Any overseas travel advice

Thanks Willem

I was going to visit those sites before I responded, but maybe I'll do that later. My partner may already have those one's on her list. She's in-charge of all "website" research.

Rumbler

Others may agree or disagree, but I feel that the carrying of guns for personal protection can often get you into more trouble than they will actually save you from...whether it be from convincing the authorities that you in fact do not have any sisnister intentions, besides when it comes down to it how many people are willing to point a gun at someone and pull the trigger despite the circumstances? If you can't get around that, than it is pointless taking one...

A rifle for protection from wildlife may be a different story...but crossing borders will be the issue. Indonesia locked up that Australian for having one on his boat...

Yep, if you point a gun at someone make sure you are happy to pull the trigger first!!

Thanks Mike, the Landy & Lyndon

I appreciate the thought, but I'm one of those "weird" anti-gun guys.
Thanks for considering my safety though, I appreciate the thought, it's just not for me.

Rumbler

Hopefully you and your lady will be fine Rumbler - although there are one or two people out there who don't see things quite the way we do.... Don't imagine you are, somehow, immune from bad people...?

Mike Harding

Thanks Skiddy

It's one of my "nightmares". I'll be travelling with my ladyfriend & I have visions of being robbed by bad guys with the possible extension to what might happen to her. We've both discussed this & have accepted that if the situation ever arises, we "fold", (what else can we do?) & they can have what they like, just so we walk away. That's why we've access to $30k as an emergency run-for-home stack.
As I said, I intend to stay in or as close to Police stations overnight if not in Hostels as some form of protection. It's also why I've put bars on all windows, (will disconnect the door handles from the "pull-up" catches on each door & use only the key for access) so we can leave the truck unattended for periods. I agree, I still have a problem about the roof rack, so there I decided that what goes on top will be able to be sacrificed, otherwise why do the trip at all?

Thanks Skiddy.

Quick question; which route are you taking? Serious incidents outside of the "petty" thefts etc are rare. At least that is what I've been told by others doing similar trips. Again depends on the route. Off topic though, but the Brittish guys that did the "First Overlander" (if you have not read it, it's a great book. Covers a drive from London to Sinagpore through Burma, middle east etc... was car #3 driving into Tibet if memory serves me right. Driving on a Indian military road... :) in 1956 came to the conclusion that they would not carry any guns or anything. If you ever get into a situation you're more likely to escalate it and end worse than folding and walking away. Good rule of thumb to follow if you ask me. /Jorgen

Jskogsta

Initially we intended to put Troopy into a container & ship to Singapore. From there into Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, China then the Stans (a lot of them with difficult spellings) into Iran then Turkey & finally through Europe.
But the price the Chinese are asking for a long circular trip (around A$15,000 plus fuel/food etc) is a bit steep. We're looking at 3 possibilities around this cost; 1) going from Thailand (again in a container) across to India & through Pakistan (believe with compulsory military escort) into Iran, or 2) across to India again then "up" through Nepal (difficult high-level pass & bloody cold!) into China for a quick L/H turn & short trip into the Stans again (paying the Chinese a lot less) or 3) after Laos, a quick L/H across China into Nepal & then India, Pakistan, Iran & Europe.
If it sounds we've indecisive, we're not. It just takes so much research & planning for a lot of reasons I won't go into. On the safety side, we've had discussions. We can stay wrapped in cotton wool at home afraid to live our lives or take responsibility for ourselves & take an informed amount of risk. There is no way we're "gung-oh" risk takers, but what are the options? We all take risk every day to some degree. When all is said & done, what are the odds? We consider life is for living, not hiding, & this is risk worth taking.

Thanks for you interest. I hope this helps.

Hey. Wow. Interesting route, and somewhat similar to my idea of how to approach this as well. I'll have a chat to my better half, but it may be a bit too soon. I've been talking about doing the Cape to Norway (we're from there) trip, but she's a bit reluctant to do that... she would rather do the US. Ship it to San Francisco or something.. over the continent.. ship it to Iceland / Greenland .. then to Norway .. which would be really cool. However, I am attracted to traveling Asia, Middle East, Russia and Eastern Europe. We'll see what we do... but I'll have a chat with her to gauge the interest, but it may be a bit too soon. If it is, I would love to stay connected and take learnings from your experiences. We've got a '03 Patrol 3.0l diesel which we're gearing up to do some serious trips. Primarily to travel Australia, but visit Tasmania as well .. but when we're "done here" then do the kind of trip you're ready to embark on!! As we're having two little ones we will have to do something like this before they're getting too big and get too connected on school.

Did you check out the African website? It has information across not only Africa, but world trips, Asia etc. A lot of great stories there...

Cheers ..

/Jorgen

Confused which name to use now, I assume I should have been using Jorgen rather than Jskogsta?

Well when you have that conversation, remember, we've done a lot of the investigations that you'd have been doing by now anyway.
Tell you what, my email address is roymcdowell@hotmail.com if you wanna discuss more.

Good luck with whatever Jorgen.

Thanks LCRUZA

I'll pass on to my partner who is handling all website knowledge research.

Rumbler

Thanks Scoof

Good one Scoof. We'll be on our guard at any ATM, in any country for what you warn against & more.

Rumbler

Thanks jskogsta

Well we're looking for people who want to do the same thing to travel with at various points. If you wanna discuss, please leave Follow-Up to this.
That said, if there's anyone out there thinking of doing the same, contact me with a Follow-Up. We've done a lot of research to date & it's never too late with seven months to go. Know anyone?

jskogsta - I'll pass the web onto my partner.

Rumbler

Thanks GMD
Truth is if you read some of my other posts (asking about various things) I've had to keep reminding people that I'm not driving through the Red Centre & need for winches, snatch straps are not a priority.
I value your advice since you've been there & willingly will go again. I've driven through a lot of Europe & had my soft top ripped open & several things taken, in Italy too!
The bars are an attempt to disuade likely opportunity/casual theives not to bother. I'm sure if someone wants in, no matter what, they'll get in. I also have the darkest tint on all windows to hide what's inside.
Any advice about anything welcome.