I think there is some merit to Touring Ted's post.

Although I really think that it is a great thing that more people are overlanding, and although I have no needs to neither brag or feel special or unique, there is still a point to be made.

Many places arround the world has been over excerted by tourists - taking away from the exotic and uniqueness that was part of the attraction in the first place.

When I as a visitor is as exotic to my host as the host is to me, there is a mutual exhange of something wonderful. However, assimilation grows with the number of similar encounters - one become more tailored and adapt to eachother - in everything. And that can become a bit mundane and boring.

That much said, I think we are a long ways away from overlanding becoming your regular James Cook package holiday. I don't get the sense that I am traveling in a herd. Sure I meet overlanders along the way, but mostly in the typical bottlenecks (ferries, border crossings, etc) or on the main throughways, the common overlanding friendly camp grounds, or on famous heritage sites, etc - but that is nothing new.

I still get the sence that if I only just skip a border or two away out of western or northern Europe (whre regular motorvehicle insurance no longer has coverage), things get exotic quickly - especially if I get even only a few miles off the the main throughway.

I think travellers can get the best of two worlds now - go on the main routes if you need more comfort and convenience, or just turn off the main road and be on Mars after only a few clicks.

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