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From Hull to Everywhere Else

My trip from Hull heading eastwards. The aim is to reach Turkey overland, then into the 'Stans. Thence to India and further east. . After that who knows? But I'm not overplanning. Just going to see what happens. Read more

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From Hull to Everywhere Else Traveler
Istanbul
Jun 17–20, 2024 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
Spent three days in Istanbul. Stayed at the Cheers Lighthouse Hostel which was a mere 5 minutes walk from the Blue Mosque. I was surprised to find that the Blue Mosque, the Sofia and Topkapi Palace were all on the same stretch.

Mixed feelings about the city. Very touristy, at least where I was, which meant a fair bit of hassle. But nothing like as bad as Egypt.

Third evening went on a Bosphorus cruise. Ventured into the Asian side for the first time.Read more
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Basilica Cistern
June 16, 2024 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
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Thessaloniki again
Jun 13–16, 2024 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
Back to Thessaloniki at the Stay Hybrid hostel (not sure about the name there) before heading towards Turkey. A fair bit to do, the main thing being to put the bike into storage which I mange to do. I am recommended to put it into a car park by the local bike maintenance and repair shop which I manage to do so on the Saturday night.

So I’m now all set to head to Turkey now. Into Asia!Read more
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Matala, Crete - Bloggers Anonymous
June 13, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Hello. My name is X and it’s been 13 days since my last blog entry. I have spent a week in Crete in the tiny village of Matala. Not a huge amount to report. Spent the mornings working before heading down to the beach to spend 2 or 3 hours sunbathing. I’m not a natural sunbather so spending 2/3 hours lazing in the sun doesn’t come naturally to me. But one should try new things. So after a week I am mainly red but a little brown too.

Went to the red beach. Not the main beach in Matala which was a little crowded. The hike to the red beach was over a very steep and rocky hill/mountain. The hike was 25 minutes and had to be conducted in extreme heat. But arriving at the red beach was lovely. The swimming there - the sea was crystal clear.

The rocks at the end of the beach had many carvings on them. Didn’t get many photos as it would have meant taking the phone into the sea.

Met a few new friends. Maya and Ronnie - a couple of Israeli girls. Lucas an Argentinian. Gloria, a Chilean. And Peter an American who was an itinerant guitarist who entertained us with his singing on my last night there.

Other things of note. I’m not a huge fan of Geeek food. I think Moussaka is just a rubbish lasagne but here at the beach there was seafood. Freshly caught and excellent. I found a place that served a combo of squid and octopus. Octopus if cooked poorly is rubbery and horrible. But if cooked well is excellent. That’s what I had here. I feel a bit bad for the octopuses given they are supposedly so intelligent. But they died in a good cause.

Also had a variety of sea bass. First night raw in a ceviche. The next grilled. Fabulous.

Stayed at Matala hostel. The first hostel with a pool. Very friendly laid back atmosphere. And Mino a lively puppy.

In the news. Michel Mosley of “Just One Thing” on Radio 4 died after getting lost on a hike on another Greek island. So hot I can understand why. The temperature was off the scale. Apparently the earliest heatwave they have had in Greece.Read more
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Thessaloniki
Jun 3–6, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Decided to head to Thessaloniki en route to Istanbul. But have also decided to have a bit of a “holiday” so am booking a week on the island of Crete. Going to head to Matala where I went in 1996 with Rod. Have also decided to put the bike into long term parking here. I don’t want to ride all the way round Asia. Also on YouTube Itchyboots has just had an accident travelling round Africa. Quite a serious one apparently. Three nights here and then onto Crete.Read more
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skopje
June 3, 2024 in North Macedonia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Passed through North Macedonia today. Adding note here just to ensure it records on my country count. This blog app counts the number of countries you have been through
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Bear Sanctuary, nr Pristina
June 3, 2024 in Kosovo ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
In the morning went to the bear sanctuary where bears rescued from show and what not are now recovering. Apparently it's not that long ago that they were kept in pretty cruel conditions. So sad. But they seemed a lot happier now although apparently some of them are still traumatised.

