Oasis overland journey

[RichardBartlett]

As many may know we've done 3 world cruises and will embark on the 4th come November 21st.
Whilst not trying to sound pompous visiting Sydney Capetown Rome Barcelona so many times you do become a tad blaze as the limited time in each port means visiting pretty much the sites. Or not bothering at all.

We have been discussing what next and fired off a few bucket list places and I happened to come across Oasis overland.

These are no nonsense zero frills expedition. Istanbul to Beijing 111 days

Now I'm no spring chicken and hate camping and the Mrs is a travel princess (even though she denies it) but this really appeals because it ticks a huge amount of boxes . Not cheap considering but I genuinely believe it's a trip of a lifetime

Has anyone done such a thing??

Thoughts


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[walsha02]

Oh! This must be an amazing trip!

[1William]

That one would not be for me. I want nothing to do with second and third would countries. Just the picture of the bus and the surrounding area is enough to make me not want to go. Not to mention the countries involved might not be the safest or most hospitable.

[brandrea]

We aren’t into organized travel.

We prefer to get to where we are going, set up there for a chunk of time, and really explore the area. Explore the tourist traps … yes for sure sure, but then we like to sort of get off the beat and path so to speak. That’s how we really get to know a country.

I hear so many people, who have travelled to X,Y, Z country … but have they really seen it?

Of course everyone has their own preferences of how they like to travel and what they like to see, nothing wrong with cruising and organized travel, but it just isn’t for us.YMMV.

I hope you enjoy wherever your next journey takes you

[Maleg]

We did an overland in Africa. There were occasional exciting segments, but we were bored senseless for most of it. It's not like a cruise where there's stuff to do on the ship while at sea. You have to just sit and endure long stretches with nothing interesting to see or do.

We wouldn't do one again. We'd rather do a luxury train journey if we wanted to visit land locked locations.

[N0trub]

I want a shower, hvac, and a bed with a fluffy white comforter or its not a vacation. Loved following your cruise and will enjoy reading about your future travel . Thank you for sharing.


Personally i am pretty miserable after a couple of hours on a plane or in a car even luxury.

[Old Expat Beast]

I travelled many or most of the routes and countries on that map, and then some, back in the 1980s, when we little knew what to expect and were welcomed by most people. Today I'd stick to cruising, which I've also done a bit of.

[Easy E]

There is zero percent chance I would get on that bus, on that route today.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Maleg

We did an overland in Africa. There were occasional exciting segments, but we were bored senseless for most of it. It's not like a cruise where there's stuff to do on the ship while at sea. You have to just sit and endure long stretches with nothing interesting to see or do.

We wouldn't do one again. We'd rather do a luxury train journey if we wanted to visit land locked locations.

Agree with this. Especially opting for a train vs the bus. Significantly more comfortable

My experience has been some backpacking in Europe by train.

Cycling across Europe (Munich to barelona)

Motorcycle across much of North America from Alaska to quatemala

I especially value the ability to travel under my own transportation. Being able to have a dynamic itinerary, staying longer when warranted and moving on sooner when the location is a bust makes all the difference.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by subtona

Cycling across Europe (Munich to barelona)

Motorcycle across much of North America from Alaska to quatemala
.

There has to be more than one story there

[superdog]

I would love to hear about it. But I would never want any part of that. Not under any conditions.

But I fully admit that I do not love travel.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by brandrea

There has to be more than one story there

Always
Cycling was from Oktoberfest to a wedding. Bought the bike and the suit on location. :)

North America brought me through the Amazing north west territories.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by subtona

Always
Cycling was from Oktoberfest to a wedding. Bought the bike and the suit on location. :)

North America brought me through the Amazing north west territories.

Awesome Gus

Btw …. My new grand nephew is named August (Gus).

Sorry for the thread highjack folks




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[subtona]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Awesome Gus

Btw …. My new grand nephew is named August (Gus).

Sorry for the thread highjack folks


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Amazing! congrats


Back on track to thread, the more I look at the route and that bus, the more I get the feeling I would not love it.

[Tri-Tip]

No thank you, not for me. I love cruising, unpack once and the hotel takes me everywhere. True that you only see the port cities and only have time to hit the highlights.

I will definitely follow your posts day to day, I'm sure it will be an eventful trip.

