 Erika Bird and Robin Searle - Banchory to the Bosphorous by Bike | All Comments |
Comments | |
| 2nd November 2009 sayang | lonte jogja - From: Merdeka Magic jogja sangat indah pemandangan nya tp sayang gadis jogja yg bernama vera prg merantau ke malaysia jadi perebut suami org,tukah tipe gadis jogja yg gatal perebut suami org krn suami orang tuh sangat hansome,mgkn dia ngk pernah liat suami org sehansome tuh sbb tuh lah dia rebut tanpa perduli hak org,dasar lonteee |
| 9th October 2009 Graydon | Rock-throwing kids - From: Farewell to Turkey (Van to Bazargan) Dear Erika and Robin: I enjoyed reading this post. I'm in Van, having come the opposite way from Dog Biscuit to Van. I've had stone-throwing and begging kids plaguing me like horseflies for days, since Ani. Tomorrow I'm going to buy a child-beating stick to carry for such occasions! |
| 10th September 2009 aziz shah | on kkh - From: The Great Escape - the KKH it is the longest and dangers hidhwa of the word so make it and bild it |
| 14th August 2009 maramadh | - From: Trans-Himalayan Highway: Manali - Leh this is the best travelogue i have seeb for this route |
| 13th August 2009 Nikhil | Wonderfull - From: To the Holy Mountain: Ali to Kailash Wonderful. Even I'm eager to plan such a trip now. I wish I will !! Thanks to you !! :) |
| 13th August 2009 ehsan | Endorsing Erika and Robin - From: Chelo Pakistan!! Roshan's remarks are just the perfect example of what is written in the blog... 1. Hatred towards Pakistan... based on the only and exaggerated information he is exposed to from the media of international and local ( unfortunately including Pakistani media).. i am not saying its all false but mostly it is (why ... is a separate issue) 2. If I ask Roshan have you ever met a Pakistani... answer would be no... that also endorses blog's viewpoint.... 3. I don't think that a man's luck starts working on one side (as Roshan said "perhaps you were lucky enough not to be exposed....") of a white line (wagha border) and stops on the other, and starts working again when he crosses back ... I would suggest Roshan to visit www.aliveandwellinpakistan.com to see many such stories like these cyclists .... We Pakistani's are peace loving and hospitable people... these islamic fanatic are like the trained snakes to kill the enemy but left on their own after west got their job done ... now they are biting us .. india... and the whole world .. |
| 12th August 2009 Nikhil | Nice to know about GOOD Pakistan - From: Chelo Pakistan!! Hey ! gr8 blogs by you two. I started reading ur blogs 2 weeks ago and now about to complete all. They are so refreshing and alive to read, they almost sound still happening. Nice to know that you have had good experinces in pakistan, I could never imagined that. But Roshan you also has noted down good and real facts too !! |
| 5th August 2009 Nikhil Dixit | WOW !! - From: High Life - Ladakh Really like your pix and journey blogs/details. Wished I could ever do this in my life. Even I wanna travel whole of the world !!! :) |
| 3rd August 2009 bilal | bilal - From: The Great Escape - the KKH thanks for showing me the photos of my own country.... i feel so bad that i havent been able to travel to these areas that you have shown in these photos ... lovely place ... thanks cheers |
| 12th July 2009 Sean | Small World - From: Into the Desert - Esfahan to Yazd Hey guys - inspirational stuff - myself and mate were bumming around Yazd and surrounds at almost exactly the same time as yourself, during July 06; and we seem to have pretty much matched each other step for step - am surprised we didn't bump into you along the way - if you ever saw two badly sunburnt irishment then that was us - keep on truckin |
| 9th July 2009 Carla | vampires - From: A Transylvanian Tale - Vampires, Bears & Thieves (Sighisoara to Brasov) i didnt think this myth was acutally real but know i have read this i no |
| 6th July 2009 leh | - From: Trans-Himalayan Highway: Manali - Leh Brilliant! |
| 18th June 2009 PedalledPennings | - From: Turkish China Rolf! Big Man in furniture trade....He just might be related to the Furniturewala furniture tycoon family of India. |
| 29th May 2009 Khasi Dude | Re: That's KHASI - From: From the East of Scotland to "Scotland of the East" Thanks guys. I've been following your globetrotting adventures. Your wanderlust and thirst for human knowledge is very commendable. If only more people were like you... there's be more understanding, tolerance and peace in this crazy world. Just another point to clarify Dr James Weldon's comment - Although the Khasis are Matrilineal, it would not be accurate to also tag us as Matriarchal. The man is still the dominant partner in the relationship and is responsible for the general welfare of the family as well as has the final say in any important matter. The wife does take the husband's last name after marriage, but the children inherit the mother's maiden name as well as would belong to the mother's clan - hence 'matrilineal'. |
| 13th May 2009 Khasi Dude | That's KHASI - From: From the East of Scotland to "Scotland of the East" Hi guys. Lovely article. Glad you had a blast. But the word is "Khasi", not "Kasi". lease make the corrections. No offence taken. Thanks. |
| 26th April 2009 Anoynomous | I was in Balochistan for 2 years! - From: Smugglers,Taliban,Opium,Charas and lots and lots of sand - Balochistan (Bam to Quetta) Heys Guys! i recently just came back from Balochistan, Paksitan. I spent 2 years there. The moment i reacched Balochtan.. I spent a month at Noshki... and then back to quetta... A VERY MISERABLE AND DIRTY PLACE |
| 18th April 2009 Roshan | unbaised blog - From: Chelo Pakistan!! Thank you for sharing your experiences traveling across India and Pakistan and even more for your opinion on the origins of indian and western hatred against pakistan. But these are your opinions based on your experiences which are not necessarily true for everyone else, perhaps you were lucky enough not to be exposed to the islamic terrorism breeding in that country, perhaps you didn't witness the indoctrination of paki children by mad clerics screaming "Death to the infidels", perhaps you didn't witness the shariah being practised in SWAT and last but not least perhaps you haven't experienced the Islamic barbarism inflicted by terrorist scumbags on innocent civilians so please forgive us Indians for our ignorance of the peace loving people of pakistan,we were to busy trying to protect our civilians from paki islamic scumbags. |
| 24th March 2009 Loredana | - From: A Transylvanian Tale - Vampires, Bears & Thieves (Sighisoara to Brasov) Hi. I'm from Brasov, and I lived in Racadau for 20 years..so I know perfectly what you were talking about. (now I live in another country). I found this blog accidentally, trying to show to a friend from Germany some info about the bears in the area (because he couldn't believe it). I really liked how you described the place, and I must add that your description is very realistic (including the biureaucracy, police station, robberies..).[ I was also robbed, of my wallet, a few times even..and I guess that in the same internet cafe (on Republicii Street)..also been at the police station, and I had the same treatment..fortunatelly I didn't loose my passport]. Anyway, that is Romania..exactly how you described it. In spite of all the troubles you had..I hope you enjoyed you time there. Of course, if you plan going there some other time, and you need some info, I'd be glad to help :). Greetings. |
| 15th March 2009 Pearly | I now pedal too - From: Sumatera Sendiri Hey robin and erica, I long entertained the idea of trying a cycling trip someday but that became a conviction after stumbling across your blog. I now have over 2500 kms in my legs, a rather disappointing refusal despite valid visas (why we're still trying to fathom) from the Chinese immigrant officer at the China-Laos border and now we pedal to the next border through Vietnam without fretting much. If not for your blog I might still just be dreaming about this all. Thanks and pedal on and certainly hope you two get back and continue the journey. P.S: I was born in Shillong and I loved the account of your trip there. www.muddyruts.blogspot.com |
| 12th February 2009 jason barlow | good reading - From: From the East of Scotland to "Scotland of the East" thanks for a good read. i am living in newcastle but my grandmother was born in shillong (khasi). she left aged 25 and lived the last 55 years of her life in uk. i am sure that my mother has aunts, uncles and cousins still in shillong and am currently trying to trace them. i am planning a trip aswell in the next couple of years and cant wait. anyway thanks again. jason |
| 10th February 2009 www.velothailand.com | Nice... - From: Scorpions, Snakes & Jumping Elephants: Bangkok & Kaeng Krachan Hi there. |
| 8th February 2009 Pradeep | Excellent - From: Chomolungma and The Friendship Highway excellent outlook towards life.. thanks for the showing us how beautiful the world is. best wishes Pradeep Singh Kandari New Delhi |
| 3rd February 2009 Simen | Glad to see western travellers in Pakistan - From: Chelo Pakistan!! Hello Congrats, I am norwegian-pakistani, i must admit I am glad to see western turist/travellers in Pakistan. It would be fine if more western travelled to Punjab/Sindh/Kashmir provinces of Pakistan. Its no unrest there. The army action is taking place in Balochistan and NWFP. Fine that you understand India hatred aganist Pakistan, while Pakistani people dodnt care about or have any negative oppinion towards indians. |
| 28th December 2008 Banchory to the Bosphorous by Bike | Himalaya by Bike - From: They Sikkim Here...... Hi Satish, yes we know about this book, in fact we contributed to some of the chapters on Tibet! |
| 27th December 2008 Agron | Tetovo? - From: The Wrong Way! - Kjustendil to Ohrid, Makedonia Well, I am from Tetovo and I can say Tetovo is a very safe place, especially for foreigners. Anyways you fell for the Macedonian propaganda because it is an mainly Albanian populated town, and obviously Macedonians hate us :) |
| 25th December 2008 Satish Bardewa | Himalaya by bike - From: They Sikkim Here...... Hi, Erika Bird and Robin Searle, I am impressed to read your Sikkim cycling diary. There is a new book " Himalaya by Bike" by Laura Stone which is in its first edition at present. I hope you will come across this book for more maps, routes and details on cycling trip in Sikkim. Keep it up! Satish Bardewa Yak and Yeti Travels, Sikkim India http://www.yakandyetitravels.com |
| 25th December 2008 Jim R | Great Writeup - From: Sumatera Sendiri Sumatra...a fantastic place....and your pix are great, as is the focus on the incredibly friendly people...sad to hear the forest is still falling. Did you try some of that fantastic Rendang curry?? |
| 20th December 2008 Banchory to the Bosphorous by Bike | Misunderstandings..... - From: Smugglers,Taliban,Opium,Charas and lots and lots of sand - Balochistan (Bam to Quetta) Dear Ali Jan Baloch, We did indeed have great time in your country and in Balochistan in particular as you note. I am sorry if my somewhat sensationalist title has offended you but I do feel you have completely misunderstood the sentiments of our blog. Pakistan is one of our favourite countries because of the warmth, generosity and hospitality of the people there. I thought this was clear from our blog, as you seem aware of it yourself I guess it must be. I am not sure why you think we have forgotten this or what we are blaming Pakistan for? Please don't confuse us with our idiotic British government that is right now only trying to distract away from their economic incompetence by talking only about terrorism in Pakistan. Our intention was to write an honest account of our experiences in a place many westerners have misconceptions about or are just too scared to visit. Should we not have mentioned the charas and opium people were so keen to share with us? To me this was simply another example of their hospitality. I do not judge people simply because they use these things or continue to trade them. People are only smugglers because their ancient trade has been banned by modern governments and there is no alternative economic opportunities being provided. Again I do not make negative judgments about these people or the country as a whole, I feel it is you the reader who has made these judgments and attributed them to me. When writing this and my other blogs on Pakistan I was keen to highlight that although people may be drug smugglers, although they may sympathise with the Taliban or Bin Laden they still showed us big smiles, fed us and gave us safe places to sleep, despite the fact we were British and non-Muslim. I know for a fact that at least some travellers that would not have gone to Balochistan did go there after reading this blog, and of course they had a great time too. Please read my other blogs about your country, especially "Chelo Pakistan". I really hope you are reading this. If you wish to reply please do so by private message and we can continue this discussion privately by e-mail. Pakistan is a great country and it's people may well be better than us. We can only hope to better ourselves with the example of the many amazing people we have met (in many different countries) in our hearts. Only Allah can be the judge. Salaams from Indonesia. Pakistan Zindabad!! Robin / Daud |
| 13th December 2008 Faisal | I would like to join - From: Tehran & The Top of Iran I would like to travel the world as well. Let us form a team. |
| 13th December 2008 Faisal | Amazing - From: Polluted Plains & Fevered Pains - Multan to Lahore You both went all these places. It is ming shatering to go through all these countries, and cultures. This remided me of Che Guevara. If you truly did all this travling, you deseve to be international figures |
| 7th December 2008 mikarov | - From: Babylon by Bus - Israel & Occupied Palestine Interisting blog, i think is very sad wht is happening in Israel and Palestine whit the two side suffering to much, but i think that Palestinian are facing the worst side because are so opresed inside their lands (western bank and gaza) specially in the western bank. Of at side the two side are friendly, jewish and arab people are very friendly to the tourist, and the hospitality are among deeply part of their culture, both Israelis and Palestinians are so similar think they are like brothers, even i see programs and blogs about Israeli-Palestinian couples, unfortanaly a war between brothers are much worse than a war between unknow people. Im aganist extremists in the both side because they dont want peace. Examples are settlers who are west bank who are generally are extremist people and Hamas who is organization who are aganist feelings of Palestinans and who only supports the idea of a Islamic State. I want go some day to Israel and Palestine see the people, the opinions the sights of the two sides. Thanks to much write this blog. |