After the centre four hour ride to Thessalonika via North Macedonia.Read more
I assume you're in Greece asisting the search for Michael Mosley... [Leroy]
6/8/24Reply
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Time Travel
June 3, 2024 in Kosovo ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
I have realised that with all this travelling my perception of time seems to have changed. i have done so much and been to so many different places that it feels like a year in Yorkshire yet it's only been two months. I imagine all this brain stimulation is probably good for me. I'm in pristina, kosova right now. not really planning to be here, but it's a necessary stop on the way to turkey. next stop, probably after a day relaxing here is thessalonika in greece and then Turkey.Read more
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Pristina
June 2, 2024 in Kosovo ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Spent the night at the hostel here. Hostel was fine but unfortunately there was someone in the dorm who was a snorer and quite smelly. So spent the night sleeping on the balcony to get some peace instead. However, for some reason they had a call to prayer at about 2.45am with two mosques quite nearby. Can't they use WhatsApp to call the faithful? And then about 4am there were a pack of dogs running around outside - quite a noise. Also the call to prayer set off at least one dog howling. Still, preferable to the snoring.Read more
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Into Pristina, Kosovo
June 2, 2024 in Kosovo ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Woke up and it was pouring with rain so thought I might have to spend another day in Podgorica. But it soon stopped and before too long the sun came out and stayed out. So on I go. My route from here to Istanbul is, I think, going to be via Pristina, Kosovo, and then Thessalonika in Greece. Today I was booked into Pristina Backpackers (or so I thought - when I arrived it turns out I had actually booked for last night but managed to get sorted easily enough).

Had a lovely ride through the mountains in Montenegro and into Kosovo. The distance between the exit customs and the entry customs was a good way - I would estimate 10km at least so I wonder what the status of that area is. Can tell I'm getting into a slightly poorer area of the world. Horses at the border crossing. Lots and lots of switchbacks for the bikers out there. Good riding.

Arrived into Pristina about 4.30. The hostel didn't answer. A series of unfortunate events. I had mistakenly booked for last night. They had no other bookings so the reception staff had gone off hiking to the bear sanctuary - where I think I will go tomorrow. Managed to get in by banging on the door and a guest letting me in. Got in and phoned the number they gave but given that they were all hiking, didn't answer! but once in the reception I was able to charge the phone, sit down, change and relax.

Eventually they did make contact by phone so I was able to check in, then went to get some food. Very cheap to eat out. 5E for a meal and a drink. Got back and chilled in the upstairs balcony.Read more
The scenery look amazing. That's the benefit of being in poorer countries. A lot cheaper to eat! Glad you got sorted. [Leroy]
6/8/24Reply
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Podgorica
May 29–Jun 3, 2024 in Montenegro ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
So I planned to have a pit stop here but I have ended up staying for a few days. First day had planned to work but instead was drying off after the thunder bomb event that I rode through on Tuesday. So Wednesday was a bit of a write off. Thursday got a load of work done and had planned to ride off eastwards on Friday. However, did you see the forecast for Friday? No? It was rubbish. I'm sitting here in the pouring rain and had no desire to ride off and get soaked again. Forecast is the same for tomorrow. So I'm here till Sunday. There are worse places to be stuck. I'm staying at Hostel Q, recommended by Danny from Dubrovnik - host at the Anchi apartments where I stayed there. He had worked here previously apparently. Again, I'm being lucky so far with where I am staying.

The big news today (last night) was Trumpety Trump. He looked like he was going to explode. Could he be any more orange?Read more
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Bosnia
May 28, 2024 in Bosnia and Herzegovina ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Passed through Bosnia on my way to Podgorica. Didn't particularly intend to but since the blog picks up the number of countries you have been through, I need to add it to my country count!
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Confused crossing borders!
May 28, 2024 in Montenegro ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Today I rode from Dubrovnik (Croatia) to Podgorica (Montenegro). In the morning I said my goodbyes to Tess, Emily, and our hosts Danny and Don. Would love to see them all again at some point. Then rode back into the old town to look around Fort Lovrijenac - 15 euros was a bit much for the trip. Should have gone yesterday when it would have been included on the Dubrovnik pass. Oh well.

After that returned to the hostel, packed and set off. Only 120 km to Podgorica but the estimated journey time according the various sat nav apps I use was about 3 hours. So averaging 40kph. Twisty roads were anticipated! Good times.

After about half an hour I crossed the border into Montenegro. Had to show my passport and bike docs which I was not expecting, having gotten so used to the ease of crossing borders in the EU. Damn Brexit.

