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-   -   Oasis overland journey (https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=985134)

RichardBartlett 3 June 2025 06:22 PM

Oasis overland journey
 
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 3 June 2025 07:00 PM

Oh! This must be an amazing trip!

1William 3 June 2025 10:13 PM

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 3 June 2025 10:25 PM

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.:2:

I hope you enjoy wherever your next journey takes you:cheers:

Maleg 3 June 2025 10:29 PM

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 3 June 2025 10:35 PM

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 3 June 2025 11:51 PM

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 4 June 2025 12:27 AM

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

subtona 4 June 2025 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maleg (Post 13645930)
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 :cheers:

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 4 June 2025 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subtona (Post 13646072)
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 :chuckle::chuckle:

superdog 4 June 2025 01:38 AM

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 4 June 2025 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandrea (Post 13646086)
There has to be more than one story there :chuckle::chuckle:

Always :rofl:
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 4 June 2025 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subtona (Post 13646116)
Always :rofl:
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 :clap::clap:

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

Sorry for the thread highjack folks :cheers:

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subtona 4 June 2025 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandrea (Post 13646125)
Awesome Gus :clap::clap:

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

Sorry for the thread highjack folks :cheers:


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Amazing! congrats:cheers:


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 4 June 2025 05:04 AM

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 4 June 2025 07:25 AM

Incredible shift from cruising to true overland adventure.

Speedbird-1 4 June 2025 03:57 PM

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


Don't worry, they'll tell you.

:justkiddi

RichardBartlett 4 June 2025 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BgJoe79 (Post 13646407)
Incredible shift from cruising to true overland adventure.

Indeed, maybe too big.. :dummy:

TheVTCGuy 4 June 2025 05:25 PM

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

RichardBartlett 4 June 2025 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy (Post 13646626)
Richard, two things. #1 looks awesome!!! Have a fantastic time. I went on something similar years ago in Kenya, truly remarkable. :thumbsup: #2. Next time: Take me with you. :agree:

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.. :joy:

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

TheVTCGuy 4 June 2025 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardBartlett (Post 13646634)
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.. :joy:

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!!! :cheers:

77T 4 June 2025 07:39 PM

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 4 June 2025 08:05 PM

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

RichardBartlett 4 June 2025 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moondoggy (Post 13646693)
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..:dummy:

Maleg 5 June 2025 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardBartlett (Post 13646809)
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..:dummy:

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 5 June 2025 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maleg (Post 13647653)
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 :clap:

ERH 6 June 2025 12:50 AM

1 Attachment(s)
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 6 June 2025 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERH (Post 13647758)
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 :dude:


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