Disaster struck this week, forcing a major change in itinerary.
You’ll know that I was engaged in a titanic struggle to try and secure visas from those who seemed intent on not issuing them..
Between Tajikistan and Pakistan lies a stretch of road that runs through China.
China have a visa application process that baffles the brain and numbs the senses, and to cross the 150 miles of road, assuming I ever completed the visa process, would cost well over a thousand pounds, and that would be assuming I could find another two bikers to share the cost.
China seems a dead end.
Iran was my next hope.
A direct route to Pakistan from Turkey.
The Iranian Consulate never responded to the visa application, and failed to reply to emails sent.
Very disappointing.
I’d like to think it was not deliberate unpleasantness on their part, but that’s a struggle even for an optimist like me.
The problem gap between Tajikistan and Pakistan, at it's narrowest, only about 15 miles, but it might as well be a thousand..
I would have loved to have experienced Nepal, to ride through the Himalayas, and to see India up close, and maybe these will be for a different day, but I don’t think I’ll be riding Traveller there unless I come up with an alternative way into Pakistan.
With the Afghan border closed, my options are becoming more limited.
It increasingly looks like I have two visas that will never see the light of day.
Time has caught up with me, and I need to leave.
So the object now is to travel as far as Tajikistan by way of Azerbaijan and the Caspian.
Still one hell of an adventure, and some great riding ahead, cultures to see and people to meet.
Hope to find lots of music on the way too, and will try to post some as I go.
Guess I’ll pretty much be making it up as I go.
The crossing to France is now booked, and I will set out in a week from now.
I’m excited to finally be getting under way.
Just got to set up the YouTube channel, and check the packing.
That will mean repacking everything another half a dozen times trying to save weight.
So, God willing, the next post will be from somewhere in Central Europe.
Thanks for reading, and I’ll catch up with you
That's so exciting -- best of luck for the trip and I can't wait to follow you on here and YouTube!
It seems the travel gods are out to frustrate your noble quest. It must be frustrating, but I am sure you will still have a great trip. You will have more time to explore places you can reach. I would have thought you had the packing well sussed by now with all the time you've had to think about it. One spare pair of pants should be enough I would think.
Ride free!
!HUG
That was my take as well.
No longer in a rush to meet visa deadlines.
Staying positive.
I sent 1.0 HUG on behalf of @steevc.
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Great ride ahead. I'll be around Europe for the next 4 months (will post about it one of these hectic days) so if you have a rough idea about your itinerary or a link let me know. We might meet out there :)
I'll be through France in a day, and Germany in another two.
Western Europe is just so danned expensive.
I'm spending more time once I reach The Czech Republic, down through Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Turkey.
Maybe a month before I reach Armenia heading for the Caspian.
But the great thing about riding solo is being able to change plans whenever you like.
What part of Europe are you travelling to?
I am starting from Greece to stay in Serbia first then probably enter Croatia to continue North West. We don't seem to match plans, I'll do Germany but you'll be in a rush and I don't know when yet.
Europe is obviously expensive but beauty and safety (as an average) usually comes at a cost. Keep in mind that Turkey has good chances to face a post elections turmoil (they vote next month). Might not necessarily affect you and I wish it won't but worst case scenario is not that nice as the current president has armed teams...Iran's case is also unpredictable. A friend of mine just escaped the regime there.
Keep the rubber down and the spirit up!
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