chasingcrystal
Chasing Crystal
Riding My Motorcycle Around the World
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Here’s an update of my progress of my journey so far to ride every country in Europe. I have just a few more countries: Monaco, Spain, Portugal, Lisbon.
I’m skipping Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova for now due to the war.
I don’t have time or mental energy to sit down and input my exact route on Google’s My Places due to all the moving and exhaustion, so here’s a squiggle of what I’ve completed after I left Ireland. I’ll do a more legitimate one once I’m done with Europe and stop moving.
I still haven’t answered the questions y’all had after I hit my two year mark. I haven’t forgotten, I’m just too tired.
As always, thank you for your kind words and support. It’s pretty funny to me when you guys show your sense of humor and let your weird out to tell me your funny stories or make fun of my camping spots. Those are my favorite.
Is there any content you’d like me to do more of? I’m just doing real life, everyday me 🤷♀️
#chasingcrystal #girlsbiker #bikelife #motorcycle #motorbikecamping #eurotrip #solofemaletraveler #hondamotorcycles #dualsport
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Life never goes according to plan.
I wanted to rest and not move for a while after finishing Europe and I thought I found a place where I could. I actually really liked this hostel, but in the morning I found a bed bug on the wall next to me 🙀 Of course drying machines are a rare bunch in Morocco, they mostly hang dry laundry outside in the sun. So I spent the next two hours using a hair dryer to go through all of my belongings and blasting everything on high heat. I’m 100% confident I killed any critter that may have wanted to hitchhike with me because I burned myself in the process 🫠 If you’re gonna do something, do it well! 😼💪
Sanitary procedures are a little different here. The hostel didn’t take the bed bug situation seriously and offered to move me to a different room, but then proceeded to move a new guest into the same room I just found the bug in. When I saw this procedure, I HAD to leave. I took a loss on my nights paid and left. There is no other option in this situation.
Goodbye Tangier, here’s me with RBF figuring out what to do next. Onward! 🇲🇦
#chasingcrystal #travelmorocco #instamorocco #moroccotours #moroccotrip #tangier #tangiermorocco #tangiermorocco🇲🇦 #bikelife #motorcycletouring #solofemaletraveler #asianwomen
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Hello from Tangier, Morocco! 🇲🇦
Is this what you thought Morocco would look like? Me neither. My mind is open even more.
I busted out my pants because it’s a different world here. Foreigners in Morocco get a whole lot more leniency in regards to dress code, rules and customs, but it is still a Muslim country and things are more conservative here. I hate wearing pants, but I’m drawing a lot of attention as an Asian female. It’s interesting, many young teenage girls are really really excited to see me. They smile and wave from across the street and ask to take a picture with me. It’s actually quite endearing. I think it might have to do with the whole K-pop phenomenon. Not totally sure. I’m still getting my bearings
#chasingcrystal #moroccotrip #moroccovacations #moroccolives #moroccostyle #tangier #tangiermorocco #tangiermorocco🇲🇦
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Hello from Tangier, Morocco! 🇲🇦
I can’t believe I’m here. I can’t believe border patrol let me in. Actually they did give me a lot of trouble. Not my paperwork or anything, but me. They held me for a while and kept asking me questions and point blank asked me if I had guns or drugs. I laughed out loud at them. I’m a moto hobo, those things don’t fit in my daily budget. And I’m from California, we’re hella anti-gun. Anyways, there was even a drug sniffing dog. They meant business.
Finally they said I could take off, I started my bike and rolled forward. They tried to stop me again and I just pretended I couldn’t hear them and rode off. I crossed off the port and looked behind. No one followed me. I think they were done picking on me.
I later learned Tangier is a major drug port from the fun coming from South America heading to Europe. I don’t have room for drugs, Ocifers, I have too many books with me.
#chasingcrystal #moroccotrip #travelmorocco #exploremorocco #tangier #tangiermorocco #tangiercity #tangiermorocco🇲🇦 #bikelife #bikerlife
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Here. We. Go. 👏
✅ Europe goal done
😼Sight on Morocco acquired
No, really. You can see Morocco from Spain. It’s that mountain range. The ferry is only 1 hour 20 minutes. Crystal in Africa? That’s so weird to say. I was so focused on finishing Europe that I never gave much thought to the in between during Europe and the Middle East. I honestly never gave Africa much thought, but by the nature of the situation, I have no where else to go that I haven’t already been geographically to reset my Schengen.
