Journal Continued

03 SEPT 01  CHINA

You cannot enter China with overseas registration (license-plates).

To drive any motorized vehicle in China, you need a Chinese drivers license.

To obtain a Chinese one, you need a valid drivers license of your passport country, a Chinese foreigners resident permit (green-card) and in some cases a work permit. No foreign or international drivers license will be valid for driving motorized vehicles in PRC. Check with the vehicle registration for the current requirements, just one advise in advance to save you hassles: No Chinese Green-card / No Driving License! ***The import of all motorcycles above 250cc is BANNED and therefore cannot be registered.

You could purchase a Chang Jiang motorbike (750ccChinese BMW copy w/sidecar) locally (Flathead / OHV).

You will not be able to register a vehicle as INDIVIDUAL or PRIVATE person. You always need a company (business-sponsor) with the appropriate quota for motorcycles (very limited!). Companies are very reluctant to borrow registration (license-plates) to anybody (foreigner / Chinese), since the company will be held responsible in case something happens (accident , incident, fines, etc....).

In case you found a company with the quota for 750cc Chang-Jiang sidecar bikes, very strict procedures have to be followed given by the Vehicle Registration (don't end up like others before you and purchase a Chang-Jiang sidecar bike and try to register afterwards..., won't work that way!!!). Furthermore, since 1st.September 2000 only 200 new motorcycle license plates (up to 250cc) license plates will be issued annually, that includes light motorbikes (scooter 125cc, xingfu 125cc) as well. To make a long story short, as with everything in China, there a many different ways of doing things. It might work for person "X", but person "Y" will not succeed. Many times it just depends on whom do you know at the right places at the right times (called "Guangxi" in China).

 

27 AUG 01  VISA   -  OVERLANDER'S - GAIL AND ERIC HAWS

Gail Haws (Siberia)

Another couple who have been helping us since the start of our planning is Eric and Gail Haws. Who are Eric and Gail ? They have been travelling the world for a long time and have made numerous crossings of Russia and Siberia and in 1990 they received a certificate from the Guinness book of records for being the first couple to travel from the eastern side of Siberia to Finland by bike. We just wanted to say thank you for all the tips and useful contacts especially for Russia and Siberia. One day we shall meet and share a few beers.

To start planning for a trip like this is a massive task but were would we be if it was not for the help of fellow Overlander's, nothing is ever too much trouble, Just like David Parkinson, Sam Manicom, Birgit Schunemann, Mark Manley, Elspeth Beard, Steve Wates, Herbert Roeland, Mike Coan everybody included has been so enthusiastic and unselfish. It was only last month when we where having dinner with Mike Coan in Paris where we where discussing life on the road and the difference between Service life and life in civy street.  Mike could relate to my impending retirement as he served in the American Military for good few years. Mike warned me "Watch your back! and don't expect loyalty and comradeship like exists in the services, well you will, but only after you start your journey . There is something special about fellow Overlander's which is hard to explain, but once you meet them you will understand"

 

20 AUG 01  VISA (THE WAY AHEAD - STAGE ONE) On going Project- Russia and Siberia)   (route)

RUSSIA  (ENTER RUSSIA FROM FINLAND  01 JUNE 02)MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA REQUIRED
 
ESTONIA  (ENTER ESTONIA  06 JUNE 02  FROM RUSSIA - NO VISA REQUIRED
 
LATVIA NO VISA REQUIRED
 
LITHUANIA (TRANSIT VISA REQUIRED -  2 DAY MAX NO VISA REQUIRED
 
RUSSIAN FED MULTIPLE ENTRY TOURIST VISA WILL COVER
 
BELARUS -  3 DAYS TRANSIT ONLY IF COMING FROM RUSSIA.
 
RUSSIA - RE-ENTER  MULTI VISA WILL COVER
 
KAZAKHSTAN - (ENTER KAZAKHSTAN  01 JULY 02 - 1 MONTH VISA) RE-ENTER RUSSIA AND TRANSIT TO ENTRY POINT NORTH MONGOLIA VIA NOVOSIBIRSK (ENTER MONGOLIA   01 AUGUST 02 - 1 MONTH VISA) BOTH STANDARD TOURIST VISA REQUIRED FOR BOTH MONGOLIA AND CHINA
 
RUSSIA - (RE-ENTER RUSSIA ) RUSSIA - MULTI VISA WILL COVER
 
ALASKA   - ENTER OCTOBER 2002 NO VISA  DEPARTURE FROM MAGADAN (MAGADAN AIR) FLIGHTS EVERY THURDAY.
 
