An Economic Trucking Expedition

This site is published as a personal viewpoint only, by Rob Morrison who participated in the Middle East Expedition
and beyond,and in no way reflects or expresses the interests or views of the company known as "Economic Expeditions"

Rob & Marys World Tour. Do's & Don'ts. Click arrow to take the full journey

After traveling by bicycle around Europe, cycling Ireland then continuing from southern Morocco Feb 98, up and around Europe then down to Istanbul thru Oct 98. Rob & Mary decided to take a break and take an overland expedition rather than cycle the Middle East, via mountains and deserts, and to get back to civilization by way of sharing the experience with others with the same ideas. Well this was the idea....

We flew to London from Warsaw to get a few bike repairs done and whilst there, checked out the overland trucking idea. What with all the rubbish people and travel agencies told us about visa requirements etc, getting visas for travelling by ourselves seemed much more difficult and expensive than travelling with an "organized" group. Outfits like Trailfinders, one of the largest in London, who don't even have an email address, did however, run their own visa service. For about twenty pounds handling charge and thirty to fifty pounds per visa and weeks of waiting, they would handle it all for us. No thanks! Going to the various emabassies was a big hassle also, so to hell with visas, we would suck it and see. As it happened none were necessary anyway, even the Syrian one we did get in London was of no use at the border. Oh well what's sixty pounds anyway.

This site has therefore been set up for the benefit of those who traveled with us through these countries and also for viewers of "Rob & Marys World Tour" Web Site. It is more a photo essay than a diary and as each photo showing views along the route are only 4 or 5kb each, there are about thirty to a page therefore it takes a little while for the page to down load. Look through it by clicking on an applicable part of the map on the next page. Preferably start with Turkey.

What we have learnt should be helpful to those setting out along the same track...

1. Don't buy any visas for any country anywhere unless the operator specifically says otherwise, and then query it!
2. Don't take any other currency with you other than US Dollars and make sure the series of notes are more recent than 1996 as most places will not exchange them if of an older series. Note: Avoid taking $100USD notes.
3. Travelers Cheques and Visa cards are only a back up for lost cash but keep them to a minimum, they're a rip off.
4. Tourist resorts and touristic sites and venues can be expensive but can also be very rewarding.
5. If it's the thing to see or do then expect higher prices in those areas.
6. Turkey is about the same price as the USA. Syria is dirt cheap. Jordan is the same price as the UK and Egypt is dearer than Syria but cheaper than Jordan. Africa, excluding Nairobi, & Botswana is inexpensive.
7. Jordan's "Petra" is three times the price than other places (at $35USD) but it can be worth it.
8. A side trip from Damascus to Lebanon at $80USD each is well worth it visiting Baelbek and Beirut with a good lunch thrown in. And that includes the visas.
9. With all Overland operators, find out exactly what creature comforts they offer starting with Economic which offer none, then as all the others are more expensive, what more do they offer? Perhaps a chair & odd hotel.
10. Get an ISIC Students card before visiting any sites in the Middle East as it will save you heaps (except Petra)
11. Allow at least $15USD per day for spending money. Truck food is "ok" but you may yearn for something more western, before long. So like us, you may be spending money on the occasional restaurant and extra food supply.
12. For smokers and drinkers, don't buy duty free at any western country, wait till you arrive and buy from a shop for local stuff and wait for the first border crossing before buying any recognized brands. $10USD for 1L Johnnie Walker and $9USD for 20012.

13. Don't expect to know what is going to happen tomorrow as you won't get to know until it happens. Generally not a problem however, just remember to go with the flow. Difficult for some!