Hello Jonathan,
How are things in Chile? Is the clutch of the bike already fixed?
I have a question for you. Since you receive more mails about the sweaters than questions about travelling, I thought it might be a relief answering this one 😉
In short: I’m planning a trip from Belgium (where I live) to the North Cape, Norway. The way back to Belgium should go via Russia.
My question now is, did you have difficulties with the language? Did you travel alone when you were in Russia, or did you had a translator?
I don’t expect a lot of difficulties in terms of security, or am I wrong here?
BTW, did you had the chance to talk to Jsaak Lucassen, and are you still determined ;-)? You better buy a pair of warm gloves then :-p
Talk to you later!
—
Wim
Dear Wim,
thanks for the relief mate, I appreciate it. It is always good to spend a little time for me everyday helping my followers with their own motorcycle adventure. This makes me feel I am doing something great not only for me but also for those keen to experience a similar adventure.
I remember being extremely organised in 2004 and 2005 before and during the departure of this world tour.
I only applied for the Russian visa in Georgia, from Tbilisi but only because time was always on my side and even if getting the visa would take me 2 weeks I wouldn’t mind as I didn’t have a returning date.
If this is your case as well, you might want to consider getting the Russian visa and the nearest country to Russia, visiting the Russian Embassy or Consulate i the capital city of the country you will be before getting to Russia.
I found this much cheaper than applying for visas in Europe as the prices are set to the local pricing of the life cost.
Since I had no maps or clue of what Russia and Siberia would be and since the prejudiced of getting into such a big an remote country wasn’t welcoming at all, I tried asking to the German guys of the LOMO expedition which replied me few days later saying: don’t believe anything of what people say unless they have actually been there. Russia can be tough at times but it’s like anywhere else. Have a blast.
So I did. I had no problems with the luggage or visa and I had no translator with me ( I am actually surprised you asked me such a question). I managed to learned the lingo as I went and do my basic stuff (eat, sleep and try to pick up chicks) all the way from Sochi to Vladivodstock. I did have tough a bike broke down, right in Siberia, in the 2200 km of gravel that are now being paved.
And the picture is the on you can see at the top.
But the more problems I had the more helping people were. The less problems I had the more frequent were people trying to offend me or steal from me.
It’s just the way it is.
But remember, all I have said talks about Russi in 2005, I don’t know now, 8 years later, if something as changed.
Anyway, let me informed of your progresses in case you go there.
And yes, I spoke to Sjaak and I am slowly getting what I need to try ride into Alaska in winter…
Cheers
Hey Jonathan,
Thanks a lot for the answer!
I read somewhere on the Internet an article about your Siberian adventure and that you traveled with someone who translated for you (could be a nice chick ). I guess I got it from there. It sounded strange, you having a “translator” traveling with you :-). I also read in one of the newspaper articles, that you suffered some assaults. You must have been very lucky that those guys didn’t harass you too much.
About my trip, the plan is to enter Russia via Finland. Finlandis more expensive then Belgium, I think. I’ll check the prices.
I’ll keep you informed for sure. The plan is to take off next year, or the year after…
Keep it safe and warm (buy a pair of warm socks when you’re heading north 🙂 )
Cheers!
Wim
Fount it 😉
I used google translate, as I don’t speak Italian fluently :-p
https://www.partireper.it/2005/08/17/argumenti-facti/
“Roads of Russia turned out to be unpredictable for him. Nearby Novosibirsk he was hampered by some brigands, hooligans, but he succeeded like other adventurers. The interpreter traveling with him explained the stout men that he was only the traveler, who wants to see their country with his own eyes. So far these hooligans decided not to sordid his impression about Russia and they left them at last.”
They must have misunderstood me, I actually told the journalists that a guy saw the whole scene and came over to rescue me from getting punched. He was a layer and after ending them away he spoke to me in english and apologize offering me some local cash. Maybe the journalist thought he was travelling with me…
Luckely the guy didn’t ignore you… otherwise it would have ended differently.
Sometimes you need a bit of luck…
btw, when is the planned re-start date?
Wim, if I can get the bike ready it would be the 3rd of January
Hehe, what a way to start the new year 😉
How are Motoz GPS? Do you hear some noice ? Are they noicy? Thank you for answer 🙂
Hi Haris, yes pretty noisy I’d say 🙂