CANADA  - ENTER NOVEMBER 2002 NO VISA
 
USA - ENTER DECEMBER 2002 VISA REQUIRED
 
IN SHORT THE FOLLOWING APPLIES:

RUSSIA MULTI ENTRY FROM 1ST JUNE 02 TO 1ST OCTOBER 02  150.00 GBP WILL TAKE 7 DAYS TO ISSUE. WILL NEED AUTHORIZATION. BELARUS TRANSIT VISA IF ENTERING FROM RUSSIA WILL NEED PRECISE DATES  15.00 GBP AND TAKES 2 DAYS TO ISSUE KAZAKHSTAN ONE MONTH TOURIST VISA WILL NEED DATES & AUTHORIZATION  44.00 GBP AND TAKES 7 DAYS TO ISSUEE MONGOLIA DOUBLE TOURIST VISA IF POSSIBLE  50.00 GBP IF AVAILABLE. SINGLE IS 25.00 GBP CHINA SINGLE TOURIST VISA 30.00 GBP USA VISA REQUIRED  32.00 GBP

ALL PRICES QUOTED ARE VISA FEES ONLY AND DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY SERVICE CHARGES.  DATES WILL HAVE TO BE PRECISE FOR RUSSIA (01/06/02-01/10/02), BELARUS (12/06/02-14/06/01), KAZAKHSTAN (01/07/02-0108/02).  OTHER VISA DATES ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE PRECISE. ALL ABOVE VISAS EXPECTED TO TAKE AT LEAST 40 WORKING DAYS EXCLUDING WEEKENDS

30 JULY 01 VISA (THE WAY AHEAD) On going Project- Russia and Siberia)   (route)

Section 1.

Start to apply for USA, Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolian visas in January 2002, expect to finalize this section end of April 2002 in time for departure.

 Section 2.

Start to apply for Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania & Kenya visas in Dec 2002/Jan 2003 and expect to finalize approx mid Feb 2003 and courier passports back to Zimbabwe in time for border crossing into Mozambique.

Section 3.

Start to apply for Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan and Indian visas in August 2004 and expect to finalize Sept 2004 in time to courier passports back to Kenya for border crossing into Somalia and then onto Ethiopia.

Section 4.

Start to apply for VIETNAM, INDIA & PAKISTAN visas in Dec 2004 and expect to finalize Jan 2005 in time to courier passport back to Thailand before crossing into Cambodia and then onto Vietnam.

Section 5.

Start to apply for Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Georgia & Ukraine visas in January 2005 and expect to finalise in February in time to send passports back to Pakistan before crossing border with Uzbekistan.

 

It has been difficult to organise this visa project as the dates have not yet been finalized but this is the best outline that I can give for now.

 

16  JUN 01 On going Project- Russia and Siberia)   (route)

  • WESTCOM  

  • MOTOBINS

  • HERBERT ROELANDT

THANK YOU WESTCOM OF PLYMOUTH- 01752 667100

Robert (Westcom) en-route the Paris Dakar

I would like to thank all the team ROB GERRARD, MIKE ALLAN , JULIAN JORDAN and PAUL TURNER for their time and expertise. WESTCOM of PLYMOUTH fitted and provided a CAR STEREO for Sir Alex. The sound is fantastic and the workmanship exceptional.

THANK YOU MOTOBINS OF SPALDING - (0)1775 680881

I would like to thank PAUL from MOTOBINS for sponsoring me a set of  Hepco & Becker Engine Protectors for Sir Alex. As always your generosity is appreciated.

HAPPY TRAVELS TO HERBERT ROELANDT

Herbert an Belgium Overlander departs tomorrow (Sunday) for his 11 tour of Russia and Siberia. Good luck and safe travels.

10 JUN 01

  • NGFL (NATIONAL GRID FOR LEARNING) 

  • WESTCOM - PLYMOUTH

  • SUREPASS M/C RIDING SCHOOL - PLYMOUTH. 

  • TERRA CIRCA

On going Project- Russia and Siberia)   (route)

WHAT A FANTASTIC COUPLE OF WEEKS, ALL BE IT VERY BUSY. I have now received my HOME WORK to enable our around the world trip to be accredited by NGFL (GOVERNMENT EDUCATION DEPARTMENT) I have receive numerous offers of assistance, so yet again my thanks goes to Michelle at BECTA and CLIVE GREENHOUGH (Mondo Enduro) who is now a full time school teacher and not to mention an around the world traveller. This will require a lot of work over these next two months and there kind offer to assist is really appreciated.

