Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Travellers Seeking Travellers
Travellers Seeking Travellers Meet up with other travellers on the road, or find someone to travel with to the ends of the earth!
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 24 Aug 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 20
Blog and Visa/Carnet

Marcel - already loving your blog!! You're right, i think we would have made great riding buddies! I'm looking forward to reading the rest of it and am sure the Oz bits will be useful Thanks again!

Fraser - I think maybe I had a bum deal with how they handled it but from what I hear Pakistan is a bit of a highlight so maybe worth the effort.

The only issue is that they ask you for a sponsor in Pakistan or the name of a travel agent in Pakistan in order to get the visa. I had te explain the motorcycle part as why I didn't have either of these. I think you might be right to avoid using the word motorcycle at all and maybe get and agent to do the paperwork which might remove the need for a named sponsor - they can also throw together an itinerary for you.

Carnet was about £200.00 plus the bank guarantee, which for my route was 500% of the value of the bike. There's a lot of confusion with the banks about this but it can definitely be done if you have the money in your account, rather than having to pay the ridiculous 'insurance premium'. There's good info on the HUBB about the carnet bank guarantee but I spoke to 4 people in HSBC who flat out told me it couldn't be done, before I spoke to a manager and showed him the print out posts from this forum - then it took a week to sort and cost only £40.00 but the deposit money is frozen in your account.

I would also say that the carnet is valued on the cost of the bike when you bought it, a recent valuation (on stamped headed paper) from a reputable dealer or, the site the RAC use is Motorcycle Price Guide | New & Used | Price Any Bike. Use this site to see what range of price you can use for your vehicle and see what is the lowest realistic valuation you can perhaps get away with

Good luck on your prep Fraser - as long as you start the process for Pakistan visa and carnet early then you'll be fine!
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 24 Aug 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 20
Carnet cont'd

Also meant to say that the RAC dropped the ball a couple of imes on the carnet process so keep an eye on it and follow up regularly. I dealt with someone called Jess who was lovely but there were a few mistakes that cost me some time.

The big issue was that the deposit for the carnet can either be a bank guarantee, the full amount paid to the RAC to hold or through an insurance premium. What I was not aware of is that the RAC can only take a deposit of up to £10k. Anything over this and you have to get the insurance premium as well they only told me this after they'd had my application for 4 weeks and the day before I was due to leave They'd said the application was fine and being processed right up until that point. This caused a fair amount of fuss and added an extra 10 days onto the process as I had to sort a bank guarantee. Luckily the Pakistan embassy were not playing ball either so I had something to keep me occupied

Oh, one last piece of advice - if you're going to the Pakistan embassy, or any for that matter, take a good book...it'll save your sanity while you're waiting!
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 24 Aug 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 67
Cheers Senorc... picked up bike last weekend. The race is on to get my ducks in a row before the snow in eastern Turkey dumps!
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 24 Aug 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 20
Quote:
Originally Posted by fraserbyrne View Post
Cheers Senorc... picked up bike last weekend. The race is on to get my ducks in a row before the snow in eastern Turkey dumps!
Great - hope it goes well!! Have a shifty at my blog to get an idea of the spares and equipment I've taken - fair bit of research that might save you some time!

Good luck getting it all sorted in time, else maybe snowchains are added to the list

Let me know if you get a blog up and running detailing your progress!
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 29 Aug 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Perth West Australia
Posts: 151
Just behind you

Quote:
Originally Posted by senorc View Post
I'm currently biking it down from the UK to Australia and about to leave Zurich tomorrow morning to go through Northern Italy, Slovenia, Croatia and either Bosnia H-Serbia-Bulgaria or Albania-Greece (any advice on which is the best/fun route greatly appreciated!) to Turkey

Will spend a couple of weeks in Turkey (while I wait for my Iranian visa) and then head down through Iran, Pakistan, India etc. Wondering about chancing my hand at getting into and through Burman with the bike given recent changes - won't hold out hope but it's worth a try.

Anyone around for any of the legs above to ride or share a ? VERY rough dates are:
  • Slovenia to Istanbul 21/08 - 30/08
  • Turkey 31/08 - 14/09
  • Iran 14/09 - 29/09
  • Pakistan 30/09 - 15/10

Cheers,

Matt
Matt

i'm going similar route. I need to get Iran visa as well. Keep in touch, we Might catch up in Iran/Pak/India.

Regards
steven
__________________
Steven
Perth to Peru 2014 | Perth to Perth 2012
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 30 Aug 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 20
Bike accident

Quote:
Originally Posted by haggis View Post
Matt

i'm going similar route. I need to get Iran visa as well. Keep in touch, we Might catch up in Iran/Pak/India.

Regards
steven
Had a minor bike accident in Split so already behind by at least a week as its in to be repaired. Will watch your progress and if the bike is able to make it onwards, would be good to catch up along the way!
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 30 Aug 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by senorc View Post
Great - hope it goes well!! Have a shifty at my blog to get an idea of the spares and equipment I've taken - fair bit of research that might save you some time!

Good luck getting it all sorted in time, else maybe snowchains are added to the list

Let me know if you get a blog up and running detailing your progress!
Cheers senorc.. Won't feel official until I have carnet & Pakistan visa ticked off. ha. So yes, might need to be investing in snow chains & Arctic suits. haha. Or trying to find a truck to hitch a ride with!

Saw you had a little accident. Hope it was nothing serious!
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 30 Aug 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 20
Fallout from accident

Quote:
Originally Posted by fraserbyrne View Post
Cheers senorc.. Won't feel official until I have carnet & Pakistan visa ticked off. ha. So yes, might need to be investing in snow chains & Arctic suits. haha. Or trying to find a truck to hitch a ride with!