I only plan to ride Morocco. Africa doesn’t call me right now because the Middle East is what is pulling me. And by now, I listen to the invisible strings of my existence.
I’m hoping to rest in Morocco, get fit, get chonky and put on weight, get in badminton shape, do some health checkups, clean my teeth, teach myself some off-roading, backup all my files, put out some blog posts and video edit! Basically do all the stuff that is really challenging when you’re moving all the time.
I’ve heard mixed things about Morocco. On one side, I heard great tales that it’s a motorcyclists’ dream. I’ve also heard of women having terrible experiences here. I guess I’ll find out for myself being in both worlds.
Afraid, but ready. Do it with fear.
#chasingcrystal #tarifa #tarifaspain #tarifasoul #tarifalovers #spaincoast #spainiswonderful #spain🇪🇸❤️ #bikerlife #bikersofinstagram
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Something weird is happening
I’ve been running on fumes the last few weeks and have beyond mentally exhausted. I was super tired riding 5 hours from Faro to Tarifa, but I suddenly got this moment of absolute clarity and alertness. The thought that popped in my head told me Tarifa is the key to my next chapter. I arrive at the edge of Tarifa and what do I see at the round a bout that takes me into the town? A monument of a hand with a set of keys 🙀
What in the Universe? Keep in mind I never do any research prior, so this was really weird. These coincidences, synchronicities, whatever you want to call them, happen to me a lot. I just read them as I’m supposed to be here. Not sure what else I’m supposed to do with the information
Does this stuff happen to anyone else?
#chasingcrystal #tarifa #tarifaspain #solofemaletraveler #solofemaletravel #solofemaletraveller #bikelife #motorcycleadventure #motorcycleriders #motorcycleride
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Saturdays are for riding 🏍️
Goodbye Portugal! 🇵🇹 And so, the road to Morocco begins 🇲🇦…I don’t know what’s in store, but I’m ready for it. Before I left for Europe, I was scared, excited and nervous. I didn’t know what I was going to face, but there was one mantra that reassured me: that I was capable. And now two years later, I know I am capable and now I have some experience.
Let’s do this 😼💪
#chasingcrystal #portugallovers #portugaltravel #portugaltrip #faro #faroportugal #motoclubfaro #bikelife #bikelifefamily
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Moto Club Faro 🇵🇹🏍️😺
In my mind, I was only going to stop by for an hour, poke around, say hi and jet off to Spain. The Universe had other plans. My stories/ Portugal highlights go into detail, but this club took me in as their own. I honestly never even heard of them until a friend of @lilis2wheels mentioned it and said I HAD to go. I thought sure, it’s on the way and convenient. I had no idea about the whirlwind I was about to be sucked into. This club is rich with history, does charity work and so much good for the community. I also didn’t know they have a huge rally every year that people from around the world come to join/ ride.
This club really really took care of me and elevated my experience in Portugal. I was feeling so so about this country. I met some nice people, but I didn’t see enough of the country for it to leave a mark on me. But experiencing Moto Club Faro has really placed Portugal as one of my favorite countries.
Has anyone else heard of Moto Club Faro? Am I the only one living under a rock? If you haven’t, you MUST visit it if in Portugal.
I can’t believe this is my life and I got to hang out with these bikers from Portugal. I’m just a lil speck from the other side of the world in California. Baby Crystal would be in awe if she ever knew the things she would be doing later in life
#chasingcrystal #portugal🇵🇹 #portugaltravel #motoclubfaro #faroportugal #faroportugal🇵🇹 #bikerclub #bikelife #bikelifemafia #bikersofinstagram
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Goodbye Loule! The expedition to hit every country in Europe has now turned into the journey to exit Europe and into Africa to Morocco! We are heading back down South towards Spain so I can take the ferry from Tarifa into Tangier, Morocco. I’ve never taken Freyja onto another continent before, so that’s a capital A for Africa, adventure and my anxiety! 😹
Also, my tail light is out, and it is hella sketchy riding at night without one. I have to keep my turn signal on to prevent from getting squished, but people driving by think I accidentally left it on and keep honking at me. I’m just trying to stay alive yall! Parts aren’t always available in every town. I tried to go to an auto parts store in Loule, but it’s definitely been out of business for a while. Not even empty displays were left in there.
