|
My bike is in the port as we speak!
From my country cottage in Yang Pyung to the port of Inchon ,, freezing 140km in two 1/2 hours through Seoul.
Filled in Wendy Choi ,, of the details ,, Picture file too big ,, go here and click The Journey HarleyAdventure |
Looks like a fantastic trip, Enjoy!! :Beach:
The customs guy in this photo looks like all customs people do, in need of a holiday! http://cafe990.daum.net/_c21_/album_...B&title=viewer |
Loading
Guy who is responsible for driving my bike up the ro-ro ramp called me to ask how to start a Harley and how the gears work ,,
Ship arrives in Long Beach on April 11th ,, |
Quote:
|
OK ,, here goes ,,,, Harley start.
2 Attachment(s)
Quote:
Now days,, on the console top of the gas tank,,you turn the main key knob on,, then on your right handle ,,ignition commence switch down ,, wait for the engine light goes out in the speedometer,,then press the start switch next to the commence switch,, when she starts,,, due to engine being cold ,, first gear will not go in so easy ,,, you have to give it a quick and efficient kick down to engage or you will grind the gear,,, |
So far what I have done with my mouth ,,
Bike is enroute
1.9m x .9m x 1.4m 320KG 2006 Harley FLHRI Road King. Inchon, Korea to Long Beach, Ca., USA Ocean freight USD 1,200, which includes Bunker, ocean, LB THC forwarding both end USD 650Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics - worldwide ocean transport, inland services, supply chain solutions, terminal servicesCustoms clearance and documentation both end Korea Express US motorbike insurance for one month USD 375 coverage 50/250/250 Dairyland Insurance Air Freight quote JFK to Berlin or Seville USD 1,800 + + \SHIPMYBIKE.COM in Jamaica New York. Green Card for Europe 45 days for 145 Euro from Mototouring - motorcycle / bike rental, motorcycle tours and riding tours throughout the world in Milano. Sky Rescue evacuation back to Korea for 100,000 with 400,000 death + disability coverage from International Medical Group via Motorcycle Express - Ship Your Bike for 320 bucks for 6 months. Now ,, do I go cross Siberia to Korea,,after Europe in a mad dash ,, or enjoy all the Mediterranean sea coasts, which I know so well,, in memory of my friend who died last year and wanted to ride the Iberian Pennisula,, and do the Russia next year..... I will decide by my gut feeling ,, Friday, I go to the Russian consulate to pick up the visa as visalink.ru invitation for 3mos double entry arrived by EM last night ,, I am flying out on April 8th to LA ,, |
Seouljoe......
You posted on a thread some time ago that nobody ever called in to see you when they shipped to Korea. Well... we leaving the UK this Sunday heading west to USA and then around mid may we will either ship Seattle to Vladivostok or maybe Vancouver to Korea instead then get ferry to Vlad. We had it mind to call you when in Korea and share a beer but it looks like you are running away from us and won't be there. :( :( :( |
Usa
Quote:
|
Bike arrive in Long Beach on 12TH ,
So am I ,,
Here is a good read ,, except the tool part.:scooter: |
Way Points
Took Colebatch's GDB way points and translated to KML for my Android phone.
2700 some way points but from 1300 is a repetition. Will delete all the camping sites and leave only benzine, motels, guest houses and cafes. I am using GPS Essential APP and Google Navigation APP then Latitude APP so my family and friends can see, where I am at all times. Only few more hours before I get on the plane,,,, I am pumped! |
hi,
i am Mark, Strimstrum's riding partner , where you heading ? We are in Maryland awaiting our bikes to arrive in Baltimore (should be here this wednesday ) then we are heading south then along the gulf to the pacific , what sort of route you taking so just maybe we could bump into each other for a beer . Regards Mark |
Quote:
We will be heading South from Baltimore by end of this week into southern states and then west as far as LA then up highway 1 where we hope to fly the bikes from Vancouver to Busan - we have been in touch with Wendy Choi who we hope will sort us out in South Korea. What is your route in the US ? Martin |
Usa
Quote:
Arrived in LA ,, staying at Queen Mary near the port then ,, staying in Santa Monica on 14th. Everything blurry ,, excitement kept me awake all through the flight.. and last night two hours sleep ,, Leaving Santa Monica pier on 15th dawn,, the beginning of the 66,,,meeting with a friend riding out to meet me from Dallas,,, in Alburquerqe, on 17th ,, ride over to Santa Fe then head out on route 66 via St.Louis and meet a anothhttp://cafe.daum.net/HarleyAdventureer friend, who is riding out from Baltimore,, then all the way up to Chicago. End the 66 then head out to New York city. Remember 80% of old 66 is now I-40 Hope we can meet. |
16th ,,,
Got the bike out of customs at 4PM on 14th ,, at Long Beach ,,
Left Santa Monica, Ca. 5AM on 15th of April.2011, on a 2006 Harley Davidson FLHRI ,, The end and beginning of The Mother Road. Arrived in Santa Fe, NM,, having driven 1702 KM to meet up with a friend. Tomorrow Santa Rosa, Tucumcamari and Amarillo. Details here under Journey at [url=http://cafe.daum.net/HarleyAdventure]Daum ī |
04.17 in Amarillo, Texas ,, 2300KM in 3 days
2 Attachment(s)
Amazing part of America,, I am seeing for first time.
Many wild fires on the road side ,, I am behind some awful weather ,, nothing but the glorious weabierbierther ,, and full moon manana... |
Chicago Manana ...
