Asia tour through Japan

[harthel2011]

After the end of my professional activities I have implemented the 30-year-old dream of a world trip. The first part took me with my Transalp 650 in July 2011 in Africa from Mozambique to South Africa to Maputo. From there we went back to Mozambique. For the first 10 countries in 5 months I drove about 25,000 km away. The second part followed nine months later as a tour through America. It went from Tierra del Fuego in Argentina through Central America, Mexico, the US East Coast to just across the border to Canada. For the 21 countries I needed 45,000 km and 10 months. After another 9 month break started the third part of my trip through Asia. It went from Europe to the Caucasus, Central Asia, Russia to Japan. The way back went to South Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Iran, the Caucasus, Eastern Europe after Germany. For the 35 new countries I am 17 months drove some 65,000 km away.

I am very happy that I arrived on 30/09/2015 with no major injuries back home. After several falls in Tajikistan, I thought a short time to a discontinuation of travel. But that is just as difficult as to go further. When I reached Japan in 3 months after departure, I guessed that I need to back 4 times as much time. The formalities in Asia are much more complicated than in Africa and South America. In Pakistan I experienced the most beautiful scenery and the most serious illness during this trip. The great helpfulness of doctors in Quetta has enabled me to continue the journey after 12 days.

My bike has brought me several times by different breakdowns almost to despair. However, it has never left me for about 170.000 km 5 years longer time in the lurch. However, it is come back with serious knocks and high repair costs. Thank you very much Transalp. But I am separated from him and replaced by its successor, Transalp 700. I hope I do not have to wait another 30 years to make the next trip. If someone needs information on the path, countries, visa, insurance, accommodation, transport, he can ask me gladly.
Hartmut

[Grant Johnson]

Sounds like you have a great story just waiting to be told!

How about posting some stories and photos? And of course please answer travellers questions as they come up.

I tried to look at your photos but the link is bad. (Now fixed in your signature)

[Grant Johnson]

Perhaps you'd like to talk about your trip at the HU Germany Travellers Meeting coming up May 5-8?

[harthel2011]

My English language knowledge are very low and not enough to hold a presentation.

[Grant Johnson]

Originally Posted by harthel2011

My English language knowledge are very low and not enough to hold a presentation.

Not a problem! Do it in German - for events not in English speaking countries, we expect locals to speak in the language they're comfortable in. There are always people around who can translate on-the-fly for foreigners.

[nrgizr]

Thanks for sharing and definitely go to the Hub meeting in Germany. You will find people hungry for your story.

On a separate note I would appreciate some info on Pakistan.
What visa did you get? Could you get a multiple entry visa valid for longer than a few months?
What made you sick?
What route did you take that was so amazing?
Did you need a military escort?
What about fuel quality, food, and carrying cash....do ATMs work?

I will be going that way myself very soon :-)

Thank You!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[harthel2011]

The visa for Pakistan get German general in the home country. but I knew from other trip reports that there are exceptions and some countries such. B. India does not exhibit it for German. Since I was in Thailand and did not want to send to Germany my passport, I tried in Bangkok. I received the visa for Pakistan at the embassy after 3 days for 45 dollars. It was valid for 3 months and was issued only for 30 days, and single-entry. Prerequisite was a recommendation letter from the German Embassy also for 45 dollars. Without this national letter z. B. was a fellow from Poland not issuing the visa. The visa extension in Pakistan is free of charge for 14 days. For longer periods, there is tiered pricing. The process is very easy and fast, if the employee is willing to. If required this can I explain concretely.

The escort went from Jacobabad to Quetta. After applying for the travel permit NOC in Quetta one must travel through Balochistan on. Because this is not Fridays granted, one must always there on Monday and can travel on Tuesdays on. From Quetta it is usually about Dalbandin to Taftan in two days. In Iran I was escorted two days before to Bam. Due to the constant change of escorts without shade at about 45 degrees Celsius with long waiting times, this was very exhausting.

I fell ill with swelling in the feet, so that I could not put more shoes. This disease has nothing to do with the trip. The doctors were good and friendly. The food was not a problem. The money I could take most of the ATMs in larger cities. The gasoline has given me no problems and was accessible including in remote locations. The most popular trail on my trip was the Karakom HW in the best weather.
Hartmut

[Rondelli]

Hartmund, pity we missed you in Thailand. We were passing through your town 3 weeks ago going to the Elefanttreffen, next time we pass I'll get in touch to say hello, now 3 years since South America, seems like yesterday

Gino & Fiona

[harthel2011]

Hi Fiona and Gino,
i also found it a pity not to see you again in Thailand. Even more unfortunate, I found it that I you could not welcome in Cologne. We have very good here.
Hartmut

[Rondelli]

We'll stop for a in the summer my friend