Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road
Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road Recent News, political or military events, which may affect trip plans or routes. Personal and vehicle security, tips and questions.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 3 Oct 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mexico City Mexico
Posts: 56
the truth will set you free

just thought i would throw this out......
i am a new member here and have noticed a trend... most reports are all positive, very little emphasis on negative experiences.. while i understand some would not go if there were negative reports, problems to be encountered etc. i feel that alot of good can come from relating your difficulties.. lessons can be learned.. grandpa used to say..
some people make and repeat errors..
some people make and learn from their errors..
some people learn from others errors..
well.. we never liked listening to grandpa either..haha, but seriously.. we are big boys and girls.. we can handle it..

wyomex
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 Oct 2005
MoroCycler's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Posts: 164
If you look for problems, then, So be it!
You´ll find them.
I always focus on the positive, it helps keep up the mood in a long trip.

This is one thing that I like a lot about the HUBB. There is a bunch of terror tales on the internet that I enjoy to avoid.

Good Luck
MoroCycler


------------------
THE JOURNEY INTO THE UNKNOWN...

LIFE IS THE ADVENTURE OF CREATING WHILE HAVING FUN, IT IS A PERSONAL JOURNEY IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERYBODY´S JOURNEY.
IT IS THE PROCESS OF CREATING REALITIES, TO DARE HAVING AND EXPERIENCING, FOR WHAT IT INPRINTS IN THE SOUL;
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS CARRIED FOREVER...

MOROcycler
__________________
THE Motorcycle JOURNEY is making known the unknown.
http://www.morocycler.smugmug.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 Oct 2005
parkie's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 203
Sorry to disappoint you but we rode half way around the world through such 'unsafe' countries as Iran, Pakistan, Nepal, and Indonesia and we have NO bad experiences to relate - in fact those countries were the friendliest we travelled through.
Don't get scared off by what you see reported on the news - the news only reports anything bad that goes down and doesn't give any idea of what the normal scenario is.
Also - dare I say it - the western media seems to have it's own agenda when it comes to reporting on non-western countries.
Most people around the world just want to live peacefully and are more than happy to meet and offer hospitality to travellers.


------------------
Richard Parkinson
www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/richardandlisa

[This message has been edited by parkie (edited 05 October 2005).]
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 5 Oct 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: London England
Posts: 62
Prepare for the worst and hope for the best! thats my motto.

I have never had a what could be considered a bad experince travelling. But what is a bad experiance? it all depends on your perception and your previous experiances in life.

Me for instance, i have worked as a London taxi driver at night for the last twenty years, so i am used to demanding situations with strangers in all states of drug or drink related stupor, I have had bottles smashed through my partition screen, and have been threatened with them, i have been threatened with violence more times than i care to remember, and been called every expletive under the sun by males and females in many different lanuages, i have dealt with a few dead bodys from RTA's and dealt some serious injurys as well, i could write a book on my experiances, and that is just in the London area.

Only last week i found a woman lying in the middle of a busy five line road at four in the morning, she jumped out of a moving car after the driver turned out to be a bogus cab driver tried to abduct and molest her, i had to stand between her and the driver to protect her and phone the police,and i ended up taking her home safely, all in a days work for me, but for other people who have a more sheltered envioremnet it would be a major event.

If i had worked sitting behind a desk in an office tapping a keyboard for the same amount of time (no offence to office workers)my experiances would be a lot different. So what iam trying to say is that maybe on my travels i have had things happen to me that would upset a lot of other people, but because of my life experiances it's water of a ducks back for me.

To tell you the truth, when i finish a bike tour my troubles start as soon as i arrive back in the UK

Maverick Bubble
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 5 Oct 2005
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,229
Wyomex, I think - despite what people who've never travelled think - that the reason for all the positive reports you see here is that they ARE the NORM.

In all our many years of travelling the world we had one minor bad experience, and a couple very minor - and nothing even remotely close to Maverick Bubbles London experiences! So our report is overwhelmingly positive!



Not to say that some travellers haven't had bad experiences - a number of people have been robbed, a very few have been badly injured and even died in traffic accidents - and that's it. All of which will happen whether you leave home or not.

So don't worry, be happy! Go and have a great time. The world isn't perfect, but it's a far better place than some unnamed people and organisations would have you think.

Come to an HU Travellers Meeting and you'll get the drift.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.

------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.

------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 5 Oct 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: almere,holland
Posts: 51
hello,
I travelled for 6 months in the americas and never had any problems( apart from pushy borderguards in Honduras), never locked my bike and only encountered friendly and interested people.
I was back home for just a few weeks and my bike got stolen from my frontyard.
this is to illustrate that you can encounter problems anywhere, the most unfriendly(and scared) people I've met have been living in the so called civilised part of the world.
don't be scared, you'll find that the 'problems' are usually later on the best memories of the whole trip.
safe travels,
Mark
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 5 Oct 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mexico City Mexico
Posts: 56
thank you all for your input..my first out of the country trip is a big thing for me and i am both joyously anxious and a bit nervous.(mexico from usa for 6 months) i have been spending ALOT of time reading the forums. I am much better educated now than i was before i found you. I also feel much more hopefull.. the impetous for this trip was a meeting with a whitetail deer at 85mph just south of hamilton montana last july 2. i was well prepared (but riding too fast) with helmet and full riding suit.(kudos to bmw/sidi/vanson) I did spend several days in intensive with three broken ribs but other than sleeping sitting up for 2 months i am 98 percent. just before impact i knew i was going to die. needless to say i am soo happy to be here and while recoving i thought.. damn.. i couldve been toast.. better go see those places youve been wanting to see...I am glad i have returned to riding instead of hanging it up. I have been inspired reading the forums. logistically/equipmentally/etc. and maybe most importantly spirtually.. i know the life i live is so much fuller for riding and feel that i am stepping up to another level of discovery and adventure. so i appreciate your encouragement and sharing your thoughts and experiences..
wyomex
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
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.

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.

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!



Five books by Graham Field!

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.

Susan and Grant Johnson 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.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:32.