Hello there,
Well, as the title implies I'm starting to put together a trip from Madrid to Beijing, and I'm sorely tempted to the North-Africa rather than the South-Europe route to Syria/Jordan, then Iran, Pakistan, India and from there (directly or roundabout-ly) China.

Now a bunch of questions:
1. Egypt-->Syria seems to be a possible problem point... possibly Egypt-Israel-Jordan? Is it even possible? Obviously I know I'll have to get the israeli entry/exit stamps on a separate piece of paper (not in my passport), cos that'll make it nigh impossible to get into many Middle-Eastern countries. Alternatively, Egypt-Saudi-Jordan? Is it possible to get a transit Visa through Saudi to get to Jordan on a motorbike? Final option (and least attractive for financial reasons) Egypt-boat to Lebanon-Syria, how much would such a boat trip cost (w/ bike)?

2. A previously unheard of (at least I never heard anyone having done it) but perhaps possible option would be Egypt-Sudan-(Eritrea/Somalia)-Yemen-Oman-(UAE)-Iran? I know some people in the UAE so that shouldn't be a problem, but what about Yemen/Oman, boat crossings, visas, etc? From what I heard of the Saudi route would be close to impossible (although I might be able to get an invitation in from one of a few Saudi's I know if I'm motivated enough)...

Perhaps I should just leave the whole idea and take the South-Europe-Turkey route?

3. Entering china with a motorbike seems to be very complicated if not impossible (and I'm assuming it won't change much in the next couple of years). I'm planning on going to China with a work contract there already (or at least a job waiting for me and contacts in China). Will that make the crossing easier? Or would I be better off just selling/shipping whatever bike I'm on in india, crossing the border and buying one in the PRC?

4. Also, is there any difference if you cross it from India/Nepal as opposed to from Laos/Vietnam? Is it even possible to cross Burma? Or would I have to ship it across? What about entering from the North (Russia/Mongolia), or even Kazachstan/Tajikistan/etc?

5. Oh yeah, and for Visa purposes etc. I have 2 passports: Brazilian and Dutch (Netherlands)... never bothered using the Brazilian one before but I've heard some rumours about it being relatively easy to get Visas to pretty much anywhere with it (oftentimes easier than with a Euro one)... Any experience/knowledge on the subject?

Well, thanks a lot in advance for any hints/tips/problems/solutions/further questions you can give me.

Cheers,
J.

__________________
"Hope for the best - plan for the worst. Then watch it all go pear-shaped and wing it." - Me

Have a nice trip.