One Road One World

Category: Europe

Last part of Europe journey for a while.

After the North Cape our plan was to go to Turkey through the east of Europe. We have been learning to make a plan. 🙂

We didn’t do that much things in Finland. Just went from north to south in Finland and passed to Estonia. And we traveled around the other Baltic countries, Latvia and Lithuania.

*** You can also watch our short video about Europe trip, just click 🙂

When we were in Tallinn Ferry lost his wallet. He didn’t carry that much money in it but motorcycle register and driver license was in it. We couldn’t find anywhere. He decided to apply again new papers and send somewhere in Europe. We were trying to go to Belarus. Of course we couldn’t enter it. In the border they said that he is fine inside to Europe without papers but no way to enter Belarus without paper. We just tried… 🙂

Meeting nice people on the road…

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and than Poland. When we entered to Poland we saw that my chain had a serious problem, didn’t work to back rear tire because than chain has already lost profile. We went to Honda deal in Olsztyn. We met Gregory who could speak German a little, Ferry too. Gregory said that he has to change the chain but can’t do that at the same time because they don’t have the right chain. We could wait a day but we need to find a spot to go camping. When we told it to Gregory he didn’t allow us to go and called his wife. Marta was in the mechanic service in 15 minutes to pick us up to go to their home. They are amazing couple to spent time with them. Next day, Gregory fixed the motorcycle also checked up well. But we couldn’t leave because we wanted to stay with them more and enjoy every moment. 🙂

You never lose anything on the road! 🙂

When we were there my phone was ringing but I didn’t check it. Because the number is belong to Norway and nobody knows our number to call. Must be wrong number. Called more than 5 times, same number! I asked Ferry to his wallet that he put our number in it. He said we had Norway number card info in it. The calling number is from Estonia. Maybe, somebody was calling us about the wallet, why not…

Ferry called back the number. The call was from Holland Embassy in Estonia. Somebody found our wallet and gave to the police who waited a week. Nobody asked there fore they decided to give the wallet Holland Embassy because has important document in it. The embassy was asking to Ferry how he could travel without papers. 🙂 After talk a while he told me that The Embassy sending his wallet to his address in Holland.

At the same time his father called us and gave a good new, which he sold his apartment. We need his papers and also sold the home. We changed our road again went to Holland from Germany.

We slept on the highway in Germany.

We know that you can’t camp everywhere in Germany and hotels are expensive. The road is so far. When I made two times 570 km in a day I got so tired and we have 900 km in front of us to make in a day. We never loose anything, just try. When we go home we can get rest….

Of course, we couldn’t make it. We made 700 km. Maybe we could go more but German highways are so crazy for me. No limit for speed. Cars go so crazy. I never understood what passed next to me in a second. J I wasn’t feeling comfortable to be on the road with my 250 cc motorcycle when cars make 300 km per hour. We stopped a parking area but we couldn’t wait until morning without sleep. We can’t open the tent there as well. End of the night, we opened our hammock next to our motorcycle and slept inside a couple of hours.

Holland Again

We stayed in Alkmaar a week. When we decided to go back Holland we bought some parts for the motorcycle and parts for the motorcycle on Internet. He sold the house, we got rest a little and visit his family to said bye bye again but this time for our Africa journey….

Tires are expensive in Turkey. If we change them in Holland we would make 5.000 km or more in Europe still. We need good profile for our tires in Africa. So, we decided to carry tires on our motorcycles to Istanbul, Turkey. It took two days to figure out how we can carry everything on the motorcycles. 🙂

Hit the road again.

We passed again Germany. It was fourth time. I suppose I passed all big highways in German east to west, south to north. We passed Czech Republic, Poland and arrived in Ukraine.

Every year, I go to travel somewhere with my father to see new things together. I invited my father to Ukraine for a week. He came to Lviv. After a couple of days he took a train to Kyiv. Ferry and I ride our motorcycles and met my father there again. When he was going back to Istanbul We gave everything to my father to carry Istanbul what we don’t need on the road until Turkey.

