The preparation and research for this trip has take over our lives for the past 10 months or so and we have spent many hours researching in books and on the internet. To complicate matters further Peter has been putting in many hours training for two triathlons in which he has competed which has involved spinning classes every morning preceded by a half mile in the pool and the pounding of many miles of tarmac.

We started the actual preparation for the journey when we got back from Morocco, the vehicle and camper had already been researched way back in December 2006 and ordered in March 2007.

There are so many things to think acount and plan it was difficult to know where to start but firstly we both had dental work done to try and prevent any problems developing whilst we are away. We had numerous injections and will need to take Malaria tablets for most of the trip. We have also put together an extensive medical kit and had a prescription from our doctor for several different types of antibiotic.

We needed to get new passports with 48 pages to allow for all our visas and entry and exit stamps. We have already obtained visas for Syria, Jordan and Egypt and will obtain whatever else is required along the way. We have about 20 passport photos each plus photocopies of every document known to man to make life easier when facing officialdom at Embassies and border crossings when applying for visas.

The most important document needed was that called Carnet De Passage which is basically a passport for the vehicle, which entitles the holder to temporarily import a vehicle into a country without having to pay import duty (although there are severe financial penalties to pay if the vehicle is not exported again!!!)

We know the trip will be challenging and it will test our stamina, patience and resolve. Yes it may be scary and intimidating in places but what an adventure. There may be a hundred reasons not to do it, but many many more reasons to go, not least the spirit of adventure, the freedom to go where you want when you want, the wildlife, the people.. the list is endless!!!