Saw you had a little accident. Hope it was nothing serious!
Basically I was hit by a car the turned onto the road in Split. The guys panelling was screwed but my luggage and handlebars took the brunt of it so I walked away and the bike's in to get the front suspension and handlebars fixed - should take about a week. I've picked up some broken ribs as well but there's not much you can do about that apart from wait for them to heal.

The fallout is that I have to spend another week in Croatia - I've been in Split, have come over to the island of Hvar and will wander down to Dubrovnik. All I can say is there's sun, sea and ridiculously great looking women everywhere here. I can certainly think of worse places to be out of action for a while!
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 31 Aug 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by senorc View Post
Basically I was hit by a car the turned onto the road in Split. The guys panelling was screwed but my luggage and handlebars took the brunt of it so I walked away and the bike's in to get the front suspension and handlebars fixed - should take about a week. I've picked up some broken ribs as well but there's not much you can do about that apart from wait for them to heal.

The fallout is that I have to spend another week in Croatia - I've been in Split, have come over to the island of Hvar and will wander down to Dubrovnik. All I can say is there's sun, sea and ridiculously great looking women everywhere here. I can certainly think of worse places to be out of action for a while!
SHIT! Well heal fast and good luck fixing bike. Looks like you made it as far as Croatia pretty quickly.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 31 Aug 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Graz
Posts: 12
You are always about 2 weeks in front of me, so if you loose fuel, I pick you up.
Cheers
Heinz
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 1 Sep 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Manchester
Posts: 121
Hello Matt;

Hope you recover soon and will be on the road again.

I will be reading the blog with interest as Im planning the same route two up throgh the M.E. starting next April, will be speding a couple of months touring Turkey so setting off early. Re: Visas for Iran.. i think you can pick them up from quieter embassies i.e. Erzurum, or Trabzon rather than Istanbul. (this is stuff Ive read on here though and not first hand experience.. also one of my friends he applied about 3 times from the UK and it got rejected everytime then in Turkey he went to Erzurum and got one). According to legend sometimes they don't even require ref number (but best to turn up with one) and might give longer visas compared to the busy embasies. Some people have been getting 8 day 10 day visas even when they apply for the 30 day ones. I'm half Turkish and was looking forward to my amazing visa-less entry experience but as of today the rules have changed and will have to apply for visas again.

Anyways all the best and hope all goes well!

P.S.
Ow if you get to greece do some mountain roads like from Ionnia (there is a nice lakeside campsite in ionnia.. you can't miss it) to the other coast towards.. there is a place called Meteora on route.. have a nosy there.. when you get to the other coast there's quite a lot of beach campsites so you could chill there (around Skotinas).. then enter Turkey from Ipsala (through Thesaloniki).. pay your 5 euros for insurance...ride to Kesan if you wanna see Istanbul carry on.. if you wanna head to the Aegean beaches turn right and head to Ecebat see Gallipoli... then Canakkale |(try some fish in local restaurants) then head towards Izmir and you're in the HOT bit.. although should be nice in Sept. Then you can do the south coast etc etc...
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 14 Sep 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Perth West Australia
Posts: 151
Where are you

Quote:
Originally Posted by senorc View Post
Basically I was hit by a car the turned onto the road in Split. The guys panelling was screwed but my luggage and handlebars took the brunt of it so I walked away and the bike's in to get the front suspension and handlebars fixed - should take about a week. I've picked up some broken ribs as well but there's not much you can do about that apart from wait for them to heal.

The fallout is that I have to spend another week in Croatia - I've been in Split, have come over to the island of Hvar and will wander down to Dubrovnik. All I can say is there's sun, sea and ridiculously great looking women everywhere here. I can certainly think of worse places to be out of action for a while!
Hi, hope is all going good. Where are you now?

I've got my Iranian visa finally and just left Istanbul. On the north coast sipping by the beach on the black sea.

Are you back on the road?
__________________
Steven
Perth to Peru 2014 | Perth to Perth 2012
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 15 Sep 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 67
I'm jealous you guys are so far ahead of me. I'm waiting for Carnet quote and going for dreaded Pakistan visa this week... just looking into ways to get a letter of invitation. Been crazy busy inbetween working full time, commuting, trying to tie up loose ends (finish projects), plus sort the trip... getting closer. Sorting Carnet & Pak visa will be the equivalent of 'booking a ticket' for me. Then I've got the race with Mr Frost to eastern Turkey. haha

Hope you are both having a blast.
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 3 Oct 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 67
Senorc - where ya? How you getting on?
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 7 Oct 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Manchester
Posts: 121
Hmm hope he's OK... recovery might be taking longer than expected, as blog hasn't been updated since 20th of August... I check pretty much every other day... hope all is well anyways!
Reply With Quote
Reply


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

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


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Europe August 2012 badcrumble38 Travellers Seeking Travellers 10 2 Jul 2012 21:59
Scotland Europe Russia Mongolia Siberia Australia June 2012 Landroverholic Travellers Seeking Travellers 22 27 Jun 2012 10:23
Eastern Europe tour July- August 2012 jc_bromley Travellers Seeking Travellers 8 9 Apr 2012 17:47
Whose planning Australia to London via East Timor August 2012? Kiwi-videos Travellers Seeking Travellers 26 8 Apr 2012 10:05
Europe to Magadan via the Stans/Mongolia and back 2012 asilindean Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 22 Nov 2011 10:11

 
 

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 05:55.