1 Attachment(s)
I thought of mumsie all day today ,, she saved me ,, as I left Oklahoma City ,, the worst ****ing hick town I have ever been in my life ,, Wall Mart level fat women with porky squeezed eyes at every gas station , from Oakie City until I crossed Missouri line ,, mama mia ,, they live in 1950s ,, the great American Will Rogers, from Oklahoma would be shamed of what he sees today.
On the high note I drove 817 KM to St.Louis ,, along the way I met some wonderful characters ,, like this Pola ,, a giant of a man with hand big as my face ,, teddy bear heart ,, a 48 year Harley veteran ,, we shot crap ,, for 30 minutes ,, he told me where to go as I take the Great River Drive up to Mark Twain's birth place...Hannibal , Mo ,, scary name , Hail ,, thunder and lightening warning all day , as I pulled into Sheraton, St,Louis ,, all hell broke loose ,, missed it by 5 minutes ,,MUMSIE ,, at the front desk , I charmed Ms.X ,, she gave me a king suite for USD 110 ,, Yi Haaaa ,, Took shower and went to BBs ,, a St. Louis landmark ,,, where blues and jazz are played all night long ,, came back to hotel ,, got a room massage. Tomorrow ,, off to Chicago ,,, I will have done the Route 66 in 6 days ,, that is BIG 666 .. a record ! [url=http://cafe.daum.net/HarleyAdventure]Daum ī |
Did it ,, Route 66 in 6 days ,, 3,800KM ,,
1 Attachment(s)
As Moslems face Mecca ,, as salmon do upstream ,, John Steinbeck's,, The Mother Road has been about human struggle and triumph,, 1930 dry period following massacre on the Wall Street ,, a 20th century Irish potato famine,, a la Americaine ,,
This is one road ,, that represents biker's dream in entirety ,, IMHO |
Santa Monica to Chicago in 6 days.
1 Attachment(s)
Two days of R&R in Chicago ,, hit jazz clubs ,,
I left the Windy City got stuck two hours out... terrible storm ,, soaking wet and cold. Very dangerous road condition. Tomorrow bit dry according to the weather channel Stuck at a water park resort called Surfari Park with so many poor dead animal heads ,, the owner has shot over the years ,, he even shot zebra and giraff ,, Funny putting my bike to Europe ex New York for May 3rd sailing, on same ship that brought my bike from Inchon to Long Beach. MV/Tonsberg. |
Done with USA ,, niw bike to Europe ,, I am off to Cancun.
Amazing 9 days of sheer cruising on a Harley ,,
By passed all the tragic weather ,, in the USA ,, Hurricanes, Tornados Summer storms,, killed many this year. Crossed Holland Tunnel into Manhattan ,, at 14:22 hours ,, Sisiter in law offered me their flat by the UN,, declined,, took a room at the Elysee on E 54th St,,, need to ship the bike, from Elizabeth, New Jersey to Bremerhaven and head out to Cancun, for few days. |
In Cancun, Mexico
1 Attachment(s)
While bike is in transit ,,
|
Getting closer to Ukraine ,,
In Hamburg now ,, relaxing...
My Bremerhaven customs clearance horror can be read here http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...885#post336223 Poland to Kiev, Ukraine ,, using Lublin as the diving board ,, any idea, which brder has the most effecient people working? After Kiev ,, I must make a hard decision to either go onto Vladivostk , or enjoy the Bulgaria, Rumania, Croatia, Italy, France and Spain. RSVP ,, |
In Warsazwa
Staying at Jan III Sobieski, with underground parking.
They say they will keep on eye on my Harley ,, security seems to be a big problem here in Poland. People are driving like mad ,, passing on your lane ,, took a 30 minute taxi ride yo go see a concert of an American jazz musician, whom I met at the hotel,, a harrowing experience,,. Outside of a lovely village I saw just before the Posnan ,, all grey Soviet era block housing in the city. The old town and the Jewish sector is on tomorrow's schedule. Friends called ,, come down to Croatia, for a HOG rally ,,,Decided to the southern route. Heading down to Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Trieste, Italy, France, Spain, Germany and back to Korea. Will do Russia next year. |
Back Home Safe
Happy to report ,, Back home safe ,,
Did USA Route 66 then to New York ,, Bremerhaven, Hannover, Berlin, Germany then to Warsaw and Krakow Poland to Vienna, Austria then to Zagreb and Biograd, Croatia for 2011 European HOG rally with 5,500 bikes and 15,000 local inhabitant participation ,, then drove 450KM of Croatian coast line to Italy, Trieste, Venice, Milano, to Monaco then to Montpellier along the Cote d'Azur,,crossing the Spain border into Barcelona then up north to Zaragoza, Bilbao and Pamplona ,, to cross into France again to Paris to Luxembourg, to Landau Germany then to Frankfurt ,, just got home yesterday ,, 2012 is for Russia and Mongolia ,, Not a single flat tire or break down on my bike ,, she is a wonderful gal... See you on the road soon folks ,, Pics at Daum 카페 under The Journey Meanwhile, I will be in Korea till next year July ,, any one needs assistance let me know ,, this is not just a lip service ,,, call me at +82 10 4765 4984 or PM me ,, |
Bike by air via DHL Frankfurt
Having DHL air ship ,, my 2006 Harley Davidson Road King including boxing at 320KG 190 cm x 140cm x 90cm ,, paying 2050 Euro ex Frankfurt to down town Seoul DHL terminal ,, fyi Esther Hartmann DHL Frankfurt +49 69 1301 7035
Esther.Hartmann(at)dhl.com |
Here I come Russia !
