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Emile is Passingalong
hello all of you adventurers,
I don't really know how or where to start... ok first introduction than the story. my name is Emile van Hoogdalem and I am a lurker for quite some time now but from day one here planing my round the world trip. It all started with the idea to make a big trip when I would finish my studies in Germany as a Jewellery and Product Designer, I wanted to ride round the mediteranian sea on a motorcycle. At the time I did not have a license nor did I own a bike. Looking for a bike in my budget I found a XL 600 LM an 1985 Paris Dakar replica wich needed a lot of TLC so I got to work on slowly getting the bike ready for a big trip round the mediteranian sea. while busy with my license I found out that a trip round the mediteranian sea would take up about 3 months, this was not enough to compensate all the time I have been in school :) thats where my plan had some drastic changes. I want to ride round the world!! being on a limited budget I took about 2 years for getting all my stuff together, this is the first time in my life that I actually planned something sofar ahead, it felt really weird but good. the '85 bike was almost build from the ground up with al the technical stuff new only the outside looked still crappy and old but I don't really care about that, altough I am a designer :) ok skipping the build stuff. departure date was set at 20-11-2011, carne de passage was on the way I was having fun with friends having a bbq on the banks of the river Maas in Holland, but when I wanted to go home my bike was not there anymore :S so I freaked out a little. I could not believe it I was going to start my trip in just 3 weeks time !!! f*ck my bike is stolen !!! and even my self made panniers where on it. someone stole my dream that was how it felt. My life was taking this trip so this really came hard on me the past years I had constantly worked on the bike and collected stuff and money to set off, and now all was gone. without the bike I felt like crap I had to make a dicision going or not going. It was hard because it would mean that I would have to start all over again. but with the support of friends an family I went for the go with delay option and set the new date on 24-3-2012. Hein and Carla the family with wich I was staying to renovate their house helped me the next couple of days to get a new bike. Hein searched the internet all night and found a XL 600 LM from 1986 with only 24.000km on the oddometer wich would mean saving time in rebuilding and getting the bike ready. I went for the same bike because I still had a lot of spares from the old bike lying around. Just a few days later the new bike stood on their driveway and I felt a lot better :) The next day a friend informs me that my bike is not registered stolen anymore on the government website for stolen vehicels. I was confused so I called the police to find out whats going on, they had no clue ofcourse and even said that they had no report of a stolen bike matching my description! I freaked out again, the policewoman on the other side told me that the computer was slow so I will be called back by an other officer that would be able to tell me whats going on. next day I was called back and the officer said well your stolen vehicel is back and now in storage you will be contacted when you can get it bye. what I want it now !! so I found out where it was stored and had a look at it all the locks where gone and the rear end was bend a bit and one pannier was dented. I could not get it running anymore wich was probably the reason why the thiefs dumped it and the police was able to find it. the bike got sent back to my parents place and there I was with two bikes and a huge whole in my budget http://d26ya5yqg8yyvs.cloudfront.net/icon10.gif The new bike is was in great condition even better than my old rebuild bike so I said the old bike is donor and the new bike is the one to ride !! Swapped all the selfbuild parts from the old to the new and made some improvements on the new bike. I love the new bike, its far better than the old one. now about a week before my initial departure I found out that I have two hairnest cystes just above my anus. I went to a doctor to ask what's up, he replied your not going on your tripe my friend. How long will it take before I can? Well about 3 months up to half a year of delay before green light. Fnck!! I said, this is not happening again this is the third major thing going in the opposite direction for me and my trip. So all good things come in threes so lets look on the bright side, when this is over I will be prepared for everything :) Now sitting in bed getting you all up to date of my travel status, sucks that i'm not on the way and not getting on the way for a bit eighter. wel to get the mental thing a bit more positive again I just bought a pair of new boots :D some of you will recognize this remedy bier so time for pics!! first photo I just put the link only because mods seem to find my possion concerning for your eyes: http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...1/08/emile.jpg so this is me again ;) http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...2011/08/me.jpg the old bike a few weeks before it got stolen. http://www.honda-xl.nl/forum/download/file.php?id=3187 new bike finished. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...utonrechts.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...moutonvoor.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...outonlinks.jpg and my new shoes ! the remedy http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../03/remedy.jpg Emile |
Emile, thanks for the update - sorry to hear about the problem, that sucks - but keep the dream alive with a little more beer and the occasional new boots and get well fast :)
I look forward to hearing your stories from the road! |
Hi Emile,
Sorry to hear about your bad luck but look on the bright side, better have those cystes removed by a good European docter then having this trouble somewhere in a 3th world country. I wish you a speedy recovery and hope to read your trip reports on this site soon. I know how you feel. I have my little NorthCape to Gibraltar "project". In 2006 I went to the Northcape (I had a wonderful trip) and the next year I wanted to do the trip to Gibraltar. Unfortunately, every year after that, there was something that stopped me from going to Gibraltar. I do hope I can do it this year. |
:welcome:
Hi Emile, Sorry to hear that. But maybe, just maybe, it's for the best. Fate works in strange ways. Maybe your first bike had some unknown problem in it that would have brought your trip to a sudden unrepairable end in some inconvenient place. Your second bike certainly looks good and ready to go. And the cyst problem.... well, maybe the same. Maybe if you departed right now you'd ride into some difficulty best avoided, so fate keeps you home a little longer before the OFF! All the best, tell us when you're Passing Along. Ken |
Operation butt crack
thanks for the supporting words :D makes me feel a bit better already :)
today at 11.00 h in Holland the operation starts. I will post update soon, I'm off Emile |
operation butt crack succes
@ grant, no booze and boots for me for a while :S have to take rest for at least 3 weeks. and then no motorcycle riding for at least 6 more weeks because of the skin thickness on my butt.
@ Jkrijt, definately better here than in a 3rd world country, sncks that you missed out so many nice rides the last couple of years, spring started good this year maybe it brings good times for you and your attempt to get to Gibraltar, If you leave late this summer maybe we can wave at each other down in Spain :) Tips to visit there are the village of Casares and the Roman baths down stream from there. @mccrankpin, good theory, I had a similar one because it's actually the third thing that happend and all good things come in 3s. Maybe some angel wants me to be very very well prepaired :D so I wont have to get back for some stupid breakdown on me or the bike. Here is a small update about my recovery. I went in the Hospital at 11.00 in the morning sat there for ages, then they prepared me for the operation at around 15.30. At 16.00 the operation started and I was put to sleep. The only thing I remember is that the people that helped me where very nice! At around 17.00 I was in recovery still under drugs but awake http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-i...on_biggrin.gif could not really focus on what happened around me over there. About an hour later I was brought to my shared room to rest, and there I stayed until 21.00 when I went home. Yesterday I was so tired that I fell asleep immediately. Today all feels well I have a good view of my bike and some books to read and movies to watch, I’m also tired because of the large open wound in my butt so sleeping won't be a problem. still under a fair dose of morphine. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...03/morfine.jpg getting some rest with a good view of my future perspective. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...d-the-bike.jpg Emile |
I hope you have a speedy recovery Emile! And look forward to reading about your boots, bike and of course you on your travels. Take it easy untill then.
