I decided to end the trip here on Cyprus and fly back home this coming week.
I have traveled for almost 4 months, have come through 12 countries, cycled roughly 5000km, and am now looking forward to going back home.
It was definitely an amazing trip. The hospitality and friendliness of all the people I’ve met on the way were unbelievable. The image of those countries our oh-so-righteous media paint for us is very one-sided and has little or nothing to do with the people living in those countries. For example, there is no such thing as ‘The Kurdish Problem’. There is a PKK problem, no doubt. But not every Kurd is member of the PKK, or even sympathizes with it. And along the same lines one has to add ‘there is a Turkish government problem’.
Of course, not everything was always great but other than the Azerbaijani love for honking nothing was seriously annoying for more than a few minutes. Except for the heat maybe, which peaked well above 50°C in the sun a couple of times.
The route through South-East Europe, 2540km
The Caucasus/Middle-Eastern part of the route, 2506km
Just read the blog, it sounds an epic trip.You’re hardcore, some of the things you have put your body through – our trip sounds easy in comparison. I can imagine you are savouring the delights of Germany at this moment. Good effort though, and loved the barber stories; still chuckle about the story you told us in Baku.
We have just reached China; in Kashgar at the moment. Unbelievable city, completely different to anything I have ever experienced. The plan now is to attempt the Karokoram Highway into Pakistan then India. Could stalemate our selves after that though because of Burma, but we shall see.
Hope all is well, start planning your trip to NZ. There will be a bike all set up ready to go. Although the panniers may not be brand new, they will be better than a Cole’s shopper.
Stuart and Heather