Amazing 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.
7595 Miles! Ya B****R! 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
What A Trek!! 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")
Where are you? 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
Fantastic. 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.
Disappointed 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!!!!
You always need to hear both sides of the story 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.
F***! That's a big flag! 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
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!
Winter in Syria! 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
Historical Accuracy? 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.
Excellent job! 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!
Helloooo! 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
Brill blog 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
Greetings intrepid ones! 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
Sickly folk! 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
Impressive 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
yaiks! 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.
We are Erika and Robin from Scotland and in April 2005 we quit our jobs and set off to cycle from Scotland to İstanbul.
We reached İstanbul in October 2005 having discovered that cycling truly is the best way to travel and so decided to keep going beyond the Bosphorous......
We had never cycled any long distance before but had been wanting to travel for a long time and had finally saved enough and realised ıf we didn't set off now we never would. We decided cycling would be the best form of transport as we wanted to learn more about the countries and people we passed through at a s... full info
alienrage
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what? no photos? same on you!!!