1 Attachment(s)
All packed ,, hitting the road manana for Dong Hae ,, for the ferry to Vladivostok.
For years I had fear and unknown feelings about Russia coming from S.Korea.. been only to Moscow in 1979. Scary place then. Having read all your posts ,, cleared many doubts. Will use only hotels and gasTINitsas ,, Will check out all the titty bars and opera houses, from Vlad to Odessa. Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania , Italy to finish my RTW. Hope to see on the road several HUBBers ,, including Korean kid Neo , who is in Latvia and thinks he can get the Russian visa. |
Dong Hae to Vladivostok ,, pictures at http://cafe.daum.net/HarleyAdventure
On the day of departure ,, for whole week the weather report said ,, thunder showers but the glorious sun came out ,, Tony rode in his Road King to see me off to the port city of Dong Hae some 280KM away ,, as we started to climb the Sorak mountain range ,, weather turned sower ,, cold icy wind came down with fine icy mist covering everything ,, froze to death. As we were descending I got a message form "Lighthouse Keeper" To the good news of you arriving ,, sun is shining down here ,,, for first time in a month. Indeed when we came down to the seaside,, glorious sun every where.
So three of us ,, one BMW RT1500 and two Harley Road Kings ,, made a run for Dong Hae ,, 80KMs south ,, I found a hotel for 50,000 Won ,, Booking.com wanted 90,000 Won ,, good thing I called the hotel direct ,, in fact this is what I will do from now on. After a din din Lighthouse Keeper drove back to his home,, Sok Cho ,, Tony and I went in search of a bar run by Russian girls to learn Russian,, we found a nice place and her name was Lina ,, learned many useful Russian words ,,, We tucked in at midnight ,, and next day ,, headed down to the port for the process of checking in the bike,,customs ,, passport control. While we are doing this some weirdo Yank calls me over and says ,, "Do you know who I am" ,, Said I ,, "Should I know you" Says he " I was told that they will send a guy on a Harley to kill me ,, if it is true ,, you had better kill me now or I will kill you" Obvious nutcase ,, I walked away ,, Later on the boat as we were docking at Vladivostok I ended up punching the guy ,, and he fell over ,, nutcase after picking fights with elderly Korean men all through the night ,, SOB grabbed my shirt collar as I was passing him. He made a big stink ,, I almost kicked him in the face, when he was down,, but held back ,, one punch was enough. Tony had to go back to Seoul on his own ,, some 5 hours away,, but it was so nice have my best kid brother riding at my side. Thank you Tony! And thanks Lighthouse Keeper for riding 4 hours for a din din and your words of encouragement meant a lot! At the port of Doing Hae ,, as I was waiting to board alone , Lina ,, the Russian girl from night before came to say good bye ,, amazing , I didn't even hold her hands ,, yet she thought it was amazing an old man like me would go through Russia on a Harley Davidson ,, her favorite bike. She told me that she worked as receptionist at the Hotel Hyundai Vladivostok DBS ferry sucks all the way ,, ramp going up is very dangerous and has a nasty right hook at the top ,,I really wonder how the Russian stevedores will drive my bike down in one piece. Had first class room for two people , a complete stranger 7ft tall Russian guy who snored all night. One key for the room ,, every time he went out ,, he would take the frigging key and I would be locked out. Da ,, The so call standard room is worse ,, you are squeezed in a series of bunk beds ,, claustrophobic ,, so call family room forget it ,, loud Koreans talking all night chewing squid and drinking Soju When you disembark ,, it takes some three hours as first to get off are 72 hour no visa tourists ,, then Russians and the rest ,, the immigration and customs area is no narrow ,, only 50 people are let off at a time. Also the docking port is not really a regular passenger terminal at all ,, more of an annex to the rail, road station. I was met by Yuri Melnikov's assistance,,, drove to their office to make copies of my bike documents. New law ,, NEW LAW ,, FROM ON ,, THOSE ENTERING VLADIVOSTOK PORT MUST HAVE SOME SORT OF BIKE SAFETY CERTIFICATION. WITH OUT IT NO INSURANCE,, NO INSURANCE NO BIKE! I gave her a Korean registration with bunch of stamps. Hope it works. They are coming tomorrow at 11:30 AM ..taking them out to lunch ,, understand bushman UK ,, adopted her ,, she stayed at his home, when she came to UK for a visit. Such a nice guy. Checked into Hotel Hyundai ,, understand it is the best in Vladivostok ,, also in par with Hotel Versaille. Still perhaps three star hotel any where else,, gave me a discount for USD 200 a night. Tomorrow night I am meeting up with Iron Angels at their club house to make plans for the orphanage visit. My bike comes out on Wednesday.. then I am off and will drive to Khabarovsk ,, 760KM away ,, |
I am in love again ,,Vive La Vladivostok!!
