G'day All,

Just sitting in Singapore at the moment waiting for our bikes to arrive (via Qantas freight from Sydney).

Clarissa and I (Neil) are travelling RTW in the following fashion;

South east asia (May2012 - Dec2012) - Malaysia (3 months), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia loop then some more Thailand for meeting with Family and friends in December. Which we shall then either fly from Bangkok or ship from Cambodia to Japan (maybe South Korea then Japan?)
Japan (Jan2013-Mar2013) - exploring for just under three months before heading over to Vladivostok. Have to be in Vlad by mid April as Carnet will run out.
Russia/Mongolia/Kazakhstan (Apr2013-Oct2013) - Exploring over a number of months to soak this big part up.
Europe/Turkey/Europe/Egypt etc (Nov13-Aug14) - Wandering around the EU for a while with a pilgrimage for ANZAC day 2014 into Turkey. We've planned little past Russia at this point so exact places where going will be purely what catches our eye and front tire.
Canada/US/Alaska (Late 2014/2015) - As much as possible of these areas depending on the visas we can obtain.
South America - Will be our last area of interest, no Africa on this trip, or India/Pak/Iran (carnet/timing for SEA issues arose).

We are keeping a blog at whatwouldulike2do.blogspot.com.au with the spot tracker to be going as much as AAA battery possible. Always love meeting new people and sharing a with anybody, biker or otherwise.

It will be hard missing us on the road with the big tanks and headlights but if you would enjoy having yarn or a carbonated beverage or two let us know and we will try our best to say G'day. This trip is certainly flexible so the above route and times will be very groovy to say the least. We shall go with the flow and see where our budget takes us! In saying that, we won't be camping throughout SEA but shall be from Japan onwards.

Take care and safe travels,

Clarneil (its easy being a single entity for a signature )

Good luck on the travels, If / when you get to England your welcome to stay our place in Norfolk.

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Compass expeditions adventure motorcycle tours

Clarissa & Neil,

Good luck in your travels. I'm so envious. I was hearing all about you before I found this post. Graham (mountaineering dude) who you meet up at Barry/Joy's accommodation was raving about you. Told his best mate Mick about this amazing adventure you guys are starting.

I so looking forward to reading your blog and following you on your journey.

Be safe...

Katgirl

Thanks Norfolkjack! I've put you on our list of people to say G'day too! We will certainly try our best to find you down the road.

KatGirl - As amazing as it was to find Barry and Joy, and the fantastic hospitality they showed us, its hard to believe you found us on-line. Hope that Graham and his mate have a safe and fantastic climb. Will certainly keep the blog updated to let everyone know how we are travelling. Shall have to catch up with you around the globe or back in Australia?

Just chilling today in the link way hotel as we had a very long and interesting last night. Couldn't sleep in too long before a call came for us to move the bikes from the front of a shop where we had parked. Even though its a public holiday here it seems that most places are still open!

We also spotted a few of nice bikers last night who were heading from Singapore to a Rally up at Port Dickson. Including a very nice airhead!

Cheers,

Clarneil

Your trip sounds great although the timing for entering Japan and then Vlad is less than ideal. I've just been hosting another couple on a long distance tour, Alexandra and Andre from Germany; showing them some Aussie hospitality over here in Kobe. They also came from SE Asia to here and you could do worse than to pick their brains about the procedure and shipping companies etc. They're a great couple who I'm sure would be only too happy to advise.
While they were here they had pretty lousy weather, lots of rain and on the cool side; your plan puts you here a full month earlier than them. They also left here via ferry to South Korea and then Vlad.
Anyway, I'm happy to be your contact here in the Kansai region if you need any help.
Cheers

Hey robtho,

Appreciate the reply. I would be buying you many s to get in contact with Alexandra and Andre RE: shipping from SEA to Japan. As it stands we are thinking crating/sea shipped from Cambodia (as someone has logged here on the HUBB shipping section). We would really prefer to ship via air (Bangkok/KL?) though for peace of mind. Even if we had to return to Singapore from the very top of Laos it would probably still be worth it...

We realised a while back that we would be coming in at not the greatest time for our Japan leg. With timing/weather/maximum time in SEA/carnet (and not buying another year) it didn't help a great deal on the arrival up there. For the trip like most, we needed a date to leave Australia and that date was chosen by many many factors (mainly work/Clarissa's open licence granting/lets do it already).

Rest assured though you many have two soggy and frozen New south welshman calling you for advice though.

Fingers crossed with a long visa for Japan (3months), in Russia we will have the best possible weather we can afford. According to the weather charts April-Oct seems to be the goods for Russian weather. The down jackets will get a work out along with the heated grips/jackets (maybe tire spikes?)

Domo Origato,

Clarneil

hi gooood..luky

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Hi Clarneil,
Looks like you found the post from Alexandra and Andre in the shipping section. They sent me an email with all of the details for the ferry from here to Vlad as well but I'm sure they will have posted that somewhere in H.U. I also have some Garmin routes and waypoints from them and trips I've done in Japan that you could be interested in. Anyway as the time draws nearer stay in touch. BTW it'll be a cheap shout, just a cup of tea for me.
Cheers
Robin

When you get here, look me up for a place to stay, re-group, laundry, bike maintenance.

Best wishes on your trip.

Greg Niesen

(907) 242-0078

Cheers Greg. Will note it down to come say G'day. Would have sen't a pm instead of dragging this thread back up but I don't have enough posts yet!

Currently in Cherating, Malaysia. Probably will move on soon as there's not much to do here except sit around on the beach!