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Get better soon !
Six weeks no riding with this weather is hard but think off all the weeks you'll be riding after that. If my plans work out this year, I'll be going to Spain in september. I'm not sure on wich bike because my GoldWing is for sale now. It is to heavy for the kind of roads I like. Probably I'll buy a BMW GS again. When will you start your trip ? BTW, if I click on the facebook icon on your homepage, I get the message "De opgevraagde pagina kan niet worden gevonden." |
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@ Jaydub, BIG thanks !! I will not let you down !!
@ jkrijt, GS is nice. one of my uncles also rides one. september sounds very good for a trip to Spain. the hole is still a bit large to give a exact date but I hope to be ready to go in the end of May or beginning of June. lets hope for the best!! @ McCrankpin, BIG thanks !! nice e-card !! no real updates on the trip, currently working on improving my blog by adding a small webshop where there will be a large selection of hand-crafted jewellery for sale that I will make during my trip and some decals and cool t-shirts or whatever passes my mind and fits a envelope :) all out of bed work at the moment. Emile |
On my feet again
Hey all my dear friends,
First I want to thank all of you for the kindness and support that I received, it really kept my dream alive!! You have all been waiting for way too long, including myself. The wound is almost closed only the skin has to grow back and I will be able to do all the things I did before. I can’t wait!! During the time I spent in bed heeling, Jonas called me and asked if I would like to exhibit some of my work in his small gallery project called “small room big ideas”. This sounded real good, mainly because I needed a sort of kick off to get in the rhythm again. The only problem was that I had no real new work and I did not want to show my old stuff again because the majority is stored. I had some doubts now about doing a exhibition. But soon an answer came, I will do a exhibit of my journey to come and put my big idea in the small room. “This time I will leave when I feel like leaving” http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-big-ideas.jpg Check it out on: SMALL ROOM BIG IDEAS | PROJEKTE Most of the past time I have spent in bed, this really sucked. Only a few small jobs have been realized besides reading some books and sleeping, and not to forget watching movies. Also I have purchased a hammock with a large tarp which can be set up in a matter of minutes, the only drawback is that it needs trees or something like them. Yesterday I did my first motorcycle ride since the operation, I had to keep it short but I had a blast!! Today I will do some more just for the feeling. The old bike is now one of the means of transportation for my petrolhead brother only it did not work that well anymore since it got stolen, so I did a little cylinder head maintenance including valve grinding and some heli-coils. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-onderhoud.jpg “Le mouton” also received some attention, the rear wheel got balanced and the carburetors including fuel lines are cleaned. The bike rides better then ever! Emile |
test ride + exhibition Germany
I arrived on 31-05 in Duesseldorf to celebrate Lenia’s birthday, the ride was nice altough I was scared because of the heavy back-end.
The bike rode very different then what I remembered. Cornering was a bit weird at first but I learned fast. The way I packed the bike turned out to be not the best way after a little while, but I rode on and enjoyed the ride to Duesseldorf. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...uesseldorf.jpg I hate to think about it but I will go back to Holland next weekend to start working again so I can leave soon for real! A shame that it’s only a testride. Yesterday I drove to Wuppertal for the exhibition at Jonas Brückner’s project smallroombigideas. Because the lesson learned 2 days before I packed different this time and it really payed of. When I arrived at Jonas we pushed the bike up a few steps to get the bike in the hallway to the small room. The door to the small room looked like a impossible obstacle to get the bike trough and in the room. But after unmounting the mirrors, gas-tank and panniers we got the bike in. It barely fitted in the room. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...06/jonas01.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...06/jonas02.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...06/jonas03.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...06/jonas04.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...06/jonas05.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...06/jonas06.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...06/jonas07.jpg At nine friends and friends of friends started arriving, and the beer started flowing. I had a great time! Thanks friends! http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...06/jonas08.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...06/jonas09.jpg |
T-shirts!!
I was working on this for a while already, but now time has come to announce to all that there are t-shirts in the gift shop.
During my stay in Düsseldorf Lenia and Merlin helped me out with the screen printing basics. Preparing the screens and getting ready with the printing. Lenia made the illustration for the t-shirt check her website @ www.leniahauser.de and Merlin helped me at Werkstatt Werkstatt to make the screens ready for printing check his work @ www.werkstattwerkstatt.de . At the moment there are only two t-shirts in the shop both with the size M, if you want one with a different size just tel me and it will be arranged. I did not forget the girls, there are white t-shirts and tanktops in all sizes xs,s,m,l,xl. Write me if the gift shop is not updated with the desired t-shirt or top. Here is how we did it. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...us+juenger.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...chtaufsklo.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...06/euforie.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...htdasemile.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...06/tryouts.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...chversuche.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../06/drogen.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...12/06/done.jpg |
And then it happened
Today, Anne and I went to bring Phylicia to the station from where she would travel back to London. I will be staying for a few more days at Anne’s place in Munich, she left a little later today to go to her parents and build a new fence in their garden and monday she will be back again. Meanwhile I will have some time on my own to get stuff done clean Anne’s house and enjoy the weather while swimming in the Isar.