Heading out manana ,, escorted by Iron Angels,,to Khabarovsk ,,
Made a donation to an infant ward,, some 2800 dollars worth of diapers and toys. Iron Angels carried them in their pick up,, beautiful babies ,, abandoned. Had a wonderful time here ,, Yuri ,, Svetlana ,, and all the beautiful ladies of Vladi ,,,I shall return ! ! ! ! Roof top bar at the hotel Hyundai has impressive array of high class ladies of the night,, |
Quote:
Hi Joe Say hello yo Yuri & Sveta from me and Bushman. We enjoyed looking after her when she came to stay in England. Mark (Bushman) came over to stay with me and my wife and Sveta stayed with us. We took her out to see the sights of England - sorry to see her go back, Martin |
Quote:
I did indeed ,, took Svet to a Korean rest at Hyundai ,, then took both to Bombay ,, then to a Karaoke ,, then to R&B dance club ,, sent Svet home ,, looked in on the titty bar by the Hotel Vlad... Uck ! When do I met you guys? Neo got his Russian visa in Latvia ,, he has to be on Vlad on 23rd,, got to haul some butt! |
Khabarovsk ,,
Left Vlad at 12 noon ,, Iron angels escorted me out of town to the Vlad monument ,,, not far from it ,, road started to shake too much for my Harley ladden with all the baggage ,, drove and drove ,,some 9 hours,,, off road ,, bumpy asphalt ,, very little smooth surface ,, met a biker ,, asked if he knew a hotel ,, guy took me into town ,, pretty good size 350k from Khaba ,, soon 20 some bikers showed up looking punkinsh,,,, rather than finding me a room ,, prixks mucked about my bike ,, I even heard one guy calling me a chink ,, then the leader says come and sleep at his house ,, yeah right ,, I left in a hurry ,, drove till midnight ,, found a GAI real slimey shit ,, hole in the wall ,, for 600 rubles and really Stalin era friendly woman ,, room had a piss pot.
Oh well ,, Next day woke up at 6 ,, arrived Khaba at 5PM,, some real major works going on folks ,, bone jittering ride it was ,, Went to a taxi stand and asked for the best hotel in Khaba ,,.. he took me to Parus ,, checked in ,, hot bath then walked around the top,, what a beautiful city ,, if Vlad was Kodiak ,, Khaba is Anchorage ,,, |
Quote:
|
Left Khaba..0715.Arrived Belogorsk...1915...760 km.
12 hours of beautiful scenery.... Nightmare off road riding... Meeting 50 good peole... 50 bad people...now I know why Ruskies always answer 50/50- Also I have not seen a single cow..sheep. or horse... Where do they keep them? |
Are you going down to UB?
|
Quote:
Being pampered by Iron Angels Mogacha chapter... Interesting town.... flat and low from the highway ,, wet through out ,, Siberian rail passes through the heart ,, packs of wild dogs,, friendly cops,,shitty gastnitsa ,, only one in town. 3000 rubles for a shit hole, equal to slums of Calcutta. Only the Iron Angels brothers are keeping me sane. Staying for two days lots of photos and sauna. Loaded up with 20L fuel can. Turned out not necessary ,, gave it to Sasha's father Mogocha to Chita exactly 292KM between the benzine kiosk. Great road condition..great scenery...people getting friendlier as I go west. Toilet shitter... Animals slowly ,, Rode hard today 918km. |
Arrived in Chita ,, 598KM from Mogocha ,, took me 12 hours ,, the wind ,, the bumps ,, very dangerous ,, and cold stares from all the Slavic faces ,,
Then found a fun hotel ,, Panama City,, great restaurant, in the back of the compound ,, sweet vodka and good European wine,, the food I dare say better than Michellin 3 star ,, next door is a titty bar ,, a disco ,, a Chinese restaurant ,, Hookers hanging out at the lobby ,, front desk haggles price for you. Pics at my site ,, I have done 30% of Russia in 4 days. Tomorrow to Ulan Ude ,,, but will sleep some where in the middle ,, PS .. I see no difference betwen Chita and Ulan Bator ,, Mongols ,, my people ,, they smile and am greeted warmly ,, all the mistrusting stern ,, Ruskie,, Slavic looks I have had from Khaba to Chita slowly disappearing. Love and hate ,, with these people so far ,, good ones will tear your heart out, with kindness ,, bad ones belong in the shitty toilets that they have all over their country. |
It's funny we had that in European part of Russia. It seems they need know you a little before they warm up. But here in Siberia it is different again.
Oh man are you moving BTW. |
Left Chita ,, at 10 AM ,, because I had to go find a bank ,, ,when I came back a man was sitting on my bike,,, had to give him some choice words ,,
Ulan Ude By far this was the roughest route ,, 15 hours ,, arrived at 1 AM ,, staying at Baikal Plaza Palace ,, went to the sushi bar ,, last order,, three stiff pour of vodka and beer,, they serve me frigging lamb with sashimi,, ,, Waiter was Asiatic,, I ask , Mongol? ,, Nyet ,,Ruskie is the answer. Da ,, Harasho ! My people same eyes , no English ,, they worship Korean K-Pop ,,,No Korean though,, ,, To bed ,, from here on ,, no more than 8 hours of riding per day ,, not worth the risk I took at my age. Did have a massage in the room and passed out, I had all my valuables in the room safe. Paid in advance,, told her to leave, after I fell a sleep. Staying here for two days ,, if any one wants to drop by,,, room 229 Mr.Park . |
Coming in to Ude ,, following a river at midnight ,, scant moon ,, was quite spectacular ,,
All the generosity of Russians who gave me grace,, I kept my promises and paid them back in double ,, What I liked about Ulan ,, all the advertisements and billboards feature Asiatic faces and people. None of the white man smoking Marlboro in the slums of Watts and Harlem. It was mini Mongolia ,, or mini Korea for that matter. Lovely little town. |
Quote:
They do drive rather well,, I was impressed. Dropping Ulan Bator (Seen it before),, seen Chita,, horses,, cows ,, goats ,, wind,,food. Baikal tomorrow ,, It would be fun to meet you ,, and Melik , on the way ,, get pissed. So far best city in the East Russia is Vladivostok,,, most cosmopolitan,,,most beautiful women. |
Just walked into Irkutsk Marriott..