There always something to fix on the bike, several factors to triangulate such as visa timing, cost, schedule, weather, exhaustion, what my heart wants. If I stay longer in a place, then I need to push my body harder and further to make up for the time I rested. It’s a lot of a mental and physical juggle. By my calculations, I should have a week leftover in my Schengen once I exit Tarifa for some buffer in case I need to get back into Europe for some reason.
Honestly, I’m really looking forward to resting in Morocco. The Schengen has beaten me up the last 2.5 months. My skin is deteriorating and breaking out again which means I’m not eating, hydrating, not resting well. Happy, but haggard y’all.
#chasingcrystal #portugalovers #portugaltrip #portugalplaces #loulé #loule #louleportugal #hondadominator #nx250
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How adorable. I made a friend in Portugal already 🇵🇹🥺
I parked my bike on the sidewalk to grab a quick meal. As I was leaving, I snapped a photo of my bike with this gorgeous background and was putting on my helmet when I noticed this precious human @kajolsherpa giving me the biggest smile and waving at me from inside the milk tea shop she was working in. She was waving at me like we were old friends. Of course, I took off my helmet and walked up to the counter and introduced myself.
Instant friends. She is from Nepal and her energy is fiery. She told me she too dreams of touring on a motorcycle. We plan to hang out another day when she’s not at work.
No matter how much of a rush I’m in, if someone gives me such warm and positive energy, I want to give them my time. Our most precious gift is time and being present. I’m glad I stayed and talked to her instead of just smiling back and taking off.
#chasingcrystal #portugaltravel #portugalalive #lisbonportugal #lisbonworld #lisbonlife #lisbonstreets #lisbonne🇵🇹 #lisbon🇵🇹
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There, I did it. I hit my last country in Europe, Portugal 🇵🇹
…But why don’t I feel like I’m on top of the world? I’ve worked so hard for this and sacrificed so much, but I don’t feel like how I thought I would. There were several occasions a few countries ago I would cry in my helmet thinking how close I was to finishing my goal. I thought I’d fall to my knees and kiss the ground. But I feel…nothing.
I think it’s because I know I still have Portugal to explore and still need to go back all the way back down to Spain to get out of Europe and into Morocco. There’s a part of me that has major anxiety that if for some reason I’m not let into Morocco, I’m going to have to do a horrendous Hail Mary and ride to Turkey in two days, which I really hope won’t be the case. I’m always anxious about bike paperwork and maybe I overlooked some entry requirement and I won’t be let into the country.
I wish I could give you more elated and exciting emotions, but this is how I really feel. I’m happy, but just at my baseline
#chasingcrystal #portugal🇵🇹 #portugaltravel #motorcycleadventure #motorcycletouring #motorcycletour #motorcycleride #motorcyclelove #bikelife #bikelifemafia #bikelifefamily
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I’m almost done with Europe.
This is how I keep track of everywhere I’ve been. Nothing fancy, just a pin on Google Maps of every gas station, hostel, monument, place I’ve camped, restaurant I ate at, grocery store where I hid from the rain. I just use my phone for GPS and directions, no separate navigation system.
The blue is everywhere I’ve been. Yellow is where I want to go. And I just make a squiggly line to hit as much of the yellow dots as I can. Sometimes I remove the yellow depending on how I’m feeling or when the reality stick hits me with how far things actually are or the weather changes or the country is not resonating with me. I also squiggle away from the squiggle too if I meet a cool person and they pick me up off the street.
Portugal, I am COMING FOR YOU!
#chasingcrystal #motorcycletour #motorcycletouring #motorcycletours #bikelife #motorcycleadventure #motorcycleride #motorcycleriders
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Most of the time, I have no idea where I am.
I don’t know what I thought the countryside of Spain would look like, but I didn’t expect this. It’s so dry and dusty! Such a huge difference riding down here in the winter versus riding up North in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland.
The browns and tans have their own beauty. I’m just happy it’s dry. Two soaking wet green and white winters was enough for me. We’re moving West!
