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20 Oct 2007
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Onward options from UAE or Jordan/Israel
Perhaps it's just a little premature, (I'm still in Turkey) but I'm headed towards UAE or Jordan/Israel with my KLR (depending solely on what happens with my Iranian visa application. So far I've been unable to attain one!)
Anyway, in the next few weeks, I'll find myself in one of two places - either in UAE or in Jordan/Israel area and looking for a place to go. I'm thinking of continuing into Africa, but my Carnet won't permit me to enter Egypt. That means jumping down the East coast by ferry or plane. Either that, or (from Israel) is it possible to ferry into Morocco? Any help finding reliable cargo companies would be appreciated (I understand Ethiopia Airlines services UAE, but I can't find their cargo policies/prices.)
Alternately, if I find myself short of funds, I may need to ship right back into Canada (so sad). In that case, who would you recommend? (I used Motorcycle Express for the flight here, and they were top notch. Perhaps I'll use them for the return.)
But, again, help with forward options from UAE or Jordan/Israel area would be appreciated!
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20 Oct 2007
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Jeremy,
You've gone a long way, don't go back yet! Doesn't Egypt have the alternative entry method of putting down a $2,000 deposit that is refunded upon exit? I would be interested to hear if anyone has been successful in using this approach, I'm sure getting in wouldn't be a problem, getting your $2K back in reasonable time frame would be my question.
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20 Oct 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hopelessly lost
I'm thinking of continuing into Africa, but my Carnet won't permit me to enter Egypt. That means jumping down the East coast by ferry or plane.
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I'm not sure if you are aiming for anywhere specific but why not go via Iran, the UAE, Oman, Yemen, Djibouti and then down south? You might even be able to hook up with Ivan [Dingo] who is riding his bike down the same route from the UAE to Tanzania in stages.
There are a few friendly riders here in the UAE so be sure to make contact if you come this way.
Stephan
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21 Oct 2007
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Not so lost
Hey Lost,
Stephano is right, You should go to the UAE and head over to Oman, Yemen, Djibouti etc. Yemen is a great place and well worth the visit and you don't need your Carnet to get there. Well I didn't anyway, they just wrote in my passport that I took the bike in and then again when I took the bike out at Al Macha. All is cheap there too, fuel, food, accom etc so you won't go broke whilst your there. And they love bikes there too, Bonus!
You can get a visa for Oman at the border at Hatta, and then in Muscat you can get your Yemen visa, 14 OMR and your Djibouti visa (French Embassy) for 31.50 OMR :-(
Watch Djibouti tho, it is quite expensive but you will need to spend a couple of days there for your Ethiopian visa.
Anyway mate, Enjoy and maybe I will run into you somewhere.
Stephan, did you and Sam get to Salalah at all?
Cheers
Ivan
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23 Oct 2007
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Thanks for the replies. I wonder if I could catch a ferry to Djibouti from UAE or Oman? It's just that, out of all the countries I've been sternly warned about, Yemen is high on the list... from two guys who grew up there, no less! (Of course, I've been warned about most countries and they're fine, but Yemen was... uh... extra scary in the warnings!) Anyway to avoid it and still reach Africa? (Also, I'm running out of money. Sigh. I may need to examine options for the return flight to Canada... but I don't wanna.)
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23 Oct 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hopelessly lost
Thanks for the replies. I wonder if I could catch a ferry to Djibouti from UAE or Oman? It's just that, out of all the countries I've been sternly warned about, Yemen is high on the list... from two guys who grew up there, no less! (Of course, I've been warned about most countries and they're fine, but Yemen was... uh... extra scary in the warnings!) Anyway to avoid it and still reach Africa? (Also, I'm running out of money. Sigh. I may need to examine options for the return flight to Canada... but I don't wanna.)
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Jeremy
I had the most dire warnings from Iranian expats before I went to Iran:
- Stay on the main truck routes
- Don’t eat in small local restaurants
- Don’t let your daughter go to the toilet alone etc. etc.
We found it to be a wonderful country. Similarly, recent visitors to Yemen have loved it. (Do a search here for details.) I also have an American friend, married to a local, living in Yemen and she doesn’t report any dangers.
Clearly, nowhere can be guaranteed safe but I wouldn’t avoid Yemen on anyone else’s possibly jaundiced or outdated advice.
Best wishes, Stephan
PS I would think it's pretty cheap too and if you come to the UAE I can help you keep your accommodation costs to zero.
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23 Oct 2007
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Thanks, Stephano. Yes, I know warnings are to be taken with a pound of salt, but they have to originate somewhere, right? I'll consider Yemen, though. And I'll look you up on my way to UAE. I've been told I should have my Iranian Visa in a few days (I finally got my confirmation number!) We'll see if I've been lied to again.