| 2nd December 2008 Ali Jan Baloch | You people are too much! - From: Smugglers,Taliban,Opium,Charas and lots and lots of sand - Balochistan (Bam to Quetta) I am really amazed to see your guys memories of being in Pakistan. I don't know who you people are are but our govt official give you security and escort and really enjoy highclass hospitality from the people of Pakistan but when you guys reach home, you forget everything and just remember, "SMUGGLERS, TALIBAN, OPIUM, CHARAS and LOTS and LOTS". Don't ever forget that time the local tribesman spends with you. Don't forget the escort that police and law enforcing agencies gives to you. But you people visit Pakistan and enjoy your stay here and on return you just blame Pakistan for having all these shits.. Pakistan and Pakistani people are far better than you, we are poor, but we have courage and God blessed us with big hearts to accomdate and entertain the selfish people like you. May God help you. |
| 17th November 2008 anonymous | - From: The Flat Side of Nepal Yeah! or fry them with potatoes and a wee bit of curcuma and chilli powder...bengali style. |
| 23rd October 2008 Ajoker | Finally Caught Up - From: Postcard from Paradise I've caught up with the last 3 years of your journey and I'm amazed. I have many new places on my "must see" list now, thanks soley to you two. Good luck in the future with whatever you choose to do; I just hope it's exciting so I can continue to live vicariously through you. :) |
| 21st October 2008 Gautam | Wonderful !! - From: The Road to Enlightenment ? - Bodh Gaya Dear Robin and Erika, I like your blog on the net, we are also planning to take the same route, till bodh Gaya, but will go on our Motor Bike - 500 cc, will continue from Varanasi to Gaya - Rajgir, Kushinagar - Lumbini and then Nepal. It was really wonderful comment and writeup .... regards.. Gautam |
| 10th October 2008 Stayloose | I am jealous - From: Scorpions, Snakes & Jumping Elephants: Bangkok & Kaeng Krachan Why did I ever give it up? |
| 9th October 2008 jimr | Nice writeup - From: Scorpions, Snakes & Jumping Elephants: Bangkok & Kaeng Krachan Like Erika, I couldn't believe how much better BKK's air was when I revisited this year - even the traffic seems more manageable! I really hope you managed to keep those bike saddles, or posted them home.....what classic souvenirs! |
| 9th October 2008 Stephen Paul | Time for New Continent - From: Postcard from Paradise Been following your blog for awhile, looks like you totally traversed Asia! Time to Start your South America Trip in Panama right? |
| 17th September 2008 Majid | It's wonderfull!!!!! - From: Postcard from Paradise Nice too meet you again :-) I climbed up Damavand and remembered your trying! good luck friends! |
| 16th September 2008 robb | pictures ? - From: Postcard from Paradise guys ... where are the pics ? all I can see are big black holes :-( and the LHD doesn't even work yet :-) keep it easy .. I mean the trip .. I don't know eather - I'm too old fashion, too hard core, too stupid .. or ... the "user friendly" is just wrong .. and I'm ok :-) love robb and ania |
| 13th September 2008 Ali | Congratulations on getting this far! - From: Postcard from Paradise Pity we didn't meet on the island - if I'd known you were here I would have headed over to Coral Bay - oh well - next time :) |
| 11th September 2008 Dave & Shirl | Life is tough! - From: Postcard from Paradise Hello Chucks, I was just thinking about you in the shower this morning and then we check the e-mails and find your blog. Weird! We were beginning to wonder if you had disappeared all together or finally decided to settle in a jungle village somewhere. Looks like life has been really tough for you recently; lying around on a coral shore, diving for lunch, etc. Anyway, it's great to hear from you. When you both decide what you want to do next, you will just know! Remember the Muir family motto - 'Something will turn up, even it it's only your toes!' Don't forget to let us know when you finally make up your minds. Love and hugs, Dave & Shirl |
| 10th September 2008 jim r | What to do next? - From: Postcard from Paradise Well, if you want some challenging riding, why not take a ferry across to Sumatra - some of those roads are really dodgy!! and the people are nice...or what about Borneo? In fact you should be able to island hop all the way to Australia without flying...and when you cycle down the East Coast, I 'll buy you a beer at Byron Bay - now isn't that enough to get you peddling??? |
| 10th September 2008 Jase Reynolds | Trying times! - From: Postcard from Paradise Keep your chins up you two. Life's mad isn't it - staying at home presents it's own challenges and can be dull and cycling round the world presents challenges and also can be dull! What a conundrum (I still think cycling around the world edges it slightly ;) - the things you've seen!). Will you find a place to call home soon or will you keep going? Why not enter to 2009 Tour de France? We wait with baited breath... |
| 26th August 2008 Hans Scholl | Excellent account - From: Babylon by Bus - Israel & Occupied Palestine Thanks for posting this excellent account of your visit. I have wanted to visit Palestine for some time and this gives me a general idea of what I would experience. The apartheid wall reminds me of those I saw visiting concentration camps in Europe-completely fascist. I guess it just shows that the ugly side of humanity is not unique to any one tribe. I would still love to visit the area and see historic sites (including Arab areas in Israel if they have left any standing). |
| 5th August 2008 Julian Clark | Where now? - From: On the Trail of Uncle Ho - Vietnam I've been following your trip for some time now ie a couple of years! The blogs have suddenly stopped - have you finished? |
| 1st August 2008 Ali | Nice trip - From: Parties & Politics - Lebanon Hello, my name is Ali and I'm from southern Lebanon. I read your entire post and it looks like you really took the scenic route on your trip to my country. Hopefully you had fun and good luck on your next trip. P.S. Taxi's cabs are a royal pain in the rear here. haha |
| 2nd July 2008 kashif | petrol - From: Smugglers,Taliban,Opium,Charas and lots and lots of sand - Balochistan (Bam to Quetta) yaar pakistan have petrol in balochistan sector mey be 30 persent what can our govt do about that nothing then we have 49 persent gas in same sector if pakistan get our petrol so there is so many problems solve in pakistan |
| 14th June 2008 proud 2 be albanian | jun 2008 - From: A Day in the Life - Albania (Ohrid to Greek-Albanian border) mmmmmm albania best country in ballkan ,,,about the mercedes yes i have one my self at and guess what i got that with my hard work left home at 14 and workt and made money,,,travell the world all the way 2 hollywood ...is a lot of ignorance on this world but hey we love life ,our sports cars ,mercedes,and our country proud to be albanian ,,,,1 thing u all should now albanians love their country and they r the best looking race in the world and all the foreigner girls love as.................... |
| 10th June 2008 sajesh | Inspiring! - From: To the Holy Mountain: Ali to Kailash Its been interesting and inspiring..thanx for sharing. |
| 29th May 2008 jeffry | disappointed - From: Nubia, the Nile & No-Go Areas - Upper Egypt As a Canadian reading this post, I'm disappointed in my fellow countryman. In true Canadian style I'm going to apologise, on Canada's behalf. |
| 18th May 2008 Banchory to the Bosphorous by Bike | Easy Rider??? - From: They Sikkim Here...... I think you have never tried to cycle around Sikkim "Yeti" or you would not call us Easy Riders...... And the sweeping statement was made by a Sikkimese person, not us, we just reported it. I think we also wrote that Sikkim was very developed compared to other areas of India we visited. I understand you may disagree with the views of the person we quoted but they are the views of at least some people in Sikkim. |
| 11th May 2008 Yeti | Slaves ???? - From: They Sikkim Here...... Wish you " Easy Rider" types would do a little more research before making sweeping statements like India treating Sikkimese like slaves.... Sikkim is a state with a lot of concessions for its inhabitants and poverty is unknown (compared to India). |
| 8th May 2008 David | - From: Smugglers,Taliban,Opium,Charas and lots and lots of sand - Balochistan (Bam to Quetta) Hey, I'd like to to go to Quetta, but I'm a white American male. How much of a problem do you think this is? By the time I reach Pakistan I will have been in the Middle East for four months including Palestine. So at the very least I will be more acquainted with the Third World. But...I want to keep myself safe. What do you think? |
| 7th May 2008 robb and ania | coffee ?? - From: Down the Mekong - Southern Laos oh well .. amigos .. once you are back ... we will make a you a coffee :-) but for now .. keep going ... there is nothing to miss here .. oh well ... us .. but it's not enough .. :-))))) kisses from robb and ania |
| 3rd May 2008 Shirl & Dave | Going to Thailand? - From: Lethargic Laos Hiya Pals Are you going over the Friendship Bridge to Thailand? We were up on the Mekong, at Phu Kradung, a few years back. They also seem to eat anything that can't run fast enough, but in larger quantities! Festival season starts here in a few weeks with Knochengorroch, we'll have a boogie and think of you. Happy Trails. Love, Shirl and Dave |
| 1st May 2008 zak | Nice informative Blog - From: Down the Mekong - Southern Laos Nice Pictures. http://www.travelhouseuk.co.uk |
| 24th April 2008 mimi | Very many thanks! - From: Tibet to the Tropics: Yunnan This blog is another great one for which I am grateful for your efforts to write it and to load the photos. Also, I am always so happy to read that you are well even if tired. |
| 18th April 2008 harold bergsma | - From: Smugglers,Taliban,Opium,Charas and lots and lots of sand - Balochistan (Bam to Quetta) Your travel log in Baluchistan brought back hundreds of vivid memories when I travelled there in 1988, even the trucks looked the same. You may be interested in my new books on Pakistan. One Way to Pakistan and An oath of Vengeance. Authorhouse Press, or google my name harold bergsma for my web site and places to access these novels. The third of the trilogy, The Opium Eaters is due for release in NOv. Love to hear from you. I speak Urdu. Harold |
| 14th April 2008 jimguru | Another great entry - From: Tibet to the Tropics: Yunnan Yes, once again inspiring! And sitting here in a Guwahati internet cafe I appreciate the effort that goes into getting te most basic blog written and uploaded!! Happy roads!!!! |
| 8th April 2008 Shirl & Dave | Hello again - From: Tibet to the Tropics: Yunnan We were beginning to wonder if you had disappeared in the misty mountains never to be seen again! Great to hear from you and lots of good photos this time. It's hard to believe you have been gone for 3 years. Keep on truckin'! Love, Shirl and Dave |
| 8th April 2008 Stephen Paul | Love your blogs! - From: Tibet to the Tropics: Yunnan So where is the end of the road?!? I love this entry, the mountains are spectacular as is the culture. The "giant aloe" is actually an Agave though, native to the Americas. In fact it looks like Agave americana: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Agave_americana4.jpg looking froward to the next post, Cheers! |
| 16th March 2008 Sonida | A gorjussssss, lovly, country, its so peacefull - From: A Day in the Life - Albania (Ohrid to Greek-Albanian border) Albania, is sucha a peacefull, lovly country, n yes its beaches are the best, trust me, so relaxing, its such an adventrues country, thers much more to it then gangsters, the people in it are such hard working people, they work for ther money, and the work for their Mercedes Benz, i guess u need 2 have longer visit to c the true meaning of Albaina, cuz if u really visited Albaina, there would not be a need for sarcasm. :) |
| 14th March 2008 the man | theman - From: Babylon by Bus - Israel & Occupied Palestine how can you refer to anybody as racist when you say "hi response to a stupid un educated person who only like any other jew highlights the here and now " pretty ironic to me:] |
| 30th January 2008 Kirsty Pickering | - From: The (Iced) Tea Road: Lhasa to Yunnan Hey. I have just read your adventures and they make my mtn biking seem pretty lame - I prefer to take the lift to the top of the mountain before I dive off. Really glad to see you are doing so well and not locked up in a cubicle somewhere being nerdy! It looks like you made an awsome choice. |
| 26th January 2008 Dr James Weldon | Christians In India - From: From the East of Scotland to "Scotland of the East" As an American I spent almost a year in Assam with my wife teaching prior to 2000. Although Christanity has been in India for many years many problems begin in Assam in the 50's with fundementialist like the Baptist that spread fear of Hell and could not accept anyone who was different especially the tribal cultures. Good was done as they brought in schools and helped in many ways but the divisions created by there attempt to make everybody think and believe the same thing was a disaster. This region was first a matriarchal society that had been stable for hundreds of years. Christanity being matriarchal upset the whole society and the violence from this inability to coexist continues distroying families and communities to this day. It is true there there have been Christains in india for 2000 years. The buddists in Tibet have records of Jesus's years there prior to the short three year 'biblical" time. Many like me beleve Jesus survived the cross and lived the remainer of his days as a holy man in the Kashmir region. There is old Jewish community there and even a tomb there still venerated by many. Many records still are in existance that make this belief credible. |
