After more than 4 months on the road with a small truck named Soc, Khoa is now stopping at Bali island (Indonesia). He experienced the Islanders' Day of Silence.
Tran Dang Dang Khoa check-in at Bromo volcano - Photo: NVCC
Tran Dang Dang Khoa (38 years old) is a name not unfamiliar to the travel-loving community. In June 6, he completed 2020 days traveling around the world, across 1.111 continents on a motorbike with a license plate from Tien Giang hometown.
After three years of "putting aside his sword", on November 11, 11, Khoa began traveling alone for the second time with his dream of traveling around the world. But this time the vehicle is a truck that has been renovated for ease of transportation and can contain many necessary items for the journey expected to be completed after 2023 years.
Changed stay plans because... Silent day
Dang Khoa interacted and took photos with the Indonesian father and son. The father brought his son to meet Khoa so that his son would be inspired to pursue his dream of becoming a photographer around the world - Photo: NVCC
After more than 4 months of travel, Tran Dang Dang Khoa is now stopping at Bali island (Indonesia) after going through Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia. This island held the Vietnamese man back for a week longer than expected. He also had the opportunity to attend the local New Year festival, also known as Day of Silence, in Bali.
“The night before the Day of Silence, there was a parade carrying the Ogoh-Ogoh demon, all around the streets were very happy. On the morning of the first day, everyone stays at home, not allowed to go out, turn off all street lights as well as in the house, do not talk, use TV, radio or make sounds. Shops or public transport are not allowed to operate. The state-owned telecommunications company also temporarily disconnected the connection. The whole island was plunged into darkness and absolute silence for people to meditate and reflect on themselves.
The feeling is no different from the lockdown during the epidemic season, only the pecalang guys are like civil defense patrolling outside to see if anyone is violating," Khoa wrote.
This time, Khoa went on new routes and went to places he had never gone before. No longer on the road reserved for motorbikes, the small truck carries a Vietnamese license plate with an eye-catching decorative appearance that attracts the attention of people traveling on the road or when stopping. People take photos, visit and happily comment on Khoa's Facebook or YouTube thanks to the logo stuck on the outside of the car.
Khoa also interacted, made friends with many people and received full support. “The most fun is going to places I haven't been to yet, making many new, very cute friends. Meeting old friends again, they were very surprised that I was still unmarried and now wandering alone around the world," he said.
It costs a lot of money to park a car across the islands
During his journey around the world by minivan, Khoa encountered some obstacles such as bad weather and heavy rain in Southeast Asia. Besides the weather, the cost of sending trucks from one country to another is considered a challenge and is not a small expense.
Unlike the time he traveled by motorbike to the west in the direction of the setting sun and was able to ride continuously, this time Khoa went east, passing through many island countries, so in the beginning he had to send the motorbike many times and spend quite a bit of time. waiting time to pick up the car.
He said each time sending a car to another country costs a lot of money, for example, from Malaysia to Indonesia it costs nearly 3.000 USD. In the near future, he will also have to send vehicles from East Timor to Australia, New Zealand, and Panama. “After completing those stages, we can travel continuously from Central America, North America and Europe. Only then will we save money on parking," Khoa said.
The truck named Soc, bearing a Vietnamese license plate, will roll around the world with Khoa - Photo: NVCC
Another thing, when going to countries that require driving on the left such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, Khoa said that if you drive on the left, the steering wheel is on the right like a car in the host country. When you want to pass, check to see if the right side is empty or not.
“Running in the left lane, when coming from a small road to a big road, you must look to the right first, the opposite of Vietnam. Because visibility on the right side is limited, try to keep the car perpendicular to the main road as much as possible to observe your car entering the lane or turning.
I have added a secondary rearview mirror to minimize blind spots. Sitting at the steering wheel is not convenient, the more blind spots you have, you have to install a secondary mirror. When turning, turn on the turn signal early so people can proactively avoid you, then change direction slowly," he said.
Previously when traveling around the world by motorbike, Khoa experienced driving in the left lane in many countries. “But back then, when riding a motorbike, sitting in the middle of the wheel, driving in any lane was no different. This time I was riding a four-wheel vehicle, with the steering wheel independent on one side, so I was a bit confused, but then I adapted quickly and still ran well," he said.
He added that driving a car has more things to worry about, you have to pay close attention to machinery and vehicles, any damage on the road is much more tiring than a motorbike, but in return there is a place to sleep in the car, you can sleep if you need it. don't have to spend a lot of money.
“Cars can carry a lot of clothes, do laundry, cook, have solar power, can take things camping or stay in the car longer and still be comfortable. If I need Wi-Fi to work, I will rent a hotel to stay overnight," he said.
In this journey, Khoa determined to live simply and go wherever he wanted - Photo: NVCC
Every day is a new adventure
According to Khoa, the journey at the age of nearly 40 has some differences compared to the trip when I just turned 30. "Last time I completed my dream of going around the world, this time I will continue to travel by another means, a different route. different, with a different mindset that is gentler, more emotional and thoughtful, not as hasty and enthusiastic as before.
But that doesn't mean my love for traveling will decrease, it will just change to another way," he confided.
He said, in just 5 months, the previous batch went from Vietnam to Paris (France). It's been 4 months now, but he's still in Southeast Asia.
He also added that when the visa expires, while waiting for the extension, he will take the opportunity to fly home for Tet or summer to visit family.
“At that time, I only thought about going around the world once. I would probably be able to travel like that again for decades to come. But I didn't expect that after 3 years, I would be able to go on a journey and live beautiful days without knowing where I would sleep tonight or what would happen tomorrow.
Every day is a new adventure, going out, meeting this person or that person. I am happy with each passing day," the boy from Tien Giang expressed.
How does Tran Dang Khoa earn money to travel around the world?
Tran Dang Dang Khoa said the funding to travel around the world came from travel blogger - a job he has been engaged in for many years. Besides, he also works as a content creator, photographer, videographer and representative for several brands.
Recently, he promoted his personal YouTube channel so that everyone can accompany and follow each trip and those who intend to go on a similar trip can refer to it.
“I did some side jobs in the country I was traveling to, but freelanced online because my visa was a tourist visa, not a work visa.
Just like when I went by motorbike, I decided to go wherever I could, I didn't buy anything expensive, I only spent on things that met my basic needs."
Dieu Qui – Tuoitre.vn
