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Photo by Giovanni Lamonica, Aralsk, Kazakhstan.

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Giovanni Lamonica,
Aralsk, Kazakhstan.



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  • 1 Post By mark manley

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  #1  
Old 19 Aug 2016
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Need some good vibes please
Morning

I haven't set off on my trip yet, as I'm swamped with research and trying to find a route. Job quit, stuff sold, waiting to find a route that seems to work. What's happening is though, I'm getting frustrated with the endless research and just want to get on with it.

The problem is, whichever route I try to plan it seems the world is at war and hates its neighbour. gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice seems to advise against leaving your house for a pint of milk and so I guess what I'm asking is, advice from experienced travellers on here who have been there and done it, to give me some insight in to what life is actually like on the road. Is the political tension reported indeed that bad?

I'm trying to get from Cyprus to Oz, leaving in Oct/Nov if anyone has a route reco. I'm worried the weather will also be prohibitive if I head through the stans.

I know this is going to be a challenge and overcoming adversity is part of it, but right now I'm stuck in my room with 10957 notes, all of which are not filling me with confidence. Virtual pint needed....
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  #2  
Old 19 Aug 2016
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I expect you will need to go through Iran and Pakistan to India, or ship Iran to Mumbai and I would leave as soon as you can as Iran will be getting a bit chilly by late October.
In reality trouble is often limited to a specific area of a particular town or city although security measures can spread throughout an entire region or country which usually means frequent police stops and sometimes escorts between towns. These stops are nothing to fear and at worse a slight inconvenience but by being polite and friendly to police who are just doing their job you should not have a problem.
It can get stressful at this stage in planning, you are not alone in that but when you have been on the road for a while things will be better and many of your concerns will slip away.
Do not overplan what you need to take or when you expect to be at a particular place, I planned to take 5-6 months getting from the UK to Oz and in the end took 10 months so prepare to be flexible, if you enjoy Asia so much you never make it there it doesn't matter, it's your trip and you do not need to fulfill anyone else's expectations.
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  #3  
Old 19 Aug 2016
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Location: Cyprus
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Thanks Mark - much appreciated.

Yes i was hoping to get through Iran before the cold but i wasnt sure about Georgia and arm/az - they sound problematic, but as you imply, i guess it's half the fun.
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  #4  
Old 19 Aug 2016
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I don't think between Cyprus and Australia, with the exception of Southern Afghanistan and a few bits of Pakistan, you have anything to worry about security-wise. Ditch the FCO website as a travel guide, it's more geared towards corporate risk and insurance companies than pragmatic individual travellers.

Paperwork will be a far larger headache.

And about the winter, eastern Turkey and Much of Iran get quite cold, but you can always head down to the Gulf Coast in Iran, which is wonderfully warm whilst the rest of the country is freezing.

Visas, carnet, go.
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  #5  
Old 27 Aug 2016
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A company I used to work for did September departure London-Kathmandu overland trips - 14 weeks. You're leaving a bit late maybe, but not out of the question. Steer clear of SE Turkey and keep your head down in the wilder areas of Pakistan (on a bike you could even ship through in the back of a covered truck if there's localised trouble) but as the last poster said, Visa, carnet, go!
Ride safe,
Simon.
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  #6  
Old 28 Aug 2016
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I have been traveling through the Stans as a girl solo and I can tell you that most of the times I feel safer here than what's happening in Europe.

I don't know if you are a UK passport holder, because those need a guide in Iran. There are ways to fake and come into Iran without but at a risk off course.

I will head to Pakistan next week, looking for riding buddies though, but haven't felt in real danger so far.

Feel free to check out some of my YouTube video's if you don't believe my words

youtube.com/c/Nora_adventurism
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  #7  
Old 28 Aug 2016
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First off, you are correct, the Government wants you afraid and at home. If you are away, you are not spending money at home.

Second I let my Sis talk me out of my South America trip after we had suffered a great deal of tragedy. She was afraid of all the bs your head is filled with right now, all the crap the media peddles which is far from reality.
I was worried only about what you need to be, timing and weather. Nevertheless since I was all that she had left I held off for a future time, it is ok I ended up with two wonderful children by not going Plus I spent more time in SA Asia woot!

DO NOT let anyone who has not adventure traveled talk you out of this trip.
People who resort stay or have not traveled are still afraid of the shadows beyond the trees.

As noted in bad areas conflict is often limited, it really is odd to go through a country in Conflict and not see anything unusual.

Just GO! You are not getting out of this life alive, so what are you waiting for?
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  #8  
Old 28 Aug 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Adventurism View Post
Feel free to check out some of my YouTube video's if you don't believe my words

youtube.com/c/Nora_adventurism
Just started watching your clips. Love them. I have no idea though how you find the time to edit them, or even upload them as sometimes it can be hard to get a good internet connection in some countries ;-) You may have more discipline than me... ;-)
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