Thanks Grant,

figured it already for the carnet, but not sure yet for the visa... getting them in advance might be easier, but you have to take them with you and the timeframe may be too long, on the other hand I'm afraid of loosing too much time getting them on the road...

Anyway, I'll happily discuss this over a few beers newt weekend..

BTW, who's all coming of this 'African Group'?

Jef

sounds like you're in too big a hurry...

waiting for a visa gives you an opportunity to have a rest and check out the area, get to know the people a bit! http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

Many visas will expire before you ever get there if you get them in advance.

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Grant Johnson

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

Hi Jef, Thanks for your bit on congo. My planning is slowly coming together but unfortunately i have to go to work for 2 weeks on the 24th so i will miss the HU meeting. The visa thing is still a fluid issue, with dates and such.
It looks like we will depart at the end of October-ish at this stage.
Cheers Gazza


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Ride hard,ride safe- Ride on...with no regrets of life passed by.

Hej

I'll not be coming to the travelers meeting due to the distance, but I would like to do sometime and somewhere maybe in Scandinavia? -Grant.

When I apply for visas, I ask for entry month instead of date and this have worked so far. This gives a more flexible planning and no need to visit capitals.
I also enclose a map with planned route with application.

Cheers
Skonte

[This message has been edited by Skonte (edited 23 June 2003).]

Hi Omar,

what are your plans exactly for your european trip in August?

For the moment I have no fixed plans yet for the Europe part, but I was thinking about about doing Eastern Europe as well, but not sure about the direction yet. Also I might be coming home end of august for a few days before taking off for Africa...

Talk to you soon, let me know your plans and we'll see how we can team up.

Cheers,

Jef

p.s. anyone else wanting to do a (part) of european trip ni August, feel free...

Skonte,

How would you like to host a meeting in Scandinavia next year? http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

See http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/meetings/ and look for "How to Host a Meeting" on the right.

We'd like to have more, and I'm sure there is enough demand, but someone has to start it. Once someone volunteers to host a meeting, there are usually plenty of others who will help out, and we will do all we can from here.

So who in Scandinavia is interested? Contact me via the "How to contact HU" link below or Skonte via the Email link above.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Skonte,

How would you like to host a meeting in Scandinavia next year?

Grant,

If there is enough people interested, I will arrange a meeting next year, end of august in southern Sweden to include Scandinavia, the Baltic and northern part of Poland and Germany.

Regards
Skonte

Hi Jef,

I will be heading up for the HU meeting, wasn't sure if I was going to make it but all looks good now. I will drop you a mail and sort something out.

Mark

Hi Guys!,

I was hoping to meet up with some of you either before or on the road round Europe/Eastern Europe/Turkey or Maroc this summer, but I'm sorry to say I had an accident in France last week and the bike is looking a bit written off!

If by some miracle I find the money to get it fixed or get another bike, I'd truly love to get back on the road and hopefully see some of you on the way, as it looks like similar routes are being planned to my intended one...

I'll keep you posted!

Cheers, Steve

my girlfriend gets more nervous every time i log onto this site!

can't do long trip to africa this year... but would love to meet up next year at skonte's gathering (if it happens).

good luck to all you guys visiting the dark continent! (would an off-roader be vital for such a trip?)

zenbiker

For all of you who've done west africa in the last few months or reckon they know...

ok, i know in theory i should have a carnet de passage, but i can't afford one (RAC-150% value of my van!)... i intend 3/4 months across Moroco- Maurit-Mali-Togo-Benin-Senegal and back.

From what i see lots make it without and are certain its not vital... but are there bribes all the time? If yes, do they tend to big? Others say don't try the trip without the carnet... i don't know what to believe.

Any or all your opinions very welcome.

Good luck to those of you heading off around Sept, might see yez around if they let me past borders.

Xav

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Xav

Carnets seem to be necessary or at least very handy... probably you need same amount of cash avail when trying to pass without, and counting on bribery or all these crossings sees optimistic to me.

In Belgium I only have to pay 50% of value, but I need someone who puts himself liable for total sum when needed (is that the right english expression?)

Maybe worthwile to try and have your van registered in belgium?

Jef

Hey Guys, you've all gone quiet...

I guess you're out there somewhere? Probably skirting around Liberia by now?

I'm setting off from the UK and down the west side on my BMW GS (2 engines in 354 miles - I kid you not!) before the end of October.

What's the news and where are you?

great trip!

i travelled from switzerland to cape town via the west coast in 2001 - 2002

i have several good contacts in some of the more difficult countries.

you might want to check out the info on my website and feel free to write me an email any time,

cheers,

steven

www.contrast.cx

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online diary and travel info from the road in africa:

www.contrast.cx/diary
www.contrast.cx/travel