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Middle East Trip  - February 17 to August 23, 2006 - Planning Stages

The preparation work for the six (6) month Middle East trip started way back in February 2005. 

We have purchased detailed Middle East maps, travel books and found a lot of information on the internet.  Many friends, who have been in the area, have also helped us with the planning.  The route we have chosen is based on area/historical sites we want to visit.

Our research concluded that we couldn't pass through Saudi Arabia, since females are not allowed to pilot a motorcycle. The plan is to start our journey in Dubai, UAE. From United Arab Emirates, we travel through Oman and Yemen.  From Yemen we hope to get onto a freighter ship to Egypt.  After exploring Egypt, we enter Jordan, north to Syria, Lebanon and into Turkey.  After Turkey we ferry over to Cyprus and onwards to Israel.  We decided to visit Israel last, due to the passport Israel stamp issues for other Middle East countries.  From Israel back on the ferry to Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Austria and Germany. 

Pending on time, we might have to leave some of these countries for the next trip. 

Trip Planning (Check List):

February 2005:

-  Acquired two (2) BMW metal crates.

March 2005:

-  Purchased Detailed Middle East Maps and Guide Books and Garmin GPS for Ruby.

Some of the Maps & Travel Books.

Mike's GPS.

Ruby's GPS

 

April 2005:

-  Started to practice off-roading on BMW 1200GS's and Dirt Bikes.

 

May 2005:

-  Wilderness Remote Responders First Aid Course (May 24,26, 28,29). Total of 16hrs classroom and 8hrs in the wilderness.

Remote Responder Wilderness First Aid Course Details

Mike's Certificate.

Ruby's Certificate.

8 hrs of actual phycial wilderness training.

First Aid Equipment available.

Role Playing...someone hurt while hiking.

Splinding a injured leg.

Mike's group with the instructor Doug Ritchie (far right).

Ruby's group. Walter was the victim (centre).

A course we should have taken a long time ago.

 

-  Purchased Lap Top Computer, Waterproof Digital Cameras, Europe GPS Maps.

Averatec Lap Top Computer with 12.1" LCD. It is only 1" thick and 4.5 lbs.

Pentax Optio WP Digital Camera, with 3xOptical Zoom, 5MP, and Waterproof up to 1.5m.

Garmin City Select Europe GPS maps.

June 2005:

-  Three (3) day BMW Enduro Off-Road Course in Germany (June 10, 11 & 12)

BMW Enduro Off-Road Course in Germany

July/August 2005:

- Purchased Digital Video Camera (with Helmet Cam). 

- Purchased Evacuation Insurance current for four (4) years from MedJet Assistance Evacuation Insurance. ($1800.00CDN)

MedJet Assistance Evacuation Insurance.

- Three (3) week trip (July 16 to August 06) to Yukon, NWT & Alaska.  Changed tires at Fairbanks to Continentals

  TKC80 on the 1200GS'.  Tested all electronic equipment, gear and tires on the trip.

Yukon, NWT, Alaska Trip

September 2005:

    - Placed the house on the market for rent through power properties management company.

     - Bought condo c/w garage.

     - Contacted Dubai BMW and see if they will store the BMW after shipment. No reply.

      - Got several quotes to air freight or ship the motorcycles to Dubai.  Decided to go with Hellmann. 

       Cost to be determined in January 2006

October 2005:

    -  Oct 01, 2005, booked two (2) flights from Calgary, AB to Dubai, UAE and return from Frankfurt,

        Germany. Leaving Feb. 17, 2005, arriving in Dubai Feb. 18, 2005 and returning August 23, 2005

        from Frankfurt. Cost $550.00CDN plus 210,000 Aeroplan Points.

     - Rented out our house Oct. 03, 2005.

     - Pre-trip motorcycle service at Blackfoot Motosports. Oct. 07, 2005 - Total cost $1300.00CDN

     - Sold Jeep Oct. 09, 2005.

     - Moved into new condo c/w garage Oct. 21, 2005.

December 2005:

- Renewed international driver license $50.00CDN.