#chasingcrystal #spaintravels #solofemaletraveler #solofemaletravel #solofemaletraveller #solofemaletravelers #bikelife #motorcycletour
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So I make it to Malaga, Spain and figured it’s time for my overdue oil change. I know, I know. I should be doing these every 2,000km, but every time I look down at my odometer, I hit that distance in 5-7 days. Who has time to get an oil change every week?!
Okay, I do, but I’d don’t want to. So this time, I lagged for 10,000km. Don’t @ me 😹 My Dominator is indestructible, even from my shenanigans 🫠 The mechanic informs me my shocks are gone and it’s dangerous for me to ride with blown shocks. I ask why. He says I’ll be bouncing all over the place when I hit bumps and stuff and might fall. I tell him no wonder the rides have been more fun lately. I say I’ll replace them in Morocco. There just happens to be another customer at the shop who leads tours in Morocco and he laughs and says I won’t find any parts down there. Now, I know nothing about Morocco, but I’d rather not be SOL down there and have to scour each town for this one part. I decide to actually play it safe and get it replaced in Malaga.
The mechanic goes to the junk yard and finds a brand new totaled Honda CB500X with literally no miles on it. Poor new rider who crashed their new bike, but lucky Freyja! She and I lucked out with this beautiful new shock! They installed it in a few hours and sent me on my way! I’m so lucky with shops. They always move me to the front of the queue. I think they want my dank gone 😹
So…since these new shocks are compressed, I can actually reach the ground. It feels really weird. Since the bike is now lower, when I put down the kickstand, the bike is more center balanced versus super leaning over to the left like it did before. Sometimes I need to dismount on the right to ensure I can keep the bike leaning left. Also, the ride is way more smooth and stiff. I was actually having fun with the bike being so bouncy.
This is probably the first major part I’ve had to replace on Freyja. Other than tires, chains, and the ECU. I came in expecting to spend €40 on an oil change, but added another €200 on top of that. Oh well, I guess safety first 🤷♀️
#chasingcrystal #hondamotorcycles #hondamotos #hondamoto #hondamotorcycle #hondadominator #hondadominator250 #nx250
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I am so excited to be sharing with y’all that I will be speaking at @abrfestival in June this year! 😺🏍️
This is pretty wild. I’m really excited for this opportunity. I volunteered last year at Adventure Bike Rider Festival and am happy to be returning again. I loved the energy. What should I talk about?
Is anyone else attending?
See you there 😼🏍️🙌
#chasingcrystal #abrfestival #solofemaletraveler #solofemaletraveller #asianwomen #asianamericans #asianamericanwomen #bikelife
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Slept at this dead end on the edge of town of Caleta de Velez in the south of Spain
It was noisy from the highway, there were more people than I’d like walking by in the middle of the night, and there was trash everywhere. But I chose this spot because I thought it’d be funny to be able to say I slept on the ground at a dead end street. There were actually garbage cans here, so this camping spot was luxury to me
I am conscious that I am intentionally making my life hard. I am doing this so I can experience growth rapidly. If there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s to suffer long term. This expands me. Everyday life challenges become easier when you have perspective, no matter what it looks like.
#chasingcrystal #caletadevelez #bikerlife #bikerchicks #bikerchick #bikerchicksofinsta #bikelife #bikelifestyle #motocamping #solofemaletraveler
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Happy last day of 2023! 😺
In 2023, I solo rode Ireland, Wales, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Italy, San Marino, Malta, Vatican City, Monaco, and Andorra. Spain is currently in progress.
The mountain of work may seem overwhelming in the beginning, but if you do a little everyday, you’ll get to your goal. Chasing dreams isn’t supposed to be easy. It’s hard work, grit testing and oftentimes effort that no one else can see, but yourself. But don’t worry, I am rooting for you because I’m working on my stuff too. You are not alone.
Set goals, annihilate them.
I think my resolution for 2024 is to keep expanding. That’s open and not limiting to just one aspect in my life. Do you have any resolutions?
2024 is here, let’s do this 😼💪🏍️
#chasingcrystal #motorcycletour #motorcycletouring #mototour #mototouring #mototourism #motorcycle #motorcycleadventure #asianwomen #2024resolutions
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