Almost got wiped out three times..coming off the Baikal mountain...schmucks wantonly passing from other side. Met two Poles..Ukrainian bikers coming from other way. Sunday drivers out in full force..mama mia. Be very careful ,, stay on the right side of the lane ,, they will blind curve like no tomorrow ,, I like what I am seeing here ,, beautiful river right on the smack of the town ,,, |
Beautiful country side ,, all the way from Itkutsk to Krasnoyarsk ,,
Spent a night in Tulun 390K from Irkutsk ,, reminded me of Tulum New Mexico , name wise ,, People were nice ,, got my light fixed for 5 bucks ,, parts only,, labour free ,, great car wash for 5 bucks ,, ended up messy right outside of Tulun. Gastinitsa Centrale ,, right on the main street on top of the only bank and Western Union ,, market on the right ,, great deli ,,, cafe restaurant in the basement .. secure parking with cctv ,, 2,000 rubles. Very clean ! Left Tulun at 6AM ,, arrived Krasnoyarsk ,, at 9PM ,,690KM shitty road ,, construction every where and bumpy road ,, must have done at least 100km of gravel ,, My Harley bottomed out dozens of times ,, Last 40 klicks were sheer dream ,, for first time I did 120k an hour on a smooth road. Gee ,,, average speed all the way was 60 KM an hour! Staying at hotel Krasnoyarsk ,,, great international Jazz and music festival going on ,, Two or three days here ,, need a rest,,,oil change today at a Yamaha dealer ! , They say they do local Harleys. Nice looking city ,, reminds me of Budapest ,, river every where. Took me 9 days to get here from Vladivostok. Need to fly out of Italy ,, 10TH latest ,, to be in Australia on the 14TH of August. As I go west , people are responding ,, smiling ,,, what a difference a thousand KM makes in people's mindset.Moving up Russia to 6 out of 10. Great food ,, I was surprised ,, every where I went food is excellent. Another surprise ,, as soon as a pedestrian comes to curve ,, all the traffic stops! Something our Korean drivers will never learn in our life time. There is a large square ,, at night boys and girls come out and sit around and do a sort of Latin ,, mating ritual ,, checking each other out. Interesting. Had a few drinks with them ,, Room massage later that night ,, fell asleep by 11. |
Man you arent taking it easy.
|
Kidnapped in Kemerov ,,
By bunch of bikers ,, insists I attend his wife's B party then a bike festival, in Barnaul ,, home of AK47.
Stuck here ,, meanwhile my rear shocks ,, throttle cable needs work ,, Be careful ,, Beryoxorvsky towars Krasnoyarsk ,, after 2PM ,, sun gets so hot ,, the asphalt becomes like a puddle of oil no friction and many machine gun bumps ,, I saw BMW 1000 ,, wiped out,, boxed and carried away ,, I also had a real close call ,, |
Still in Altai.. Barnaul.
Rain last three days but grest number of enthusiastic Central Siberian bikers.. Heading back to Kemorovo tomorrow to hit the road to Omsk. Every biker chicks wants a picture with me ,, Shem from Kemerovo and Alex from Barnaul biker club treats me like a VIP. Thank you,, will never forget your warm friendship Hit all the titty bars and biker bars. |
Ah I didn't realize you were in Barnual I would have come looking for you.
|
Quote:
Martin |
In Omsk...Turist Hotel...
Checked in 5 min after midnight... so reception let me stay two nights for one. Nice town.. On the river bank.. Found a great biker bar.. Bob... threw me a party with few of his biker friends ,, smooth vodka,, left a signed hundred dollar bill, in his club picture frame. Next day had a nice leisure swim on the river ,, great food and restaurants every where,, very European small village atmosphere ,, friendly and cosmopolitan town. Went to a local banya ,, great body rub and cold vodka after wards. My second favourite city in Russia after Vladivostok. |
In Ekartrinberg ,, ride from hell ,, worst 620 KM ,, worse than frigging Siberia ,,
Only reason I am here ,, for the Harley dealer for tire change ,, and service. To put a mark on Tyumin ,, the beginning of Siberia ,, Ugly town ,, ugly axx holes throwing garbage out the car windows in down town ,, Staying at the hotel Onegin ,, Next is Samara ,, I see why every one liked Siberia better ,, they had Ochin Dobre. This is a mafia town as every one knows,,, and Tartar women looks like Filipinos ! |
Spent a day exploring the city.
Ran in to two Norwegians following Walter snd Tony's Magadan..at the Harley dealer..I have told him to look for two Poles..who went two weeks before...Harley dealer bought lunch..got charged 600 bucks...then tried to sell me a T shirt for 150 bucks after sales kid told me it was free. Mechs workef two times slower than US..three times than Korea or Japan, cigarette breaks ,, labour 9200 pyo ,, one rubber tie down,, air filter, two liters of oil ,, one nut 11,000 pyo with 5% discount. And they fed up my windshield I said either polish or cut the top if not able to.. They did both.... American appetite..Some where Mexico and Pakistan mind set..avoid this Harley dealer. I was the only job for the day ..Go to Yamaha. Yamalube better than Harley oil if Mobil 1 gold cap not avaliable... thicker ,, lasts longer. Also just to top off a little ,, diesel is the best for Harley engine. |
In Ufa...
