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Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 7 Nov 2011
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
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Just goes to show how different peoples trips can be..

I found Tanzania touristy and totally geared up for a tourist rip off where I totally loved Ethiopia and had a great experience with it's people and found Addis simply ALIVE and full of decent good people.

Ethiopia could be the most beautiful country in all of Africa too.

I suppose it depends who you run into and how you open yourself up to other people.
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  #2  
Old 7 Nov 2011
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excellent info, so much to look forward to between March and May next year


thanks and all the best for the rest of your journey

cheers
h
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  #3  
Old 7 Nov 2011
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Yes .. Thats true Ted. Ethiopia was a funny one because we met some people who loved it and had no problems and others who absolutely hated it... its a strange old world. What I would say is definitely see for yourself. Don't miss any of the countries out because of a negative review.. just bear in mind the risks. A tip is to wave at the kids as they are picking up a rock and they smile and wave back and forget to throw it. As for all the animals on the road, it could be described as fun if you're not in a hurry and are particularly fond of donkeys and goats... and we heard great reviews of Afar and Danakil depressions .. just we were short on visa time, it was raining heavily and I didn't want to risk taking my rather inexperienced riding companion to the eastern borders which were a bit dodgy at the time.

Also, we never rode the Lake Turkana route in Kenya (east or west of lake) for same reason.. that is something I would like to do. Heard many good things about the riding and the amazing scenery and people.

Now we are trying to see how we can get through Syria and see if visas will start being issued. There is always an upside... instead of a wintery Europe .. we are enjoying the sunshine and Red Sea in the Sinai.

You have to love motorcycle adventuring...

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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
Just goes to show how different peoples trips can be..

I found Tanzania touristy and totally geared up for a tourist rip off where I totally loved Ethiopia and had a great experience with it's people and found Addis simply ALIVE and full of decent good people.

Ethiopia could be the most beautiful country in all of Africa too.

I suppose it depends who you run into and how you open yourself up to other people.
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  #4  
Old 7 Nov 2011
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Like Ted, I'd say my main disagreement is with Ethiopia, and Addis. Wonderful experiences for us. Don't remember how much visa time we had but we departed into Kenya on the last day of its validity.
Would probably have extended if the rains weren't approaching.

I'd agree with Rupert about Tanzania even though he and I travelled through completely different parts of it - it's a BIG country.
Although really, in my memories, the whole continent that I saw was equally enjoyable.

As far as "worst people", I wouldn't judge such a category.
I think this is a good notion to judge all foreign people and places and customs by:
"When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable." (Clifton Fadiman)

Back to Ethiopia, anyone travelling there would do well to visit one of these places on the way, or at least get a clear idea of what a Woonerf is and get it firmly in mind that the whole of Ethiopia is an African version of one.

"Eye contact and human interaction are more effective means to achieve and maintain ......... safe areas than signs and rules."

Will look forward to reading when and how you reach the European side of the Mediterranean, it may be the biggest adventure of the whole trip(!)
Good luck!
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Old 19 Jul 2016
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good reading
planning an africa trip on my ktm 950...good to hear that you made it on a ktm... i was wondering if it's easy to find full syntetic oil along the way???
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  #6  
Old 20 Jul 2016
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Wow things can be so different to different people. I did not like Sudan scince i got arrested there for taking photos but i loved Ethiopia. One of the nicest countrys for me was Gaboun and Burkina Faso. The worst drivers are in Nigeria. I also got attacked there. Most corrupt country was deffinitly Angola!
Adventure experience - motorcycle trip riding across Africa
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