 |
|
15 May 2012
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 374
|
|
|
Made a big mistake in Kaz need help
Hi All,
I crossed into Kaz today without getting insurance at the border. Forgot all about checking on it with everything else going on.
I got pulled over on the way into Uralsk and copper said (I think) that it was available in town. He let me go after while (I think he wanted a bribe).
So question is where to get it? What sign am I specifically looking for? The girl at the hotel reception said to go to the police station is that correct? Or am I better off going back to the border to get it.
Things are only going to get worse I think if I continue without it.
Sorry for posting up such an ametuer mistake. I feel like a right royal idiot.
Last edited by craig.iedema; 16 May 2012 at 14:22.
|
16 May 2012
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 374
|
|
Ok well yesterday's post was clearly made as I was freaking out a little.
I wasn't too sure what the cop who pulled me over was trying to say. Either he was telling me it was a $200 fine and I would have my license and registration papers taken away or he was telling me if I didn't pay him $200 that what he was going to do. Either way after about five minutes he let me go.
So insurance was easy in the end. Much easier than Russia. I got at it Alatau Insurance ( Click here) in Cyrillic that is Алатау fairly easy to find at 43/1 Dosmukhamedov str, Uralsk which is on the cnr with Dostyk Avenue not where Google shows it.
Girl who did the work was very helpful and spoke enough English to get through it and it only cost about $12.
So after all that the border crossing was easy and and so was gettting insurance.
Oh and Insuance Company is СТРАХОВАЯ КОМПАНИУ.
After feeling like a complete tool yesterday I am some what happier today. Still a stupid mistake to make though. Google was my friend.
Last edited by craig.iedema; 16 May 2012 at 14:26.
|
16 May 2012
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Seville (E)
Posts: 554
|
|
Good that you solved it, but I'm sure the cop only wanted a bribe.
I'm very respectful in general terms, so don't feel proud of it and had never considered it anywhere else, but in Kazakhstan I systematically skipped all police controls. Just slowed down a little when arriving to them and waved while passing, accelerating away  . Or did hid behind the previous vehicle, so they did not really had time to stop me. They never came behind to chase me, since all they wanted was a bribe.
Don't recommend it, but it may be a temptation when you are already quite fed up. I'm one of those in a crusade of not paying a bribe -although in some remote places I might accept it as their salary-, so it was such a pain!
|
16 May 2012
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 374
|
|
|
Thanks for that! Everyday brings a new experience! I suppose am I a bit of an ametuer. It is the first time I have been asked for bribe and all my big talk about refusing still left me shaking in my boots. I guess next time I will just play even stupider. Especially now I have the proper paperwork.
All That said. I enjoyed my ride yesterday. I know Kazakstan's big open plains and the wind that goes with aren't everyone's cup of tea. But after six weeks of people and cars and traffic from London to Samara. I was very happy with the nothingness. Made me think about riding from Birdsville to Windorah or the bottom of the Strezlecki track.
|
16 May 2012
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: arnhem, netherlands
Posts: 10
|
|
|
In 2007 we had to pay $90 each for not having stamped the white paper you get at the border within 3 days at it says on the back. So watch out for that too.
good lick, Ad
|
17 May 2012
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Seville (E)
Posts: 554
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by craig.iedema
Thanks for that! Everyday brings a new experience! I suppose am I a bit of an ametuer. It is the first time I have been asked for bribe and all my big talk about refusing still left me shaking in my boots. I guess next time I will just play even stupider. Especially now I have the proper paperwork.
|
No, you aren't, I've never been that far on a bike, so happy to learn myself from your experience.
A funny stupid way to react to bribes is when asked "Ruski" (if you speak Russian), insist in "no, no ruski, SPANSKI" (no, I'm not Russian, I'm Spanish). You can repeat the game 10 times, so you look definitely retarded (I actually could understand a bit, so it's even more fun!).
Once, for a speeding fine (totally untrue) my last resort was this sequence: the Spanski retarded finally shows astonishment when he understands the speeding problem (the cop had showed me the radar pistol like 10 times in his hand), then shouts, blames, looks at the sky (hand together, amen, praying, asking God why this crap car???), mimics showing it's a s*it of slow car, sitting in front of the wheel, looking at the watch and yawning, "speeding this???? now way, it's so slow" and then finally kicks one side of the car among swearing shouts. Russian cop reaction: this guy is a lost case definitely idiot, "ok, davai, davai, davai!"