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25 Oct 2007
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I've done the Djibouti Yemen Oman UAE thing back in 2005 and can assure you that we were safe, although we did not stay long in Yemen, 2 weeks in total. Alternatively if you can get a Sudan visa, you can catch a cargo boat from Aqaba in Jordan to Port Sudan. I think the best way to know is to pitch up at the harbour at Aqaba and ask when is the next boat to Port Sudan, or maybe even Djibouti? I've learned that too much planning is not good for traveling. Just be prepared to take it as it comes.
My wife and I planned to do that route (2005), and couldn't get a visa for Sudan at that stage, so we ended up coming through Djibouti, Yemen etc.
Good luck.
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26 Oct 2007
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thanks for the tip. yeah, too much planning has never been my problem. though i am stubborn. i've been waiting in turkey now for two weeks for an iranian visa that may not come (two weeks doesn't sound long, but i applied for the visa three months ago!) if i didn't have my heart set on iran, i would have already been in syria, no doubt having a wonderful time. today i learn my fate from iran. if the visa comes in today, off i go. if it doesn't (i suspect they'll tell me it'll be here on tuesday...monday is a holiday) then i'll head south to syria (i think.) hey, that raises another question. i've yet to apply for a syrian visa... are they available (to canadians) at the border? thanks all. by the way, i've posted some pics of my ride so far on my website if you're interested.
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26 Oct 2007
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hi Lost,
I am coming up from Ethiopia-Djbouti-Yemen-Oman-UAE-Iran-Pak...
It would be good to meet for a tea along the way (I am from Edmonton).
I am happy that the visa in on the way. I have recently heard that Canadians were not high on the Iranian list for issuing tourist visas, but like you am anxious to visit.
I have not heard of a ferry going from UAE to Djbouti, but there is some good info in this section about getting from Yemen to Djbouti with a motorcycle.
Cheers,
Rene
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26 Oct 2007
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Yemen??? Why not?
Hey Lost,
Who told you to stay away from Yemen? I actually thought it was a great place and the local went out of their way to assist you. They all own chinese 125's and love bikes so they will welcome you. I actually met the Chief of Police in Al Macha and was invied to Friday lunch with them. My advice to you, Just do it!!
I am in Djibouti now and will leave here tomorrow for Addis and south so am looking forward to that too.
Maybe catch you on the road??
Cheers
Ivan
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27 Oct 2007
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Well, thanks for all the replies. Unfortunately, I don't wish to wait any longer for my Iranian Visa (it's a real guessing game to tell when or if it will come!) so I'm headed for Syria. I posted a similar question in the "Transport" section asking for advice regarding shipping from Jordan to Africa (But NOT Egypt... my carnet doesn't cover it!) Alternately, I could go into Israel and ship somewhere, but then I'm limited by which countries will allow me to enter!
And, Dingo, I was warned about Yemen by two of my students (I'm a motorcycle instructor in Calgary) who grew up in Yemen. I was warned by the Canadian Travel Advisories (they warn you about everywhere, though), I was warned by an Iraqi ex-pat living in Canada, and finally, I was warned by a journalist for a major Japanese news paper. But, yes, I know, warnings are to taken with a pound of salt. I know, I know! It's just that, I got so many warnings about Yemen and from such a wide variety of sources (not just North Americans who have never left their own country!) that I decided to give it a miss. Now, from reading more on this site, I'd definitely consider it a good option (unfortunately I'm no longer heading in that direction. So sad.)
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27 Oct 2007
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Lost if you come to the UAE you will find the people very easy going and very western, not what most people expect. Just FYI.
Be safe!
SJ
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29 Oct 2007
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Thanks all! (Especially riders from UAE!) I would have loved to visit your country... unfortunately, I could not wait for my Iranian visa any longer and I've headed south.
I'm currently in Antalya, Turkey, and I plan to move along the coast to Syria. I don't have my Syrian visa, either, but I'm told I should be able to pick it up at the border (with a little luck, perhaps!) I have my Letter of Introduction from the Canadian Embassy in Ankara, so that might help a little.
I'd still like to continue south into Africa from Jordan (or Israel, if necessary) but I think it's tougher to do than if I ended up in Yemen. Anyway, I started a similar thread in "Trip Transport" to ask about shipping options from Jordan or Israel, so I don't want to plug up the HUBB with too many similar threads (bad etiquette Jeremy!)
Thanks again for all your help. I'm a little broken-hearted about not hitting Iran and UAE etc, but that's the way these things go! "The journey is the destination" and all that crap.
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29 Oct 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hopelessly lost
I'd still like to continue south into Africa from Jordan (or Israel, if necessary) but I think it's tougher to do than if I ended up in Yemen. Anyway, I started a similar thread in "Trip Transport" to ask about shipping options from Jordan or Israel, so I don't want to plug up the HUBB with too many similar threads (bad etiquette Jeremy!)
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Jeremy,
Lars flew his bike from Oman into Amman early this year. You might consider doing the reverse route and could then continue on into Yemen and Djibouti.
If you send him an e-mail I'm sure he can tell you what company he used and how much it cost.
Stephan
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