Countries
some memorable experiences (+/-) |
distance |
||
 |
UK May 2008 |
(+) finally leaving, after 5 years of saving up & planning the trip |
180 |
 |
Belgium May 2008 |
250 |
|
 |
Netherlands May 2008 |
200 |
|
 |
Germany May 2008 |
(+) spending time with my parents (-) desperately trying to get hold of someone at the Iranian consulate in Farnkfurt (they had my passport for 2 weeks, although I had paid & asked for a 3-day express visa) |
870 |
 |
Austria May 2008 |
50 |
|
 |
Switzerland May 2008 |
(+) visiting my old housemate Oli |
390 |
 |
Italy May/June 08 |
(+) the friendly hosts at the Youth Hostel in Agerola/Amalfi Coast |
3200 |
 |
Slovenia June 2008 |
(+) Ljubljana – what a wondeful & cozy city full of friendly people |
260 |
 |
Croatia June 2008 |
180 |
|
 |
Hungary June 2008 |
460 |
|
 |
Romania June 2008 |
(+) a very spontaneous invite for a cup of coffee. |
880 |
 |
Bulgaria June 2008 |
(+) 1/2h hour for getting the bike into safe hostel parking in Sofia (-) police checking ALL my bike paperwork at 10pm after a 12h-ride; luckily the first and last police-shakedown for a long time |
620 |
 |
Turkey June 2008 |
(+) visiting fellow motorcyclist Bora, who helped us out with spares and bike service – and A LOT of Turkish Tea :) (+) a balloon flight in Cappadocia (+) some fun roads finally |
2400 |
 |
Iran June/July 08 |
(+) all those friendly & amazing people: Ali & Mastan, Akhtar and family – above all, Omid (-) being denied to Chinese Visa in Tehran, after spending one week in and around the embassy trying to get it |
2100 |
 |
Turkmenistan July 2008 |
(=) riding into Ashgabat – what a WEIRD place this city is! |
600 |
 |
Uzbekistan July/Aug 08 |
(+) a tour up to the Aral Sea with Peter and his friends ( 1 - 2 ) |
2300 |
 |
Tajikistan August 2008 |
(-) being stuck in no-man's land after a mistake on the visa paperwork |
1500 |
 |
Kyrgyzstan September 08 |
(+) a sudden change of vegetation and landscape after the Pamirs (+) trying to find a solution for the "China" problem (borders closed!) (+) finally on the way to China after 3 weeks of waiting in Bishkek |
1600 |
 |
China September 08 |
(+) a stroll on Kashgar's Animal Market (-) being escorted out of China, bikes on a truck after Taxkorgan (+) Khunjerab Pass – the highest international border crossing |
700 |
 |
Pakistan October 08 |
(+) riding in the Karakorum Mountains (+) an unfortunate off in the Deosai plains (+) meeting some very interesting people in Lahore |
1500 |
 |
India November 08 |
(+) the laid-back atmosphere in Keoladeo National Park (+) Pushkar Camel Fair (-) homocidal driving & traffic (+) surviving the homocidal traffic without any accidents |
3400 |
 |
Nepal December 08 |
(+) bumping into some familiar people again after 11 years (-) Bangkok airport closed, waiting for alternative shipping (+) relaxing in cozy Pokhara |
450 |
 |
Thailand Dec/Jan 09 |
(+) meeting my parents for Christmas (+) overlanders meeting in Bangkok |
5200 (inc Visa-run) |
 |
Laos Feb/Mar 09 |
(+) fantastic djungle rides in the northern mountain areas / Hmong villages (+) a visit to see the work of Handicap International |
2500 |
 |
Cambodia Mar 09 |
(-) Laos/Cambodia border crossing (+) amazing Angkor Wat |
1020 |
 |
Malaysia Apr 2009 |
(+) BMW Penang - BK, you're a star! (+) gorgeous ride in the Cameron Highlands (+) Sunny's Bike Shop |
1200 |
 |
Singapore May 2009 |
(+) meeting Matt, a mate from back home, who kindly treated me to some western food & beverages
|
|
 |
Indonesia May/June 09 |
(+) very genuine & friendly people, and very enthusiastic kids (+) crossing the equator for the first time (-) no one seems to know the ferry timetable, even when a ferry only leaves once a week |
4800 |
 |
East Timor June 2009 |
(+) again: very friendly and smiley people throughout the country (-) having to clean the motorcycle for Australian Quarantine Inspection – all in a rush, thanks to bad communication from our shipping agent |
290 |
 |
Australia June-Oct 09 |
(+) lots of good chats & invites from fellow travellers on the campsites (+) gorgeous National Parks & sceneries (-) pretty boring & straight roads, grinding off the tread on my tyres |
8200 |
 |
Argentina Nov-Mar 2010 |
7800 |
|
 |
Chile Dec/Feb 2010 |
900 |
|
 |
Brazil March 2010 |
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