Countries Info

Links below will take you to the respective photograph on FlickR:

 

    Most memorable experiences (+/-)
KM

UK

 (+) finally leaving, after 5 years of saving up & planning the trip
180


Belgium (+) original Belgian frities & bockwurst pit-stop
250
Holland



200


Germany (+) 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



50
Switzerland

(+) visiting my old housemate Oli
(-) all mountain passes closed because of rain/snow – si I had to go through the congested Gotthard tunnel
390


Italy

(+) the friendly hosts at the Youth Hostel in Agerola/Amalfi Coast
(+) visiting my friends Michi & Lisa again after so many years
(-) rainy weather for 3 weeks, exceptionally high prices all around the country
3200
Slovenia (+) Ljubljana – what a wondeful & cozy city full of friendly people
260
Croatia



180
Hungary



460
Romania

(+) a very spontaneous invite for a cup of coffee.
(+) meeting fellow motorcyclist Roland
880
Bulgaria (+) 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 (+) 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 (+) 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

(=) riding into Ashgabat – what a WEIRD place this city is!
(+) meeting some gas workers in the desert near Darvaza Gas Crater
(+) more fun roads
(-) unbearable 50 degrees heat in the Karakum desert
600
Uzbekistan

(+) a tour up to the Aral Sea with Peter and his friends ( 1 - 2 )
(+) Tolkuchka Bazaar near Samarand ( 1 - 2 - 3 )
(-) trying to change an clogged-up air-filter on a bazaar
2300
Tajikistan

(-) being stuck in no-man's land after a mistake on the visa paperwork
(+) bumping into a few crazy guys from the Mongol Rallye.
(+) riding with a group of bikers from Poland
(+) a spontaneous invite by a local family
(+) camping in those jaw-dropping moon-like landscapes in the Pamir Mountains
(-) a broken rear shock absorber on my motorcycle
(-) getting news that China has closed its borders
1500
Kyrgyzstan (+) 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 (+) 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 (+) riding in the Karakorum Mountains
(+) an unfortunate off in the Deosai plains
(+) meeting some very interesting people in Lahore
1500
India (+) the laid-back atmosphere in Keoladeo National Park
(+) Pushkar Camel Fair
(-) homocidal driving & traffic
(+) surviving the homocidal traffic without any accidents
3400
Nepal (+) bumping into some familiar people again after 11 years
(-) Bangkok airport closed, waiting for alternative shipping
(+) relaxing in cozy Pokhara
450


Thailand (+) meeting my parents for Christmas
(+) overlanders meeting in Bangkok
5200 (inc Visa-run)


Laos (+) fantastic djungle rides in the northern mountain areas / Hmong villages
(+) a visit to see the work of Handicap International
2500

Cambodia (-) Laos/Cambodia border crossing
(+) amazing Angkor Wat
1020
Malaysia (+) BMW Penang - BK, you're a star!
(+) gorgeous ride in the Cameron Highlands
(+) Sunny's Bike Shop
1200


Singapore

(+) meeting Matt, a mate from back home, who kindly treated me to some western food & beverages

 
Indonesia (+) 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 (+) 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 (+) 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