Currently in Yakeshi City, Inner Mongolia. Had big delays getting the bikes to China and then getting them through customs. I've been riding for four days now and we're doubling some days to make up time.
China is the craziest place to drive. While rules exist, they aren't generally obeyed so it's constant motion and near miss collisions in the cities. No one gets angry though since it is dishonorable to show public anger. That said, it's not for the faint of heart. Eleven people on big motorcycles (they don't have them here) from the USA draws a lot of attention and we're met with crowds (some quite big) where every we go. It's really kind of a wild experience. The Harbin (China) motorcycle club greeted us the other day and I was asked to autograph five different cars (yes cars), in return one of their guys put some Chinese sayings on my bike.
Now our travels are taking us to more remote areas and not only do we have to cope with crazy drivers, but also sheep, goats, cows, donkey carts and horses. The weather has gone from hot to almost freezing with rain and I am longing for some additional riding gear. If this keeps up it will get really uncomfortable.
We've had just about everything imaginable to eat while here. I have found the donkey to be quite tasty, but I'm not overly keen on the intestines. The fermented Yak milk is a bit odd too. Getting a cold beer is a bit of a challenge too, so were adapting to the warm ones.
We're crossing into Siberia in two days and hopefully will get a day off in the next week so I can actually write more. We'll see.
Hope all is well!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
China, the wild card??
In travel, things don't always go peachy. In fact, they sometimes go pear shaped (an English and Oz term for bad). I was to meet my good bud Marius for a week of sightseeing in China before heading off on my trip. We've been planning this for months. Marius is a German, who lives in Korea and works a great deal in China. He was in California this week for company meetings and had his wallet, passport (with all visas), computer and camera stolen. In one brief moment things with pear shaped.
Since Marius was able to obtain a provisional passport to get back to Korean, the Chinese visa becomes the problem. Discussions with the visa folks ended up stating that getting a new one quickly might not be possible. You see this year is the Beijing Olympics and things are different.
That said, I'll be leaving Friday now to meet up with the group. But there are more clouds looming on the horizon. I just received a communique from the group leader that we might run into problems getting the bikes into China and might even be denied. Contrary to what many people think, you don't simply ride you motorcycle into China. It's kind of a pain in the rear to get one in, even when things go right. First you need to take a drivers exam, next you need a license plate and finally you must use a Chinese guide. Easy right?
Well evidently not in an Olympic year. Seems there are all sort of new guidelines and regulations and there exists a real possibility that entrance for the bikes might be denied. As it stands we will now be heading off to the hospital upon arrival to have a some sort of drivers physical, something I've never heard of... anywhere, except for pilots licenses.
This isn't just affecting us either. The Great Race 2008, an around the world auto race commerating the 100 year anniversary of the original (maybe you saw the movie), has been postponed due to the same problems in China. Bear in mind, they are not some minor group, they had chartered two cargo 747's to fly the cars to Shanghai. In the end though, even with their pull and backing, the race was postponed.
So the trip has not gone according to plan yet, so why should I expect it to now?? The best thing to do is keep an open mind and roll with the changes.
Since Marius was able to obtain a provisional passport to get back to Korean, the Chinese visa becomes the problem. Discussions with the visa folks ended up stating that getting a new one quickly might not be possible. You see this year is the Beijing Olympics and things are different.
That said, I'll be leaving Friday now to meet up with the group. But there are more clouds looming on the horizon. I just received a communique from the group leader that we might run into problems getting the bikes into China and might even be denied. Contrary to what many people think, you don't simply ride you motorcycle into China. It's kind of a pain in the rear to get one in, even when things go right. First you need to take a drivers exam, next you need a license plate and finally you must use a Chinese guide. Easy right?
Well evidently not in an Olympic year. Seems there are all sort of new guidelines and regulations and there exists a real possibility that entrance for the bikes might be denied. As it stands we will now be heading off to the hospital upon arrival to have a some sort of drivers physical, something I've never heard of... anywhere, except for pilots licenses.
This isn't just affecting us either. The Great Race 2008, an around the world auto race commerating the 100 year anniversary of the original (maybe you saw the movie), has been postponed due to the same problems in China. Bear in mind, they are not some minor group, they had chartered two cargo 747's to fly the cars to Shanghai. In the end though, even with their pull and backing, the race was postponed.
So the trip has not gone according to plan yet, so why should I expect it to now?? The best thing to do is keep an open mind and roll with the changes.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
On Blogging and Emails
I am learning that blogging and I are not always compatible. In fact, I have fallen woefully behind with this blog. Bear in mind it hasn't been on purpose, but I have left behind the Mac's power cord so many times now that I'm beginning to think I have CRS or at least CRDC (can't remember the damn cord syndrome). IT's getting to be a rather expensive problem too:-)
Anyhow, I will blog when I can, though there might be some sizable gaps in the process. This will be a function of the lack of Internet where I am going and the fact that when I'm not riding my preference will still be exploring. For my family and friends (and all others interested) you can always check the 'Where am I' section for proof of life and my recent location as given to you by my trusted SPOT personal locator. I'll try checking in with it everyday and hopefully the signal will go through.
I also want to apologize to several people who have e-mailed me over the last month. When I forget my cord, I fall woefully behind in e-mails too. Couple that with how much I've had to do for this trip and you can start to understand I've been busy. Many apologies for not getting back and don't give up on me.
Anyhow, I hope things will settle on the road and I'll get some time to write and answer emails. Bear with me though!!
Thanks,
TJ
Anyhow, I will blog when I can, though there might be some sizable gaps in the process. This will be a function of the lack of Internet where I am going and the fact that when I'm not riding my preference will still be exploring. For my family and friends (and all others interested) you can always check the 'Where am I' section for proof of life and my recent location as given to you by my trusted SPOT personal locator. I'll try checking in with it everyday and hopefully the signal will go through.
I also want to apologize to several people who have e-mailed me over the last month. When I forget my cord, I fall woefully behind in e-mails too. Couple that with how much I've had to do for this trip and you can start to understand I've been busy. Many apologies for not getting back and don't give up on me.
Anyhow, I hope things will settle on the road and I'll get some time to write and answer emails. Bear with me though!!
Thanks,
TJ
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