March already! While we have been busy planning, drawing up schedules, checking websites, reviewing visa requirements and generally getting more organised, we are get closer to departing from Australia, under four weeks to go and I can hear the ‘tick’ ‘toc’ ‘tick’ ‘toc’ of the clock getting louder. Anne is ahead on the packing front, ready to depart now and I have a vague mental pile of what I need to take. The action list seems to be like the tide, it appears to be retreating, then rushes back in again, higher than before as we identify new tasks. All this activity has been focused on heading out across Europe, through Iran and the ‘Stans’ and onwards to Mongolia. However………
A week ago we suddenly realised that we would be in Iran and the ‘Stans’ during Ramadan which is from the end of May to the end of June this year. The main reason we are returning to this region is to spend time with friends, which would be more difficult for them during Ramadan (when eating and drinking during day light hours is not allowed). We have been so focused on weather, visa and associated timing issues, we missed this additional dimension. At the same time, I had been discussing airfreight options with Air Canada both to and from Canada ahead of the release of their 2017 ‘Fly your Bike’ program.
As we walked last Saturday, for our usual morning constitutional, we both realised that all the issues we had been considering, Ramadan, air freight options, ferry capacity from Vladivostok to South Korea in July, crossing Europe during upcoming elections etc, could be ameliorated by a change of direction!
We are now going round the world (RTW) from East to West instead! Unwinding our previous trip in a directional sense. No more sunrises in our eyes, just sunsets.
So we will ship the motorcycles back to Montreal, where we completed our 2014/15 RTW trip, with Air Canada in mid April. We will then head west across North America to the west coast and then ship Streak and Storm to South Korea, take the ferry to Vladivostok and overland back to Europe via Mongolia, the ‘Stans’ and Iran. All in the same timeframe we hope. The flight to Montreal is booked for the 13th of April and we need to wait until 30 days before departure to book Streak and Storm, a normal air cargo procedure.
It may seem a little strange, so close to our departure to turn everything around, but the ball of visa spaghetti that Anne has so eloquently drawn and written about can be untangled in many different ways one strand at a time.
We have always said that it is easier being on the road dealing with the challenges: visas, shipping, routes etc as they occur than tackling the sometimes overwhelming task list we seem to build before departure. Our change in direction really only affects our sequencing of visas, we will now do more of them on the road. (Pity we had already paid for and obtained our Letters of Introduction for our Iranian visas which are now obsolete due to the change of dates.) The other advantage we have is that having undertaken a similar trip before, we are comfortable in making this decision based on the experience we have already.
We also had my annual medical heart checkup this week. I felt like the proverbial hamster in the wheel while on the treadmill doing the stress test, fast running out of puff as the speed and angle of attack were increased, seems the gradual rate of increase approach of the past has been changed. The good news is that I did not collapse and get flung off the back to become another stain on the wall and the specialist saw no changes that would require action or an adjustment in my medication. A clean bill of health and good for another 12 months. He wished us a good trip and I will see him again next year. Excellent news, always good to tick another box.
How will it all turn out? You will need to stay tuned for further instalments over the next seven months.
– Anthony
2slowspeeds 
Great news that all is finally getting sorted. Sorry we are going to miss you on this Oz trip…next time, for sure. We can’t wait to get started on your road trip from the comfort of our arm chairs when we get home…….Safe travels xxxx
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Just the start. It makes sense to get the direction right first before one sets off. Pity we will not see you in Oz, but will see you next time.
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Wonderful how you always find the best answer to the most difficult situations! It sounds as though you are more than ready for your new trip, we are now counting the days till we see you again😊 xxx
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Not sure this is the best answer, just a different one. Looking forward to catching up next month.
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A simple solution, I’ll just turn my armchair round too. That way we are back in sync, viola ! I’m beginning to tingle with excitement of what to expect. I hope all is the same if not better for you both. Don’t forget to give Streak and Storm a good dose of TLC and pampering before you go.
Stay safe.
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Put your sunglasses on for the sunsets. Streak and Storm will head to the bike spa in early April.
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Solution has presented itself! Wonderful to hear you are all fit and ready to take to both air and land. Happy travels and we eagerly await your blogs ! Lots of love and safe travels 🥂🛩🏍🏍
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A few more weeks for me to get packed, everything else needs to wait until we are in Europe as it is too early to apply for visas from Australia.
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Bon vol, happy sailings and, as the Irish say, may the road rise up to meet you.. and so on ..
xx
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Looking forward to being on the road again. See you in April.
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Looks like all is starting to gel. Will you all be coming through Central America again? We would love to see you in Costa Rica.
Larry and Deborah
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Would love to see you in Costa Rica, but not this time. Time is our enemy to complete the trip during the Northern summer. We will just head across N America then on to Russia. Maybe another time.
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Follow the sun. Makes sense to adhere to ancient surfer wisdom to do the trip.
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Makes the days longer so we can ride further? Not really, should work better for us. See you next week.
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Good news! Aboce all, stay safe, guys.
And enjoy this one even more than all the other ones together!
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We will stay safe and enjoy the trip, a mixture of new and previously visited locations.
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Good luck with all the changes of plan and go well. lots of love from us both.
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Thanks, hope to catch up in April.
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What an elegant solution! Grest news about the health check results
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A clean bill of health was great news. Now we cannot wait to get going. One can only do so much planning.
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Another spanner in the works – never a challenge you couldn’t meet or beat. Its still going to be an amazing trip – looking forward to the updates
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Not another spanner, just unpicking the spaghetti one piece at a time . Looking forward to getting going.
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…….And another exciting chapter in the adventures of 2slowspeeds!! We look forward to catching up in April!! Lots of love to you both xxxx
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Not to much excitement please. See you next month.
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