2 weeks back Crip came by at my parents place so we could make his van into his home, before he was not able to sleep normally in his bed and had not enough storage room for his stuff. We made a small list with the priorities and started sculpting the van’s interior. After 4 days of at least 15 hours a day we finished and took off for a test to Tuil en’t Waal with beer and firewood !! We talked and drank beer until the early hours and I decided that I would leave on my trip the following morning from my parents place. The following morning I felt a bit crap but after a quick dip in the Waal all was better and we took off arriving at 11.00 at my parents place. I packed my bike we ate some french fries and took off with my brother escorting me towards the German border and Crip heading the other way for Den Haag. I said my mother goodbye and she was holding back the tears I could see and feel it. For me it felt like good and bad coming together. It was good to ride out with my brother on my side. On some small truck-stop on the A67 heading for Venlo we stopped to say goodbye from then on I would be alone until Düsseldorf. Lenia is waiting for me there and I will be staying there for a few days to get the last things sorted out before I really head for the unknown. The bike felt real heavy the first stretch towards Düsseldorf and was suffering from a 25 year old leaky seal. As soon as the seal arrived I changed it and found out there is another failing seal on the gear lever shaft. But that one will have to wait until I get in Munich. At Lenia’s place I had a great time, we did some nice small trips together on the bike trough the countryside around Düsseldorf. From Düsseldorf towards Frankfurt where I would stay with a friend of Kris. She helped me when couchsufing.org was offline because of to many visitors. Thomas lives in Neu-Isenburg just south of Frankfurt. The day was nice and sunny I was dripping with sweat when I arrived at Thomas his place. His housemate Bernd was there to welcome me and show me in. Bernd and Thomas both are real motorcycle enthusiasts and have made numerous trips on their bikes. When Thomas arrived he invited me to eat at the biergarten Trefpunkt. A good tasting schnitzel with french fries and salad was my choice accompanie After a good night sleep I packed the bike to head towards the Bodensee where I would be staying with Sybille and her friend Joachim.d by a glass of beer . Next to me a girl screamed that there was an insect on her glass, I laughed because I could imagine the insect drinking her beer. This would be a long ride for a day on B roads, about 475km in total trough beautiful grasslands and forests. Also I would encounter my first real rainstorm which soaked me completely. But all was forgotten when I arrived in Hagnau am Bodensee. What a beautiful small place it is. I stayed only for 3 nights and would leave for München next. Swimming in Bodensee is nice except for the rocky beaches. On my arrival in München Phylicia was hanging out of the window screaming Oewe Oewe to me when I drove into the street. Anne was still working so we went for ice cream, the best I ever tasted!! And now I am here writing my first real update that could be even longer than it already has become. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../pranahuis.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...mile+vince.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ince+Emile.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...mile+Lenia.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...schmachine.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../08/pakken.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...omas+Emile.jpg [IMG]http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/****weer-naar-Hagnau1.jpg[/IMG] http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...le-zwemmen.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...le-Joachim.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...la-past-op.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...hlylicia-1.jpg Emile |
Excellent write up so far. Good to see you recovered and on the road. Best wishes for an excellent trip. Hope to cross paths with you one day as I am returning to Europe to continue my adventure soon.
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Zemendorf here we come
thanks hendrick :) here comes some more :)
http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...irs-munich.jpg When I arrived at Anne’s place she already recieved the seals for the engine that I bought online. The weather was good so I build them in right away. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...vus-reiner.jpg Servus Reiner, I already said goodbye to Anne because she had to leave early to go to work. So only Reiner and Alex where left, and Reiner did this in his own special way. This was the last bit of München and from now I went south to Austria. Reiner and Daniel both told me I should go and see the Walchensee south of München so that was the next goal. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...walchensee.jpg On the way to the Walchensee there was a nice road that curved its way into the mountains, ofcourse this road is well known by motorcyclists. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...walchensee.jpg It is truly beautifull at the Walchensee, only it should have been a bit warmer. I wanted to swim but it was just to cold that day. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...atervallen.jpg I wanted to avoid toll ways but did not succeed at all in it, the first one I hit was when trying to cross the German to Austria border. And the second one when I was about 4 km in Austria luckely this one came with a spectacular waterfall view. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ell-am-see.jpg Ariving at Zell am see I looked for a place to stay at the lake, but that was to hard to find a spot at the lake for wildcamping. So I turned towards the mountains and found myself this nice little spot next to a small waterfall. I slept very well but not very deep because of the waterfall, so no more waterfalls in the future. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...12/08/eten.jpg At Zell am see I prepared this nice meal for myself from some pasta, cheese, tomatos and salami that I took with me from Anne’s place. Very tasty! Yes all of you that recognize the cuttingbord it used to be Eva’s at the Rossstrasse WG. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...xt-morning.jpg The next morning I woke up early, mostly because of the sound that the waterfall was making all night. I kept thinking when does somebody turn that thing off. Washed myself in the cold but refreshing mountainstream packed my stuff back on the bike, and again different from how I did this in the past. I think I have something good now because I can now also open the panniers when the tyres and packs are still on the back. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...lunchbreak.jpg When I saw the bench I hit the brakes and parked the bike to enjoy this spectacular view and have a lunchbrake. I hope you are able to see it too, there is a beautiful castle in the back. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...tterersteg.jpg Riding trough Wildalpen national park I spotted this beautiful spot next to the river Salza. It was only 16.00 so I could still ride on but I desided to stay. Pitched the tent next to the bike and went for a 5 second swim in the freezing water. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...rly-dinner.jpg After enjoying my swim I started early with preparing dinner same as yesterday except this time I added wurstl (saussage). Without the view I was enjoying this would taste different. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...snail-ever.jpg All night it had rained and it still did the following morning. The rain changed my toughts from leaving to staying here. I had a good and dry spot so why give it up, and I also needed a extra day to meet up with Andreas in Zemendorf. When I walked around my campsite I found this enormous snail, the biggest I have ever come across. The picture does not show this quite well but the snails house is about 5cm diameter and the wooden post it is placed on is a stool that stood next to my tent. Big ass snail. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ad-weather.jpg Rain rain rain, not what I wished for. Just when I was feeling good with the fact of staying where I was, a car suddenly stopped on the roadside 5m away from my tent. The passengerdoor swings open and a young girl is puking half in and half out of the car. The whole famely got out of the car and started to clean the cars carpet and the girls clothes in the river. They shortly greeted me and got back in the car and drove off leaving me with a large puddle of badly smelling puke next to my tent. This is when the plan changed and I packed the bike and drove off. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...96strreich.jpg On my way again I stopt to hide for the rain I met Reinhard and his wife who where on holiday on there bikes, He on the Goldwing and she just having her driverslicense on a smaller Honda CB I believe. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...heir-photo.jpg And their photo. |
Zemendorf, tires, old bikes and good times
At the moment I am staying in Andreas his Gypsy Castle, he is working hard to get his farm ready so travellers will have a place to stay + add and share experiences among each other.