Frigging bridge construction..putting all the traffic two hours back. I did cross the once in a life time Urals.. Met a most beautiful Armenian family, who runs motel at the very top. Was caught in a thunder shower with frightening lightening all around ,, used the bike cover as a poncho for two hours off the road ,, Also mind f ing blowing... I pay usd 150 for 3star hotels. Shit motels want 3200 pyo.. Gee. Ufa looks..feels very greasy.. |
In Samara.. Another long day..left Ufa at 9AM Samara at 6PM... 36-38 celsus heat. Wrapping wet towels and swallowing salts at cafes. 50-50 bad and good road. Mariott with manicure helps. Tomorrow to Engels...hope less traffic than M5.
|
Still in Samara.. Met some wonderful people... I've came to an opinion that Russians in general are great people...ochin dobre. When I return..I will do every thing possible to promote friendship between Korea and Russia.
Three days of R&R here... took out all the road stress and kinks. Russia moved up to 8 out of 10 now. |
Celebrity Status ,,
Gee ,, so far Mogocha news paper ,, Omsk TV ,, Samara TV ,, today's interview was for two long hours ,, gee ,, for 10 minute spot ,,
Pushing Sam Sung ,, LG ,, Hyundai and Kia ,, ;) Tomorrow 4 am start for Volgograd ,, |
Hey Joe,
your are doing a reverse of what I just did !! I am now in Vlad, looking at my options. I would like to sell my bike here and head towards Australia, if that is too difficult I will head to South Korea and meet up with you for storage and carry on to Australia. I had a fantastic time getting here but some of the road conditions were soul destroying !!! and bumpy !! Enjoy Volgograd and say hi to Mamma Russia :-) Cheers Geordie aka Will |
Quote:
New asphalt turns into an oil slick after 12PM hot sun,,,did you notice so many Russian cars with broken windshields ,, Call Iron Angels, Vladivostok ,, our Korean HUBB counter part ,,, +7 (8) 964 436 66 59 ,, We did charity work together. You can also stay at the club house for free. Also ,, you could pack it over to Korea by DBS ferry ,, contact any Korean HUBBer mentioned under Riding Pointers in Korea thread, for selling in Korea. They will advertise it for you at our site. It will be easier to ship to Australia, from Korea as a household personal item LCL basis ,, as you know huge Korean community in Sydney ,, they ship their households,, ramens ,, Sam Sung appliances etc. Ask Wendy Choi about this. Around 1,000 dollar for this. I am shipping back my Harley from Milano to Korea, for 850 euros ,, by a Korean forwarder. I will be in Sydney on 14TH of August for a wedding of my favourite cousin. Will also play few rounds of golf. ;) |
Arrived Volgograd late last night ,,
Gregory friend of an Omsk biker ,, heard I was in ,, he ran over ,, dragged me out with other biker friends Night Hawks. Went for a drink ,, he wanted me to do a Karaoke ,, after 16 hours of riding ,,, said no. Meet tomorrow. Today they are taking me sight seeing Volgograd. Tomorrow ,, again at 4AM I leave for Rostov-Na-Donu - then onto Odessa,, planning two days for this. Sun gets hot by 11AM ,, but I've noticed more south I go ,, it is a dry hot like the Arizona desert ,, not humid as up in Omsk ,, Ekatrinburg,, Ufa and Samara. I had enough of shit Russian roads , their insane f ing drivers ,, I miss culture ,, relics of middle ages ,, renaissance ,, quaint European villages,, some real bread of variety ,, not f ing Klip ,, how many pieces shit any more. No more 9,000 rubles becoming 19,000 rubles all of a sudden ,, Going past the Volgograd University on the way to my hotel ,, I saw two black faces,,, I stopped the bike ,, got off and gave this two Nigerian students hug,,, just for being black in Russia. Then when I went for a drink, with my welcoming bikers at a club ,, gee a Korean bar tender from Seoul ,, who also stayed after studying Russian. He met a Russian girl.. Russian girls in clubs ,, looks like Alstadt girls in Germany during 80s ,, dressed and acts like poodles. |
Keep it coming Joe :thumbup1:
Really enjoying your threads... your right.. Russia is not CHEAP !!! only fuel if you compare it to UK prices. I hit a patch of diesel come melted tar just outside of Ulan Ude, it was like hitting black ice..... of course I went down !! Bike slid for 100 metres and I followed it on my arse for 50 metres!! Broke a few bits but the bike was ridable and off I went again... I now have a phobia for anything that looks like shiney tar ! Will follow up your posts. I am meeting Yuri soon to discuss shipping or even selling bike in Russia Cheers Geordie aka Will |
Volgograd ,,,
1 Attachment(s)
Semblance of civilization ,, still no civility ,,
However,, today... a kicker. Went sight seeing with Gregory and Vladimir ,, The Night Hawks of Volgograd,, After the Stalin museum , a 21 year old ,,young girl younger than my daughter,, , came to me and said ,, You are a beautiful man ,, can I have a photo. This turned into a lunch with all of us , then she asked to hold my hand ,, you have to live a long life to see things like this ,, she was a lovely girl. |
In Rostov-On-Don ,,
Most boring city in Russia ,, People are cursed here ,, it's in their genes ,, so frigging unfriendly ,, so paranoid,, later I found out ,, most racist city in Russia. Staying at On Don Concord ,, tried to get a massage on the 17th and first floor ,, zombie robots said Nyet. All full.. and it's the way they say things ,, if they were Koreans or Americans I would have slapped their faces silly, with some choice words. Can't wait to get out of this frigging country ,, I have Russia coming out of all my orifices,, 35 days of it. Best city I like ,, in the route I took. Omsk and Vladivostok. It's the people that makes a city. The worst city ,, Samara, Rostov and Ekatrinburg. Manana hitting Ukraine ,, need the change of expressions in people. Can't wait till Romania ,, Bulgaria ,, then Italy. Met a BMW rider from Barcelona ,, heading out to Ulan Batur via Kazak,, poor guy ,, tarmac hit 44 degrees today. |
People are actually laughing ,, and smiling !
