still very worn-out to carry both of us climbing over high and slippery slopes, while suffering a lot of hole-hitting on road. After the trip, he deserved a praise.

    If you wish to do a roadtrip like us, please have your bike checked thoroughly for your own safety.

    Temperature

    It’s a little bit cold, around 20 celsius degree at peak, with heavy rain. We only put on rain suit to block wind and keep our body warm, just shaking a bit when strong winds blew through.

    After all, you need to keep dry because wetness will make it more terrible.

  • Biking routes that you shouldn’t miss when in Cat Ba island

    Biking routes that you shouldn’t miss when in Cat Ba island

    I’m just too excited to show you my findings: two biking routes that you shouldn’t miss when in Cat Ba island.

    https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/embed?mid=1qCBzR0avHVknUo07mBsTagxatqp7FIC6

    Coastal route and National garden route

    Coastal route

    It starts at the port, then go through a mangrove, following a glance at the sea.

    It’s beautiful at sunset, when the surroundings painted in orange and the sun like a giant spotlight, while the water is still and reflects the sky. It’s breath-taking moment and I bet you would stop for photographs to your instagram collection.

    The road is generally good, but some area will be a little bit rough, especially when you reach residential neighborhood.

    Following the road and you’ll see dramatic cliffs, amazing curve surprising you with stunning landscape. Silhouette play a main road in this natural painting, especially during sunrise and sunset.

    National-garden route

    The road takes you through Cat Ba National garden, where you pay a visit to the entrance, buy tickets and join the hiking into the forest.

    Most of the time you will be surrounded by solitude atmosphere, trees, sometimes joined by condos above spreading their wings with friends.

    There are two caves: one you have to pay at the entrance, the other, Quân y cave, you will pay none if you enter at the end of the cave, which there’s a sign sided the road.

     The wooden bridge in Gia Luan neighborhood

    At the end of the route, take notice and you will see a wooden bridge on the right, there’s a path where you can ride down to access. It’s worth a try due to the romantic view.

    Combining two routes and you will have a:

    Perfect loop!

    Biking tips:

    Remember that there are few lights sided the roads, be careful when you’re out at night.

    There are few repair shops on coastal road or when you’re in national garden area, but still people ride by, wave them and use your body language your bike broken-down and need repairs, they will tell the shop to have your bike fixed.

  • Roadtrip at night to Vung Tau

    Roadtrip at night to Vung Tau

    I took a “red-eye” ride – roadtrip at night, from HCM city to explore Vung Tau at dawn and somethings interesting came up. Here is some facts:

    1) How clean it is!

    The first trial offered an exciting experience. I started the journey at 8PM, when the city was still very busy. However, 20 kilometers away from the center, on the highway, the traffic was not as dense as it’s on the day.
    There’s no sunlight, no harmful fume and dust, even annoying people (if any), just you, your motorbike and the night landscape. It’s no need to wear mask like we usually do when moving around the city. Everything is quiet, clean and clear!

    2) It’s scary, a bit!

    Imagine just you, and maybe your partner behind, were riding alone, in the very dark cold night. Most of the time, noone were around. From time to time, you came across some people were on their way, some trucks were rushing to the port.
    If you’ ve got flat tires, you must be very lucky to meet a guy who can help you fix that. Oh, one more thing, it’s believed that robbery usually happens at night. A lot of unknown dangers are out there, making night roadtrip become more thrilling.

    3) And sleepy too

    After a long long time riding, your body turn cold, the fairly cool atmosphere gradually get into your vessels, and it turns on the hibernation mode: you get sleepy. This is one of the reason why red-eye ride should be considered with caution.
    You’re riding, but actually, it’s like an auto-pilot mode. Your reaction is slow, though you still handle it – turn left, right or keep straight- very well but should something comes up suddenly, you’re like to get into trouble.
    In the first ride I happened to it, felt like I was watching TV, the scene pictured blurred landscape, fantastic motion, lights on and off somewhere as a thriller movie, you’re both actors and audience. The difference between the movie and your red-eye experience is that the ride is real. Everything is possible, and accidents should not be ignored.

    4) Hot food is delicious

    However, you will catch up with food vendors somewhere, with hot steam rising from the delicious-smelt soup. Park the motorbike and order a dish, wait for a while and the hot soup with rice noodle and well-done pork is served, you can ask for addition if you’d love to, adding spices and enjoy!
    How delicious it is! The soup flows into your body, defrosting all the cell and soon later, you’re refreshed. Your eyes open wide and your mind become more conscious, the roadtrip should be safer than before.
    It’s noted that there’s no 24h shops on the way to Vung Tau, though some food stores open overnight, the price ranges from 1-3 dollars, depends on the certain dishes and kind of stores. At that occasion, I have “Hu tiu” ( a clear rice noodle soup), which cost only 0.8 dollar. So much cheap. Hopefully you’re lucky enough to get one.

    5) You’re free to do crazy things

    I mean we can sing loud, do freaky poses, even… lying on the road (just kidding). At that night, we rode around the city first, the beaches were sleepless, people still wandered back and forth. Barbecue smelt delicious and looked tasty.
    However, the city center looked like a ghost town, all the building, houses, stores were closed. We were two of the few people still outsite at midnight. It reminded me of “Inception” movie when the actors was walking across the street which he made himself. Sense of loneliness and freedom.
    How a lovely ride!