http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...psy-castle.jpg Saterday evening I arrived at Andreas his place, I was earlyer than expected. It was more of a get lucky and see who is there thing, because I knew that Andreas would be gone until Monday. But I was warmly welcomed by his parents and they showed me Andreas place after a nice dinner. At that moment Andreas was not there yet but his parents gave me the key, turned on the hot water and left to go their own holiday. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...2/08/stork.jpg The following day I went to do some sightseeing in Rust a little village at the Neusiedlersee, Every house there has a Storks nest on the chimney. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ust-locals.jpg Some locals enjoying the shade as much as I did. Just behind the tree there was a old Hungarian man playing on his accordeon, and after a while of playing a few older Italian tourists came and just started singing out of the blue. I just sat there and enjoyed. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...them-bikes.jpg Andreas his trustworthy Triumph bonneville and my ride ready to change the front tire. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ront-wheel.jpg Operation front tire, the old off-road tire was completly wasted because of the twisty road in the Alps. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...front-tyre.jpg http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...difference.jpg The difference! http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../08/pozers.jpg Tomorrow I will leave Andreas again. He travelled India for months with his friend the 350 Royal Enfield. I had a great time at his place. Riding the Enfield trough the fields and having dinner at a traditional farmers restaurant. |
There is military up there
http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...8/voorband.jpg
This is how I left my old tire in Zemendorf. Maybe the birds will like it and build a home in it. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-hongarije.jpg Austian – Hungarian border. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...omgevallen.jpg I had just bought a map of Slovenia and parked on a small quiet road to draw a route on my map when the bike topled over. Nothing real bad happend exept for that I was not able to get it upright anymore and had to ask a passing farmer to help me. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...n-met-wijn.jpg When I stoped for a moment to enjoy the view and make my first picture in Slovenia some local farmers that where collecting the hay came to me and shared a glass of whine with me. We talked a bit about how life is. And they told me they did not like it that all the old Slovenian people where left alone by there children that often live and work abroad. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...s-military.jpg On my way I saw a mountain with a big antenna on top of it. I thought well when the big antenna is there, there must be a road up the mountain. Already heading in that direction I asked an old woman the way she explained me that there where two roads and that I had to go left at the church. Not much of a description so further towards the bottom of the mountain I asked again, this time some younger people they said that there is a road and told me how to get there. They also mentioned “ No there is military ” I replied “well I have a tent so I can sleep there so no problem”. I had not really understood what they where talking about until I saw the first sign that is was forbidden to go up to the top. Ignorant as I am after 10km of riding up a mountain in hope for a nice place to sleep I kept on going. They will tell me in person If I am doing anything wrong here. Pitched the tent and slept like a log. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...C4%8D-view.jpg It’s hard to see but from the top of the mountain Boč the view was amazing. The bike also needed a oil change, I wanted to do this the day before but it started to rain so I did it in the morning on top of the mountain. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ena-vozila.jpg On my way down I met the military that where on there way up. One of their jeeps almost drove me of the side of the road. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...avel-roads.jpg The Slovenian roads are terrible if you don’t have a enduro bike, because they have a very special way to repair asphalt roads. They just put gravel in the holes and that’s it. Sometimes the asphalt just stops and the B roads just turn to tracks. Good to give my off-road skills a bit of practice. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-Ljubljana.jpg Nasvidenje Ljubljana. Far in the back just before the mountains is Ljublejana. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...eer-antler.jpg I forgot to make a picture of the small deer antler that I got from Andreas for good luck. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...8/the-road.jpg Nothing. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../08/Italia.jpg Crossing the border to Italy. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...en-camping.jpg I actually wanted to stay another night in Slovenia on the beach near Portoros. But I did not follow my own instinct and let myself go 40km in the wrong direction. So Italy it would be. I imagined that I would drink a beer and eat a pizza in a small restaurant on the beach of the Mediterranean sea. This is impossible, the whole coast is build shut with hotels and beach clubs each claiming there part of beach including water. So after wasting a lot of time still hoping to find some quiet place to eat and sleep on the beach I made the decision to go more in land. It was already getting dark and I still had no place. Tired as I was I drove into a gravel dead end road in hope to find the best place at the end. And I did. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ristorante.jpg I put up the tent and heard the sound of a kitchen and people talking. I thought I was in the middle of nowhere, but I wasn’t. There was a nice restaurant just on the other side of the fence next to my tent. So some nice food after all. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ti-di-mare.jpg A plate of Fruti di mare fished locally form the lagoons. And a glass of strong white wine. I was in heaven. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ambozenijs.jpg The dessert was the best icecream I have ever tasted. Home made raspberry ice with fresh homegrown raspberries on top. It’s a shame I only have a photo of the empty bowl. But it shows how good it was. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...12/08/what.jpg On my way back to the tent I saw a man in a boat doing something that looked like he was scraping something of the walls of the locks. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...o-di-Garda.jpg Lago di Garda. This is where I met Wilhelm and Nordi. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...razie-mile.jpg Grazie Mile, This old man did not want to sell me his vegtables. He gave them for free. And the way they tasted was amazing!! http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...in-terlago.jpg These two girls and Aristoteles the dog helped me translate everything from German to Italian. So I could communicate with the old man. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-und-Nordi.jpg Wilhelm and Nordi, I met them at the Garda lake. They where here with a 4×4 MAN truck which they left on the campground. If they explore the surrounding or go to a restaurant they take Wilhelm’s KTM enduro which sits on the back of the truck normally. Recently Wilhelm was in Morocco riding his KTM trough the Atlas mountains. They are a very nice and interesting couple. I took some good advice from Wilhelm and we had a wonderfull evening together at the only restaurant in Terlago. Terlago is a small village north of the Garda lake and west of Trento. My campingspot was also a recommendation from them. Thanks Wilhelm and Nordi!! I had a very very good spot directly in front of the last lake. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ivate-lake.jpg My perfect camping spot at Lago della Mar. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../08/vissen.jpg When I was doing my morning swim in the lake a lot of fish came and swam with me, later I fed them some old bread I still had with me. I hope you will be able to see them. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-della-mar.jpg View from the tent that Sunday morning. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...o-di-Garda.jpg Yesterday I decided that I would ride south along the other side of the Garda lake. Today I was going to ride close to 400km in order to get to Claudio in Savona. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...udios-work.jpg 3 police speedchecks and one bad accident later I arrived safely at Claudio’s work where I was offered a cold beer and a place to sit on the roof. Luckely I had nothing to do with the accident and the man in it was still alive, but it looked very bad. His motorcycle was completly ruined, and he was taken care of by the medics arriving at the scene. Not wearing any protective clothes besides a helmet is asking for trouble on a fast bike and a road loaded with nice fast curves. The Ride from Brescia to Genoa was beatiful, the road curved allong the mountainside and trough the steep valley. Lots of nice curves!! http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...nter-focus.jpg When Claudio finished his work we went to eat pizza!! And we had an assistant to make a picture of us, a shame he did not understand that there was a centerfocus I am having a great time staying with Claudio for me it feels like the last time I saw him was yesterday. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...udios-view.jpg The small appartment where he lives with his parents has a beautiful view of the Mediteranean sea. It could not have been better! Ok I’m off to the beach now! |
Savona to Hagnau
Here we go after a while!! at the moment I am helping out a friend to renovate her house so I will stay here a little longer. but no worries I will be on the move asap.
