In a few hours I will board my flight to Delhi in India, to continue my journey towards Singapore via as many of the countries that I can get into, on the way…
This will bring the Asian leg of my World Tour to an end…
Planned Route - India to Singapore...
It has taken me far longer than I had planned to get through the Middle East…
The refusal of Iran to allow the Big Fella into that country, despite the fact that I had a valid visa, meant that I had to change my planned route significantly…
Despite the disappointment that this engendered, I nevertheless made the most of this period of indecision, and managed to “knock off” nine countries on my list of “100 or more”…!!
I have fond memories of Syria and especially of Palmyra, the oasis out in the desert that drips with history of times long past…
The Arch of Triumph serves as the entrance to the long collonade that runs down the length of the complex...
I made a brief trip into Lebanon, and could not wait to leave this dysfunctional country with its mostly arrogant populace and sky-high prices…!!
I will never forget my ride through the snow-bound mountains out of Beirut on the road to Damascus…!!
Snow on the mountains of Lebanon...
I will remember Jordan for the friendliness of the people I met, and my ride along the shore of the Dead Sea, where we managed to get to almost 400 metres below sea level…!!
My visit to Petra, and the beauty of Wadi Rum will also remain a highlight of my ride through this region…
The Treasury in Petra... Awesome...!!
Getting ready for a desert tour in Wadi Rum...
With the Saudis refusing to play ball (perfectly demonstrated by their dismal performances at the Asian Cup Football tournament in Qatar…!!) by refusing to allow me a three day transit visa to ride across to Bahrain and Qatar, I was forced to crate the Big Fella and fly to the U.A.E. …
"What the hell is going on...?? I don't like this game...!!"
I spent a month exploring the “Gulf States” as they are known, avoiding the glitzy monuments to excess that Dubai represents, by basing myself on the north eastern edge of the city, far from the shadows of the steel and glass towers that dominate the city centre…
But never out of sight of them…!!
Dubai Skyline...
I enjoyed the well laid-out and clean streets of Abu Dhabi, which has a more laid back feel to it than its brash cousin, Dubai…
My visit to the Shiekh Zayed Grand Mosque left me slack-jawed…!!
Jaw-droppingly impressive...!!
My visits to Bahrain and Qatar had to be made without my trusty steed, as once again the Saudis saw the enormous potential for mischief in my application for a transit visa which would allow me to ride into both countries…!!
My visit to Bahrain covered just about all there was to see in this tiny island country, made enjoyable by my guide Ahmed, with whom I laughed and joked while we blitzed the sights…
The Arad Fort, Manama....
Qatar and its capital Doha left me believing that they were spending all their energies, and money, on trying to catch up to their neighbours the U.A.E. … The city felt a bit “soul-less”…!! Just lines of sheer concrete and glass, surrounding a bay of blue water…
I was later told that there is a large contingent of South Africans living and working there, and I wish I had been able to hook up with some of them to get a better feel of the place…
Downtown Doha... Modern as you like...!!
My short stay in the Liwa Oasis, south of Abu Dhabi, took me back into the desert landscapes that I enjoy so much…
Through the Empty Quarter...
My sheer chance, I had left the best to last…!!
Oman was by far the most interesting and friendly Gulf country I visited… From the moment I entered the country to the time I left five days later, I felt a “smile on my dial”…!!
Friendly and hospitable people, eager to please and welcome guests to their country, and above all, proud of their heritage and proud to be Omani…
Mountains of many colours... Amazing scenery in Oman...
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat...
Dubai with its masses of migrant workers from the Indian Sub-continent, has in a small way prepared me for my short stay in India, made so by the imminent expiry of my visa…!! If the Indian folk here are anything to go by, then India will hopefully be a fun and interesting place to visit…!! (He said, crossing his fingers and toes…!!)
Judging by the unrest sweeping through the Middle East at this time, it would seem that my imminent departure from this part of the world is rather fortuitous…
I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to experience these countries before the demonstrations for their well-deserved, and long overdue democracy, began…
To all the friends I made over the last three months, I thank and salute you, and wish you and your countryman good luck for the future…!!
Friends from the road...
I leave you with this lighthearted look at a pair of bikers from this region…
Adios Arabia…!!
©GBWT 2011
Look forward to the Stories from India 🙂
Hi Ronnie,
I see you are still doing well. Good luck in India and stay safe there. I see on your map that you decided to give Nepal a try. It is beautifull.
I am back home again after almost 6 months of travelling. I am trying to get the old rithm back, without taking the new experiences into daily life. I have a few weeks left until I join the legion of the working people again 😉
Good luck
Arno
Hi Ronnie. Happy 2011 and Best wishes for the many next legs of the epic you will cover this year. You haven’t had any of your wit dulled by this journey, so I must assume its the great adventure it was cracked up to be. I enjoy the comments attached to your great photos and have had a good laugh at your recent posts. Enjoy India and keep reporting! Each time Murrae suggests we visit some country I tell her to review it on your blog, and with the pics and background info you provide we actually don’t need to go. So thanks mate, youre saving me a fortune!
Tommy
Hiya Tommy….!! Good to hear from you…!! Yeah, I’m in India….and battling with Customs to get the bike cleared…. Having another go tomorrow, and then heading into Nepal as fast as 1200cc’s will allow…!! Traffic here is a nightmare… The Japs come here to learn all about the art of Kamikaze…!! Take care and love to Murrae. R.
Hi Ronnie, Well done on “making a plan” when the original didn’t materialize. I feel like I am sitting on the back of the bike with you enjoying every km. of the trip. Thankfully I’m not the Camel boy sitting on the back! We’ll be following the next leg of the journey with interest, knowing we’ll be doing it in a year’s time. Stay safe. Thanks for all the tips and info. and a wonderful blog.
Mal
Hi Ron, loved your pics of the desert scapes and mountains. Good luck for your India visa, am sure that will be one of the most fascinating places – and look forward to the photos. Cricket world cup on, you could hang around and see a game or two?
Hi Murrae…!! My visa expires on the opening day of the World Cup, so I’m afraid I will miss that particular piece of mayhem…!! Hope all is well in Hogsback….er…I mean Pigg’s Peak…!! All the best to you, Tommy and the gang…!! R.