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Motorbikes in South East Asia – Where 2 wheels are better than 4!

If you have traveled in South East Asia you may have noticed that the motorbike can be used for such much more than from just getting from A to B. They are people movers, delivery trucks and livestock transportation. The use of motorbikes in South East Asia is the perfect example of how people make do with whatever they have – and it makes for some weird and wonderful sights to the uninitiated! Motorbikes South East Asia

Motorbikes South East Asia

Motorbikes South East Asia

Whilst traveling through Asia we used to love just watching the traffic – desperately hoping to spot something ridiculous on a bike and feeling a sense of childlike joy at what seem to be the various feats of acrobatic genius!  It was often an easy conversation starter and meeting people along the way it was great to swap stories – which often became the stuff of legends. I was once told the most ridiculous thing a couple had seen on the back of a motorbike was a coffin. A coffin! The mind boggles, but I admit that the weirder and wackier the story the better – I just wish I had seen them all myself!  And that is how we got here today – I asked a few fellow bloggers to share their best shots of motorbikes being used in the most ingenious way, in the hope that you get the same sense of wonder as I do, and you’ll scroll through this post with a silly grin on your face! Here’s hoping anyway! Motorbikes  South East Asia

*Just a quick heads up – this is not a post that will warrant praise for the photography – but when you are trying to capture these amazing sights whilst in or on a moving vehicle yourself, I think we can afford people a little leeway!*

Herein follows some of my favorite shots with my own witty (or I like to think so anyway..) commentary about what is going on. Feel free to insert your own captions as you scroll through.. and share them in the comments with me for a bit of a giggle!

Who knew that flower shops were mobile?

Motorbikes South East Asia

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Or that a motorbike was the perfect way to transport the latest harvest..
Motorbikes South East Asia

Photo Courtesy of Ria @ Life In Big Tent

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Are you ready for the latest beer delivery?! It’s a good job kegs are left to stand a while after delivery.. I anticipate these three had a very bumpy ride!
Motorbikes South East Asia

Photo Courtesy of Sarah & Kris @ Jetsetting Fools

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Did anyone need a basket? The bloke on this bike has a few to spare…

.. I know you can barely see the bike, but I promise you it is there!

Motorbikes South East Asia

Photo Courtesy of Ria @ Life In Big Tent

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I think this one is the “Swiss Army Knife” of bikes..

Motorbikes South East Asia

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Although not a motorbike – the ability to balance carrying what must be a few kilo’s of Oranges is whilst riding around is a skill to be recognized!

Motorbikes South East Asia

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I am entirely unsure what he is transporting.. but whatever it is, he has a lot of it! motorbike south east Asia
Motorbikes South East Asia

Photo Courtesy of Sarah & Kris @ Jetsetting Fools

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There must be a lot of people in need of blankets – and the look of concentration on this drivers face says he either takes his job very seriously… or something is about to fall!

Motorbikes South East Asia

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Water spinach anyone? The is a restaurant somewhere that is in desperate need of supplies! at least that is what I think it is..

Motorbikes South East Asia

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♫ ♬ You’ll look sweet, upon the seat, of a bicycle made for 2 ♫ ♬ or was that 3… motorbikes south east Asia

Motorbikes South East Asia

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… or 4?! motorbikes south east asia
Motorbikes South East Asia

Photo Courtesy of Ria @ Life In Big Tent

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In Asia you don’t need to go to the grocery store.. the store comes to you! motorbikes south east Asia
Motorbikes South East Asia

Photo Courtesy of Ria @ Life In Big Tent

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and finally, Now I mentioned livestock right? Well these were chickens.. and there was not a happy end to their journey.. motorbikes south east asia

.. just around the corner from this shot was a woman who had recently cut the head off a chook and was washing the blood down the drain before starting to pluck it… vegetarians, I am sorry for sharing..

Motorbikes South East Asia

..and this one I did not see myself, but with the absence of large animal transporter trucks, the bike is really the only option in South East Asia.. and cleaner when you look at it practically!
Motorbikes South East Asia

Photo courtesy of Andra @ Our World to Wander

So there you have it – I hope I have shown you have 2 wheels are certainly better than 4 in South East Asia and maybe even piqued your interest to visit South East Asia to see these marvels for yourself!

And if you liked this post – or just think it would brighten someone’s day, please pin & share – I would really appreciate it :-)

motorbikes south east asia

 

medicomart

Wednesday 20th of September 2017

I’ve always been amazed at how much people can pack on a motor bike. My favorite it all the chickens! I am sharing this post very funny..

Carmen's Luxury Travel

Friday 15th of July 2016

Ha, this was such a great read! Thanks for sharing :)

Elisa

Tuesday 12th of July 2016

I have a similar picture with goozes (not sure about the spelling) but the pig picture is the best!

Priya

Tuesday 12th of July 2016

What a fun photo essay of the 2 wheelers, love how they balance so many things from flowers, oranges to cages of chicken! Take practice !!

melody pittman

Tuesday 12th of July 2016

Those motorbikes are all the rage but I did not realize how much "stuff" they could hold. I will admit the hauling/stacking of the live animals make me a bit nervous but the rest are just a bit comedic. I love how many people they can manage to stuff on them, too. I saw a family of 5 on one in the Dominican Republic.

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