With more than six years of service in the Royal Hong Kong police, three of which were spent commanding an emergency unit during one of Hong Kong's most violent periods of mayhem in which our platoon was frequently embroiled in gun battles against ruthless armed criminals, my career was now in tatters as a result … Continue reading Royal Hong Kong Police – Escape
Africa
The Best and Worst Awards
Riding Around The World - The Best & Worst Awards
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Chapter 1 – First Africa expedition
Southern Africa Motorcycle Adventure
Chapter 35 – Sri Lanka
Riding Honda 250 Bajas across Sri Lanka
Chapter 34 – Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin in Wales
With all our KTMs now sold, and perhaps a few expeditions on the horizon, we have been taking a serious look at the new Honda Africa Twin. https://youtu.be/VSR0NMpSrQM I briefly had a Honda Africa Twin in the early 1990s when I was in the Royal Hong Kong police, but I have to say … Continue reading Chapter 34 – Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin in Wales
Chapter 27 – Back to South Africa
As the cold weather descended on Shanghai, and indeed the rest of the northern hemisphere, Fanny and I escaped our second successive winter by flying to South Africa. Last year the Arab Spring and fighting and disturbances in Libya and Syria had delayed our progress to Turkey and so we saw out the European winter … Continue reading Chapter 27 – Back to South Africa
Chapter 17 – The UK – its alright for ducks
The UK produces the best soldiers in the world; is a leader in innovation, creativity, art and design; has a unique sense of self effacing humour, and most importantly it produces Marstons Pedigree bitter and Marmite (both from Burton Upon Trent I might add).
Chapter 15 – He’s not the Messiah – he’s a very naughty boy.
So... did we do Turkey for Christmas? Alas No. Syria and Libya were descending into civil war and chaos, all the ferries from Egypt had been cancelled, and Fanny was not allowed to ride or drive a vehicle in Saudi Arabia (not for being Chinese, but because she's a woman!). Also, the prospects of motorcycling in Europe during the freezing … Continue reading Chapter 15 – He’s not the Messiah – he’s a very naughty boy.
The Best and Worst Awards
The best and worst awards for our motorcycle expedition across Africa, Europe and Asia. Whilst the two of us are in agreement, we realize that many may disagree and so we welcome any comments. MOST ENJOYABLE COUNTRY AWARD AFRICA - TANZANIA Tanzania just eclipses Kenya, Namibia and South Africa as our favourite country in Africa. Good … Continue reading The Best and Worst Awards
Chapter 10 – Egypt – (Part 2)
As we were now stuck in Egypt we thought we should make the most of it and see the country and take in its amazing culture and history. To do that we were going to have to extend our visas and also the permits for our South African registered KTM motorcycles, and that meant we … Continue reading Chapter 10 – Egypt – (Part 2)
Chapter 10 – Egypt – (Part 1)
The "Night Boat" up the River Nile to Aswan was anything but luxurious, but we were very pleased that everything had gone according to plan and we were on our way to Egypt. We camped for eighteen hours on the hard deck of the ferry and our carefully chosen spot was quickly hemmed in with … Continue reading Chapter 10 – Egypt – (Part 1)
Chapter 9 – Sudan
Sudan was always intended to be just a country we had to go through to get from Ethiopia to Egypt. What I knew about the country was not much, mainly knowledge from my school days about soils, geology and the physical geography of the Nile. Of course the news at the time, and not without … Continue reading Chapter 9 – Sudan
Chapter 8 – Ethiopia
. Ethiopia is a large landlocked and very mountainous north eastern African country with a population of about 82 million people. It has an amazing history and is surrounded by what I would describe as some of the worlds most hostile, or at least, volatile places... Eritrea, Djibouti, north Kenya, North and South Sudan, and … Continue reading Chapter 8 – Ethiopia
Chapter 7 – Kenya
Kenya– Chapter 7 The first thing we noticed at the Kenyan border was an elderly couple being towed in a magnificent MGA sports car behind a Toyota pick-up. Whilst we were mingling with the crowds waiting to clear customs I remarked to the owners on what a splendid car it was and inquired why it … Continue reading Chapter 7 – Kenya
Chapter 6 – Tanzania Part 2
Tanzania– Part 2 . The trip is one of ups and downs and unexpected surprises and disappointments. One thing that is constant is bumping into interesting and generous people. We were overheard at Lake Chala by a Dutch couple who lived in Moshi (on the slopes of Kilimanjaro) discussing our next route and they invited … Continue reading Chapter 6 – Tanzania Part 2
Chapter 5 – Tanzania part 1
Tanzania - Part 1 Tanzania encapsulates many people’s ideas and impressions about Africa: the snow capped peaks of Kilimanjaro; dhows sailing on the turquoise tropical waters of the Indian Ocean; elephants and rhinos grazing in the Ngorongoro crater; the great wildebeest migration of the Serengeti grasslands; Arabic bazaars and spicy food in Zanzibar; tall Masai … Continue reading Chapter 5 – Tanzania part 1
Chapter 4 – Malawi
When we woke from our tent at Mama Rulas in Chipata we were confronted with a few options and had make a plan. We could either head to South Luangwa and ride along a truly awful stretch of road that had been ploughed up over the years by over-laden cotton trucks along the 140 kilometers … Continue reading Chapter 4 – Malawi
Chapter 2 – Botswana
We were now truly in Africa, so it seemed. The landscape had changed to classic bush colours and there were many signs warning of African animals that threatened to leap out onto the road. If that meant donkeys, goats, cows, dogs, human boys and yellow hornbills then that was true. We decided to stick as … Continue reading Chapter 2 – Botswana
Rupert and Fanny are on the way!
So we are off. It’s an early start as we head north on the N7, stopping just outside the Cape Town suburbs for fuel, a quick check of the bikes to ensure that everything that should be attached actually is - and a petrol station Wimpy fry-up breakfast with the truckers. It took a while … Continue reading Rupert and Fanny are on the way!
Rupert & Fanny's Big Bike Trip 