http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...carbornara.jpg This is what a very serious Claudio looks like when he is making some very dellisious Carbonara. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../09/savona.jpg Siteseeing in Savona. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-a-pidgeon.jpg During the tour we took in the fortress of Savona that has been build by the Genoans long ago Claudio spots a pidgeon. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...e-fortress.jpg Savona seen from the fortress. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...012/09/ijs.jpg Phylicia here is a picture of some real Italian icecream, I had to be quick because it was so hot the icecream was melting before you even got it in your mouth. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...d-entrance.jpg After icecream we did some more siteseeing, this is a very old entrance. One of the entrances we looked at we even got a small tour trough the house by one of the owners. A lot of these entrances are decorated with a soft black stone of which I do not remember the name, Claudio told me but I forgot. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ata-closed.jpg The Last evening we wanted to eat at this shop. I was really looking forward to it but when we went there it was closed. We tried the next good one Claudio knew but when we entered the owner told us he was sold out. So Fruti di mare it was. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...unny-face1.jpg [IMG]http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/funny-face2.jpg[/IMG While waiting for our enormous fruti di mare dish we made some real nice portraits. This was the last evening with my dear friend Claudio. I miss you man!! http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-Las-Vegas.jpg When I entered Sesto I saw fellow overlander Derek , he was looking for a hotelroom because he wanted a good night sleep and a shower to freshen up a bit. I offered him to go with me and look for a small beach directly on the lake and set up camp there. He had already made up his mind Hotel it will be. We shared some good stories and each set out in another direction. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ve-steiger.jpg When I left Derek in Sesto it was already getting dark so I had to find a good campingspot soon. And I did, I found a small deserted road alongside lake Maggiore which led to the gardens of some enormous villas. One of the villas was not finished yet but it had a pier with video survailence, or at least that was what the sign said. I did not see any. Pitched the tent and made myself dinner and ate it on the pier with this amazing view. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...9/the-view.jpg Sleeping creature like mountains seen from the pier. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...e-location.jpg In the morning I was able to make a photo of where I was at. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...eiger-view.jpg This is what you have missed Derek. I hope you had a great shower in the Hotel, I had a very good bath in the lake. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...swiss-alps.jpg I wanted to make a picture at the border but the officers where not really pleased with it, so this is what we have from entering Switserland. This is the Italian speaking part of it still. When crossing the border I did not see a significant change in petrol price. The last time I went to the petrolstation was in Italy and I paid € 1,96/L they are insane with these high prices. But I was talking about the price in Switserland, it was 1,88 still very expencive I thought. But I forgot it was CHF 1,88/L which calculates to € 1,53/L so I was happy again and filled up the bike. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ttard-pass.jpg When I got closer to the Gottard pass the weather stared to turn form sunny to cold and rainy. On top of the Gottard the clouds where so thick I could not really enjoy the view, It looked more like a valley on a bad day. But actually I was at 2000+m. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...2/09/swiss.jpg I don’t really know why the bike should be on so many photo’s but it just happens, maybe I will try to make some photo’s with me on it next time. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...9/the-alps.jpg The Swiss Alps. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...tnau-swiss.jpg I did not realize that Switserland was so small until I bumped against the lower side of the Bodensee. Altnau to be precise is where I camped that night. The next day I took off for Hagnau which lays exactly opposite from Altnau. Hagnau will be the endstation for a while. I am helping out a friend there. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...g-Bodensee.jpg At night there was a storm with lots of rain and wind. Luckely I had a well sheltered campground under a tree and behind some bushes. The morning sun was nice and warm. My kit was dry in minutes and I packed all my stuff on the bike and took off for Konstanz. Later that evening I arrived at Sybille in Hagnau. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...gnau-blick.jpg The view for about 4 weeks, not bad. To be continued! |
G'day Emile
Hello from Australia,I am enjoying your post,will follow with interest,as ive never been to europe i find it all interesting.Noel:D
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Hagnau
@ Noel, Hey Noel nice to hear you are enjoying my ride report, Europe is almost over next time I will post I hope to be in Morocco :) Have fun!! Emile
In Hagnau I helped Sybille to renovate one of her appartments. I liked the work but I have to admit it did grow a bit out of proportion for me. It went from a small “do up the place a little” to a full renovation. Luckely Gut and the guys came to pick up the pace and finish the place. Herr Gut, Adam and Mateusz learned me a lot of things about renovating. This gave me the feeling that I am on the right track with my trip. I set out to learn and experience new things and here in Hagnau I did exactly that. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...at-my-best.jpg Me at my best :) http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-workforce.jpg Jean Pierre the Swiss workforce. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...d-the-guys.jpg The saviors Gut and the guys. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../gut-times.jpg Good times with Mateusz and Adam putting putz on the wals. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../10/Isabel.jpg In Hagnau I got to know Sybille’s friend Isabel and we went on a small motorcycle tour to enjoy the countryside. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...d-the-bike.jpg We stoped to see some waterfalls somewhere in the Allgäu. The southern part of Germany is beautiful! http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...0/the-land.jpg Up here trough there and you will get there. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...y-explorer.jpg Standing at the side of a resent landslide near the waterfalls. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../waterfall.jpg The waterfall. In the photo it looks a lot smaller as it was in reality. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...frican-mix.jpg When I took of from Holland I took with me a salt and pepper mix made by Max Havelaar called “African mix”. I really liked it and looked for something that came close to the same taste in the shops where I passed. But no success so I gave it a go myself. Delicately cut some skin off an orange, citrus and lemon. And added af few sliced bits of garlic to dry in the frying pan. After an hour or so of careful stirring and heating (no burning) all was dried, left it to cool down and mixed it with salt and pepper. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ican-mixed.jpg The result a very strong sunny tasteful mix for any meal http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...se-spatzle.jpg Isabel making us some delicious Dinkel käse spätzle. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ke-fix-one.jpg As in almost every post I have to fix my bike in some way or do some maintenance. This week I did the lot, the traveling is taking its toll on the old bike. But nothing serious. Maintenance done: -valve adjustment -new rear tire -oil change -chain adjustment -carburetors cleaned Repairs done: -broken muffler welded -new and better heat shield in the side cover Changes done: -12v socket placed on the rear of the bike http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-aka-Willi.jpg Jürgen aka Willi, helped me with the TIG welding of my muffler and fixed me up with a mount for the 12v socket I put on the rear of the bike. He had some cool bikes there a Yamaha 250 DT , a faster then normal Schwalbe and a very cool Beta 498 The bike is ready to hit the next continent! Tomorrow I will set of towards the south of Spain and Morocco. |
Thanks for sharing Emile, looked at your site too, nice!!