| 22nd January 2008 sadik korban | - From: Turkish China Thanks for your positive comments on my home city Kashgar. But the reality is very different from what you understood. The modern Kashgar cannot benifit much to indegenous Uyghurs. In actuality, Kashgar's water, air and soil are polluted severely. I give you an example. Just 20 years ago, the Tuman River was very clean and we we used to drink its water. It was very wide and there were plenty of trees and other plants on bothsides, there were birds singing... Then, the two sides were filled with rubbish given to built houses and buildings. Just 20 years ago, there were clean water used to flow in small streams, there were big orchids. Fruits were abundant, no chemicals, not many deseases. Since the last 20 years, Ughur lands were taken and the city modernized for Han Chinese immigrant. The envoronment has been destroyed. Many types animals and pants were exticted. Indigenous Uyghurs, native animals, native plants have been suffering. The Uyghurs' life expectency dropped significantly. Uyghurs have lost a lot in this Modern Xinjiang. Hundred thousands of Uyghur were killed, imprisoned and even tortured to death just for political reasons. Big waters were diverted for immigrant Han Chinese, Uyghur houses, orchids, pastures, forests... are destroyed to build good roads, big buidings for those immigrants. Atomic bomb test: 46 times the result? Forceful Aborted Uyghurs: 3 million Executed Uyghur for Political Reasons: Forfully occupied land and water: Uyghur life expectency dropped: exticted animal and plant species: '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' all need to be researched! |
| 14th January 2008 Arnab | - From: The (Iced) Tea Road: Lhasa to Yunnan i was pretty close to you guys...but on the other side lol... at Yumthang and Yumsedong at North Sikkim...not allowed to cross border! lol! |
| 13th January 2008 Dave and Shirl | Happy New Year! - From: The (Iced) Tea Road: Lhasa to Yunnan Hi guys and a very Happy New Year to you! We are running out of superlatives to express how amazed we are at your continuing adventures. Great reading and fabulous photos. Well, we went and bought a house. It's outside the National Park, so a lot cheaper than most, but a really nice place. We moved between Christmas and New Year - hectic and strange, but slowly settling in. CWT news - Kerry left the Trust to go travelling and Joe has got her job. Weird, eh? Keep safe and well and keep the blogs coming. Lots of love, Dave & Shirl |
| 12th January 2008 jimguru | Awesome! - From: The (Iced) Tea Road: Lhasa to Yunnan Yes, I am in awe of your journey...what an incredible trip....and nice to know that there a few "holes" in the bureaucracy that let you cycle through. Maybe it indicates a slightly more relaxed attitude?...which if true, could lead in the future to a more welcoming official attitude to adventurous tourists. Maybe some high level officials should read blogs like this and realise that they actually inspire people like me (who are too old/busy/unfit etc to do such a bike-ride) to think about visiting such wonderful lands. |
| 12th January 2008 steffen | What an awesome journey - From: The (Iced) Tea Road: Lhasa to Yunnan Great photos and such a wonderful experience for you. I look forward to reading about your next adventure ... keep them coming! |
| 10th January 2008 Liz | - From: Chomolungma and The Friendship Highway I stumbled across your blog a few days ago and read it non-stop from start to your most recent blog, it took me 4 days! It all looks completely amazing and i'm getting a serious case of itchy feet! Hope you're both still enjoying in all. Liz x |
| 6th January 2008 alemild | thanks for an honest insight into Palestine - From: Babylon by Bus - Israel & Occupied Palestine thanks for a very interesting and informative insight into the situation in occupied Palestine. While the Palestinian people seem to bear up with fortitude to the daily humiliation and oppression of the colonisers, it's ultimately depressing to think that the lives of generations of these innocent people have been blighted and sacrificed as the west's 'payment' for the crimes of the Nazi's. For israeli's who object to this article, please remember that in colonising Palestine you are gulity of theft. |
| 23rd December 2007 lilia | amazing - From: Chomolungma and The Friendship Highway hello there robin and erika i met you last year first in jerusalem and then in dahab in sinai. i am in sinai again now and it is amazing to think that i met you here 18 months ago and now you have just witnessed the roof of the world and looked at everest from your bicyles, amazing. so it took you 18 months to get there, how long will you keep going i wonder. i managed to get here to sinai this time without flying, by bus train and boat. I'll try by bicycle next time! now i am wondering what your route is? if you will be making it back to the UK by going round the world, will you be going via China, Russia and Alaska, and then who knows, by boat back to UK or what? happy xmas guys! |
| 20th December 2007 Majobe Baye | miss you - From: Chomolungma and The Friendship Highway you doing it great love from the gambia |
| 20th December 2007 Kate | - From: Chomolungma and The Friendship Highway Hey guys, thanks for another amazing update. I have been touting your journal to friends of mine and encouraging them to read it too. Sounds like you have seen some of the most amazing things on your entire journey in Tibet, you sound like you are having a much, much better time here than you were in India. I'm so pleased that your reason and love for the travelling has been rediscovered. Most recent news from the Trust is that Kerry has left and Joe has got her job, so we are currently leaderless in Wider Countryside. All a bit of a shock! Anyway, hope things continue to be as breathtaking for you in your continuing adventures. xxxKate |
| 20th December 2007 Jason | look forward to reading each new installment - From: Chomolungma and The Friendship Highway I subscribe to your blog and look forward to reading each new installment. Sitting here in my cubicle im filled with so much envy and wish I was out doing the same as you. Hopefully i will be in the position to find the courage to break away form the monotony of going to work everyday to truly live life. You really should publish this as a book since the writing still and imagery is excellent. I guess eventually you will have to change your name to Banchory to the Singapore River. Look forward to more great stories .. best of luck on your future travels. |
| 18th December 2007 Tashi | Pictures - From: High Life - Ladakh I really like the pictures n photographs... they are really cool n nice.. keep up. Cud you mail me if u have more pics n time? thank you... oh yea by the way nice couple... hehe... |
| 4th December 2007 Hazel Jones | New Arrival - From: Across the Wild West: Kailash to the Friendship Highway Hi Both. Still enjoying reading your amazing travels, although these days I only seem to have time to look at the fantastic pictures. Well our bump is now a real baby! Adam was born on the 3rd November. Seems like there has been a population explosion over here. I met your friend Rosie in hospital as she was having her second at the same time. I remember she was pregnant with her first at your leaving party. Hope you are keeping well and still enjoying your wonderful trip. Lots of love and a Merry Christmas, Hazel, Rob, Luke and Adam. x x x |
| 30th November 2007 Mimi | Many, many thanks - From: Across the Wild West: Kailash to the Friendship Highway Erika and Robin, This and the previous post are brilliant. I so very much enjoy your engaging descriptions and fantastic photos. The western part of Tibet is one of the very few places in the world I have not visited nor even read about. You are my first reading. Thank you for a good one! Be well and cheers. |
| 30th November 2007 Me | Addicted - From: To the Holy Mountain: Ali to Kailash What a pleasure to read. I am addicted, keeping writing please. Safe journey. |
| 21st November 2007 Mdangi | - From: The Road to Enlightenment ? - Bodh Gaya that's the journey of the palce of enlightenement of Gautam Budha....where r u now? |
| 17th November 2007 vcrs | thanks so much for sharing yr adventures! - From: Big Hills & Broken Wheels - Yazd to Shiraz stumbled on this... I had a great trip to Iran in May, but wished I could have gone more slowly and stayed longer... would have LOVED to have done it your way! wow wow wow! thank you for sharing all this - it's almost as good as having been there with you (well, ok, it's a very distant second, but still a great pleasure!). |
| 14th November 2007 Milan | tashidelek - From: The 219 - The Road Sublime: Kashgar to Ali what a great story, thank you guys for a lot of information.I am planning to make this trip by hitching, next summer.I just dont know if to get to Kashgar will be better from Beijing via Urumqi, or to cross chinesse border from kazachstan,travelling by trans sibberian train first to Alma Ata..anyway, i wish you a good luck,may your spirits be blessed by happiness. Milan from Slovakia |
| 6th November 2007 William Sellwood | - From: The 219 - The Road Sublime: Kashgar to Ali Well done you two. Your trip is amazing to read about. You must have good blood cells to get you up that high. We have had another baby girl, Emma. Lots of love, Will and Julie |
| 1st November 2007 Stephane | You've done it! - From: The 219 - The Road Sublime: Kashgar to Ali Congratulations guys! This is again the season, and I could picture everything you wrote. Especially the wind ;-) But I guess you can only know when you've been there! I'm having a short pause on my trip, before heading to south America. Except this time, the bike stays home... But no worries, I'm not gonna sell it, anad it will be used again for sure! Well, I wish you the best of luck for Tibet itself. You must be somewhere near Lhassa now. Enjoy and see you down some road somewhere sometimes.... Cheers, Stephane |
| 26th October 2007 robb and ania | thanks - From: The 219 - The Road Sublime: Kashgar to Ali guys .. thanks for the pictures ! thanks for the Polski Friend :-)))))) read you later !! we arrived home .. yesterday ... looks funny ;-) |
| 23rd October 2007 Shirl and Dave | Hello Tibet! - From: The 219 - The Road Sublime: Kashgar to Ali Hi Erika and Robin We are in total agreement for once - you two are definitely off your trolleys! Just looking at the photographs made us scared, but you just keep on going. The scenery is stunning. We have just had some really bad news; our landlords are throwing us out 'cos they can make a lot more money renting the house to tourists. We are trying to get a mortgage on a property north of Skiddaw. At our age! Take care of one another. Much respect and lots of love, Shirl and Dave |
| 14th October 2007 Kate Hildebrand | beautiful! - From: The 219 - The Road Sublime: Kashgar to Ali what a great adventure! Can't wait to see more of Tibet :) |
| 13th October 2007 Laurent Sangpo | - From: In search of water - Bharatpur. I am really schocked to learn that the bird's paradise has become a desert!!! I was planning to visit Bharatpur this winter but if it is just to find a desert I would rather go for a real natural desert. From Paris |
| 24th September 2007 robb&ania | good to read a goood stories again ;-) - From: Chelo Pakistan!! hi guys .. greeting from macedonia .. you are somewhere there .. cycling through Tibet .. while we are getting slowely home ... ;-/ fingercross and inshallah we gonna see you again !! as soon as it gets ! keep safe cycling ! |
| 22nd September 2007 Rich | Top stuff - From: Turkish China Great blog guys... we are currently in China also... Xi'an... We would love to go over your side of the country but no time unfortunately... Tibet next for us... happy travelling and keep up those blogs. Sniffandsnore |
| 20th September 2007 pohanginapete | It's a long way from Jaipur - From: Turkish China This does nothing to help me deal with my wanderlust! Glad to hear you're finding it a little more salubrious than Jaipur, and I trust it'll continue. Be great to catch up with you some day, somewhere. Pete |
| 20th September 2007 the Boy who lived | hi - From: Chelo Pakistan!! As an Indian I feel truly ashamed reading what you experienced. I always felt that it was the Pakistanis who were more obsessed with their hate towards India even though I personally have never had any feelings of hate towards the Paki's. But obviously I am wrong as you have an experience on both the sides. And now so many people will be reading your blog and getting to know about the stupid baseless hate of my people towards the Paki's. I guess they deserve it but I feel sad. |
| 18th September 2007 Maj | WOW - From: Chelo Pakistan!! I am gobsmacked mate, honestly. You're amazing blog helped me pass my time at work. Being a British Paki, I spent around 7 years in Pakistan and those were the best years without a doubt. People, culture, food, places everything was just amazing. I totally agree with you regarding the media speculations and the truth, but theres very little we can do to change it. And guess what, I tried to get a visa for India about 4 years ago, got rejected straight away. Hey Im sorry about the falling tree and your tent mate, are you sure it wasnt a terrorist act ;) ?? Anyways GOOD LUCK guys, I hope you make it back to Scotland in one piece. I'll wait for your next blog, Salams. Mj |
| 9th September 2007 Shirl & Dave | Welcome back to cyberspace! - From: The Race Against the Rain: Kathmandu - Manali Hi Guys You must have read our minds. We were just saying the other day that it was a long time since the last blog. Great to hear from you again. Summer in the UK has lived up to the usual expectation of disappointment, although we have had some great times at festivals. Dave's band, The Zubes, played at Solfest, went down very well and their CD is on the market; check out the website at www.zubes.net! Shirl finally got sick of being messed around by the National Park Authority and is now an independent consultant. Keep the blogs coming. Happy trails! Love, Shirl and Dave |
| 8th September 2007 Rosie | Brilliant I was wondering - From: The Race Against the Rain: Kathmandu - Manali where u both were and then your travel blog popped up again on my email! Wow you have seen so much keep it up!! I miss you both! hey there no eclectic anymore....Booo! Although kendal is ok, there was entertainment at the weekend, naked men in shop windows and some street entertainemnt, and brewery music which was good! not alot of sunshine though, make the most of that lovely sunshine out there and bring some back when you come back! when are you coming back? rosie x |