WESTCOM PLYMOUTH  ( 01752 667100 )

Plymouths leading AUTO HI-FI specialist in Plymouth have sponsored me a brand new Radio Cassette Player with Marine Speakers (Essential for Siberia). So my thanks for their generosity goes to Robert at WESTCOM PLYMOUTH.

SUREPASS RIDING SCHOOL - PLYMOUTH  (01752 301313)

Monika only having a Czech Driving licence now requires to re take her driving test so CRAIG and the team Keith, Su  from SUREPASS RIDING SCHOOL has kindly donated his time and efforts to ensure she passes her DIRECT ACCESS.

Well done PLYMOUTH and well done SUREPASS and WESTCOM

TERRA CIRCA

The lads (Austin Vince, Gerald Vince, Russell Goldberg Ralph Goldberg, Charlie Bener) are now in Italy, follow their progress at  www.terracirca.co.uk  

 

31 MAY 01 - Mondo Enduro and now TERRA CIRCA 2001 - 2002

On going Project- Russia and Siberia)   (route)

The events of the last few days the  TRAVELLERS GATHERING and today's conversation with Clive and Dave Greenhough (MONDURO FUNDURO ) and my email correspondence with Herbert from Belgium has made me green with envy as I know Dave and his pals (TERRA CIRCA) will be setting off this coming Monday.

Clive ( Mondo Enduro) was busy filming in London and yet stopped all what he was doing to assist me with advice and comment for our forthcoming world tour. He in turn put me in contact with his brother Dave who leaves this MONDAY for a 10 month tour of the CIS and USA along with his friends: Austin Vince, Gerald Vince, Russell Goldberg Ralph Goldberg, Charlie Bener. Follow their progress at www.terracirca.com or www.terracirca.co.uk

As David and his friends leave this Monday they have all there preparation done and it was great to receive all the latest information and receive lots of useful contacts. They also informed me that their VISA agent is the same as I intend to use TRAVCOUR.

GOOD LUCK LADS AND KEEP SAFE.

 

30 MAY 01  -  HERBERT ROELANDT (OVERLANDER) /ELSPETH  BEARD (RWT OVERLANDER)  CUAN MULCAHY (RWT OVERLANDER )  DAVID PARKINSON (RWT OVERLANDER)

On going Project- Russia and Siberia)   (route)

I would like to thank Herbert Roelandt and Cuan Mulcahy both pioneering Overlander who have been kind enough to offer me assistance. Herbert sets of next month for a 12000 mile return journey to Vladivostok and Cuan last month returned to England after traveling around the world on his Africa Twin. Cuan leaves May next 2002, same time as me to travel from Alaska to southern Argentina a journey of 11000 miles aprox. I wish them both a safe journey and good luck.

Herbert is expecting to return to Belgium early October and has offered to supply me the latest up to date information regarding travel in Russia and Siberia. Cuan recently traveled in Russia as part of his RWT and has already supplied me numerous tips and tricks. One of which was extremely useful regarding obtaining a VISA for Russia. Apparently there is a small loop hole which means if you wish to enter Russia as an Independent Travel writer they will grant you a SPECIAL TOURIST VISA which will enable you to travel in Russia without the usual restrictions.

UNITED KINGDOM TRAVELERS GATHERING WALES MAY 2001

I was lucky enough to receive a late invitation from Mark Manley (Overlander) to attend a small gathering of Travelers in Wales hosted by the incredible ELSPETH BEARD who traveled the world twenty years ago 82 -84, solo. What a fantastic achievement considering Elspeth was female and Solo and she did not have the benefit of modern communications, modern maps and most obviously the assistance of GPS.

 

UK Traveler Gathering - Wales May 2001

James Kirwan, Mark Manley / Simon / Elspeth / Voila / Monika (Kneeling)  / John Hogg Ian /  David Parkinson / Ian / Bruce Prior / Simon

One of the highlights of the English Travelers meeting was how nice and friendly everybody was, not to mention it was FREE. David Parkinson who traveled the world solo in the 85 - 89 on a GS 80 proved to be the character of the event. His delivery and attention to detail enthralled all who where privy to his travel stories.

28 MAY 01    MEETING WITH DFEE (GOVERNMENT EDUCATION / I.T.)

Traveled to London to meet with the DFEE department ref; my impending trip. My proposal was excepted as a creative idea and after a two hour meeting I have now to attend further meetings with "BECTA" and the "NATIONAL GRID FOR LEARNING". The date TBC. My initial letter of introduction along with my Sahara Journal has now been forwarded to the relevant departments.