tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307533702011-12-12T14:20:38.040+01:00"It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves" - Edmund HillaryBen Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.comBlogger451100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-34269077636793031872009-04-22T22:58:00.001+02:002009-05-16T08:21:48.827+02:00

The time has come for new adventures! Please check out my new website: www.bikeben.com. Subscriptions to this blog will not apply to the new website, please subscribe again.

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com65tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-17368415065822102212009-02-12T20:37:00.005+01:002009-02-12T20:46:46.786+01:00

Ocean Beach, WhanagreiHokianaga HarbourPort Underwood, Marlborough SoundsTane Mahuta, King of the forrestThe four sistersWharariki Beach, Golden BayCape FarewellCape Farewell and Farewell SpitGolden BayPupu SpringsIt's not possible to go to NZ without getting caught up in the beauty of it all, just a few photos from my most recent trip there. Enjoy!

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-79302856499118370052009-01-30T11:24:00.018+01:002009-02-07T08:51:32.884+01:00

Me on Mt Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Photo by Ted.Water village, Bandar Sari Bagawan, BruneiKinabatagan River, Sabah, MalaysiaFemale proboscus monkeyMale (need I say it?) proboscus monkeyHungry leechesSleeping birdsWorlds smallest frogHornbillLong tailed macaqueHornbillKingfisherFish trapOrangutan at rehabilitation centreMt Kinabalu, 4095 mKota Kinabalu, MalaysiaYellow watermellons80 kg yellow fin

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-31541525112720043262008-09-15T19:27:00.000+02:002008-09-15T20:29:20.971+02:00

Hungarian Nation Day, 20 AugRed Bull Air RaceSziget FestivalR.E.MParty TentSushi at our place.The Chain BridgeNational horse riding competition at Hero's SquareHome, and all too common!A common ailment, alcoholismThe SynagogueThe Trabant, anything but quality.The statue of libertyHungarian dancingSt. Istvan's Basilica Central MarketSzimpla, under constructionHero's SquareTokaj wineAfter an

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-11069785499301616422008-08-08T10:26:00.000+02:002008-08-08T16:07:22.013+02:00

Underground city near Kapadokia.Rooms extend to 8 stories undergroundTurkish insectA tasty snackBjörk conecrt in IstanbulShisha boy in IstanbulShisha and backgammonMosque in IstanbulFishing in the Golden Horn, IstanbulThe New Mosque, IstanbulOne of Turkey's million stray catsThe New Mosque, IstanbulThe Golden Horn with the Taksim district behindOutdoor diningThe Bosphorus, IstanbulAya Sophia

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-24947910262692152632008-07-21T11:09:00.001+02:002008-07-21T11:50:57.388+02:00

Synagogue in BrasovBrasovThe Carpathian MountainsNearing the top after a very steep walk from the valley floor.A precarious Romanian mountain goatBrasovBrasovI guess it's obvious where this is...BrasovSearching for wild bears in the forrest, ranger came laterand told us he had seen them here the day before.Munching the last morsel of bread and feeling rather faint after 12 hours on the train

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-32103837138415314282008-07-08T07:19:00.001+02:002008-07-08T10:23:13.213+02:00

Fly fishing in GalwayHorses on the BurrenThe Irish armchairThe Blasket IslandsThe remains of the village abandoned in 1954Boat to the BlasketsDrive carefullyChildren swimming with the dolphinIrelands best surf beachThe Cliffs of Moher250m downHurling match in InaghSomething brushes past my leg as a large dorsal fin rises out of the water. My brain instinctively associates this with danger but I

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-56491215523831535702008-06-17T13:22:00.000+02:002008-06-18T16:21:32.987+02:00

Central BelgradeCentral BelgradeModern weaponsBelgrade Citadel Leftovers from the '99 NATO bombingBelgrade book shopTour de Serbia prizegivingDancing in the parkSunsetThe music reaches our ears as we make a dash for the far side of the busy road. Toes are tapping, hands are clapping, people are spinning and musicians are playing. The shadows stretch in unison with the ever changing light. The