Not to hijack the thread, but have you read any of the books by Neil Peart (drummer from Rush), he did bicycle and motorcycle trips and was a great writer. I would highly recomment all his books, especially The Masked Rider.

[BgJoe79]

Incredible shift from cruising to true overland adventure.

[Speedbird-1]

12 guests at a dinner party table.
Guess which ones have been, 'on safari'?


Don't worry, they'll tell you.

[RichardBartlett]

Originally Posted by BgJoe79

Incredible shift from cruising to true overland adventure.

Indeed, maybe too big..

[TheVTCGuy]

Richard, two things. #1 looks awesome!!! Have a fantastic time. I went on something similar years ago in Kenya, truly remarkable. #2. Next time: Take me with you.

[RichardBartlett]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Richard, two things. #1 looks awesome!!! Have a fantastic time. I went on something similar years ago in Kenya, truly remarkable. #2. Next time: Take me with you.

The mrs has said I have to sleep outside on the terrace on the floor for a week to prove I'm up for roughing it..

I'd be happy to read your thought on your journey though :-)

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by RichardBartlett

The mrs has said I have to sleep outside on the terrace on the floor for a week to prove I'm up for roughing it..

I'd be happy to read your thought on your journey though :-)

Honestly, it was a unique experience I’ll always treasure. You see animals on documentaries and are impressed/entertained, but BEING there, in THEIR “world” is something you just can not experience or understand until you’ve done it. Yes, you are going to miss the niceties of modern life for a bit, IMHO, totally worth it. I really can’t describe it in a way that makes sense, but I think you will get what I am talking about during your trip. Over all it was one of the most enjoyable journeys I have taken, and between the Navy and my civilian career I have been all over the world (literally). I am envious, enjoy and post pics!!!

[77T]

The differences in safety twixt cruising and back country adventure (both personal and medical) are very high.

On your WC's, every few days you could easily disembark and fly away if things were not going well.

Not the same for the adventuresome.


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[Moondoggy]

Mmmmmm, I admire your sense of adventure, can’t wait for the pics

[RichardBartlett]

Originally Posted by Moondoggy

Mmmmmm, I admire your sense of adventure, can’t wait for the pics

It's 2027 as we are still on the next WC on April 6th 2026 so miss the start date.

I'm at the stage of "oh lets just do it" She's at the stage of "yes sounds amazing and I want to go..... BUT"

so we have some way to go before pulling the trigger..

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by RichardBartlett

It's 2027 as we are still on the next WC on April 6th 2026 so miss the start date.

I'm at the stage of "oh lets just do it" She's at the stage of "yes sounds amazing and I want to go..... BUT"

so we have some way to go before pulling the trigger..

Have you considered a shorter journey to see if it's for you?

This outfit has a variety of trips you may enjoy: https://africanoverlandtours.com/tours/

[RichardBartlett]

Originally Posted by Maleg

Have you considered a shorter journey to see if it's for you?

This outfit has a variety of trips you may enjoy: https://africanoverlandtours.com/tours/

Ironically that 111 days WAS the shorter trip. The original ends in Singapore was 180 days! but we've done there so this suited us better

Long way to go before we decide but thanks I will check the above link too

[ERH]

Sent my wife to both bookends, Istanbul and Beijing, her idea of roughing it is the Hyatt, no room service. That said we spent three weeks in east Africa, pretty rugged.

All things given, a cross country like this would be very interesting, but I think I'd need some time at the wheel, to break the boredom of riding. There's a book out, or coming out, I believe from Rick Steves in his early back packing days, Turkey to Nepal.

Couldn't resist, a Sundowner in Botswana.

[RichardBartlett]

Originally Posted by ERH

Sent my wife to both bookends, Istanbul and Beijing, her idea of roughing it is the Hyatt, no room service. That said we spent three weeks in east Africa, pretty rugged.

All things given, a cross country like this would be very interesting, but I think I'd need some time at the wheel, to break the boredom of riding. There's a book out, or coming out, I believe from Rick Steves in his early back packing days, Turkey to Nepal.

Couldn't resist, a Sundowner in Botswana.

Reading the reviews there is talk of endless roads and boredom along with excitement etc but fantastic trip for you there