There are many things I have to consider and negotiate on a daily basis, when I get up and go to work at home, but none of them are war, civil unrest, malaria, monsoon rain or monkeys that have learned to throw rocks at cyclists (yet to be experienced fortunately!).
When I crossed the border from Malaysia to Thailand, I had to arrange my route to consider the official advice not to travel in the southern provinces because of civil unrest, and that malaria from neighbouring countries (Myanmar) was creeping slightly across the border. And then there is monsoon rain!
I have made arrangements for my onwards journey, that were not confirmed when I made my initial plan. I can now confirm that after China, I'm flying to Dubai and meeting my brother there in February, and we will be driving across Saudi Arabia, Jordan and into Israel. However, these plans are of course subject to change depending on how things go in Israel.
A few days ago, I passed 5,000km cycled since setting off from Brisbane in early July. What an amazing 5,000km!
One of the attributes that have struck me here in Southeast Asia, is how families live harmoniously together. There is a lack of the sharp edge of independence and individualism - opposite to the culture I'm used to, which is very focused on the individual's own wants and needs. I have seen many family members share the same bed - not something you would see in the western world, because it would be dangerous for the baby. Or everyone pile into the same car or scooter, grandmothers and children on top of each other. Oooh, we would say in the west, that's dangerous too. In the west we are so conditioned to independence and individualism: We are put screaming into our own cot, we have our own room and our own devices from an early age, so we can choose what we want, when we want it. But are we loosing out on precious family and community time in the interest of safety and our own individual preferences? Could this provide a spark for conflicts? I shouldn't speak, because I'm the ultimative representation of independence and individualism travelling solo, so I will shut up now and cycle on and ponder, how I can soften the sharp edge of my independence and individualism.
I will finish with my Malaysia cycling statistics:
Total distance cycled: 651km
Number of flat tyres: 0
Number of rainy days: Nearly every day
Longest day: 134km
Highest temperature: 32°c
Lowest temperature: 25°c