We’re immersed in procedure. Simply getting going again on this ride is time-sensitive and paperwork intensive.
From a rider’s p.o.v. things have changed. The world is often becoming a dangerous, difficult or impossible place, mostly because of the expansion of Islam, sometimes in unexpected places. In SE Asia, China’s cross-border expanding economic infrastructure, rail, factories, has made border-to-border land travel more difficult as neighbour countries become defensive. For example, by land, Thailand has gone from an open country to a closed one without a government approved guide and huge paperwork and approvals.
But on the rider’s flip side, still better than before the Soviet Union dissolved in ’91. I’ll be riding through 5 previously Soviet states, so that’s good.
There’s another continent rapidly changing for the rider: Africa. But we don’t have to worry about that for a year or so.
Anyway, headed back to SE Asia and paperwork. It’s a pleasure to be reacquainted with its charm. I need an Asian shipper, guide/permit, receiver to fly to Myanmar with a bike and ride to India. Myanmar is a semi-closed country by land. More later.
The three ladies and their companies, wonderful names:
Ms. Venus. Speedy Logistics.
Ms. Min Min. Burma Senses (mandatory government approved escort service from arrival to departure, also a land tour company. Tourism is good, until you close it off because things have got sufficiently dark you want no witnesses. Thankfully, Myanmar is slowly opening, while neighbours are going the other way.)
Ms. Swe Swe. Legendary Logistics.
It’ll be so good to be jumping back into this mess again soon. It always starts with interesting stuff. I’ve seriously missed it.
p.s. This rider’s political perspective could be miles away from another person’s view. Disclaimer, lol