It was a stupid accident…

After Ukraine we passed to Moldova. It is beautiful and cheap country. We spent a week there and then a couple of days more because of me. I collected nuts from the trees. When we were in the hotel I tried to open them with a knife. I was going well until the knife cut my hand very deep. It was blood everywhere and I couldn’t stop it. Middle of the night Ferry found the owner but couldn’t communicate because of the language. Good thing she was Italian and I can speak a little Spanish, means we can understand each other. She called an ambulance. They did everything well but I can’t ride motorcycle with bandage on my hand because my glove didn’t fit. We had to wait a couple of days before my skin closed well.

Going Turkey

We decided to go to Turkey as soon as possible. Because if something happened to my hand I would like to be in a hospital and explain all details in my own language. When my hand was hurting me It wasn’t easy to go fast of course. Therefore slowly we passed through Romania and than Bulgaria and arrived to my home. We waited almost three weeks until the doctor said we can keep continue our journey everything is fine.

At the same time we changed our seats, had a screen for our Honda CRF 250L. We went everyday to my friend’s mechanic service to learn about mechanic. I was more watching because of my hand Ferry was working everyday with them.

When we where ready to go to Africa it was the beginning of November. If we pass Balkans we can be in Morocco middle of December, which means we cannot go to Atlas Mountains because of the snow. Also, November and December are not a good time to ride Balkans because of the rain and cold.

Okay, we skipped Balkans and go to Morocco directly. We have a plan still to ride motorcycle in the Balkans. Just we will do that later.

We ride from Istanbul, Turkey to Igoumenista, Greece in two days and we took boat to Brindisi, Italy. We ride in Italy to the Civitavecchia harbor to take a ferry to Barcelona. We went to Barcelona to stay for 5 days but stayed there a week because of Ferry’s carnet had some problem and we waited to arrive in Barcelona. Anyway we were lucky with the weather and had a nice place from Ferry’s friend to stay, we really enjoyed Barcelona.

13 of November, we were on the boat to start our Africa journey by motorcycle…

GS

November 12, 2017
Norway is a paradise to ride motorcycles….

We stayed in Norway a month. I wish we could stay more but it was so cold. Normally best time to be there in July and August but we were unlucky for the weather in 2016. We were on the north so we never understood when the dark was coming and how much time we could spend on the road. Each road was so enjoyable therefore we ended the day mostly around 10 pm.

In this article we wanted to write amazing motorcycle roads or scenic roads in Norway also a little about hiking points as well. Maybe it can help your journey to ride in Norway;

Our first day in Norway, we ended up around Moss. It was light rain sometimes during the day and we didn’t bother so much. When we found a spot the set up our tent the rain started crazy. In 5 minutes we were totally wet. We were trying to set up the tent but rain and wind were so much to do that. First time, I saw first time Ferry broke down. He stopped and said that “Go and find a hotel. I can’t do this any more.” Maybe, it was good idea but collect everything, go back to the road and start to look for a hotel could be take more time. We could get more wet and I didn’t want to do that in the dark. I told him “stayed under a tree I can manage everything.” We need to help each other. If I broke down like him who can help us? I opened the tent and put everything in. Tried to cook inside, made a coffee and calmed down. The rain didn’t stop all night. Good thing was our tent didn’t take water in….

We woke up with a lovely day. After breakfast we were on the road again. When we arrived to Lavik we found very nice place to camp. We wanted to enjoy in the camping. So, we made only 70 km in a day.

When we started our journey in Europe to the North Cape we promised each other for “Nobody push to ride more and more if we find a spot to enjoy just stay there. This is our journey…” Therefore, it doesn’t matter to make 50 km in a day or 300 km.

Next day, we were on the road to Skien. We arrived at a nice lake. We saw a sign that was writing, “You can camp here but not more than 3 days.” We could stay 2 days. J It was really lovely place we love it. In the night we met 2 local guys (Gisle and Tore), one rider and the other one just walked all the way to the North Cape. We learned a lot for the road from both of them.

One thing is so nice in Norway you can camp everywhere just don’t get closed to a house less than 150 meters. And if you are staying in a private property more than 2 days go and get permission from the owner. So, we didn’t think so much when we started to ride each morning when we would be end up.

