Unfortunately I crashed on the way to Russia and decided not to go this year. This was the second bone-breaking crash on this now ended trip to the Stans, Mongolia, and China/Tibet. I sold my Africa Twin in Greece after my return trip back through Türkiye.
The other sign that I should give up making this sojourn for this year/season was after the Russian Transit Visa office in Tbilisi mistakenly put a future date for when given on the full page visa in my passport. I then had to make two trips to the separate office of the Russian embassy to get a corrected 3-day full page transit visa. I was disappointed in the Russian Transit Visa office for taking no responsibility, nor offering help in getting the mistake corrected, forcing me to make two crosstown trips. This process for a 3-day visa is expensive and lengthy time wise, but seems to be the best alternative to a much more costly trip via the closed border of Azerbaijan and tour-guide required trip for a US passport holder trip via Iran.
Since I now have a 3-year multiple entry visa for Russia, which is needed for going to Mongolia, from Kazakhstan, I can also visit St Petersburg, which is on my bucket list. But this misses the Stans and the Pamir Hwy/Silk Road. If I can reach my goal of reaching Antarctica, my 7th and last continent, on my new Aprilia Tuareg, then I'll look for a bike in Europe in Spring to do this unfinished ride next year.
So many adventures in Central Asia await, but at 77, there is not a lot of time left for me. I am grateful for having ridden 67 countries . . . so far and been to 113. I am a lucky 'Professional Gypsy.'

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motomon at pobox dot com
Have returned to Latin America ... again in 2024/2025. +15179800336 WhatsApp