| 8th September 2007 Ermanno | There you go - From: The Race Against the Rain: Kathmandu - Manali Nice to read from you guys. We are back in Italy since May and the will to leave again for ANY destination is high!! We'll have to wait until next year tough before we got money enough to start again. In the meantime we satisfy our desire of going around reading your posts. Keep cycling, keep feeling, keep growing inside, keep being our eyes on the world. Good luck!!! Ciao, Ermanno & Alessia |
| 5th September 2007 Hazel | Hello from sunny England - From: The Race Against the Rain: Kathmandu - Manali I have just been cathcing up with your fantastic travels and thinking about how long you had been away. Luke is two tomorrow and I was still pregnant when you left so that brought things home. Just to let you know I am expecting again in November and Helen had a little girl last Friday. No doubt my next one will be two before you are even thinking of coming back. Keep enjoying yourself and hope to see you both again when you finally return. Love Hazel, Rob, Luke and bump. x x x |
| 4th September 2007 Mimi | I am so happy to read you once again! - From: The Race Against the Rain: Kathmandu - Manali Erika and Robin, I have been wondering if you were having more fun that when you in India the first time and am very glad to hear that you are. I look forward to more of your long, descriptive blogs. Be well and enjoy! |
| 4th September 2007 anonymous | - From: The Flat Side of Nepal That vegetable is "bitter gourd." Children hate it, but it is one of the best vegetables around. As the name says, it is bitter, add some tomato and tamarind while cooking it, you will never call it ugly again. |
| 3rd September 2007 Kate | Good to hear from you - From: The Race Against the Rain: Kathmandu - Manali Joe and I were only today wondering how you two are, and here you are with a blog entry. Glad you are OK, and we're still thinking of you! |
| 2nd September 2007 Ginger nuts | Amazing - From: “Frogging is a Risky Business” - Assam You two are amazing. I love reading your blog - and I loved this entry. I think I know how you felt and am sure everyone on the road for longer than 3 weeks does fully understand. Keep going and maybe one day our ways will cross :) Take care! Josie |
| 23rd July 2007 Arnab | sorry about the incidents at Bengal - From: Three is the Magic Number - Kangchendzonga I applogise the way Bengal has treated you but yes the roads and journey to North East is very picturesque!! I only journey on Bike till Southern Tip of India...U are on bike from such a long distance! hats off two you guys!! |
| 16th July 2007 Karina | Enjoying every minute in oz - From: 24 Hour Funerals and a Cosmic Wedding - Varanasi This is the second blog entry I have read (the other one was the Sikkim entry) and I'm really enjoying every minute of it. So far I have been looking at entries on cities I also visited on my Indian trip, so perhaps it is also partly nostalgia (I loved Varanasi - a truely unbelievable city), but I'm also eager to read about others. Erica and Robin, your travels, and more importantly the way you travel is inspiring, I recently bought myself a bike. So far I have only made it 10 km to the St Kilda beach and back (in Melbourne, Australia) but it's a start! Keep on riding and keep on writing - you both write very well and give a refreshing perspective on the places you visit. As I'm sure you know by now, getting an unguarded honest opinion in India is a hard task! |
| 28th June 2007 jawahir | Noshki - From: Smugglers,Taliban,Opium,Charas and lots and lots of sand - Balochistan (Bam to Quetta) hey... i read ur trip to noshki an dbalochistan...which was quite intresting .... i actually belong to noshki.... it feel good to read what u wrote abt it...but alas.. its the truth and we cant ignore that.... :) next time you visit noshki ...contact some tribesman or some political leader of the place be their guest thats how it works... here.... it is always very sad when i think about lack of tourism...or even small oppurtuinites for tourists in our area... but we live in stone age.... i have tarvelled a lot and i really feel bad when i think about how good the tourism industries and the behaviour of people towards tourists is in lot of countries which we lack... but if u ever have to visit again be my guest... and i m not a smuggler,not a taliban... no charas and opium....just someone who lives on sand :) |
| 26th June 2007 Mundawah | What a treat - From: Polluted Plains & Fevered Pains - Multan to Lahore Though I've been in the US now for 30 years, I lived in the Sahiwal area for 8 years. Reading your blog refreshed my visits to Lahore. You write well. It kept me hooked to read on till the end. I'm glad Erika recovered. |
| 24th June 2007 Manuel | Kelli - Florina - From: Greece to Plovdıv, Bulgaria ....[The f1rst v1llage 1n Greece we are greeted by a father and h1s two small sons who are play1ng football 1n the1r garden, hello they shout and then "Greece Forever" as one of the boys shoots and squeezes a great goal 1n past h1s father].... I remember this day! My Grandfather told me about you. There were 2 people here who wanted to go to asia by bike, Crazy! I was looking at google for some information about where I am. I live in Germany now since 20 years, I was born in Brüssel. It´s amazing to find a report of you in the web, that my Grandfather told me! I hope u liked greece and if you are in Germany, visit us! We will be proud to see you! www.odysseus-krefeld.de Manuel |
| 7th June 2007 Mimi | Many thanks! - From: Three is the Magic Number - Kangchendzonga Robin and Erika, Thanks so much for taking the time and effort to write more of your eloquent journals! I am always so pleased when I receive the email that tells me there are more of your adventures to read. I must agree with you on the subject of how annoying India is especially in the touristy areas. I am very happy to hear of your most recent experiences in Sikkim. You certainly "earned" your good times there. I await your next entries about Nepal. Cheers. |
| 31st May 2007 ben | Dzongri - From: Three is the Magic Number - Kangchendzonga Great pictures. Just a note on the guides: I used a local agency for the trek, a local sherpa (born in nepal, grew up in sikkim) that owns a small hostel in Yuksom. He keeps everything local and while it is still the same price as the big cities I know my money stays in Yuksom. Although the guides are not paid much, remember that the average wage in India is around 40 rupees a day and a tea picker on a TATA plantation earns about 80 ruppees for picking 14 kilos of tea. With that in mind its not such a terrible job, although many young kids drop out of school to become porters. |
| 29th May 2007 anonymous | - From: They Sikkim Here...... Slaves indeed! Not a single Sikkism has ever been asked to pay or ever paid any tax to any govt (state or center). The rest of India foots the bill for sikkim and its development. |
| 29th May 2007 anonymous | - From: They Sikkim Here...... why bother with a guide at all, they have a living to make, and you guys are superhuman anyways. |
| 29th May 2007 Linda | A wonderful read - From: From the East of Scotland to "Scotland of the East" A nice co-incidence that the writer is from Scotland. I enjoyed going through your meandering article and seeing things through the visitors eyes. A lot of surprises too, things I never knew. Great! |
| 28th May 2007 Elisa | Incredibile! - From: Three is the Magic Number - Kangchendzonga Hello from Turin !!! I still follow you... and wouldn't mind to join you for a while! lots of love from Elisa, Lorenzo and Giuliano. |
| 27th May 2007 maider | salut les amis!!! - From: City of Sweat - Kolkata Just a word to tell you that i m happy each time i can read something about u. I want to send to you few good thoughts. see u and besos maider |
| 27th May 2007 xxx | Christianity in India..... - From: From the East of Scotland to "Scotland of the East" "There have been Christians in India for nearly 2,000 years. They long pre-date the arrival of the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. Far from being the Hindu homeland, "Mother India" has also been at different times a Buddhist region and an Islamic one. The notion that Christians are doing something wrong in India is just RSS propaganda. India is a free country--a secular republic that enshrines the freedom for people to worship as they please. Some 30 million Indians are Christians of one sort or another. Christianity is as much a part of India as Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism, and Jainism. There are even Indian Jews." Just something I read somewhere.... |
| 25th May 2007 Majid :-) | Is that the END? - From: The Road to Enlightenment ? - Bodh Gaya Hi friends!! yes this is Majid! How are you? do you to continue your tripe? please update your weblog! Goli & Majid have good wishes for you! |
| 14th May 2007 Tara Conley | Wow, lucky... or not ^^;; - From: A Transylvanian Tale - Vampires, Bears & Thieves (Sighisoara to Brasov) I really think it's cool that you two get to cycle across Europe. But it must have sucked to get your stuff stolen 3 times in one week! Transylvania seems as if it's a beautiful place, and Brasov seems really awesome! Your pictures really give a sense of how it looks there! I haven't read any of your other journals, but did you guys happen to go through the Borgo Pass on your way through the Carpathians? And if you did, how did it feel to be on the pass that led to Dracula's Castle? |
| 4th April 2007 Aidan | Water levels - From: In search of water - Bharatpur. From what I can make out 2006 Monsoon was pretty normal http://www.imd.ernet.in/section/nhac/dynamic/endofmonsoon.htm There does seem to be a trend towards very heavy showers during recent monsoons , as opposed to periods of prolonged light rain that is better suited to replenishing the land. If it's any consolation , Bharatpur is man-made ,created for the idle rich to hunt. |
| 4th April 2007 maarten | respect! - From: The Road to Enlightenment ? - Bodh Gaya hi guys, what a great travel stories. THX for the inspiration. We've past you somewhere in Greece without meeting. We drive a motorbike and are now in Malaysia. Visit our website for some 'new ideas' for your onward travel...... www.onsplekkie.com (press english flag) greetings from Ilse and Maarten the Netherlands |
| 30th March 2007 Squirrel Simon | Catching Up - From: The Road to Enlightenment ? - Bodh Gaya Hi Robin and Erika, Thanks to Kate W I've now found your blog again and I'm pleased to see you are still making progress - albeit with some difficulties. Hope you can find time to get back to full health and can enjoy so more great cycling. Keep writing your journals but don't leave such long gaps between them! All the best Simon (and Family) |
| 22nd March 2007 Dave & Shirl | Where to next? - From: The Road to Enlightenment ? - Bodh Gaya Hi Robin & Erika Well, we finally caught up with all your blogs again after missing them for almost 3 months! We can't wait for the next one and look forward to hearing where you plan to go next. Will you make it all the way round the planet and back to Britain? We hope so. Take care and travel safely. Love & peace, Shirl & Dave |
| 19th March 2007 Willem the Dutchie | Indiaaaaa!!!! - From: The Heart of India - Orchha to Varanasi Hey you brave travellers! Your stories leave me in awe. I did the same trip (Orccha-Varanasi) by bus. My butt still remembers Highway #7. Must say that it was a beautiful leg though. Hope all is well and you're not suffering from any illness at this point. Be well & stay well. Willem |
| 12th March 2007 Mimi | It is good to hear from you! - From: Grey Days in the Pink City - Jaipur Hi Erika and Robin, I was thrilled to receive the notice today of your current journal posting until I saw that it was from 2 months ago and then read that you were so demoralized. I know India, particularly the tourist areas, is gruelling! And then add to that the terrible traffic that must be endured whilst on cycles!! I sincerely hope that you are now somewhere more enjoyable. Thank you for the post. I am always looking forward to the next one particularly now that I do not know where you went from India. Cheers, Mimi |
| 28th February 2007 Shirl & Dave | Hello from Cumbria - From: In search of water - Bharatpur. Hi Robin and Erika Long time no blog. Are you still out there? If so, where?! Can't wait to hear from you. Love Shirl and Dave |
| 28th February 2007 Brenda | Pakistan is the best!!! - From: Dwarves Among Giants I spent three months in Pakistan. My friend Zahra lives in Altit. Her family own property very close to the Eagle's Nest Hotel. I sat with her family and friends on the floor of a mud hut sharing a meal of potatoes and greens. Afterwards a cake bread and chai. I didn't understand what was being said but we laughed and connected. I stay in touch with my new found friends and new family. I crossed the Passu glacier while in Pak. I also got invited to three polo matches in Gilgit. One of which I was guest and got to throw the game ball! I met the chief of Police and was given a police cap. I also started a small fast food resturant on main street in Gilgit with a man named Haij Baig. I made many friends and am looking forward to returning. I saw many of the places you have photographed and it makes me very homesick to return to this wonderful country. I could go on for hours of all the wonderful experiences. I too went to the China border and videoed the Yak. People should not be afraid of going to Pakistan. The people are very friendly. Thank you for your pics. It has made my heart feel warm. |
| 19th February 2007 jodie | sad how history is never learnt - From: Babylon by Bus - Israel & Occupied Palestine hi response to a stupid un educated person who only like any other jew highlights the here and now ehat this person neglected to say was that the land israelis are on is not theirs, they were given it by the Uk after the holicost many people from other countries such as germany, poland, chez came and claimed the land as theres and actually the arab jews at the time were co habiting with the arabs at the time as this is how it hadbeen for many years. up until the jews that had come to the land as stated started terrorizing the peoiple of the land by using bombs and kicking people out of their homes and claiming it as theres this stems back right back to the end of the world war one, these jewish so called israelis have no right to the land no historical name sake to the land as they orriginate from europe!! so to learn why the palestinians are the way they are live in their shoes for a day or even 50 years lose all rights to return to your country , lose your home family and friends, your heritage and then come back and tell me you wouldjust give up and give the land away! i very much doubt you would. i give a GREAT applaude to palestinians for giving a shit about their land and the courage and determination and struggle they have had to endure at the hands of the jews. sanctions, wall blocks, milatary presence, un-nessacerry force, kurfews, check points, and many more things and they still refuse to bend good for them! its ignorance from countries like the jewish dominated USA and followers of US the UK to whom has had a large role to play in this disater in the first place. these pepple muslim arabs and jewish arabs were living side by side for many years before this happened people need to read history |
