Portugal 2004: Second Annual HU Travellers Meeting

Why Come to a Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Meeting?

You can meet people who don't think you're crazy for wanting to ride your bike to South America or Africa or across Asia, or even around the world! Admit it, all your 'normal' friends and most of your family fears for your sanity! So, this is your opportunity to meet the people who will encourage you in that craziness, share their experiences and advice on how to do it, and maybe you'll meet them again in Mongolia or Timbuktu!

GÃ³is, Portugal, September 24-26, 2004

Meeting Report and photos

We had a good turnout, with folks from several Europena countries coming, and I was there as well, holding up the Canadian flag! The Portugese naturally had the biggest turnout, with the Brits a strong second, also Spain, Germany and Malaysia.

A big Thank You to António Caldeira, our ever-helpful local host, for all his hard work and late nights making sure everything was ready and working, he did a great job, and thanks to him again for driving me to and from the airport.

Thanks also to all those who went to the trouble of preparing slides and presentations, and were brave enough to stand up in front of a crowd!

Ernesto Brochado, India
Tito Baião and João Pedro, from Luanda to Oporto helping to create new school library for children.
Linda Bootherstone, to Ukraine
António Brás, Books to Mozambique
Carlos Azevedo, to Mauritania
Also a special thanks to Filipe Elias for his GPS presentation and very generous donation of a GPS as a door prize!

We are currently planning to have next year's event either at the same location or possibly in Oporto, but are open to new venues. If you know of a location you think might be suitable, please let us know. We need camping, food and a Presentation room, within walking distance of each other, preferably on the same grounds.

There is a writeup on the 2004 Meeting with photos published in the "best known and largest circulation motorcycle magazine Moto Jornal... www.fnm.pt/fnm/artigo.asp?cod_artigo=107698 of the Portuguese Motorcycle Federation."

2005 information in progress, please check back for more info.

Following photos by Francisco Caeiro and Carlos Azevedo. Thanks for sending them in!

More photos:

http://nomads.smugmug.com/gallery/233761

http://FC.smugmug.com/gallery/241170/10/9415348

The Plan - what happened...

The general plan is simple. Show up Friday or Saturday, have a drink, tell some lies, have another drink, eat early, then slide shows are planned.

2004 speakers so far:

Grant Johnson - I was there, and gave a 2 hour presentation on "How YOU can do it"
Tito Baião, Macau to Oporto in 2000 and Angola to Oporto 2003.
Ernesto Brochado, one of the most well known motorcyclists in Portugal, trip in India.
António Brás and João Menezes, film they made in a trip from Oporto to Mozambique with the aim to deliver books (a small library) to several remotely located schools.
Linda Bootherstone, Spain, on a trip to Ukraine
you? Let us know if you have something to show! Volunteers wanted!

There were slide shows Friday and Saturday night, so come early and make it a great weekend!

Reservations and Registration -

all over and done with of course, but go here for the 2005 information.

The Meeting Location for 2004

Parque de Campismo de Gois, the web site is www.goiscamping.com

Camping is only €2.

The town of Góis is near Coimbra (ca. 40Kms) and about 200Kms north from Lisbon and 160Kms south from Oporto.

Click the map above for a high quality version.

Entry gate to "Parque de Campismo de Gois"

camping area

grounds

on the grounds

The meeting room

Local Hosts

António Caldeira is the organizer for this event. Thanks António! If you want to help make this an even better event, please contact António. He could use some assistance!

If you have any questions, he can be contacted here:

António Caldeira
Rua Marques de Oliveira, 22 - 1º
4250-280 PORTO

Cell Phone: 351 93 633 61 70 or
FAX: 351 22 947 90 89

for further informatio