We were going to Kjerang but suddenly the rain started crazy. If we have rain it means so cold for us because we were riding mountain road. We called a person who invites us to stay with him in Stavanger. He said that we could come anytime. So we turned to our road Stavanger and arrived his house totally wet J We stayed with him 4 days. If the weather was nice we were going somewhere to ride around. First time, I understood that amazing feeling to ride motorcycle without bags. When we were staying there we went to Pulpit Rock with one motorcycle but we where not so lucky with the weather. It was too much foggy and we couldn’t see down 🙂

Our next destination was Trollturunga. They were telling us to we couldn’t finish in a day because of the weather and mud. We didn’t want to put our motorcycles in the parking area and go a couple of days. Why? If something happened them J We arrived around 9 pm and it was still day light. We had a plan to start to hiking go to the top watch sunrise and turn back next day. All our plans stay on the table. We have learned about it….

We started to hiking but when it was 2 am, the rain and wind started again. Therefore we decided to open the tent somewhere. Next day, we arrived to Trolturunga rock to see view under the rain. We waited to the weather change a little for photo but no way! Ok, stay one day more next to the amazing rock and view and turn back next day. The weather was crazy. We woke up in a lake. It wasn’t like that when we set up the tent. J We turned back to the motorcycle under the rain. Everything was wet on the motorcycle after 3 days rain. It was 5 pm. Nothing around to stay cheap. We looked a basic hotel that is 30 km back on our road but 25 USD. We went there and found the owner. We were lucky because they had only one room with share bathroom. Also, they have a room to where you can dry your clothes. Of course, we liked to place so much. Everything got dry in a day but the weather got worse. What could we do? Stay in the room, got rest and watched a lot of movie to wait next day? Yes, that might have been a good idea but we didn’t do that 🙂

After that we went to Gjendesheim to hiking again but rain, a little snow and cold didn’t allow us to do the hiking for 3 days. We just made Bessengen path and than turn back to the fjord to find a less windy spot to set up tent. I wrote before about the weather that we where not lucky about that for 2016.

We had a lot of things in our mind but we couldn’t. We were checking the weather all the time and changing our road. We knew the weather wasn’t good but we didn’t want to skip Greiganger Fjord. It was so cold and we were just thinking how we could open the tent. Suddenly, we saw a sign before the Fjord. A house was renting their room. The price was 450 NOK which is not too bad because we could sleep in a room. 🙂

Greiganger Fjord and area is really so nice to see. We spent a couple of days there to enjoy tracking and landscape. We are riders so we always look for a nice motorcycle road to ride. So, we choose road 63 after that 650 and 661 (towards Eisdal to Linge than Vestnes). We were going to pass Atlantic ocean road and the view was amazing on the road. Means for us “Camping! Camping!”

From there we went to Bud and than started the famous Atlantic ocean road and passed to the drunk bridge. Yes, the bridge shape is so exiting but when I was riding on it, it was just a bridge. When we arrived to Trondheim it was camping time for us because of the landscape. When we woke up we saw kids around us. The place is their play area. They were so curios of course what we were doing in their game area. After breakfast we were on the road again. We were really looking forward to ride on road number 17, which is one of the most beautiful scenic roads in the world. The road is total 650 km and has 6 ferries. If you can’t catch the next ferry find a spot to camping and enjoy the view. (Until now, we passed more than 45 countries and still road 17 in my top 5.)

We spent a couple of days on road 17. Because a lot of place means for us “Camping! Camping!”

And of the road we got on the boat from Bodo to Monkenes for Lofonten Islands. We went directly to A which is very famous with the view in Lofonten Island. Of course, we can’t miss the view, we need to stay minimum one night to enjoy.

We didn’t ride main road (E10) in Lofonten islands. We went small roads to see villages and find nice free camping spots. We went from A to Andenes because we wanted to see everywhere in Lofonten. Andoya road has really nice landscape and an amazing spot next to the beach for camping. We where not lucky with the weather to swim but maybe you can be lucky for it.