| 10th January 2007 Dave & Shirl | Hello and Happy New Year - From: Delhi & Agra(vation) Hi Erika & Robin We have had internet problems at home since before Christmas and I am just catching up on your blogs now on my lunch break at work - still another to read after this one! Thanks for the Christmas message by the way and sorry we couldn't get back to you sooner. You made it to India and over 12,000 miles of cycling - utterly outstanding! We hope to be changing our e-mail service provider later this week and will let you know the new address when it is sorted. Keep On Truckin', pals! Loads of love, Shirl & Dave |
| 5th January 2007 mathew | Sad - Bharatpur - From: In search of water - Bharatpur. Hi Erika&Robin,I feel a bit sad to read about the state of Bharatpur. I was following you all way down to India on your travel logs. Now I feel really concerned as I dont see your current status even today 05jan.Hope You are keeping fine and on the road cycling thru incredible India |
| 4th January 2007 VictorT | - From: Temples & Tanks - Lahore to Delhi Ahh, I remember the feeling when I arrived in Mcload. For me it had to be the highest concentration of foreigners I had seen since Yangshuo. Quite scary after Pakistan. Good momos though. Happy New Year to you guys. |
| 4th January 2007 Kate | Depressing :( - From: In search of water - Bharatpur. How depressing, most especially the attitude of the park staff. I totoally agree with your assessment of all the people visiting who have flown to India for their holiday and don't seem to connect the change in monsoon pattern with global warming. I'm doing my bit here and still trying to make people feel as guilty as possible for flying off as and when they feel like it. I'm getting a bit of a reputation as a mad flying-hating environmentalist - and depressingly this is amongst people who work in the environmental sector. There is such a huge disconnect between what people say they believe and what they actually do. Right, I will stop ranting now! Happy New Year to both of you, love Kate |
| 4th January 2007 Pohanginapete | Happy New Year - From: Temples & Tanks - Lahore to Delhi Hi, or should I say, "Kia ora," Erika and Robin. For me it really was a happy New Year, thanks in large part to being able to share some of it with you. I'm looking forward to the time to be able to sit and read your blog at leisure; having skimmed this entry, and knowing what I do of your travels, it'll be a great read. Excellent photos too. Cheers, safe travels, and I hope we can catch up somewhere before too long. Pete :^D |
| 25th December 2006 Majid | YOHOOOOO - From: Temples & Tanks - Lahore to Delhi Dear Erika & Robin! I'm so glad that read your story! It's great you are in INDIIIIIIA! Do you want to Continiue your cycling OR Will back too Scotland? |
| 18th December 2006 okhtay | - From: Half the World, Halfway across Iran - Esfahan another thing I should note is that the reason the girls are more open in Iran compared to other middle eastern countries is partially and ironically because of the hijab. As you know many families in Iran are still conservative even if not religious, and the hidjab dress core after the revolution helped the families to trust and let their girls participate more openly in the society and right now, as you might have known, more than 60% of the students in the universities are girls. |
| 18th December 2006 Okhtay | - From: Half the World, Halfway across Iran - Esfahan I really loved this part of your blogging of Iran. About the political analysis of Iran I must say I seriously doubt that America wants a democratic powerful Iran. Maybe they say that in the media but the true nature of their policies should be obvious by their actions, that's for sure. America wants a way to keep the control of oil-rich middle east and a democratic powerful Iran would not help that. good luck again. p.s. I don't know if you answer any of these comments. But just in case my email address is Okhtay[at]psu[dot]edu |
| 18th December 2006 Okhtay | - From: Iran pt.2 - Tabriz to Hamedan wow! this part of the trip had a lot of up and downs! I just wanted to correct something in this part. The mountain to the south of tabriz and east of Urmia lake is actually another famous azeri mountain called Sahand. Sabalan is far to the north-east and it is near Ardebil. Good luck! |
| 18th December 2006 Okhtay | - From: Islamic Republic of Iran Pt. 1- Bazargan to Tabriz I'm an Azeri Iranian and it was really interesting to read about the first part of your trip to Iran. of course, I'm going to read the rest of it but your observations of this part of the country, although missing some points, was quite remarkable and complete. And I must say, I'm sorry about the toilets on the roads!:p you might be right, they haven't been cleaned up since the revolution! I really want to do a similar trip around the world on bike. I've already done it around Europe but right now, I'm in US doing the rest of my studies, but maybe some years later. Have a good trip and enjoy the rest of it! |
| 10th December 2006 Poz | Great Pics! - From: Dwarves Among Giants Keep 'em coming! |
| 30th November 2006 Steve | your journal - From: Smugglers,Taliban,Opium,Charas and lots and lots of sand - Balochistan (Bam to Quetta) I enjoyed reading it, Steve USA |
| 23rd November 2006 Faisal | - From: Dwarves Among Giants Hi. I live in karachi, and just happened to search 'pakistan travel blogs' on google, came across your blog. It's very interesting how you two have decided to travel across so many thousands of miles on a bike. It was very sad to hear about the experience you had with the poilcemen. Sadly, that's what happens when corruption and poverty come together. And given Pakistan's political atmposphere, it just makes things a whole lot worse. A lot of the rural areas of Pakistan do present a sordid scene. Just hope you don't have to encounter any more officials who like to flaunt and abuse their authority while here.(Though apparently you're almost done with the Pakistani Leg of your journey). Good Luck and have Fun!! |
| 20th November 2006 Shirl & Dave | Boggled! - From: Dwarves Among Giants Hi Robin and Erika. We continue to be boggled by your adventures! So sorry to hear about your crap treatment by the Pakistani police and about Erika's scary illness. We keep reading the good bits and thinking "If only we had the nerve to do something like this!" and then reading the bad bits and thinking "Mad b***ers! No way would you catch us doing something like this!" Things are not nearly so interesting in the Lake District. Work on my project at CWT is endlessly frustrating and Shirl still doesn't know how she will come out of the latest Park Authority reorganisation. Ah, well! So it goes. Take care of yourselves and keep the blogs coming. Loads of Love and hugs. D&S |
| 20th November 2006 Banchory to the Bosphorous by Bike | Author's Reply - From: Babylon by Bus - Israel & Occupied Palestine Well I guess some of you have a greater handle on the truth than me..... But who exactly am I racially prejudiced against Joe? Despite once being called a 'nigger' (I am white) I have never before been accused of racism. Yes, I would have liked to see more of the area, but I only had a week and limiteds funds, and hey, I'm a traveller not a journalist or some UN dignitary/inspector. I admitted to having pre-exisitng judgements etc. so no prizes for accusing me of that, and if what I saw didnt change my mind who's fault is that exactly? If I had seen equality and justice then I would have written about that, I didnt. I saw an illegal aparthied wall (UN and World Court opinion, not just mine), and visible signs of repression. I saw and felt the fear that exists on both sides. It was depressing and didnt encourage me to want to stay longer, even if time had allowed. And Rotem, I did see the bag searches in West Jerusalem, sorry if I forgot to mention it, but compared to the experience of crossing "the wall" it was frankly nothing. I would rather suffer a bag search on my way to the chemists than have to show a coloured 'pass card' (another form of apartheid) to foreign troops at roadblocks, 'the wall' and so-on and be told where I can and can't go and when, being prevented from reaching places of education and employment or simply visiting relatives. And there were plenty of businesses that did not have the door searches. If you object to them then you can easily avoid/boycott those who use them. Sadly Palestinians do not have this freedom of choice about the wall. And I should come up with a solution? but not one that involves simply withdrawing, Nice. It seems that there will be no hope for peace until Israel withdraws from the occupied territory and implements the numerous UN resolutions on the issue that it has flouted for decades. Of course this will not bring peace overnight, but you have to start somewhere. Ultimately both sides need to learn to SHARE. Really, as far as I could see there were more things in common between the 2 peoples than differences, this is something you need to explore. But building a separation wall is not a good way to start. Peace2All. |
| 20th November 2006 Paul Copeland | Thankyou - From: Dwarves Among Giants Thankyou for your post. I travelled to Hunza & Passu in 1996 & also stayed at the Haider Inn with Haider. A fantastic place. Thanks for bringing back the memories. |
| 18th November 2006 Gorkem | Dear Kurdish ass lickers ! - From: Shepherds & Soldiers - Kurdistan (Birecik to Van) Good to hear you fuck off from this country. If you like kurds so much why don't you take some of them with you back to UK or tell your dear president Bush and his flattererr Blair to free them like they are freeing afgan and iraq people. Kurds are oppressed is a just a romantic lie some idiot westerners want to believe. If there would be a minority group in any wesetrn country who would create terrorist organisation like PKK, that minority group would not face oppression. They would simple be massacreed ! |
| 15th November 2006 G from Bulgaria | oh damn! - From: Polluted Plains & Fevered Pains - Multan to Lahore Oh Sh*t Oh F*ck Oh Damn!! i'm still reading, but i hope erika is better... travellers, dont get ahead of yourselves, have a rest, you have seen half of the world allready.... dont hurry 2 much, or one day you will find out that there is no more room for exploring... and then what?!?! good luck, i love you guys very much and i hope to see you one day (come back this way :D ) miss u miss u miss u and be carefull, you are not in Cansas anymore... |
| 11th November 2006 Joe | what a joke - From: Babylon by Bus - Israel & Occupied Palestine I don't think you ever intended to see the true situation. You just wanted to reinforce your racist predudices. |
| 8th November 2006 Stephen Paul | Incredible Scenery - From: Dwarves Among Giants Great Post! There were so many thoughts on reading this blog. Like, "Wow, Pakistan. I KNEW it was safe to travel there!". ---"I'll bet the food in Pakistan was good". ---"That Yak is at once surreal, beautiful and ugly." --- "Damn those are some huge mountains!" ---"That Batura Galcier is otherworldly, I MUST see it someday."----"Wait, are they backpacking in the snow in Pakistan at 4000 meters high at the Chinese border?" -- "Commie Bastards!!" |
| 3rd November 2006 vince | - From: Fighting the Power in Punjab - Crossing the Indus sorry to hear about all that trouble with the police - i can imagine though i met a few fuckers like that in pakistan as well. Hey shur not too far to India now where everyone is overly friendly and annoyingly so - really enjoying the journal lads - ye should write a book when ye go home y'know |
| 3rd November 2006 Lucienne | What an amazing and scary experinece! - From: Fighting the Power in Punjab - Crossing the Indus Take care of yourselves! |
| 2nd November 2006 joy | - From: Fighting the Power in Punjab - Crossing the Indus I would just like to applaud your determination to not give in despite what you were up against. I lived in Murree, Pakistan for 4 years and never saw a single tourist - most likely for the very treatment and 'pakistani welcome' you were given. I was very excited to see a blog on Pakistan but then sad to read that those men haven't changed at all over the years. Good luck for the remainder of your journey! |
| 2nd November 2006 Kate | - From: "Bin Laden is my Hero" - Quetta to Punjab Glad to see that you are OK, we have been getting worried here at CWT. Anthony came in the other day and asked if we had heard anything. That was after Joe had got Erika's e-mail asking about good places to go in India. See, we all care about you! Looks like its been pretty stressful for you over the past two months - I hope things have improved a bit for you now. Nothing exciting has happened in Kendal for ages apart from I had a ceilidh for my birthday and Wal's band Wierdstring pleyed - it was a great laugh. All the usual suspects were there including Chris and Caroline who are now living in Hebden Bridge (although you probably alread know that!). Biggest news in the UK is the recent Stern report which has indicated that if the world govts don't do anything about climate change there is likely to be a drop in word GDP of 20% - an effect worse than the 1930s depression and the 2nd World War put together. Hope that economics will give a push to societal changes where environmentalists haven't been able to. Anyway, keep well and looking forward to your next blog! |
| 30th October 2006 Sharon | ? - From: Smugglers,Taliban,Opium,Charas and lots and lots of sand - Balochistan (Bam to Quetta) Hi. A random reader here, who got hooked by your bravery and spirit and wonderful blog. Sadly, nothing has been posted in quite awhile. Wondering where you are at and how you are doing - pls post something soon, even if it is to let us know that you are ok even if you have had a change of plans. 'We' are getting worried! Safe travels |