To cross into Ukraine from Russia took only 30 minutes ,, first thing was the insurance ,, 50 bucks for 15 days ,, changed all the Rubles,,
The road is not European standard but 10 times better than Russia ,, it is not life or death ,, did a rather nice run today. People,, the zombie look is gone ,, very engaging ,, if ask a direction ,,, you get a mouthful ,, being on a Harley also helps,, I've noticed. A grandma waved her arm ,, for me to swim by her house on the river ,, seeing me riding shirtless,,, Lunch was a nice size salmon with grilled vegetables ,, gas water ,, espresso ,, all for 12 bucks ,, for dinner steak ,, potato tartar ,, green salad ,, 500cc draft Armenian bread for 14 bucks ,, the best hotel in town Melitopol ,, with a view ,, 45 bucks ,, I like it here ,, tomorrow to Odessa. |
Odessa
450 km from Melitopol..first 250K was rougher than yesterday...last 200K..sheer dream... like all roads should be.
Staying at Londonskaya..an old timer by the Pushkin square..over looking the Black Sea... Massage now then to Arcadia. Ukrainians are already,, Europeans indeed. Ah..sense of civility is back... Twice today ,, as I took a break in the shade by the road side ,, Ukranian bikers stopped ,, one going other way ,, to see if I was all right.,, Outside of my hotel on the promenade ,, musicians ,, a duet playing a cello and violin ,, further down ,, a jazz quartet... Speaking English is not a shame any more ,, waiters,,,prostitutes ,,normal pedestrians speaks English and wants to use it ,, At a small benzine station ,, a woman cleaning about came over to help me with the pumping ,, just so she can practice her English. And when you say thank you ,, they love to respond with a bit of British twang ,, " Not at all " They must have seen old Poirot series. ;) |
Tomorrow...daunting Moldova..hearing shitty road.
Tonight...sushi... Now Thai massage...later ballet Don Giovani at the BXIA.. Ah Odessa. |
Left Odessa at 7AM..150 km to kiev,, great road then turned west to Moldovan border for 80km..of pot holes...no kafe.. Then greasy Moldovan...immigration and customs...soon Transnistria ... Went thru four borders..while my immigraton card disappeared..Moldovan cop took 30bucks for not havig Moldovan insurance when there is nowhere to buy them...
In Chisinau.. Found a nice hotel for 90 euro...pool...bike in the closed garden gate...Vis Pas...very friendly ..Feel like I am in Palm Springs this hotel. Pics at my site. Shower ,, din din and to bed for Bucaresti manana ,, |
To Bucaresti ...
Went to bed last night at 8 ,, took a snooze to wake up for the Olympic opening ceremony,, at 11PM ,, it looked like it will be an all night thing ,, turned the tube off and went back to bed, Woke at 4 AM ,,,last night's wedding party has moved to the swimming pool. Moldovans party hard. Had reception brew me an espresso ,, took M1 out of Chisinau to west then south. Contrary to my feelings , Moldova is quite beautiful and well organized. The road was fantastic as well. 80 KM away was the border to Romania,, took 20 minutes from Moldova ,,, Romanian guards are having a meeting. Waited 45 minutes then another 20 minutes to clear the border ,, I feared bad road,, to my surprise ,, great road ,, with sporadic road work congestion. Romanians are very animate people ,, use lot of hands for gestures,, instantly friendly ,, and while I was having lunch ,, a very normal looking guy points to my bike and tells me to come ,, wondering I walked over ,, he says I must pay parking fee of 3 euro ,, young people in the restaurant,, shaking their heads and fingers saying no ,, I yelled at SOB and he quietly went away ,, and when I was about to take after the lunch ,, a bum showed up ,, hitting me for money. I just took off. If Moldova is Taiwan ,, Romania is Viet Nam ,, Surprising that Romanian GDP is bigger ,, earlier Euro zone entry. Romanian country side is like the Sunday Farmer's Market ,, horses ,, goats ,, sheep ,, cows ,, people ,, carts are all out on the street. It's the Latin blood vs northern Slavic blood. Whew ,, In Bucarest ,, found a cute boutique hotel on Booking.com for 57 euros ,, all Ikea stuff but big bed. Hotel Christina ,, quiet street and no traffic noise. Bike parked right in the entrance off the street. Owner has a wonderful warm personality. Good restaurant,,, around the corner is a place called Mon Amor..Erotic massage... great service. Tomorrow to Sofia, Bulgaria. |
Sofia
Today's ride was an absolute biker's fantasy ,, over the mountains ,, endless curving road ,, beneath ,, wide valleys and open fields ,,and mountains standing proud like the Bulgarians ,, Every one ,, especially Romanians warned me about Bulgaria ,, negative things,, they don't speak English , Every Bulgarian I've met spoke English ,, they are kind ,, they are gentle ,,, and the food taste great,, at a small road side restaurant ,, I had a simple tomato and cue cumber salad with cheese sprinkled on ,, dark olives ,, and it was wonderfully filling and tasted great.