Time to go Nordkapp(North Cape) We took a ferry from Andenes and kept continue our road. How the weather could be like that. When we arrived to the most Northern point of Europe, North Cape it was a little snow L We couldn’t spend so much time there also we didn’t camp because of cold. And we couldn’t find a place to stay because they were closed or fully booked. We had to open the tent somewhere on the road. And first time I broke down. I got so cold and couldn’t feel my fingers anymore. I was just complaining myself to what I was doing here. Ferry was also cold but he was so calm down. He set up the tent and boil a water for coffee and for put to our feed. This is the way, keeping us on the road. Who break down first other one stays calm and helps….

Next day we woke with sun but still it was cold. We decided to pass to Finland and go down fast towards Africa. Because we made our first goal to went the North Cape. We were on the road almost 2 months. Each day we learned a lot about our self, ride motorcycle, leave in the tent…. etc.

GS

November 10, 2017
Nuremberg, Germany to Alkmaar, Holland ride together…

Finally, we were together. So we didn’t need to rush anywhere anymore and we need a lot of things for motorcycle accessories and clothes. We visit some shops to buy them in Nuremberg. Of course it’s not easy to find everything in a same place to good quality and cheap. After stay two days in Nuremberg we decided to go to Frankfurt and stay there two days as well for shopping and see around together.

Nuremberg to Frankfurt was our first ride together we didn’t have intercom. So, before ride we told about all signal and body language how we could communicate when we were riding. Even if we had some trouble but we could manage well.

We went all motorcycle shopping place in Frankfurt as well in two daysJ We bought most important things which was enough for us in Europe to go to the North Cape.

When we entered Holland before go to Alkmaar we decided to stay in Zelhem. Ferry’s family has a country house there and I love nature so much. It was amazing option for us to stay there and talk a little about our journey what we will do.

First time, I tired to clean chain also tried to fix side bag metals. We need to start from somewhere to learn a little about our motorcycles.

13 of July we were in Alkmaar. I knew that when we go to home we never get rest because we need to get ready for our journey. Ferry needs to sell what he can sell to make money…etc. Actually, he sold well, all clothes, cycle parts, electronics…etc.

I don’t remember how many times we tried to pack bags. Because what we wanted to carry never fit in. It was so hard to skip some clothes because of the weather. It was summer time but we were going to the North so I can definitely feel cold and need warm clothes. I was backpacker before. I was on the road only with 30 liters bag, which had everything for camping, clothes, medicine, food, electronics…etc. How could be possible to I can not fit in 100 liters for two persons?

Finally 9 days later we were ready to leave. After visit his family we hit to road toward to the North Cape.

GS

November 8, 2017
Istanbul, Turkey to Nuremberg, Germany in 5 days with 250 CC motorcycles…

It doesn’t happen so often to see alone women rider on the road by motorcycle from Turkey. Especially, if you don’t have that much experience to ride, most people love to give you a lot of bad info and comment. I didn’t ride a motorcycle almost 9 years. My dream was travel around the world by motorcycle. Most important part in this dream is to go to Africa. If I’m to scared to ride alone in Europe how I can make more than 200.000 km around the world.

He just bought his motorcycle and need to practice in Holland. Also, I need to trust myself to ride. So, we decided that I could ride Turkey to Holland alone and he can ride motorcycle in Holland to get ready our trip. I suppose that it’s not a clever idea to hit to road at the same day when you get to driver license. J Also, he must wait to first 1.000 km of the new motorcycle and go back to the motorcycle mechanic.

First day in Turkey;

03.July.2016, I packed my motorcycle, which is Honda CRF 250L, after say bye bye my family I started my journey. In the beginning feeling was strange because I had a lot of bad things in my mind like if I fall down, if engine problem, if have a problem…. etc. After a couple of hours I started to enjoy. Feeling wind on my face and riding towards my dreams.

First night, I slept Turkey to Bulgaria border in Edirne. It wasn’t to bad to make 280km in a day with 250 cc motorcycle after 9 years later.

Second day in Bulgaria;

Next day, I entered to Bulgaria and keep continue to Sofia what is close to the Serbia border. I didn’t have a plan to see countries in my mind because I don’t remember how many times I visited all countries. Just focused to ride motorcycle and learn more abut my Honda CRF 250L limits.