Anyway, about an hour later I was surprised to find myself at another border post. I wasn't expecting this. I actually thought it was a toll road, so the customs officer looked at my like I was an idiot when he asked for my passport. It turns out my satnav had taken me through Bosnia and then into Montenegro. I had no idea. It might be a good idea if the developers you know told you when you were entering a new country and even told you what country that was. To be fair to the developers, they didn't seem that keen on advertising it at the border either. No "Welcome to Bosnia" or even, "You are now entering Bosnia, but you are not really that welcome. We will however put up with you because you bring tourist money". Just a barrier and customs post. Basic stuff really. Anyway, I was now in Montenegro. The first 80-90 km of the journey was in stifling hot sun but as I neared my destination I could see a mountain on my right and a valley on my leftt and a curtain of cloud/rain across the whole vista that I was approaching and had to ride through. No avoiding it. Then there was the lightning. Then there was the thunder. Then there was the rain which felt like bullets on my jacket it was so heavy. Got stuck behind a car doing maybe 30 kph and was happy to follow it as couldn't see well enough to safely do an overtake. Big, big puddles. Lake sized puddles. Then arrived into Podgorica. Big sigh of relief. Check into hostel. Private room. Lie on bed for rest of evening and watch netflix. Heaven.Read more
Looks so beautiful - and hot! [Julia]
6/2/24Reply
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Dubrovnik
May 27, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Spent most of the day working but squeezed in a visit to the beach and a quick swim at lunchtime and a ride, then a walk up to the fort at the top of the city in the evening. Hung out with Tess, Emily and Danny (the host) in the evening. Had to move to the spare bunk in Danny's room tonight as the hostel was otherwise full.Read more
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Dubrovnik, Lokrum Island
May 26, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Spent the morning wandering around Lokrum Island. The 15 minute ferry trip out to the island runs from the old city. Again a number of Game of Thrones scenes were her including Earth and some of the garden scenes I think. There was another Iron Throne. How can there be two? There was one in Split as well. Perhaps one of them is a fake? What else? A number of very loud peacocks, a walk round the circumference of the island - a lack of a sandy beach so no swimming unfortunately.Read more
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Dubrovnik, Old Town
May 25–26, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
25 May

So after my arrival in Dubrovnik at what was a really friendly hostel I decided to spend a few days here exploring. Initially I had planned two nights but it expanded to four. The day after I arrived I spent the day exploring the old town with Tess and Emily - my new friends from Oz. The old town was beautiful - unsurprisingly. Again lots of scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed here. We got a Dubvrovnik pass which entitled us free use of the buses and free or reduced entry to various places - including the city walls. The old town was beautiful and after we had spent an hour or two walking around - and having lunch, the most memorable part of which was being charged 10 euros for a bottle of water - we went and toured the city walls from which it's possible to get great views of the city itself. Also, there was a photographic exhibition showing scenes from the war in early 90s. It seems almost unbelievable now that it could have happened here.Read more
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Into Dubrovnik
May 24, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Departed from the lovely Wonderful World hostel in Split around lunchtime. It was probably the least "proper" hostel that I have stayed at so for but that led to an intimacy that made the place very special.

Rode to Dubrovnik on a lovely summer's day. The first half of the ride was along motorways. The second half was along a winding road along the coast. One of the best rides I have done so far since I got back into biking. Made having the bike with me worth doing.

Arrived at the Achki Apartments - yet another hostel with a vibe of its own. Sharing a room with Kayla, from Inverness who has just turned 18 and is touring by herself. I'm so impressed. One feature of this place is that they had a communal barbie in the evening which meant that everyone staying here had the chance to meet up and get to know each other. Had a great evening with about 10 others. It is lovely to constantly be meeting new people,

Tomorrow I plan to go into the Old Town of Dubrovnik, also known as King's LandingRead more
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Krka National Park
May 23, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Took a ride from Split north, retracing my steps, to Krka National Park to look at the waterfalls. I feel I am using words like stunning and beautiful way too much but these truly are.
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Marjan Split
May 22, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Beautiful "mountain" to the west of the city. Great views of the town
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Game of Thrones tour
May 22, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
This is the Game of Thrones tour with Gray Line. Just a couple of hours exploring Diocletians Palace where some of the Mereen scenes including the dragons being chained up and the slaying of the masters. Diocletian was emperor in about 270 AD for 30 or so years. Long enough to build an impressive palace anyway. Tour the as presented very well by a guy named Tomi and there were just 2 others - a Canadian husband and wife off a cruise down the coast.