| 6th October 2006 Ari Lev | Both Sides - From: Babylon by Bus - Israel & Occupied Palestine I just wish you had spent more time with Israeli people, meeting them, hanging out with them, talking with them...regular people, and finding out what they thought, how they experienced the Occupation, what they were doing to work for peace. You said you came to check out both sides, but you did not. You enjoyed having a place to rest, a warm shower, a beer out with the Westerners, but didn't really get to talk with the people, even the soldiers with their gun hung over the shoulder... I wish you had |
| 4th October 2006 Gordon Rozario | Your readership is waiting for the next episode. - From: Smugglers,Taliban,Opium,Charas and lots and lots of sand - Balochistan (Bam to Quetta) Hi you guys, we do not know each other but I got hooked having started to read your blogs when my daugher and her boyfriend (aka bacon sandwich) had not produced a blog for ages. Can I just say how much I admire your spirit and bravery, I have very much enjoyed reading about your adventures, it is surprising how people blossom into very competant and informative writers. I hope you are able to continue your story soon, I wish you every success and good wishes. Kind regards Gordon |
| 24th September 2006 Kate Hildebrand | Ulysses S. Grant- Union general of the American Civil War. - From: Islamic Republic of Iran Pt. 1- Bazargan to Tabriz Interesting blog! I'd like to go to Iran in a year or two provided that things don't get all "War On Terror"ed. |
| 18th September 2006 anonymous | - From: Half the World, Halfway across Iran - Esfahan poor me poor me pure me a drink |
| 8th September 2006 Helen | Life on the edge - From: Smugglers,Taliban,Opium,Charas and lots and lots of sand - Balochistan (Bam to Quetta) Hello there! Just been shifting boxes from "Erika's Office" as it's still known. Your latest blogs have been the most awe-inspiring yet! I'm just back of a week's flotilla in Croatia which was a blast. However I can't believe I was moaning about marine toilets given what you're putting up with. Off to the cultural phenonemon which is Kendal Torchlight tonight. Hope you're both feeling better and do you need an agent to negotiate film rights?! H xxx |
| 4th September 2006 Lilia | rock and roll handbags - From: Beautiful Hills, Wonderful People - Shiraz to Bam Hi Erika and Robin! Great to read your blogs. Replying a bit late to this one but have been away myself - just got back from italy where i went overland by bus, though i was dreaming of cycling like yourselves - one day ... Amazed at your tales and discoveries, and great to read about the reality of life in Iran especially in contrast to all the rubbish spouted in the news etc. It was interesting to learn about the ancient iranian civilisation you mentioned might be the oldest in the world - I'm interested to look more into it.. I liked the ancient hand bag also. I like the rock and roll dancing theme idea - but it occured to me - maybe a more likely use might be as a 'weight' to hold down ropes for tents for example - ??? Seeing the pictures of the city of Bam also blew me away - the destruction that these people have endured - puts the small petty sufferings of western life into perspective. Looking at those pictures of houses in the rubble and container shops - they look like they've been forgotten by the outside world... but to see the optimism and endurance that you've witnessed is heartening.. I guess it must be the only thing that they have left.. It is perplexing though to think of an earthquake there out of nowhere... Good luck with the rest of your travels. |
| 29th August 2006 Stayloose | Bread and Jam - From: Smugglers,Taliban,Opium,Charas and lots and lots of sand - Balochistan (Bam to Quetta) I was thinking about you two the other morning, while eating bread and jam. So finally I managed to read all your blogs. e-mail wasn't up to much in ethiopia and most of the time wouldn't even open the full page. Sounds like your having a fantastic trip, shame the water caugh up on you in the end. I'm off to Zanzibar in a few days to drink heavily for 2 weeks and celebrate my, god forbid it, 30th b'day. Then I'm back on the bike across tanzania to Rwanda. Bike problems!!! I'm currently using a rear rim that cost me 2 quid, and a gear lever that cost 80p. take care guys...best of luck... ben |
| 29th August 2006 Lucienne | don't know you but.... - From: Smugglers,Taliban,Opium,Charas and lots and lots of sand - Balochistan (Bam to Quetta) I've been reading your blogs. I don't know you well at all, but I must say, I sure hope alls well where you are right now. I know north american tv dramtizes many issues, but none the less.... onwards! Good Luck Lucienne |
| 27th August 2006 ConMel | hope you're ok - From: Smugglers,Taliban,Opium,Charas and lots and lots of sand - Balochistan (Bam to Quetta) Just been reading about the trouble in Quetta, due to the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti, and thought of you two immediately - hope you're safetly holed up in a hotel now, or maybe you made it out of Quetta before the trouble. Either way, I'm sure you'll have some story to twll!! Good luck! |
| 26th August 2006 Punk Dervish | - From: Smugglers,Taliban,Opium,Charas and lots and lots of sand - Balochistan (Bam to Quetta) Welcome to Pakistan.When you come to lahore don't forget to visit Cuckoo's restaurent,laksmi chowk and gawalmandi for some delicious food |
| 26th August 2006 ekin | getting close to East asia - From: Smugglers,Taliban,Opium,Charas and lots and lots of sand - Balochistan (Bam to Quetta) hi.how are you ? I hope now at the moment when i am writing this you guys are doing all right. Anyway can you remenber me ekin? We met each other in juersalem at the guesthouse.I stayed there to support the palestinian people. uhhh,word support is not right ,to much bigg if i look at what i did and what i can,or better to say just simply who i am. anyway i am glad to you are continully biking toward to asia. And remenber what i told you. If coming to japan to pass your mind ,sinmply let me know. have a fun everything!" |
| 25th August 2006 Amir | - From: Half the World, Halfway across Iran - Esfahan Greeting s to you, as an Iranian in exile, I would like to correct some of your observations on the political situation in my country. First, yes there are many religious police in Iran - they drove my father out of the country, and have persecuted my relatives in Iran, under the orders of the revolutionary guards, who in turn, take orders from the Supreme Leadership. When you compare this Supreme Leadership to your Queen, I have to laugh, then cry. Please wake up! Your Queen is a figurhead, with no real power, and certainly no veto in govenment matters. Please don't be naive. Yes, 15 year olds can vote, but 13 year old girls can marry! Recently, a 16 year-old Iranian girl was hanged for 'promiscuity'. Would this happen in your country? I understand you have fallen in love with Iran, it's no surprise, we are very friendly and hospitable people, but don't let that blind you to the reality of our government! They are murderers, dictators, and the day they are wiped out, whether by Iranians or America, I will praise God for the return of my homeland to its people. |
| 20th August 2006 Mehdi | good idea - From: Tehran & The Top of Iran dear majid,if you want to start cycling the world i also like to join you! hehehehe.just inform me ... |
| 9th August 2006 Imad | ummmmmmm - From: Old Stones & Crazy Streets - Aleppo to Krak de Chevalier Great post, loved the pictures and the narrative. A word of caution to would be travelers though, NEVER eat or drink anything from street vendors, they are notoriously unhygienic. This is a great problem for all visitors to Syria, and those who do not heed this advice, can end up getting very sick and ruining their trip. Unwholesome diseases such as cholera, hepatitis, and worms are just some of hidden surprises you'll get. It's safe to eat from most good restaurants, and at people's homes. You might end up getting a little tummy upset (as Syrian food is really "strong") but nothing serious will happen to you. I would know, I'm a Syrian and we always avoid food from street vendors or shabby looking food stalls. Other than that, anyone visiting Syria should expect to have a great time sight seeing and mixing with the locals, who are very friendly and helpful as Erica and Robin have already mentioned. |
| 7th August 2006 Majid | - From: Tehran & The Top of Iran Gooooooooooooood luck I will cycling the world! You open my eye's to the life! |
| 28th July 2006 kurdish boy | thanks for reality - From: Shepherds & Soldiers - Kurdistan (Birecik to Van) Dear Erika and Robin i wanna to thank you for this true. No body no how the turkish army kill us everyday, thasway thaks from hart .We kurds are in ower own home kuridstan like refugi we have no right in ower own home.Like every body know the turks are bigest BARBAR on the world.........long live kurd and kurdistan...again THANKS |
| 27th July 2006 Dave & Shirl | Imam Bayildi!! - From: Half the World, Halfway across Iran - Esfahan Hello crazy bikers. We got quite worried when you said you were going into Iran and then there were no blogs for weeks, then suddenly we get deluged with several in just a few days. We still have another two to read before we catch up - spreading them out to spread the entertainment. You are doing a great deal to undermine our Western preconceptions about the Middle East, which is no bad thing. However, since our daughter always says that I (Dave) am the b*****d offspring of Bill Oddie and John Peel, I have to disagree with your suggestion of a striking resemblance between the Sainted Peel and the Holy Ayotollah! Hope things are still going OK. Looking forward to more missives from far-off lands!! By the way, Imam Bayildi is a favourite aubergine-based dish of ours. Let us know if you can translate the name - OK the Imam part is easy - what about the Bayildi? Love and Peace, Dave and Shirl |
| 22nd July 2006 dao | wow wow wow - From: Tehran & The Top of Iran iran the country that i would like to travel through. how about woman travelling alone in iran? |
| 22nd July 2006 G | - From: Big Hills & Broken Wheels - Yazd to Shiraz happy birthday!!! greetz from BG |
| 22nd July 2006 maider | hi!!! - From: Through the Zagros - Hamedan to Esfahan just to say to u that is very nice to can read u and i dont tell nothing about the photos : they are too beautyful. i just want to tell to u that i use to think a lot of about u, i hope u will enjoy again, take car about u xxxx maider |
| 21st July 2006 serif | travel - From: Through the Zagros - Hamedan to Esfahan Dear Robin and Erica I hope you well.You are very brave.did you travel all the world.Dont forget me |
| 21st July 2006 Vince | Zahadan - From: Big Hills & Broken Wheels - Yazd to Shiraz I had a weird weird time in zahadan. id really recommend calling the police first b4 ye arrive cos they'll not leave ya into any of the hotels there without a police escort and stuff - its a bit crazy down there i think. really enjoying the blog. im in india in the rain and sick of the place! wish i took the sceneic route like ye guys. peace vince |
| 21st July 2006 Austincher | Thank you.. - From: Half the World, Halfway across Iran - Esfahan I am currently, endlessly a deskbound traveler. So I really just want to thank you for sharing your journey with me (and the world). I appreciate your commentary on your interactions with the Iranian people and for the food updates...two of my favorite aspects of travel. Keep on truckin' and thank you for the vicarious thrill of exploration. |
| 12th July 2006 g | - From: Iran pt.2 - Tabriz to Hamedan poor erika, u have to wear this scarf all the time?... well cultural diferences u know |
| 12th July 2006 alienrage | - From: Farewell to Turkey (Van to Bazargan) it was about fuckin time, i was worried! yesterday i told some friends about yo trip and, really, i was worried if u iz ok! good luck, write mo' often |
| 31st May 2006 Kate and Nick | - From: Shepherds & Soldiers - Kurdistan (Birecik to Van) I am so glad you guys made it out of Egypt and back to Turkey. I hope your time in Iran is great. |
| 17th May 2006 Helene et Romain Dautais | Just an email - From: Shepherds & Soldiers - Kurdistan (Birecik to Van) I hope you get this message befort you get to Iran....I would like your private email to be able to give you some news... We are now in South america. In Bolivia more precisly... We enjoy it very much..And still follow your adventure...We are looking forward to knowing about your experience in Iran... We will finish the trip on august to go back to work in September... Ciao Romain and Helene tandaventures.free.fr |
| 13th May 2006 Ruken | - From: Into the Axis of Evil - Kapadokya to Aleppo, Syria Hello Robin, what fine you are going to Kurdistan. I am ferry happy to i can one picture see a Firat. thank you ferry mach. bye |
| 11th May 2006 Shirl & Dave | Peace be with you! - From: Shepherds & Soldiers - Kurdistan (Birecik to Van) Hi Erika and Robin Once again we are amazed at your ability to cope with whatever hassles come your way! It always come home to us from your blogs what a complicated world we live in where it is so hard to know the truth of a situtation - I guess everyone believes they are telling the truth, which means there must be as many truths as there are people claiming it as their own. I hope it won't be too long before we hear from you again. We will be thinking of you when we go to Knockengorroch next weekend. Do take good care of yourselves in Iran and peace be with you. Love Shirl and Dave |
| 10th May 2006 Mehmet | Big lie - From: Shepherds & Soldiers - Kurdistan (Birecik to Van) Kurdistan is not a country, is not a Turkey's state and is not a real region. It is a big Lie. This lies owner is Kurdish teror organization. Please correct this... |
| 27th April 2006 Sebanna | good luck - From: Rushing Borders and İllegal İmmigrants we went thru the same border than you in Killis and were so nice welcomed by the police, it is hard to understand why they made you so hard time to go out of Syria !! Turkey is our favorite country, people are very nice, food is good and landscapes wonderful...enjoy annabelle and Sebastian in Nepal |
