It is no secret that I love to travel, so this time I have decided to fullfill my adventure seeking cravings with a creative way of 'getting around.' Try a 1969 Baja Beetle named Pedro! (photos coming soon). Fiona and I will be responsible for all aspects of the trip including fundraising. She has assigned me as the main driver as she will work the camera. She is a professional television camera operator at Sky Television, therefore she will be filming the rally.
I'm not sure what I'm more excited about. Getting the chance to drive across the world with likeminded adventurous folks, or to have met someone who is just like me! Who lives life fearless and is constantly challenging herself. Girl Power!
I will admit I'm a bit apprehensive about driving Pedro. You see he is a gearbox car. For Americans, that is a standard car. At home, my car is modern and fully loaded, hence, it does all the work for me. Also, Houston is pretty driver-friendly. I'm just relieved that he has a left side steering wheel (Yep, he is American!), because I'm right-handed. I am just hoping that I can do a good job driving Pedro on left side countries. Is that right? Left-right-What?!!!! I'm sure all will be fine. Don't worry Fiona! I'm a trooper! There are other things to worry about right now. Like getting visas to Pakistan and Iran.
As for the route I'm not as concerned I have been to most of these countries, and at least I know what to expect regarding terrain, climate, culture, and greasy palms, yep, those inevitable corrupted officials.
The ROUTE (though, it changes as we apply for visas, driving permits, and safety)
England-France-Belgium-Germany-Austria-Slovenia-Croatia-Montenegro-Kosovo-Macedonia-Greece-Turkey-Iran-Pakistan-India-Nepal-China-Laos-Cambodia-Thailand-Malaysia-Indonesia-East Timor-Australia!!!!
"Can't wait to try Malaysian and Indonesian cuisine, never been!"
Something to aim for:
3rd July Day 1 - London - Goodwood
4th July Day 2 - Goodwood Festival of Speed
5th July Day 3 - Goodwood – Germany
6th July Day 4 - Salzburg, Austria
7th July Day 5 - Split, Croatia
8th July Day 6 - Montenegro
9th July Day 7 - Rest day, Montenegro
10th July Day 8 - through Albania and Macedonia to Greece
11th July Day 9 - Greece
12th July Day 10 - Istanbul, Turkey
13th July Day 11 - Rest Day – Istanbul
14th July Day 12 - head toward Goreme, Turkey
15th July Day 13 - Goreme
16th July Day 14 - Diyarbakir
17th July Day 15 - Dogubeyazit, Turkey
18th July Day 16 - Tabriz, Iran
19th July Day 17 - Hamadan
20th July Day 18 - Esfahan
21st July Day 19 - Rest day, Esfahan
22nd July Day 20 - Shiraz
23rd July Day 21 - Kerman
24th July Day 22 - Zahedan
25th July Day 23 - Taftan, Pakistan
26th July Day 24 - Dalbandin, Pakistan
27th July Day 25 - Quetta, Pakistan
28th July Day 26 - Multan, Pakistan
29th July Day 27 - Rest day
30th July Day 28 - Lahore, Pakistan
31st July Day 29 - Wahga (border ceremony and cross into India)
1st Aug Day 30 - Amritsar
2nd Aug Day 31 - rest day Amritsar
3rd Aug Day 32 - Corbett tiger reserve
4th Aug Day 33 - Agra (Taj mahal then on towards Varanasi)
5th Aug Day 34 - Varanasi
6th Aug Day 35 - Rest day Varanasi
7th Aug Day 36 - Nepal Border, Lumbini (Buddha’s birthplace)
8th Aug Day 37 - Pokhara (Himalayan Raptor Centre)
9th Aug Day 38 - Kathmandu
10th Aug Day 39 - Rest day, Kathmandu
11th Aug Day 40 - Chinese Border
12th Aug Day 41 - Mt Everest
13th Aug Day 42 - Mt Everest to Dingri
14th Aug Day 43 - Lhasa
15th Aug Day 44 - Rest day, Lhasa
16th Aug Day 45 - Nyingchi, China
17th Aug Day 46 - Ranwu, China
18th Aug Day 47 - Mangkang, China
19th Aug Day 48 - Shang-gri La, China
20th Aug Day 49 - Tiger Leaping Gorge - Lijiang
21st Aug Day 50 - Kunming, China
22nd Aug Day 51 - Jianshui, china
23rd Aug Day 52 - Lao Border on to Luang Prabang
24th Aug Day 53 - Plain of Jars, Laos
25th Aug Day 54 - Vientianne, Laos
26th Aug Day 55 - Cope Laos, Mine victim rehabilitation centre, Vientianne
27th Aug Day 56 - Pakse, Laos
28th Aug Day 57 - Head for Cambodia
29th Aug Day 58 - Head for Angkor Watt
30th Aug Day 59 - Angkor Watt
31st Aug Day 60 - Rest day Angkor Watt
1st Sept Day 61 - Bangkok, Thailand
2nd Sept Day 62 - Chumphon
3rd Sept Day 63 - Kuala Lumpar
4th Sept Day 64 - Rest day Kuala Lumpar
5th Sept Day 65 - Ferry from Melaka to Indonesia
6th Sept Day 66 - Jambi
7th Sept Day 67 - Ferry to Jakarta, Java
8th Sept Day 68 - Magelang, Java, Indonesia
9th Sept Day 69 - Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
10th Sept Day 70 - rest day Bali, Indonesia
11th Sept Day 71 - ferry to Mataram, cross island, ferry to Alas
12th Sept Day 72 - Bajo
13th Sept Day 73 - Ferry to Endeh, Flores, Indonesia
14th Sept Day 74 - Ferry to Kupang, Indonesian Timor
15th Sept to 20th Sept Day 75 – 79 – Explore East Timor, Clean, repair and ship cars to Darwin
21st Sept Day 80 - Fly to Darwin, Australia!!!!!
22nd Sept Day 81 - Rest day, Darwin
23rd Sept Day 82 – Rest day, Darwin (kakadu)
24th Sept Day 83 - Newcastle Waters
25th Sept Day 84 - Alice Springs
26th Sept Day 85 - Ayers Rock
27th Sept Day 86 - Coober Pedy
28th Sept Day 87 - Port Augusta
29th Sept Day 88 - Adelaide
30th Sept Day 89 - Melbourne
1st Oct Day 90 - rest day, Melbourne
2nd Oct Day 91 - Eden
3rd Oct Day 92 - Sydney
4th Oct Day 93 - Rest day, Sydney (or catch up)
5th Oct Day 94 - Katoomba and Blue Mountains
6th Oct Day 95 - en-route to Brisbane
7th Oct Day 96 - Brisbane
8th Oct Day 97 - Rest day Brisbane
9th Oct Day 98 - Rest day Brisbane
10th Oct Day 99 - Ship cars home from Brisbane
11th Oct Day 100 - Fly home
Luv SE Asian street food!
Vintage Australia: My first Big Girl trip
Nudie Beach, Whitsundays (wt Katya)
Not like Texas! A farm in Andorra Downs wt VB (gosh, dorky hat, cute kangaroo!)
Skydiving on the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns
Love the Aussies! Zanzibar, Tanzania
and Zanzibar!
