Two girls, two bikes, and 1,800 miles through Southeast Asia
“We change people’s lives” is a promise that OAT makes and delivers for its employees as well as its travelers. I am living proof. I have traveled to Costa Rica, Peru, and China as a result of my employment at OAT and I have learned that in addition to lining up to see and experience the wonders other countries have to offer, it is just as important to give back.
Last winter I developed a serious case of “the bug.” I had to get out in the world. I had to travel. My friend Corinn had the same exact feeling. She had been fascinated with Southeast Asia for some time. She has a degree in textiles and is an accomplished weaver. The vivid textiles, lush green paddy fields and spicy noodle soups were like a giant magnet pulling her toward the region. Her enthusiasm was infectious and soon I wanted to go as badly as she did.
As the conversations progressed we half-jokingly decided to do this trip by bicycle. We somehow thought the sprint triathlon we did earlier that year, which entailed a 12-mile bike ride, was evidence enough that we could handle it. Let me be clear that we knew absolutely nothing about touring by bicycle.
We jumped into the possibilities immediately. Corinn ordered every book on touring and started to research extensively. The more we talked about the possibility, the more we turned it into a reality. Once we decided that we were going to do this, we realized that we wanted to make it something special, not just a bike ride. We wanted to give back to the part of the world we would be traveling to.
As research on the region and our past travel experiences evidenced, the horrors that face children in this part of the world can seem insurmountable. We found ECPAT International, an organization dedicated to protecting the rights of children from sexual exploitation, specifically child prostitution and trafficking. We knew that we wanted to ride for these children and raise as much money and awareness as we could for their plight. We also knew that no matter how difficult this journey might be for us, their journey was difficult beyond words and would serve as a constant inspiration for us.
Incredibly, OAT supported me in my endeavor and gave me a leave of absence. The opportunity to continue my employment at this amazing company after doing something that was extremely important to me was hugely meaningful.
Before we left we worked full-time, took bicycle repair classes, purchased used mountain bikes and outfitted them with the equipment we needed, planned our route and itinerary, saved money, created a packing list, bought our plane tickets, and raised nearly $7,000 for ECPAT international—thanks in large part to the generosity of my OAT colleagues. While we were on the road, we adjusted to riding up to 70 miles a day in 100-degree heat. We had to adapt to constantly shifting cultural norms and struggle with language barriers and food that confused and sometimes disgusted us! We had to find our way with a map and a compass every day and then seek out a suitable place to stay the night.
In the end, it turned out that this trip was really a metaphor for life. What seemed impossible, what everyone told us was crazy and we shouldn’t do, we did! We were faced with many obstacles and challenges along the way but through our sheer determination we took one step at a time (or one revolution of the pedals) to make the impossible possible. We rode through the chaotic streets of Bangkok, rolled into Angkor Wat, climbed up the breathtaking mountains of Vietnam and Laos, dragged our bikes over beaches for mid-day swims, and waved at countless children with giant smiles. We had the most tremendous experience of our lives. We believed in ourselves. We believed in the cause we were riding for. We did not let anyone discourage us. We did it: Two girls, two worn bicycles, and 1,800 miles through Southeast Asia.
To learn more about Danielle's and Corinn’s incredible adventure, or to donate to ECPAT, visit their website.
To explore the regions Danielle and Corinn cycled through in a far less physically challenging manner, explore Ancient Kingdoms: Laos, Thailand, Vietnam & Cambodia with OAT.