Journey of a lifetime
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The couple pose for photos before their trip. Photo provided to Shanghai Star |
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Imagine a honeymoon that lasts 270 days, involves 163 cities in 25 countries and is undertaken on a motorcycle, train and on foot.
That's the honeymoon that quiet, gentle Shen Ying got when she married her husband Ma Jiawei, a serious vintage motorcycle enthusiast and an experienced backpacker.
From August 6, 2013 to May 6, the newlyweds traveled through the vast northwestern provinces of China, the fairy tale cities and towns of Europe, the mysterious Middle East and vibrant Central Asia.
"We registered our marriage on the morning of August 6 and embarked on the trip, that I had planned for over six months, that same afternoon," says Ma, an automotive engineer.
The couple spent about two months in China, taking old trains through its northeastern regions and Inner Mongolia. They rode a motorcycle with an attached side car from Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province, all the way to Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Ma rode while Shen sat in the side car.
"It was not difficult because he prepared a comfortable cushion for me and installed a windshield in front of my seat," says Shen. "I took naps in the side car sometimes."