- Passport Photo 30 in total for Visa applications - $220.00CDN

- Applied Dec. 12, 2005 for Carnet de Passages for motorcycles. Contacted the International CAA in Ottawa.  Cost for

  both applications was $1,438.00CDN.  

- Vaccination at the International Travel Clinic Dec. 21, 2005.  The following vaccination was required - Hepatitis A/B

  ($60.00each), Typhoid ($30.00 each), Polio ($45.00 each), Influenza ($20.00 each) and Tetanus.  Service Fee of

  $40.00 each. Total $380.00CDN.

- Purchased Iridium Satellite Phone and 500 Minutes for $2995.00CDN.

- Purchased new motorcycle tires - Metzler Tourance for both motorcycles $950.00CDN.

January 2006:

     - Final Vaccination Jan. 23, 2006.

      - Purchased World Map for GPS.

      - Issued Bank Draft of $20,100.00CDN to CAA for Carnet de Passage.  The CAA will hold this draft until the motorcycles

        return to Canada.  Received Carnet de Passage documents on Jan. 13, 2006.

      - Packing list, new tires by Angus Tire on Wheels and crating of Motorcycles on Jan. 28, 2006.  Total material cost for

       both crates $250.00CDN.

Gear for the Trip

Ruby's Crate before assembly.

Mike's Crate before assembly.

Angus in his Tire on Wheels Truck.

New Metzler Tourance Tires. Jan. 27, 2006.

Mike's Bike is getting new Metzler Tourance Tires.

Angus and Tire on Wheels

Hard at work.

Balancing the Tires.

New Tires.

Jan. 28, 2006. Starting to Crate.

Randy being in charge.

Final touches to Ruby's Crate.

Had to remove the handle bar, wind screen and GPS mount to make it fit.

Rear view.

That's it. One final check.

Tying down Mike's Bike.

Final Touches.

Final Check.

We did it. Thanks Randy.

 

      - Medical Travel Insurance for 6 Months through World Nomads. US$482.00

      - Contact Lawyer for back-up in the Middle East.

February 2006:

- Air freight crated motorcycles to Dubai, UAE on February 17, 2006. Freight Forwarder is Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.

  Rob Marincich, the airfreight co-ordinator from Calgary Hellmann was excellent in arranging the shipment. 

  Contact (403) 219-8554 or e-mail: rmarinci@ca.hellmann.net

  Cost $4000.00CDN for both motorcycles.  The motorcycles were picked up on Feb. 14, 2006, but got stuck in Canadian

  Customs for two days and missed the flight.  They didn't leave until Feb 18 Calgary. 

Feb. 14, 2006. Loading the motorcycles.

Trucking company was Monarch Messenger.

Loading took all of 45 minutes.

Rusty doing all the work. Where is Mike?

Loaded on the Truck.

On its way to the Airport.

- Received two (2) Yemen Visas - $240.00CDN

- Good-bye Party at the Riverstone Pub. Feb. 16, 2006.

Special Cake for our going away party.

Ruby & Mike's Middle East Adventure.

Great turn-out. Thanks for the great support.

Yeah we made it.

Mike can't resist the cake.

- February 17, 2006 the journey finally begins:)

 

Middle East & Eastern Europe Preliminary Schedule

Date Days Country
From To    
February 18, 2006 February 26, 2006 8 UAE
February 26, 2006 March 15, 2006 17 Oman
March 15, 2006 March 29, 2006 14 Yemen
March 29, 2006 April 19, 2006 21 Egypt
April 19, 2006 May 3, 2006 14 Jordan
May 3, 2006 May 13, 2006 10 Syria
May 13, 2006 May 23, 2006 10 Lebanon
May 23, 2006 June 13, 2006 21 Turkey
June 13, 2006 June 18, 2006 5 Cyprus
June 18, 2006 June 28, 2006 10 Israel
June 28, 2006 July 26, 2006 28 Greece
July 26, 2006 August 5, 2006 10 Bulgaria
August 5, 2006 August 15, 2006 10 Romania
August 15, 2006 August 23, 2006 8 Germany

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This site was last updated 12/03/06