A Short Ride in the Jungle: The Ho Chi Minh Trail by Motorcycle

By: Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent

Narrated by: Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent

For the first time in my life I felt that death was a possibility; a stupid, pointless, lonely death on the aptly named Mondulkiri Death Highway.

The Ho Chi Minh Trail is one of the greatest feats of military engineering in history. But since the end of the Vietnam War much of this vast transport network has been reclaimed by jungle, while remaining sections are littered with a deadly legacy of unexploded bombs. For Antonia, the chance to explore the Trail before it was lost forever was a personal challenge she couldn’t ignore - yet at times it would be a terrifying journey.

Setting out from Hanoi on an ageing Honda Cub, she spent two months riding 2000 miles through the mountains and jungles of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Battling inhospitable terrain and multiple breakdowns, she met former American fighter pilots, tribal chiefs, illegal loggers, and bomb disposal experts.

A thrilling, poignant tale of war, bravery and learning to face your fears.

©2014 Summersdale Publishers LTD (P)2020 Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent

Critic reviews

"I enormously enjoyed every page." (Dervla Murphy)

Fantastic book!!

Absolutely loved this book!! Really enjoyed the history of of all the places visited on her adventure, along with the adventure of the bike as well. I really love adventure motorcycle adventures, particularly when it spans multiple countries and thousands of miles! Hope she considers more adventures like this and on a motorcycle again!

Motorcycle travel and history excellent book!

The author's research of the Ho Chi Minh Trail was a good lesson for me. l enjoyed learning about the history of the trail while being brought through the land on a small motorcycle. Great travel adventure book! Steve from New Mexico (cfr250L)

Better than expected

Being told from a female’s perspective made a change from the usually adventurous travelers takes I have read.

I do have one grip useing me instead of I is my only grammer bazar issue I have. ;-).

Will look for more of her takes

Inspiring Ride Through History

As a traveler and photographer, Southeast Asia holds a special place in my heart. This made the book a particular pleasure to read (hear) but I believe it would be engaging to anyone who loves travel writing and contemporary adventuring. Ms. Bolingbroke-Kent’s goal of riding a small motorcycle the length of the notoriously difficult trail is a good excuse for direct contact with the people of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Fortunately, along with the necessary pluck to reach the end of the journey, given all the challenges you might expect in a jungle - oppressive heat, torrential rain, insects, mud, river crossings by whatever means available, she is a sensitive, empathetic presence. I learned some history, caught up with contemporary politics of the region and laughed often, as the author used wit to navigate the peculiarities of her undertaking. A fun, informative “ride.”

over dramatic and whiney

I thought this would be a good read based on Dervla Murphy's recommendation and while the author can create a descriptive picture through her writing the book is very whiney, whingy the whole way through. Having visited this part of Asia myself, I find it hard to believe the wildness of the adventure. The author is very over dramatic. She also tells her story in that common British way of mistaking arrogance for humour sadly. It grates.