Happy trips and keep us posted if any progress on bribe avoiding techniques!
Esteban
|
18 May 2012
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 374
|
|
|
Last we were invited to stay at someones house for a couple of nights. Whatever you can stay about the problems with governance in Kazakhstan. It is more than made up for by the generosity of the people who live here. We lobbed up at a supermarket in Aktobe last night for some supplies and ended up with a bed for two nights.
One of the suggestion I now have is to have a running video camera. It scares the cops and they leave you alone.
|
18 May 2012
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Seville (E)
Posts: 554
|
|
|
Ummm... videocamera, interesting, but may be tricky in some cases, so big smile. Add this: not looking angry, but puzzled, you get your mobile and say "call Embassy/Consulate?" meaning that they could help as translators. Magic words.
I don't know if there is a thread like "Means to avoid a (totally unjustified) bribe". I mean unjustified since many say in some remote borders, officials unpaid for several months actually have to live on that, so it's already customary to accept a small fee.
|
27 May 2012
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 15
|
|
|
Hello
I will be in the area this summer, and i think you have done partf of the route I want to ride, from Uralsk to Aqtobe. The question is about the road conditions of this part of the M32. Is it good? How many days riding from Uralsk to Aqtobe?
Then I will drive north through A22, do you know how the road is?
Thanks for the info and have a good ride
See you
|
27 May 2012
|
|
Banned
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Cracow, Poland
Posts: 202
|
|
|
Days? You need 7-8 hours to do it. Tarmac, loto of holes. Thats all.
|
28 May 2012
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Jyvaskyla
Posts: 135
|
|
|
Sambor, do you have information of road which was build in 2010 between Aktobe to Aral (it was then under construction) and i was wondering how it is now.
|
29 May 2012
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 15
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sambor
Days? You need 7-8 hours to do it. Tarmac, loto of holes. Thats all.
|
I supossed it...but I didn´t know how the road was...it could be as bad as the Atyrau-Aqtobe...
|
2 Jun 2012
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 374
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by monche
I supossed it...but I didn´t know how the road was...it could be as bad as the Atyrau-Aqtobe...
|
Most of it is great. It is only the last 120-150s into Aktobe that is ordinary. New bits are being built at the moment, so it will steadily improve.
The whole of the Kazakhstan bit of the Western-China to Western-Europe hwy is due to be completed by the end of next year. That will make the Uralsk-Aktobe-Aral etc to Alamty an easy (but dull) run. Some bikers I met outside Aktobe 2 weeks ago had done Aral sea route and it said it was still crap and not much fuel. They had been to the Pamir before that.
|
12 Jun 2012
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: London
Posts: 53
|
|
I just spent two weeks crossing kazakhstan, uralsk to aktobe is good, and then aktobe to about 50 miles north of aral is newish, then the roadworks/detours start north of aral on and off Passed baikonur to symkhent, various sections of gravel light compacted sand, not too bad on an xt, courrugations worsen near baikonur, then improve the closer to almaty you get, almaty north to astana is all good.
All the signs say completion date march 2013.
Incidentally i never did buy insuranc in kaz, was stopped oncE for an illegal turn, he was happy enough with my visa and the dumb tourist routine. Even though the kazakhs searched me at the pavlodar-novosibirsk border it was again never mentioned, and they were polite enough about it, the russian side was even more efficient, even had my migration card filled out for me, oh the luxury 
|
13 Jun 2012
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 18
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by donuk
I just spent two weeks crossing kazakhstan, uralsk to aktobe is good, and then aktobe to about 50 miles north of aral is newish, then the roadworks/detours start north of aral on and off Passed baikonur to symkhent, various sections of gravel light compacted sand, not too bad on an xt, courrugations worsen near baikonur, then improve the closer to almaty you get, almaty north to astana is all good.
|
Thanks for this update!
Quote:
Originally Posted by donuk
Incidentally i never did buy insuranc in kaz, was stopped oncE for an illegal turn, he was happy enough with my visa and the dumb tourist routine. Even though the kazakhs searched me at the pavlodar-novosibirsk border it was again never mentioned, and they were polite enough about it, the russian side was even more efficient, even had my migration card filled out for me, oh the luxury |
So what paperwork do you actually have to get done at the border (entering Kazakhstan from China this Friday, hopefully)? Stamp on migration card (white paper). Anything else? Is insurance mandatory?
Cheers,
Kevin
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|
helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
