Speaking English 416km Packed up and eventually left the campsite around 10am, you'd think I'd try and leave a bit earlier than that but I was on holidays! I was actually trying to leave earlier but I'm just slow at packing up and always double check everything before leaving, I did get a little quicker at this after a while, not too much though. It was an easy day of riding, trying to get into the swing of it all and not think about how far I still had to go...

Day Zero 407km I attacked the buffet breakfast as though it may be my last meal on this planet, stuffing the seventh banana pancake into my mouth telling myself "you never know where your next banana pancake is coming from". There were some North Americans (Seppo's) staying at the hotel and eating breakfast on the other side of the rather large resturant, I could still hear their conversation perfectly. After listening to them tell each other how br...

A Bloke Named Va'mir 97km (yep, read on!) You pronounce his name "Va'mir", I guess thats its short for Vladimir or maybe the correct pronunciation, but for the point of this blog it'll be written as you say it, Va'mir. He truned up at about 10am with a mate of his Denis. These fellas looked like hard b******s. I was told they were "bikers" but the Japanese used the term "biker" to describe anyone that has a motorbike so I though...

No bike = No Fun 0km I couldn't work this bike thing out. I had found where it was, even laid eyes on her, but could not take it due to the infamous "missing form" problem that I always seem to have. I did meet some very helpful people though and eventually a few phone calls where made and a lot of waiting around I was told that a bloke named Va'mir would meet me a 9am tomorrow to help me get the bike....

Russian Buddhism 0km It should be presumed that my first night in Russia would be spent downing Vodkas with big Russian blokes, never presume anything... Left the boat about 12pm and with the help of a Russian used car salesman I'd had several (hundred) vodkas with was waved through customs without any questions. Getting the bike would be different. I couldn't work out who I should really speak to about it and kept getting told different things. Then at 3pm th...