Hi everyone,

I have been reading here - before I'm persecuted...

Here's my situation. I am writing from South Africa. I'm nearly 29. I'm rather, Um, 'tired' of the political and social situation here and am seriously keen to just bugger off. I was due to do a car rally from England to Mongolia this year but it fell through due to various reasons after 3 years of planning. I earn a pittance and any sort of major trip will wipe out my savings - I'm prepared to do this.

I don't really want to strictly plan a route because I think that detracts from the experience. I think it's better to go where your will decides on the day, so to speak.

Last week I went to go and see the HQ of the local AA to find out about carnets. I was told that they have to issue the carnet as they are the association in the country where my bike-to-be will be registered. I was also told that they need to know the route beforehand because any deviations won't be listed on the carnet. Then, horrifically, I was told that some countries would need up to 200% value of the bike - and from reading here, some up to 470%!

I might as well lie down and cry defeat on my death bed now.

Is there any way whatsoever to bypass this situation? If it helps, I would be prepared to skip the whole of Africa and look for a bike in the UK or Europe.

I would say the most important areas to me are Europe across Asia (Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, China, etc.), South America and perhaps North America up to Alaska.

Sponsorship did occur to me to be an option to cover the carnet, but how does a 'nobody' convince a 'somebody' to part with a small fortune?

Many thanks for any advice given.