Enjoy your trip and safe travels! Ruud |
On the road again
Hey all,
At the moment I am in Fes Morocco, chilling in Riad Versus. A lot has changed lately. All of you know I wanted to make a round the world trip really badly, but that has changed. I found out that travelling alone is not really my cup of tea. Those of you that know me probably saw this coming. I always knew this would be my weak spot but never thought it would bring me to the thought of coming back sooner this quick. Of course this is not the only reason for me to change the plan. I also noticed that I really miss the work I did and then especially my own creative work, making the lamps, jewellery, furniture and all the rest. When travelling I felt more like a onlooker then a participator, sometimes you can do a little bit but the real feeling of participation was not there and I miss that. Last but not least I miss my family and friends. All of this adds up to an early return to Holland. Not that I will stop travelling NO, I will go on but in smaller steps and not alone. The smaller steps will be good when I need to empty my creative thoughts because I already have the feeling my head is getting overfilled and I need to make stuff. so that’s that said! http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../Rheinfall.jpg Probably the worst picture ever made of the Rheinfalls, This was actually a very amazing sight. I never even knew there was a big waterfall in the Rhein. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...y-Montreux.jpg After my first night sleep at a very boring spot somewhere in a field with forest surrounding it. I woke up early to make some distance and came down a hill seeing this. The two cities Montreux and Vevey the entrance to the alps. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...12/11/Vino.jpg Swiss wine just before crossing the border to France. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...mont-blanc.jpg I have to admit it is hard to see but in the background you see a part of the Mont Blanc. I thought maybe I will get a better view of it later but that did not happen. Although I drove around it and saw the other side of it. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...n-the-Alps.jpg Hey thats me and the Le mouton all the way up our first high pass in the Alps, when I remember well it was at 1400m. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ke-upthere.jpg This is what it looked like upthere, it was empty and higher up bits are covered with snow. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...e-Roselend.jpg They even put a lake upthere, Lac de Roselend. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../forground.jpg After a few passes I looked for a nice campground and found this one near Bessan. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...background.jpg And this was the background of my new campingspot http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...12/11/fire.jpg This is also where I made my first campfire of the trip! nice and warm because it was already getting cold in europe. The next morning I discovered that I was sleeping at about 1600m because of a sign just around the first bend in the road. No wonder it was pretty cold that night. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../11/bikers.jpg Bikers. we had seen each other a few times on the way and waved at each other. Now we all reached the same goal. Col de L’Iseran. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...igh-places.jpg The Highest I have riden the bike! I was doing fine, Le Mouton just 500 rpm This pass is supposed to be one of the highest you can get in Europe. There is one that is higher but only 30m or so, at least that is what the french bikers told me. It was high. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...gher-place.jpg And when you are that high something will always top it to be even higher. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...berghuisje.jpg On my way down I stopped at this small hut completely covered by the forest. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...oge-hoogte.jpg Came across another lake high up. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...11/Madleen.jpg Hey Madleen if you need some parts for your car Fontan (France) is where you need to go. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...spel-night.jpg Near Sospel just 30 km above Monaco I found the best campingground ever. It was located on a small ridge about 6 m higher then the road with a beautiful view. Here I also made a small campfire and tried out a different setup. I build a small half domed arch out of stones to radiate the heat from the fire towards me, and that the fire would not lose so much heat and therefor used less wood, And it worked perfect. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...od-morning.jpg Down below just on the side of the street there was a small flat area to park the bike and like you can see there is the tent pitched on the ledge. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...entimiglia.jpg I imagined the coast a bit different, more open space and nature not just one ongoing line of buildings. what a shame. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...12/11/cote.jpg After many km’s down the coast I came across this sight, so there is still a bit of nature left. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...e-to-visit.jpg This looked like a nice camping ground but at dusk some wild boars came to keep me from getting some sleep. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-Marseille.jpg Marseille what a city. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...uck-Vandre.jpg On my way to Rivesaltes I met Vandré and Anouck who where doing a trip trouch france on a motorcycle like I was doing and we stopped for a drink and some photo’s we had a great time. Drinks where finished and we headed each in our own directions. Godspeed to both of you! http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...11/fromage.jpg These guys were making funny jokes when Vandré, Anouck and I made some pictures. They shouted “cheese” but they did not expect me to shout “fromage” and thats when this picture was made. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...1/zee-boot.jpg When looking at this boat it felt like having a dream of going towards something unknown and beautiful. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...bek-gegaan.jpg I was looking for a place to camp again but then it happened that I fell down with the bike and like the time before I could not get the bike upright on my own. Luckily there where some people coming towards me to help. The other downside was that it started raining that same moment. My hand hurt and me having a down feeling I decided to go for the first hotel I can find to chill out. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...11/parking.jpg The hotel was situated in Rivesaltes and to expencive for what they had to offer, but the woman at the desk said the price was not negotiable. Good thing was I did not have to unpack the bike because they had a garage. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...urt-nog-ff.jpg Heading for the Pyrenees nothing there yet in the photo. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...e-pyreneen.jpg And there they are the Pyrenees. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../Casa-Eric.jpg After many hours and liters of rain I managed to get to Eric’s place. He lives in the middle of a dessert like place in the north of Spain. All year round he lives of his own garden and sometimes have a nice Kebab in the city. Amazing place, thanks Crip!! http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...monte-Eric.jpg The view from Monte Eric. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...g-sunshine.jpg Good morning sunshine, I asked Eric if it was possible for me to stay 2 nights. He said no problem so now I was able to do some exploring. And the weather was nice as was the surrounding area. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...12/11/tool.jpg On my tour I found this beautiful tool in a small shed. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ee-of-life.jpg The tree of live. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...e-sunlight.jpg When I left Eric it was only 5 degrees celcius so I had to stop a few times to get warm again. And the old village people always know the best out of the wind in the sun spots. So I stuck with them for a while. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...uel-region.jpg The landscape on the way to Valencia. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...2012/11/us.jpg Us arriving in Valencia. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...party-time.jpg Meet my dorm mates in Valencia, Raj, Sunil and Cherie. First thing to do is get food and go for a dance. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...un-and-Raj.jpg The brothers. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...nd-Goliath.jpg Sunil bought a pair of glasses for me from Goliath. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...e-Valencia.jpg The next day I took a city tour with a Scottish guide Duncan. I learned a lot about Spanish history and traditions of Valencia. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...n-Valencia.jpg Even found something myself although I did not found out ther real story behind the child’s heads on the drainpipes it did remind me of Claudio’s work. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...2/11/night.jpg Valencia. The next day I left a bit late in the direction of Ronda. But I got lost in a thunderstorm. Yes that can happen on a motorcycle. I was completely soaked and just wanted to go to a hotel and sleep and be warm. By the time I found a hotel I had already driven about 130km in the dark with heavy rain. It sucked! http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-tot-ziens.jpg The day after being lost I went to Ronda to stay there for a night and get a warmer t-shirt because the mountains where freaking cold! It is a shame that I forgot to take out my camera in Ronda so no pictures but I really felt good there. I had a nice small hotel for a good price in the center of the city. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../11/Africa.jpg Africa here I come. |
Morocco
The crossing from Tarifa to Tanger was smooth, but the customs where a bit annoying. All the people there wanted money for doing nothing. And me being stupid I only carried a E 20,- note and no coins so there went my money.