The Dalmation coast a littered with islands and is stunningly beautiful. On another trip I might have to do some island hopping.Read more
This all looks very exciting. On your way to Istanbul now? [Claire Ward]
5/24/24Reply
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Split
May 21–24, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
So having left Budapest I am heading for Turkey but I was tempted to look in on Split and Dubrovnik for their Games of Thrones connections, various scenes having been filmed a these cities. And then after googling some of the images of the cities I felt I had to come. So initially the plan was 2 nights in Split and 2 nights in Dubrovnik. I am staying at the Wonderful World Hostel in Split. Booked here because one of the reviews mentioned the cat. I'll add a photo. It is the most laid back pokey and cramped hostel I've stayed at but because of that it's the most social I have stayed at so far. Really enjoying it but I would like to stay in my own room quite soon. Maybe will at Dub, maybe afterwards.

Spent the first full day I was here doing a Game or Thrones tour in the morning (just me and a couple of Canadians who were on day release from a cruise). Two hours. The Mereen scenes of Game of Thrones were filmed here.

Then in the afternoon onto Marjan, the "mountain" to the west of the city. Not really a mountain - not high enough - but interesting enough to explore and get some great views of the city.

A few of my fellow hostellers raved about Krka National Park which I rode past on the way down from Zagreb so I have extended my stay and added a third night so I can visit that on the Thursday.

Nice gang of guys including Boyii a Chinese guy, Ollie an English guy who looks like a surfer dude, Emma a US student and a few others. Will do separate entries for each of these.

And now finally we have a general election in the UK. About time.Read more
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Zagreb
May 20, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Overnight pit stop in Zagreb in the way to Split and Dubrovnik. Stayed at Main Square hostel which had one of the dodgier looking entrances. Odd pod like bed arrangement But was fine on the inside. Had a game of chess with Doug from Leeds. Nice to have an actual game even though I lost! The guy working on reception is a top level player with a rating of 2200 - or so he says.Read more
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Budapest
May 12–20, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Wow. I've been in Budapest for a week and barely noticed. Time has flown by here and gotten away from me a little bit. Spent the first two nights in a private room at the Hive, then in a shared dorm at the same place and then moved to Wombat Hostel for the last two nights. Hive advertises itself as a party Hostel and lives up to its billing. There is a bar in the quad at the bottom which pumps out loud bass till about 4am. Didn't bother me re getting to sleep but ...

Met up with the girls (Theresa and Johanna) for the first couple of days... We hung out and had a great time. Went for a number of walks including a guided tour of the city and a number of really cool breakfasts at the Bluebird cafe in the covered market between the two hostels. Jo has a university interview to negotiate from abroad. She might have to return to Norway for a couple of days. We'll see.

Spent the remaining days exploring in a relaxed enough manner. Explored both Pest - the side of the city that I am on - and Buda the hilly other side separated by the Danube. Have left it too long to do 8 days justice blog wise. Will just have to add some photos.

Also, in the news - Man City have just won their 4th title in a row. Let's hope when they get their points deduction, they get stripped of their past titles. That would give Liverpool two more. Also, the president of Iran has just died in a helicopter crash. I've decided to add news items as a memory tool for co-ordinating events when I read this back when I'm old and senile. Wonder if it'll work? I'm meant to be heading to Istanbul but am taking a detour to Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik. Hope it's worth it.Read more
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Musical Instruments Museum Vienna
May 11, 2024 in Austria ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
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Vienna
May 10–12, 2024 in Austria ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
After Pesky Crumble I rode onto Vienna. Two nights here before I move onto Budapest. Today I tried a new approach. I ride round the town on my motorbike . After all I do have a motorbike so I can get around quite quickly. One downside - it’s not practical to do that while wearing full gear especially as it’s starting to get hot and full gear is one of my mantras from the safety perspective. However in town am travelling much more slowly. Fast bicycle speeds really and you don’t need full gear for a bicycle. So I decide to take a calculated risk. Motorbike jacket helmet and gloves but normal jeans and trainers. Now I can jump on stop see somewhere and then move on to the next place. Managed to get through quite a few sights this way. St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Opera, the Palace, the museums, the Rathaus and the central cafe (didn’t go in cos of a long queue outside). Not as tiring as walking around but you do miss out on something as well. Swings and roundabouts. However since I’m off to Budapest tomorrow wanted to see as much as possible today. Also be careful when riding behind horses. They leave behind deposits that are not conducive to bike stability if you ride over them.Read more
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