BBC | LongWayDown | Road Log

The greatest guide

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 17:14:11 GMT

I've met was one in Germany. I was there for three weeks learning the language and he was our guide for all the trips we were on. Not as interesting as Africa obviously but he was a good guide anyhow.

thanks, I'm now in trouble at work!

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 17:25:31 GMT

The people in my office now think I've gone completely bonkers. I laughed out loud at the whole "nut flap" video (I know, I shouldn't be perusing LWD whilst at work) and co-worker's heads kept popping up over their cubicle walls as I guffawed my way through the video. It looked oddly reminiscent of seeing prairie dogs peer out of their dens. Great stuff, guys!

Stepping up!!!!

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 17:54:41 GMT

Well, I'm pleased to announce the sale of my KTM 640, I will be stepping up to a KTM 950 Adventure tonight! The 640 was great for a trip around the Great Lakes...Ontario, Canada area... but the 950 will be better suited to go round the world and for cross continental trips!!! As for my guide... my heart... although, I must admit, I have GSP running in my veins now!!!!

Angels to guide you

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 18:29:14 GMT

Hi guys... your wonderful story of the boy that led you to your hotel brings back memories of angels that seemed to appear when needed... the two Spaniards on sport bikes who guided me & Melawend out of Madrid to the road to Valencia... the two little boys in Bombay (Mumbai) who led me to a budget hotel... the Japanese woman on a busy street in Tokyo seeing I was lost read the street name someone had written in Japanese for me then led me two blocks out of her way to point it out (she enabled me to reach my appointment on time.) Do you ever get the feeling someone is watching over you? How is it going for you, Eve? Looking forward to your first post. Keep up the great ride! Tom, the RTW-scooter guy.

NUT FLAP?!

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 18:27:33 GMT

OMG, you never fail to shock me with your humour. I don't know why because you sound as cheeky as I do, but it always cracks me up!! Nut flap... I'll be giggling about that all day envisioning that video and the swinging goats.

Never had a guide ...

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 18:57:52 GMT

Never had a guide as always preferred fumbling along the route myself � of course that can (and has) landed me in some trouble over the year � all part of the fun! Well 1,700 miles to go � almost there!! Richard T PS Where on earth did that child sit on Ewan's loaded bike?

Let Me Be Your Guide

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 19:29:32 GMT

We hired a quiet man by the name of Louis in the town of Banos in Ecuador. Our mission: The Amazon Jungle.

He was great, and quickly was a part of our adventure. We survived days in the Jungle thanks to him. He showed us awesome treasures the Jungle provided, got us through dense areas, waterways, and kept us clear of crocs & anacondas.

Good Times! Cheers!--Alex Hart

Great guide?

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 21:21:23 GMT

Yeah, like everyone who has traveled, I've encountered a few guides but none like this! What a kid! And it's really cool in a way that everybody is so laid back there... the opposite of what we'd be in the same situation! VALUABLE TIPS DATABASE? Also I was looking at the route map, god you've really come a long long way... There's so little left! And on this site, there are so many insider tips from people who have been to all these African countries. I'm wondering if all this valuable info will be put in the book too??? I REALLY hope so.. If not, then I have a LOT of copy / pasting to do : ) !

Great guide - not! :oD

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 21:48:23 GMT

About the nut-flap? (Moderators, please feel free to edit this, if it's not appropriate!) Does the term "Jingle Balls" have any meaning to you??? ;oD *waves and cheers from Denmark*

Nut flap

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 00:16:01 GMT

I crossed my legs watching that, surely that can't be pleasurable. Maybe their lads need to be shaken up a bit though, like a milkshake or something....still...ouch.

Goats

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 01:16:28 GMT

I don't have any memories of travel guides, but I sure did get a kick out of Ewan and the goats!!!! Leave it to Ewan to notice!!! Extremely funny!!! I hope that bit goes into the documentary. Ride safe and be safe---Char

I love Namibia

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 10:13:32 GMT

Hi guys, just wanted to say that i'm very jealous that you're going to Namibia, this is a country I LOVE ! I volunteered there, at a wildlife sanctuary, and would love to go back. Also South Africa is beautiful. I went to a place in Durban called Cafe Fish which was right on the seafront and did the most amazing fish dinners ever...that was 10 years ago so not sure if it would be there now though. Good luck for the rest of the trip ! x

Freedom!

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 10:27:16 GMT

Freedom in a couple of sense. That happy little boy riding around on the back of your bike; it must be a safe area if his mum doesn't have to worry about him. And then those goats, swaying freely in the breeze! I've never seen anything like it! Hehe.

Goat srots.

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 12:55:21 GMT

Que Sinatra: "Well it doooon't mean a thing if you aiiiin't got that swing!" ;-)

luangwa valley

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 14:59:14 GMT

For info of Charley - You missed out big time on when you left Chipata to Lusaka. You should have gone into the luangwa valley at mfuwe. Most stunning part of my trip so far. Brilliant game park and awesome riding. The 130-km road was a challenge - but good fun. Check out pic on my blog

guides

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 23:08:31 GMT

On my way to Turkey from London back in '89 I dropped my Triumph Bonnie north of Zadar, in Croatia. Diesel on the road, rain, slick tar... the usual. I limped into Zadar (no front brake lever, no gear lever, no right silencer, no helmet - quite a mess.) Parked up in Zadar and had a coffee and tried to work out what to do next, and this guy comes up and sez : I've got one of those. "What, a motorbike?" says I, slightly grumpy. "No," he says, full of grace, "A Bonnie. Looks like you crashed it" he says, " but if you come to my place I'll see If I can fix you up with some new parts." Which he did. For free. For friendship. For the love of the freedom of a bike and the road ahead. Thanks, my friend, wherever you are.

nut flap

Sat, 28 Jul 2007 18:39:39 GMT

Nut flap -sounds like a tasty treat made by vegans. "Would you like another slice of nut-flat dear and some more herb tea?" "Well, don't mind if I do, this nut-flap is soooo delicious - I say, just look at the lovely goat". We girls have it easy ;) Love to all, esp (come on, you know it by now surely!) Allie x I am sitting here, trying not to post anything too rude, so as not to give the poor moderator a fit, but ....... arghh, it's soooo tempting!