One of the break times, I stopped the motorcycle and got off. At the same time my motorcycle was on the ground. I suppose that I couldn’t open the leg well or stop position wasn’t good. I couldn’t lift it up and nobody around. I was thinking what I could do. In a second, I heard a motorcycle sound and he stopped next to me. Oh my God it is huge man. J He tried to asked me with body language that I am ok any accident. I was ok just motorcycle fell down. He lifted it up my motorcycle like he was taking cotton from the ground!

I arrived to the hotel, which Ferry booked for me and send reservation. When I wanted to check-in they told me that my reservation for the next day. Do you think that he was thinking I couldn’t make 350 km in a day? I was going to him to start our journey of life therefore I was riding everyday a lot I suppose…

Anyway, they were so helpful and I could check-in….

Third day in Serbia;

I woke up early to get ready to ride. Before I leave from the hotel I called him and I had to change my plan. Because he is more crazy than I. It didn’t matter rain or bad weather he was just riding motorcycle in Holland north to south to make 1.000 km as soon as possible. Then he wants to come Hungary or Austria to meet with me. Maybe, I didn’t ride 9 years but I made more than 20.000 km before and took a lot of lesson to ride. No way! He can’t come to pick me up somewhere, I would go to him. J

Yeap… I made 570 km in a day and arrived to Serbia-Hungary border. After that I promise myself that I never ever ride so long like that again because It wasn’t comfortable. You can’t speed so much and the sit is not for a long journey. I arrived a little village before dark. I found a little guesthouse to sleep a night.

Fourth Day in Hungary

I was on the motorcycle 3 days and total I made 1.200 km already. When I woke up in the morning all my body was hurting me. It could be great if I could get rest today. I called Ferry to say I don’t want to ride motorcycle today. I was feeling that first time I went to GYM and use my muscles, which I never use before. That’s way I have all muscles pain. He was fine to I want to get rest. He can come to Serbia if I wait him there 2 days. I really don’t know who is crazier. Because he already made 700 km in two days. Where you can go in Holland for 700 km! He made same road maybe 20 times in a day, like he can ride the road when he closed his eyes as well.

What should I do? I took painkillers and hit the road again. I couldn’t believe myself what I was doing. Pushing my limits so much. That moment, I was thinking that I am crazy. When I came Africa I understood that it was a good thing that I pushed myself there and saw my limits because Africa has been pushing you more than this sometimes.

When I was in the Hungary at the border it started to rain and nobody allow to me pass in front. After I got wet, I came to passport control. It took only 5 minutes to enter Hungary. I waited more than one hour to stop the rain. I found a bus, which was going Austria from Turkey. They gave me food and coffee.

I bought my vignette and followed my road. Serbia-Hungary to Hungary-Austria border was 360 km. It took 6 hours. When I found a place to sleep I just put my head to the pillow and fell a sleep; no food, no shower…

Fifth Day in Austria and German;

When I woke in the morning it took a couple of minutes to understand where I was. Just tired!

I found Wi-Fi and called Ferry. He said that he just leaved from the technical service. Wow, he made already 1.000 km. Also, he said that he was leaving from Holland to come Austria. I just told him “ Are you crazy! How can you make more than 1.000 km in a day?” I was trying to find middle of the way which like he could leave from Alkmaar next day and go to Frankfurt so I could go there in 2 days. Do you think that he could listen to me? He wanted to see me as soon as possible and ride together. No option to find middle!

What happened? I was on the road from Hungary to Nuremberg. I passed Austria very fast and than keep continue to Nuremberg where the hotel was. I made 570 km and he made 760 km in a first day his motorcycle journey.

When I arrived to the hotel Ferry was already there. He came 30 minutes early than I. All night, we talk about motorcycle how much he is exciting and ready to go North Cape and after Cape Agulhas to make the Cape-to-Cape road. We can discover the world easily by motorcycle….etc. Sound is amazing. Because I was looking forward to go to Africa. But I just told him. Let’s go to sleep first and than go to the North Cape.

What can I say more? I was so tired because I made 2.130 km in five days. I said myself I never ride 500 km again with motorcycle in my third day and I made again on my fifth day!

GS

November 6, 2017