Again found a hotel on Booking.com ,, 5 star,, Hotel Anel for 72 Euros ,, management saw my bike and upgraded me to a bloody suite with fruit basket. Ah ,, I can stay here for a week ! Went to Motto restaurant , the most chic chic youngish restaurant ,, great food ,, all for a tip for a doorman in Korea. Walked back to the hotel ,, what a beautiful city ,, I almost compare it to Praha ,, ! |
Ohrid, Macedonia
450 KM of another endless curves and mountains ,, this Balkan mountain range beats not only the Urals ,, perhaps even Altai. Mountain after mountain,, up and down ,, all 450 KM of it ,, and the most friendly border guards ,, gives me the travel brochure ,, all speaks perfect English with lots of smiles to boot. If no English ,, I can use German, French , Italian ,, bring it on.
Good drivers ,, great road ,, but I still have post Siberia trauma ,, can not make a run for it ,, don't trust the road yet. I am here 90 KM from the Albanian border ,,, ready to make the run to catch the ferry to Italy tomorrow night, from Durres. Sitting at the Orhid , the lakes ,, reminds me of Cuomo, in Italy. Had a nice swim ,, right off the hotel restaurant.. This trip is slowly coming to an end ,, as soon as I cross to Italy ,, things will move fast. PS.. More west and south,,I go... Progressively women are becoming shorter and wider urghhhh! I miss Russian women !!!!! |
To Albania ,, TIrana and Durres,,
There are no flat land in Albania...another gut wrenching mountain curve road...filled with goats..sheeps..and sherpherds... The capitol Tirrana could be Beirut in 80s during the war..totally immersed in Arab throng...the music..behavior of the drivers...Got the 11 PM ferry ticket for a private room and bike for 58 Euro...Lunch 14... Hotel by hour 20..now to the beach for a tan to kill the time,,,
|
Hi Joe
Me and Mark (Bushman) took the ferry Durres to Ancona at the beginning of July. We slept on deck because the air conditioning in the cabins was bust - great laying on the deck looking at the stars. We loved Albania (not Durres though) - watch out for the beggars at the port. We took the old mountain road from Permet to Berat - it took us 7 hours to travel 70 kilometres... the locals told us it was a dangerous road and nobody uses it but it was good fun (not so much fun on a Harley I suspect !) Neo tells me that he is home safe - pleased he is safe, sad he didn't fulfil his dream of riding home. Martin |
I have been in in Russia for 12 days then Ukraine first 500k great roads then 700k of the worst roads I have have seen M13 only thing was very little traffic for 200 k
In Moldova Chisinau after night ware shakedown crossing thru Transnititera Really enjoying your reports |
Quote:
Korean bikers sent Neo a ticket out of our membership dues and contributions. |
In Ancona ,,
Long drive ,, from Bari ,, the ferry from Durres ,, bikes gets loaded dead last ,, but we get off first also.
Having a private cabin really helped ,, did get few winks but dead tired all day. Half autostrada ,, half beach road ,, checked into Grand Hotel ,, nice set up great view ,, 95 Euro ,, met a young guy, who was walking his dog ,, who spoke perfect English ,, asked him for a good restaurant ,, had him send me an EM when he got home ,, this is his report. This is all within half an hour, while I was having a beer on the balcony he was below ,, gave him my name card. "Hi Mr. Park, this is my suggestion about where to eat in Ancona: Ristorante Giacchetti It's 7 km approx from Ancona, in Portonovo's bay, a place you must see in this season. It's a bit expensive but u can eat very good fish there. I usually take pasta like "ciavattoni allo scoglio" as entree and then some fresh fish (ask the waiter). They have some awesome deserts too (like mandarino di ciculli icecream or dolcetti homemade). This is best place you can go in my opinion. The bay is full of other restaurants anyway, so fish everywhere! If you want to stay in town (means NO MOTORBIKE), Strabacco Restaurant is also good; it's an "osteria" so strange mood for you maybe. It's just about 1.5 km from your hotel, u can walk down the Viale della Vittoria and ask there. After dinner you can go to Mole Vanvitelliana for a beer; that's the center of nightlife in summer. I'd join you for a beer but i'm having some problems with my kidneys (got rocks inside them, don't kow the english name) these days! Anyway, enjoy your staying here and have a safe trip back home! P.S.: Don't go to Passetto Restaurant (i'ts in front of your hotel), everyone told me i'ts BAD!" Went to Osteria ,, great rustic atmosphere ,, orderd a dozen this and that with a bottle of Barolo Reservo ,, hung out for three hours chatting up thick wasted ladies ,, Tomorrow to MIlano ,,, Friday dropping the bike off at the forwarders ,, fly home Saturday ,, wife picking me up on Sunday. Will paint Milano red for last two nights. Yiiii Haaaaa !!!!! |
Quote:
|
End of RTW
In Milano... This ends my RTW.
Been a blast. Champagne tonight. |
Great trip
Well done! Thanks for keeping us entertained. Great style of reporting for your ride! And fast!
Have a good flight back home. In my limited exerience it's very strange indeed sitting in a plane all that time, going right back to where you started..... Cheers bier with champagne |
Quote:
Have a good flight back home - shame you didn't get to the UK as me and Mark would have enjoyed your company. Maybe we can catch each other in South Korea sometime ... Give our regards to Neo Martin |
Home sweet home ,, arrived two days ago,, lots of sleeping ,, got the boat out this morning. Will sail a bit until the bike arrives from Italy.
Huge heat wave in Korea ,, been 36-38C for two weeks I hear. Today is 30. So good to have my food and own bed. |
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 17:14. |