| 24th April 2006 ConMel | - From: Rushing Borders and İllegal İmmigrants Whoa, just found your blogs for the first time, you cyclists always amaze me. If you're heading for Pakistan, you've GOT to cycle the KKH, please don't skip it and head straight to India. Cheers!!! |
| 24th April 2006 tarek _rahman | halla hallaaaa - From: Rushing Borders and İllegal İmmigrants i miss you guys |
| 17th April 2006 Dave & Shirl | Cumbria Update - From: Nubia, the Nile & No-Go Areas - Upper Egypt Hello intrepid cyclists! Where are the photographs in this blog? We were amazed to hear how heavy things can be in Egypt; we knew about the bother back in the 90's but had no idea the repercussions were so serious even 10 years on. We have now done a couple of trips in our converted van and are getting revved up ready for the festival season. We are going down to the Larmer Tree Festival (sort of in the Glastonbury area) in July, which has a great line up including Afro Celts, Dreadzone and Shooglenifty - should be superb. A bit of news for you, if you hadn't already heard - Joe and Jane had a baby girl just over a week ago, sister for Danny. She is going to be called Marnie. I have to write the now traditional silly poem, of course, but it makes a change to write one about a happy event rather than another "someone is leaving" ode. Keep on peddling, guys, and keep the blogs coming; we look forward to each one arriving. Take care. Loads of love, Shirl and Dave |
| 17th April 2006 alienrage | - From: Nubia, the Nile & No-Go Areas - Upper Egypt what? no photos? same on you!!! |
| 15th April 2006 William Sellwood | Love from Cornwall - From: Continent number three! Cairo Hiya E&R, All's well in Cornwall. Hope your legs, perineums (i?) and hearts are holding up. Dad's godson is in Central America surfing and RV'ing with his family (of 4 children). Take a look at www.slowbus.blogspot.com. Not as carbon neutral as your journey, but a good blog all the same. Keep cool in that continent - I have heard it can get quite hot! Love Will, Julie and Nuala |
| 31st March 2006 anonymous | - From: Continent number three! Cairo Very very very very beuatiful. lindoooooo |
| 31st March 2006 Kym | Amazing - From: Continent number three! Cairo Thank you for posting such a detailed description of your travels. Egypt is definitely on my to go list and it just got bumped up a few places. Good luck with the rest of your travels and thank you. |
| 30th March 2006 Dave & Shirl | 7595 Miles! Ya B****R! - From: Continent number three! Cairo Hi Guys. It just boggles us to think that you have cycled so far. Amazing achievement. How much further are you going? Circumnavigation of the planet by bike and back to Banchory? Keep the news coming. Love, Shirl and Dave |
| 30th March 2006 wtf | wtf - From: Plovdıv to Lüleburgas (then İstanbul) wtf cancerdog |
| 30th March 2006 serif | about travel - From: A Month in the Wilderness - Aqaba to Cairo hii robin and erica what is up now.Are you well.I am very happy to hear some news about you.Dont forget us.God Bless you and erica |
| 30th March 2006 Johnny | What A Trek!! - From: Continent number three! Cairo Wow...and I thought that walking from my hotel to the coffee shop was a trek each morning. Your bike ride is amazing. I'm currently in Bangkok (from San Francisco) and on my way to Kenya and Cairo tomorrow. Thanks for the insight into this wonderful city. I can't wait to get there. --Johnny Moretti (travel blog ID "johnnymoretti") |
| 29th March 2006 Mimi | Good, you're OK - From: A Month in the Wilderness - Aqaba to Cairo I was worried about you for the past few weeks. I'm enjoying your writing and your photos very much. |
| 29th March 2006 paul dewar | - From: A Month in the Wilderness - Aqaba to Cairo hi guys, good to see you are doing so well. keep those pedals turning and keep posting especially the fantastic photos. cheers, trudi & paul |
| 29th March 2006 G | - From: A Month in the Wilderness - Aqaba to Cairo fi-na-ly! well, something new at last! fu, it took u forever! |
| 28th March 2006 Annabelle and Sebastien | Where are you? - From: A Month in the Wilderness - Aqaba to Cairo Hello, Since our meeting in Cairo, we were wondering what you finally chose to do ? Did you take a plane to Turkey? Are you on the way to Iran now? We are in India on the way to Nepal, Nicolas and Celine are in Thailand...everybody keeps going... And what about Ben ? Do you have his e-mail, it will be nice to keep in touch... Enjoy... Annabelle and Sebastien |
| 15th March 2006 J.K. | Fantastic. - From: Kings of the Road - Amman to Aqaba You don't know me, but I've read all of your blogs. I imagine that cycling across europe to the middle east must be extremely difficult, and especially since you don't have any formal training in cycling. But that hasn't stopped you, and I admire you both for that. Reading on all of your advendures has provided me with a bit of a break in the monotony from work, and also a great view on Middle Eastern people that the western world dosen't get to see. You keep writing them, I'll keep reading them. |
| 15th March 2006 Metora | Disappointed - From: Babylon by Bus - Israel & Occupied Palestine This is for Rotem: You are so right..."never in the history did anybody walk into a Palestinian building with a hidden bomb." They walk in there with there weapons clearly visible and kill innocent Palestinians. And because one person (Arafat) declines an offer of peace, what gives you the right to build a wall? Arafat is dead now...will you take it down now? Wake up and smell the coffee. What Israel is doing is illegal and unacceptable!!! For a people who suffered a lot, you are full of compassion, aren't you? I am very disappointed in your comment and it pains me to no end to see what the Palestinians are going through. And I am not anti-Israel or Israelis. My best friend is Jewish and so is my brother-in-law whom I love dearly!!!! |
| 26th February 2006 Rotem | You always need to hear both sides of the story - From: Babylon by Bus - Israel & Occupied Palestine Hi I was sorry to read this blog entry. You say:"I guess was just curiosity to actually go and see what things were really like, speak to people (on both sides) and the realisation that prejudice is not a sound basis for political views; it would be better to check things out for myself with an open mind". But actualy you didn't... There is no wonder the Palestinian soldiers don't check you - there is no threat there. Never in the history did anybody walk into a Palestinian building with a hidden bomb. And the wall, that you find so disturbing, was only built after Mr. Arafat declined an offer of peace that the entire world considered as more than generous. After his refusal he started another Intifada, in which he in person paid for suicide bombers to cross into Israel and kill civilians. The only ones to blame for this wall are the Palestinians themselves who did not choose to kick out the terrorists within them. It is true that the terrosists are the minority there, but the silent majority who let them continue are the ones who suffer the most. And it is a shame. Right of speech? Sure! Only when the protest doesn't become violent. And even in your country it is required to have a permit to have a protest, so the police can prepare for it in an organised manner. And what about seeing both sides? Did you ever visit the Israeli parts? Did you see that Israelis go through security checks when entering a mall, a restaurant, a movie theatre? Having guards going through their bags? Just because of the fear of bombs? They give up on their on freedom because of their fear. Would you like to show the content of your bag whenever you enter a public building? And if you are not Pro-Terrorism - do you have a suggestion of how should Israel defend itself against this threat without armed soldiers and a wall? Because I would really like to hear a real solution to this problem. And don't say - just pull out, because the Palestinians never said that the terror would stop if a complete pullout to the lines of 67 will happen... You didn't really come to Israel to check things for yourself. You came with your opinions and just wanted to justify them. Rotem. |
| 23rd February 2006 Dave and Shirl | F***! That's a big flag! - From: Kings of the Road - Amman to Aqaba Hi Guys Still reading all the blogs. Brilliant stuff. My job is really getting on my nerves and Shirl is pretty fed up of hers too. We were joking about giving it all up, getting in our van and just going. Easier said than done, I guess. Take care of yourselves. Love, Dave and Shirl |
| 23rd February 2006 Régis | - From: A Transylvanian Tale - Vampires, Bears & Thieves (Sighisoara to Brasov) Hi, I'm from Belgium and went to Brasov last September to meet my Girl Friend who was working for a month and a half there with Bears. We had the chance to visit several places around ,including the Pitara Mare, which is one of the most beautiful things I ever saw in my life ( damn, still remember that damned ladder as high as my house!!), Bran castle was fantastic, the nature and mountains of Transylvania is just as dark and majestic as in my thought maybe even better! the only thing I disliked a bit was the "staring" look of the local crowd, otherwise many friendly people and a very nice place for holidays indeed! |
| 17th February 2006 Mimi | Winter in Syria! - From: Old Stones & Crazy Streets - Aleppo to Krak de Chevalier It was many years ago that I was in Syria in January and it was cold and snowy. I remember wandering in the grand suek of Damasucus looking for wool socks--found them. I appreciated your comment saying you could find everything--this was true for me as well--and that the people of Syria are very hospitable--also what I experinced. Thank you for making me remember that time. Thank you as well for your long, descriptive journals. I've read from your start at home in Scotland last spring. I appreciate the time and effort it must cause you to keep up your writting. Thank you. It is a very different world we live in now--ATM's and internet access everywhere even if long distances between. I'm enjoying your connectivity and certainly your photos! They are excellant. I'm completely appreciative of the difficulties you undergo as you proceed on your bicycles. I also appreciate your freedom. I was hitchhiking alone, a woman. There was much I was unable to see. Just fending off the taxi drivers and any men who sat down beside me exhausted me. I was happy to proceed to Iran and hajib for a "vacation". Please keep going as long as your funds will allow. You are on a journey that will impact the rest of your lives. PS: I so appreciate your being environmentalists. It must be difficult to maintain a "journalistic" tone whilts experiencing some the most flagrant environmental degradations. Keep well and keep traveling. Cheers, Mimi in Seattle |
| 27th January 2006 rick | Historical Accuracy? - From: The Road to Damascus Love hearing of bike adventures. We cycled across Europe on two tandems withour kids in Sept-Oct. A bit more mundane than the Middle East. Just to help with perspective (or controversy)--I believe Syria attacked Israel in the 6 day war (after lobbing bombs into Israel for a long time previously), and almost won before Israel beat back the assorted armed forces of Syria. Israel could have captured Damascus but stopped short and withdrew to only take land needed for safety. It is easy to lose this perspective when in Syria. |
| 27th January 2006 grantcorp | Excellent job! - From: The Road to Damascus Very interesting read and a fantastic ambience in your photographs. And the Oryx is a bonus, nice knowing it can be found here. Keep it coming! |
| 26th January 2006 Kate | Helloooo! - From: The Road to Damascus Hi both, good to hear from you, and I'm really glad you escaped death from suffocation. Dave reckons it might be carbon dioxide rather than carbon monoxide build-up in the room, so thats probably why you aren't dead!!! Interesting news today with Hamas winning the elections in Palestine. You certainly are in the hotbed of middle eastern politics at the moment. But as you say people seem to be able to distinguish between the governments and normal people who despise what said governments are doing. Good luck with spreading the word that not all people from the UK agree with the government here. Things in Kendal don't change very much, I don't think there is much gossip to be passed on. You two are both missed though, its great catching up with you through the blogs. xxxKate |
| 16th January 2006 Will, Julie and Nuala | Brill blog - From: Parties & Politics - Lebanon I'm on the night shift in the Dr's mess reading the blog (not too busy). You guys are rapidly becoming legends. Lizzie (in Jerusalem) says if you are going to Israel, you will have to go to Syria, then Jordan, and you can get in that way ... but you might want to stay out of that hot bed? Your diaries are excellent. It makes winter in Cornwall seem a bit boring though! I'm still cycling to work along the back lanes - my view is a green valley with sheep, horses and a few little birds! Same every day. I'll watch the blog with interest. I am off to Ireland next week to pick up a van (for a surf vehicle). Love Will |
| 13th January 2006 anonymous | Jacqui Bulmer (Ben's mum) - From: Parties & Politics - Lebanon Hi Erika & Robin, Lovely to read about your travels and see the beautiful photos. Ben does e-mail at times - and send photos home on a CD - but a Blogsite is a super idea. Congratulations on its very professional presentaion. I'll now read your past ones. Jacqui |
| 13th January 2006 serif kara | newly - From: Old Stones & Crazy Streets - Aleppo to Krak de Chevalier Robin and Erica we reaD ALL YOUR COMMENT AND JOURNEY NOTES. SERİF AND NESİBE |
| 7th January 2006 Shirl and Dave | Greetings intrepid ones! - From: Parties & Politics - Lebanon Hi Folks and a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you both and to all your new-found friends and travelling companions. Back to work now for us, unfortunately. Love Shirl and Dave |
| 7th January 2006 Dave & Shirl | Sickly folk! - From: Old Stones & Crazy Streets - Aleppo to Krak de Chevalier Hi Robin and Erika. Could it be all the well-intentioned free food that keeps poisoining you? Still jealous in spite of your intestinal suffering. We have bought a van and are busy converting it for festival and holiday use. Keep the blogs coming! Love, Shirl and Dave |
