Year 2024 was a very eventful year for Phil and I; we got married and basked in celebration and love from our friends and family across Canada and Europe. Almost a year after, we are back to endulging our love for one of the oldest and traditional institutions - starting with witnessing a dear friend’s wedding in Hong Kong and then a pedalling-fueled honeymoon in South Korea. Around the time we had started biking, we learned of the cross-country bike trails that were set up in South Korea. The idea of being able to bike through the entire country in a dedicated bike infrastructure was very intriguing - additionally, for me, being a traveller in the country further piqued my interest. You see, I have visited South Korea many times in the recent years, but the trips were very much family-oriented, focused on spending what little time that was left with my grandmas before they passed on. The prospect of connecting with the culture as a fully-grown, independent adult - rather than a dependent with a crutch to rely on at every single inconvenient misunderstanding or language barrier arose (my Mom) - was magnetic and gave me hopeful enthusiasm. ...
Our first bike tour from Dresden to Prague
We biked 230km over 4 days (close to 14 hours of riding) from Dresden to Prague along the Elbe river. First day was the most challenging one and every day we found ourselves riding faster and longer, getting into the rhythm. Meaty and hearty Czech food gave us the energy and dark beer and Pilsner gave us the refreshment we so needed throughout the day. Passing through many small towns in the area, watching flocks of animals lounging around, observing the crops of the year in the farmland, wondering which kinds of catch the fishermen crouched along the river had, discussing every topic imaginable to entertain ourselves between the hours of silence - after the hectic summer of travels, reunions, and celebrations, our lives finally paced down to simple, endless pedaling. ...