And the whole process took about 2 hours! On my way to look for a place to sleep in Tanger I got a bit annoyed by all the people and went to a bit overpriced Ibis for the night, it was already getting dark and I did not want to look for a better place anymore. I was tired! The next morning I got up early to go to Fes. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../11/Tanger.jpg Tanger……. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...beni-ammar.jpg On the way to Fes I took some small roads until I had to turn around because the road was washed away. I had to take a small road back north towards the highway in order to get to Fes. The views where amazing. I only had one problem my camera battery charger is broken so I could only make one picture . http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...11/tannery.jpg My camera battery was still empty so only a few pics made in the first day of Fes. Went to have a look at one of the tanneries hidden in the center of the Medina. The next day I managed to find a universal charger in the new town of Fes so more photo’s could be taken http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...Alessandro.jpg Alessandro taking a picture of some new old looking building in Meknes. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...2/11/Jesus.jpg Jesus, Alessandro and I on our way to the Medina of Meknes. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...eur-Meknes.jpg This is a door in the Medina of Meknes. If you are in Fes and sick of being stressed by all the hustlers take a daytrip to Meknes by train. it will take about an hour but really worth it. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...1/woodwork.jpg While we where drinking our tea some skilled woodworkers worked in the background. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...oad-hybrid.jpg We were walking around Meknes when I spotted this mean off-road hybrid scooter. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...s-pleintje.jpg The quiet streets of Meknes. NO Hustlers! http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...choonmaken.jpg Woman cleaning the streets of Meknes. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...a-at-night.jpg It was already late when we came back from Meknes this photo is taken from the roof terras of the Hostel. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../11/by-day.jpg same view by day. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...11/lassers.jpg A few days later I went to Meknes again because I had seen a very nice vase I really liked to buy. This time I went with Matt and Alex, and a special adventure was awaiting us there. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-modarator.jpg We were starving after finding my vase so we looked for a place to eat but no luck. Until we ran into a man I had met on my previous trip to Meknes. He invited us to his house to eat there, and not to forget it is not for free we had to pay for the food. Well no worries man we are hungry so we are in for it. Arriving at the house we gave the man 40Dh to get some ingredients so his wife could start cooking. While the man was away we were left alone in his house. So Matt started to make a small documentary of the place. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-and-a-gun.jpg Ok the photo is a bit blurry I have to admit but it is because there was no electricity at that moment. It took about an hour to get the lights working in the house. The man also claimed the sheepsmeat he had in the fridge was fresh we wondered how fresh when the electricity is not working ?? http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-was-light.jpg And there was light! It took forever for the food to be ready so we were starving!! and when the food was finally there, it was just enough the three of us. When we finished we paid the man more then needed and started looking for a small shop to get some more food for our poorly filled stomachs. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-by-Yussef.jpg It was time to leave Fes so I said goodbye to Yussef and the maid of Riad Versus. There I met Alex who will come with me on the back of the bike. Together we will head to the dessert. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-ezel-pakt.jpg Packing the bike, I think we reached the maximum capacity of the old XL 600 LM. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...wa-sjalone.jpg Two madmen on one bike heading for the dessert looking for camels (dromedaries). http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../11/achter.jpg The road behind us to Midelt trough the High Atlas. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...12/11/voor.jpg And the same road in front of us a lot of km’s still to go. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...en-ansuite.jpg Arriving at Midelt we checked in to our five star an-suite bedroom it’s always nice to sleep with your head in the bidet. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-in-mn-bar.jpg The hotel manager told me to use the bar downstairs as a garage for the bike, the owner said no problem just park there! http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ne-as-ouwe.jpg On our way to Midelt we lost Alex his sleepingbag that was tied to the back of the bike. This really sucked because we planned to camp in the dessert. The man in the picture tried to help us find a new second hand one but with no luck. The only thing he managed to do was let his friend sell Alex a silk cloth. Later when Alex and I where looking for some unions to open Alex his blocked nose, another guy wanted to sell us something. We were to tired to ignore or go away so we followed him for a while until we reached the same shop where we had bought the silk. And the owner now suddenly had a sleeping bag!! What a lucky bastards we are! http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...mp-for-joy.jpg On we went, still in the high Atlas Alex showing us you can also jump there. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...high-atlas.jpg And finally after a lot of km’s we rode out of the High Atlas towards the dessert. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ges-du-Ziz.jpg The Gorges du Ziz a beautiful oases all along the river. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...e-merzouga.jpg We arrived early in Hassi Labied at our hostel Auberge la Source. There we heard that there is a music festival in Merzouga. So we got on the bike and headed to Merzouga to catch some dessert tunes. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../breakfast.jpg The following morning we enjoyed our breakfast with a view of the Erg Chebbi sand dunes. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...n-ons-doel.jpg Our goal was to climb that dune. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...n-we-boven.jpg After one hour we where on the top of the big dune. In the distance lies Hassi Labied. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...we-made-it.jpg We made it!!! http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...nothingnes.jpg It was windy and in the dessert that means a lot of dust and sand going everywhere. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...2/11/windy.jpg Windy http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-overleefd.jpg Alex and I wanted to go camping in the dessert at least one night. The day we decided to go we set off a bit to late and it was already dark when we arrived on a good spot to set the tent. On the way there we went down 2 times luckily nobody got hurt. Just when we had the tent up a sand storm came. This really sucked because the tent was not fixed to the ground yet. While Alex was holding the tent down I rolled the bike to the wind side and fixed the tent to it with all the ropes we had. Together we worked hard to build a sort of dyke of sand and rocks so the wind could not go under the tent. After an hour of hard work we secured the tent and we went to bed. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../survivers.jpg Alex we survived it!! The rest of the day and evening we took time off to just chill, the sandstorm was a wild adventure. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ine-ziegen.jpg Went up the big dune again to see the sunset behind Hassi Labied. But this time I came prepared. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ied-sunset.jpg I think I don’t need to say anything here. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-the-stars.jpg Alex looking at the stars. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...1/een-boom.jpg The day we had planned a camel tour on dromedaries we had some time to wonder around so we walked a bit in the black dessert just outside of town. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...g-een-boom.jpg Nothing just one lonely tree. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...here-we-go.jpg There we go into the dessert with each our own dromedaries. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...omfortable.jpg And are you comfortable Alex? http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...isen-jonge.jpg Classic http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...2/11/niets.jpg Maybe you have all seen enough of the dessert. Well I am still amazed by it. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...1/ons-kamp.jpg Our camp after 1,5 hours of riding. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...hara-stars.jpg Looking at the constilation Orion. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../Berta-481.jpg My ride in the dessert Berta 48. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...de-handrem.jpg That morning there was a dromedaries on the handbrake on top of a dune near to our camp. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-of-Arabia.jpg On the way back to the Hostel. The next day we wanted to leave Hassi Labied to move towards the coast. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ste-schade.jpg We were fully packed and ready to go, only the bike felt different, it did not have the power it used to have. This tells me two things the oil needs to be changed and the air filter is probably blocked because of the dessert dust. When I tried to turn the heavy bike around I drove off the road to make the turn but when I tried to get back on the road the front wheel diged in some loose sand and I lost control of the bike. We crashed hard on the road luckily with low speed but still it sucked. The deer antler and my lucky camel tooth where crushed the cockpit was bend back and a lot of oil spilled. The oil spilled made me worry about the engine. when I tried to start it a lot of smoke came out of the exhaust but it still worked! And both Alex and I had no real injuries. We were about 15 km from Hassi Labied and we decided to split up and meet back at the hostel. This meant leaving Alex in the dessert to hitch a ride back to town. As i drove away from him I realized that he had no water with him, which is bad in a dessert so I dropped a bottle for him by the roadside. I drove to the gasstation first to get some oil and waited for Alex, he got another ride and a bit later we met at the Hostel. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...et-ongeluk.jpg Changing the oil and oil filter, clean the airfilter, bend the headlights straight and check the valves. It took me all day at a slow pace to get the bike ready again. Meanwhile we also decided that it may be better if we would split up because it is just a lot safer. So the next morning Alex took the bus to Marakech and I drove the bike to Taliouine. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...arth-Vader.jpg The night before we left we went to look at the stars one more time to find out that it was cloudy, so we did our own interpretation on stars. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../motorboom.jpg Getting some shadow time on the way to Taliouine. When I arrived there the hostel I stayed at was shit! the people were not nice at all and the price was way to high. for a crappy bed no breakfast and no hot water. The next day I made the stretch to Tamraght where Fatimazahra, Erlend and Hafsa are living. Here I will stay for a while. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...aght-beach.jpg Surf! http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...raght-city.jpg Tamraght. See you all soon! |
Very nice ride report mate ! Italy is fantastic , Africa aswell !