| 5th January 2006 Helene | Impressive - From: Parties & Politics - Lebanon How nice it is to read this relate of some commun experiences...Did you write everything before you left toward Damascus...After this tiring day I am impressed...We will often come and visit this blog. It was really nice to meet both of your and we wish you a lot of great experience in your trip...We hope to see you again in Scotland or in France or somewhere else in the wide world who knows? Helene |
| 22nd December 2005 G | yaiks! - From: Old Stones & Crazy Streets - Aleppo to Krak de Chevalier Shyte Robin! Where the f@ck did you go?! I used to think that the world is FLAT :) !! greets from the Vratza compnay - we have a concert tomorrow! good luck. |
| 12th December 2005 ben | hey hey. - From: Steppe'n into Asia - İstanbul to Kapadokya Managed to read your web-site its well cool. I'm in Hama and have the shits. Been in bed 2 days, luckily have English TV. Have to go now as the Linda McCartney Story movie is on TV. What a hard cycling life! |
| 29th November 2005 peter | - From: A Transylvanian Tale - Vampires, Bears & Thieves (Sighisoara to Brasov) loved it, you wanted adventure, you got it, pretty cheap I must add... |
| 26th November 2005 mum and dad | from punta arenas - From: Steppe'n into Asia - İstanbul to Kapadokya can even keep track of you from the other end of the earth! glad to hear all is well. We are just back from the land of fire and back on mainland america. |
| 21st November 2005 g | - From: Steppe'n into Asia - İstanbul to Kapadokya happy to see u r still on d road. u can go from time to time to the http://bassein.hit.bg webpage to see me and the rest of your friends here... Your WE DID IT photo is hanging on my seiling |
| 19th November 2005 eelco | - From: Steppe'n into Asia - İstanbul to Kapadokya great story! really funny to find so many similarities between our two trips, but that might ofcourse also be caused by the fact we sort of took the same route anyway ;) will be leaving allepo just today, riding to crac de chevaliers over the next three days, then hopping a bus to palmyra, and returning after two or three to head into lebanon; maybe see you two down there! have fun! Eelco |
| 8th November 2005 anonymous | - From: The Wrong Way! - Kjustendil to Ohrid, Makedonia makedonia da zive |
| 5th November 2005 alan mcclure | congratulations! - From: The Edge of Europe- 5174 miles from Banchory Bloody hell guys, well done! What an incredible journey, you must both have thigh muscles that could crack walnuts now. I'm guessing you probably aren't cycling home though... Safe journey back, however you do it, and I hope we can meet up some time in the less glamorous setting of north east Scotland! All the best, Alan |
| 30th October 2005 Albanian Canadian | Very Funny - From: A Day in the Life - Albania (Ohrid to Greek-Albanian border) What a fantastic account of the shortest journey through Albania ever! I am surprised they didn't hold you captive and explain all your self-generated riddles before you left the country. What’s with the piercing sarcasm anyway? A little underserved, don’t ya think? Well, as far as the border crossing taxes, they are mainly due to a politic of reciprocation. Albania is a very friendly country but it has to charge the same as the other countries charge their people. I for once was delighted not to pay a border crossing fee in Cuba myself. What's with the speculation of stolen Mercedeses. I guess our Slavic neighbors keep poisoning the international community with defamatory allusions. I am sure you heard that Osama Bin Laden is in Albania also. (Yikes). Most Mercedes Benzes are bought with hard earned cash from either working in Albania or more commonly working in immigration. My mom drives one, and it sure as hell wasn’t stolen. We called the previous owner in Frankfurt to ask her about the vehicle’s history. Why can’t the world just accept that we have good taste for cars. :) ...and the bunkers... well, you are every bit right about the bunkers... Cheers, Albanian Canuck http://www.digitalobjective.com |
| 14th October 2005 Hazel | Greetings from Milnthorpe - From: Plovdıv to Lüleburgas (then İstanbul) Hi both. The long awaited sprog has arrived. Luke William Davies was born on 6th September. All is well and he seems like a good baby, not that I have any yard stick. Will email picture. |
| 14th October 2005 Dave Hughes | Yay - From: Plovdıv to Lüleburgas (then İstanbul) Well a big Woo and Yay for getting to Istanbul Superb effort - Robins accident must have been a bit gutting but still an incredible achievement. Important News from Home, Robin - you might be amused to learn that Liverpool council are going to apologise for flooding Capel Celyn (Tryweryn) for their water supply... Nothing elese of note has happened |
| 12th October 2005 Paul Crosby | Congratulations! - From: Plovdıv to Lüleburgas (then İstanbul) Congratulations!!! Sorry it ended so dramatically, but what a trip. And a bonus to end it smelling so sweetly Robin! I have been dipping into the reports over the past months, watching your progress. Fantastic trip. What's the plan now? You may have mentioned it in the depths of one of your accounts, but are you going onwards to the them big hills or is Istanbul end of the line? Take is easy, have a turkish bath or two and enjoy Istanbul, Paul, Charlotte & Alfie (our young lad!) |
| 10th October 2005 g | - From: The Wrong Way! - Kjustendil to Ohrid, Makedonia p.s. what s the 1st flag in europe? pls mail me the answe, for i cannot imagine.... |
| 10th October 2005 G | yeah, right! - From: The Wrong Way! - Kjustendil to Ohrid, Makedonia Yeah, well, former yugoslav former greek former bulgarian republic of Macedonia! Did u had any of the southwest banica there? how were the folklore songs? have you listened to the one "of the ohrid lake"? Have fun on your way and say HI to Istanbul from me :)))) |
| 30th September 2005 marvi | - From: The Wrong Way! - Kjustendil to Ohrid, Makedonia i recently travelled to lake ohrid, its so amazing! |
| 30th September 2005 Marijan Dzima | Wrong turn, indeed... - From: The Wrong Way! - Kjustendil to Ohrid, Makedonia Hello, Erica & Robin. First of all, while and long after reading your journal for the road trip through Macedonia, I couldn't stop laughing out loud - many of the impressions you conveyed cannot be easily overthrown, though so far I hadn't had an opportunity to observe them from a foreigner's point of view (when one's a local, one certainly fails to notice most "localities"). It was really amusing. Anyway, I strongly recommend you another trip - at the very least - through Macedonia with multiple stops lasting much more than an hour or so. With proper assistance and accompanying clarifications you might start remembering things somewhat differently. That is, if you aim at acquainting yourselves with the country properly. If it was only a cycle-by ride, forgive my intrusion. And do not forget to stop and stay in Bitola for at least 2 days! Going up the road above the Gypsy settlement (popularly called "Israel & Palestina" :-) was a huge miss. Mark my words :-) All the best, Marijan, Bitola, Macedonia. |
| 18th September 2005 Barry from Ireland in Brasov | - From: A Transylvanian Tale - Vampires, Bears & Thieves (Sighisoara to Brasov) Hi, I just finished biketour (www.thebiketour.net) and am staying in Romania for a while cause it's so beautiful. Just this morning I caught someone with their hand in my bag and while reading this in an internet cafe I heard plastic bags rustling at my feet, I looked down a nd saw the damn cafe guy picking at my bag! How unbelievable, he quickly backed off and walked away. Now I'm still here and nothing was taken, but do you think I'm planning on paying? hell no! |
| 8th September 2005 G.bg | - From: Brasov to Vratsa lord, gotta keep on mooviin :))) have fun on your way, i'm sure u enjoyed rila, send a 1000 photos when you can :) miss u! |
| 6th September 2005 Jase Reyno | Greetings - From: A Transylvanian Tale - Vampires, Bears & Thieves (Sighisoara to Brasov) Hiya Guys! I've been keeping a watchful eye over your travels and can confirm that I'm an eager reader. Each time I ask myself 'Will a Latvian be arguing with Robin over 3 groats for a campsite?' - but obviously worse has followed in Romania. Sorry to hear about that - but pleased that your spirit sounds unaffected. It sounds like (except the odd hiccup) a fantastic trip. Keep on rollin'. Where will they be next... All the best Jase |
| 2nd September 2005 Shirley and Dave | Isn't life strange?! - From: Brasov to Vratsa Hi Guys Really sorry to hear about the bad stuff that happened. Particularly losing the beloved Hilleberg! We have just had a great weekend at Solfest. It got bigger. Sold out at 5,000 people!Hope we will see you there next year. Book early! I move up to the new Penrith office on Monday and had a really sad goodbye day today with lots of hugs and close to tears from Ruth, Kate, Wal, John, Rachel etc. Take care of yourselves and buy money belts. Loads of love, Shirl and Dave |
| 31st August 2005 G | hostages released from Vrarsa :) - From: Brasov to Vratsa well, E&R, u r finally away, on d road again! We miss u and we keep talking about u... I desided to start planing this business idea and ... wel... reccomend us to your friends! have fun and keep in touch for the rest of your trip here in BG! |
| 30th August 2005 Kate | Adventures! - From: Brasov to Vratsa Hi R+E Glad to hear you are still surviving after your traumatic experiences in Romania. Isn't it horrible when a place actually lives down to it's reputation. It sounds like you are having a fab time in Bulgaria, glad that your luck has changed and things seem to be going better. Erika - have you managed to find any padded shorts yet? Anyway, some Kendal stuff - we had an excellent time at Solfest - you were both sorely missed as all the usual crew were there (we camped with Chris and Caroline, Steve and Marina, Dave and Shirely Muir, Ruth). Much fun was had by all and there was some really excellent music - Wal's band were definitely the highlight for me - folk ska! You have probably heard already, but Rosie and Alan have had a baby boy - all went well, no complications. No name as yet (although this may be cos I'm out of the loop). Hazel is still waiting (I spoke to her today) and is getting fed up with it. She is now late and just wants to get it over and done with! Anyway, missing you both - it just wasn't right being at a good festie without you. xxKate |
| 23rd August 2005 Surugiu Alina | Hy Erika & Robin - From: L'viv to Sighisoara I saw the lovely picture made in Sighisoara with me and Sorin and Iulian.Iulian went on a short visit to Sorin a couple of days ago and Sorin waited him with the morocycle and Iulian was so afraid on the motocycle that he started shaking(I thought that Iulian was strong and fearless but I was wrong). Sorry for my bad English but I wasn't too good at this subject in school. I wish you a lovely trip |
| 9th August 2005 Iulian | Nice to see u remembered me! - From: L'viv to Sighisoara Hi and good luck on your trip. I almost died from laughter after I read the part about "jewish BMW drivers" I'll write again... after I finish reading the whole diary. |
| 3rd August 2005 Artur | Greets from Poland - From: L'viv to Sighisoara I just came back to Poland & saw your Journal. Hope all's OK & we'll see each other somewhere sometime... ;) |
| 13th July 2005 Dave Muir | Hello, you lucky b*****s! - From: Praha to Zakopane Hello hairy travellers! It sounds as though the big adventure is working out really well. I have just been showing Rachel how to work TravelBlog (she is back at work full-time now and recovering well), so she has a lot of catching up to do with your journals. We have had a bit of a heatwave here over the last four or five days, which makes you want to abandon work and go and do something more interesting. Off to Brampton Live next weekend and just got our tickets for Solfest in August. My band is still going well and I have bought more strange instruments! Take care, have fun, looking forward to the next update. Love, Dave & Shirl |
| 7th July 2005 Ed Telmany | Great Story and Even Better Images - From: Zakopane to Poprad Being a travel buff I really enjoy reading your entries and find your images very intriguing to say the least. Keep up the travels and let us know what is next. http://www.uscoachways.com |
| 18th May 2005 anonymous | GREETINGS FROM SUNNY CORNWALL - From: Cycle Training on the Wrynose Pass Brill blog. I will watch with interest... good luck with the cycling. Are you going to buy a rug when you get to Istanbul? I went there in 1995 - there is an excellent Turkish bath I know which does a great massage. Good for tired legs. What are you going to do after this? Have you ever considered seeing the world by boat? Love Will, Julie and Nuala - William Sellwood |
| 12th May 2005 anonymous | Hi dudes! - From: Kendal to Trowbridge I'm keeping up with your adventures and feeling envious as I still have to go to work every day! NWDA overruled the decision from RRC to support the BAP project and we have now been offered £150,000 (a quarter of what we asked for)so I have to lose about £400,000 from the project, which will have to include one of the jobs. Oh for a life of travel with only the day-to-day stresses of map-reading, punctures and campsite hunting! Ah, well, off to Knockengorrock next weekend. Will try to enjoy it on your behalf! Love, Dave and Shirl - Dave |
| 9th May 2005 anonymous | cool adventures folks! - From: Kendal to Trowbridge Hey there you two! Great account of some fine adventures so far, what a great idea. Sorry I missed you on your northern leg, but when you get back to the UK it would be awful good to hook up - don't know where I'll be, mind, but I do know I'll have a baby by then! Good luck, Alan - Alan McClure |
| 9th May 2005 anonymous | Congrats - From: Kendal to Trowbridge Hello R + E Congratulations on making it to Bath - sounds like you have done well. I have to say that I'm shocked you like Staffordshire - as an ex resident I can think of better places to say is the best county so far!! Anyway, just to let you know that your votes in the election counted and Tim Collins is now an ex-Tory MP (hurrah!). So it was worth the hassle of Proxy voting as he was only beaten by 250 votes. Hope the weather keeps on being good - we have had cold weather and hail in Kendal. - Kate |
| 20th April 2005 anonymous | Gee! you'r great guyz! - From: Leaving Party - Theme Countries of the World I ve seen nobody has post a comment yet, so i coulndt resist: dont forget to post the pic of your first flat tyre - from new york i will follow your adventures, and maybe ill manage to see you somewhere in europe (or asia?!) - giuliano |