What motorbike was Isabel riding ? Thank you , -zie egret. |
The way back
Isabel was on the back, have another 600 LM ready for her if she likes it :)
Before I really went back to Holland I stayed a while in Tamraght. Here I surfed with my friends made a short trip with Isabel to Marrakesh. Celebrated Christmas and New Year and surfed even more. At the moment I am in the south of Germany visiting Isabel just before we will travel to Saba . This small transition feels great it gives me the time to think about what I have seen on the way the past 6 months. And I have the time to do a update so all of you can see what I have been up to lately. Some have already seen me in Holland others have not, no worries I will be there for a while and only go on shorter trips . http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../regenboog.jpg When I arrived in Tamraght it sometimes rained but always with a rainbow! http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...01/bootman.jpg First thing I did there was buy a surfboard. I bought this 5.8″ fish and made a poser pic for fun. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...ood-huisje.jpg Every day I walked to the beach I went past this little red shack. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../Bamboobar.jpg When I was staying in Tamraght, I stayed with Erlend aka Omar his wife Fatimzahra and thier wonderful daughter Hafsa who I met three years before. I helped them out a bit with the decorations of the rooftop terrace bar here is the result http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...1/verfwerk.jpg The terrace. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../Alex-fire.jpg Just before Isabel arrived I met up again with Alex who was flying to Europe from Agadir. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...nana-beach.jpg Isabel arrived and what better to do than eat at Banana Beach. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...k-een-ezel.jpg We spot a donkey on the way back from Marrakesh. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../zon-onder.jpg And surfed until we were tired. I was sad that Isabel already had to leave after only one week. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...manke-poot.jpg The rear wheel had some hard times and some bad maintenance, both my fault. Now it was time to do the repairs. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...heelrepair.jpg Isabel brought a spoke set with her so I was able to replace the broken spokes. It turned out that out of the original 36 spokes only 19 spokes where holding it together. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...r-het-werk.jpg On the way to work. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...end-tanken.jpg Erlend filling the R4′s gastank. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...e-plaatsen.jpg Putting the window frames in. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-work-done.jpg Erlend finishing exterior walls with white cement. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...huis-dicht.jpg Welded the metal grill back in place. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...d-en-nieuw.jpg Happy new year!! http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...is-on-fire.jpg Surfs up! http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...al-habitat.jpg Riding back to the north of Morocco the bike felt like being in its natural habitat! And I was feeling great because I was moving again. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-bye-marok.jpg Bye Bye Morocco. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../breakfast.jpg First breakfast on the mainland. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...a-sun-down.jpg After 2 days in Tarifa I drove to Sevilla to arrive there just in time to see the sun set. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-Almendral.jpg I was determent use couchsurfing to get back to Holland. And the first place where I stayed was at Quini’s A butcher who has a small history museum on the top floor of his house. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...f-the-past.jpg Quini took me to a friend telling me his friend had a motorcycle museum it turned out to be a rather large collection of cool old bikes in a dark shed. In the collection: a load of Montessa’s, 3 Lambretta’s, Vespa with sidecare, a few Ducati’s, Moto guzzi’s and more others. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-republika.jpg In Coimbra I was invited to stay at the Real Republika Prä Kys Tao. A very very nice experience thanks guys!! http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...01/Coimbra.jpg Coimbra is a beatiful city with amazing buildings. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...a-Fernando.jpg In Porto the next city on my route I visited my friend Thomas who was living in the red house. The red house has been rebuild by the owner Fernando. And I have to say it’s a beautiful house. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...n-Fernando.jpg Thomas and Fernando in the kitchen. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...-bathroom1.jpg view from the bathroom. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c.../port-port.jpg In the evening Thomas took me to see the city from the old bridge designed by Eifel. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...fel-bridge.jpg And the bridge. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...jntje-doen.jpg Thomas and I having the best ham sandwich ever with a sparkling white wine. Porto!! http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...eady-to-go.jpg After 3 days I had to leave Thomas. Porto is the new best EU city! http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...e-Santiago.jpg After a long ride on the bike I arrived in Santiago de Compostella where I stayed with Carlos. He took me to a small bar in the city center, with good wine and delicious cheese and Iberico ham. From Santiago I drove to Oviedo and from there to Bilbao. The journey from Santiago to Oviedo was the most unpleasant ride I ever had on a bike. 400 km with heavy rain and halfway a mountain pass with 5 cm snow on the road and snowing al the way. I was freezing and there was more to come. I phoned with my mother the day after and told her about the conditions and a few minutes later she called back telling me my father is going to pick me up. I was not really in tune with this decision. But my father was right it would be stupid to drive back to Holland trough heavy rain and snow. And 2 days after Bilbao I was back in Holland. The very sad part is that I lost the pictures that I took from Oviedo until my arrival in Holland . Back in Holland I bought a car for the things I want to do when I get back from Saba. Yes Saba, the small island next to St. Maarten in the Caribbean. My grandparents live there for a while and I will visit them for the next 6 weeks. http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...01/de-tank.jpg My new old Land Rover 110 build in 1983 with refitted 200 TDi http://www.passingalong.nl/blog/wp-c...1/voortank.jpg I still have to fix some parts but it’s in good overall condition. thats it for now Emile |
What a nice journey!!!
If you need accomodation or mecanics in Lyon, France, just send PM. We will be glad to provide with help. Have a save ride Polo |
Very nice journey and I really enjoyed reading your story!
I'm very happy for you, that all went well, after the trip started with such a "pain in the butt" .. ;) I saw on one of your pictures, that your left pannier had "HELP" in big red letters underneath. Fantastic idea! I think I'll "borrow" that one.. Keep up the good life! Take care and regards, Ben |
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