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-55588900448225549932008-05-30T12:31:00.001+02:002008-05-30T13:17:35.687+02:00

The TeamSelf portraitA dog's lifeA loud explosion signals the start. There is jostle of bodies and those that arrived late sidle towards the fences and climb into position. The mass of people begin to move towards the large arch ahead. Like grains of sand flowing through an hour glass, the mass spreads as they pass the starting line and the little tag on my shoe tells a computer to start the

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-48603224237619582232008-05-20T10:13:00.001+02:002008-05-20T12:06:39.772+02:00

Graffiti in Sarajevo (BiH is Bosnia and Herzegovina)Rather artistic but deadly rocket splatterHeavily damaged but inhabited buildingsThe modern face of SarajevoThe Holiday Inn where foreign journalistswhere housed during the war.This tunnel under the airport was used to carry everything into and out of Sarajevo 92 - 95 including power, gas and all supplies as well as evacuating the wounded. More

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-44437986463552268492008-05-19T12:10:00.000+02:002008-05-19T12:52:20.074+02:00

Soon to be neighbors and friends.SonHabitat for Humanity houses in Csurgó, Hungary.The FamilyWorking hard...DadAdding the final touches to the floor.Not a bad job for amateursThe teamThere is a humbled silence as a tear wells up and rolls down her face. The gratitude she fells can be felt even though her words are foreign. Soon after a quick translation reveals the depth of her words. It is hard

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-41693012712850661802008-05-05T11:56:00.000+02:002008-05-05T15:51:26.658+02:00

EgerEgerIt is as exciting as it looks.Delving into the depths of our rather scant Hungarian knowledge we find the vocabulary required to obtain tickets for use and bikes from the rather overweight and entirely uninterested women sitting on the other side of the inch thick glass panel at the station. This is the start to any good Hungarian adventure.The train pulls into the station and we promptly

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-47512289605103923242008-04-24T18:07:00.001+02:002008-04-28T18:06:03.653+02:00

Dust storm as I headed back to the capitalCycling on a walking track was not such a good ideaIt was best to wait for a lift over this oneOne of the few bridged riversLava flow from a recent eruptionBlissIs it a road, or is it a river?Quality Icelandic roads, 23 river crossings in 20 km.This is a natural feature known as "the church floor"70 km in a straight line...The results of a subglacial

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-44661263943071944602008-04-23T16:20:00.000+02:002008-04-23T16:35:27.908+02:00

80,000 cyclists in Deák Ferenc Tér.Critical MassThe future?The youngest person in the rallyParliamentThe night skylineSpring has sprungAn alternative view of the castleThe only royalty left in BudapestWho's across the street?A memorial to a life that should have beenHungarian National Opera HouseDeák Ferenc TérWWII items, probably stolenFlea marketAn evening thunderstorm seen from our balconyOne

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-29349148895861346922008-04-18T18:33:00.000+02:002008-04-18T19:06:06.983+02:00

It is easy to forget about the impact the second world war had on Hungary. During those atrocious years more than half a million Jews were deported. This is hard to believe wandering the streets on an ordinary day. However, today is not an ordinary day, turning the corner the huge synagogue appears before us, an ornate symbol to a people who were systematically removed from this society, all but

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-55005715179110830462008-03-19T14:26:00.000+01:002008-03-19T15:25:11.942+01:00

MuseumCentral PestHero's SquarePalaceMuseum of Applied ArtsThe DanubeBabs on bikeSzechenyi BathsSzechenyi BathsStand-up comedyOur StreetCastle hill Pest from Castle HillSt. Istvans cathedralKnown to be one of the world's most difficult languages, it is not surprising that this language's challenges make for an interesting start to 6 months living everything this beautiful city has to offer. The

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-4233888051041553952008-03-19T10:35:00.000+01:002008-03-19T14:26:50.936+01:00

NYCThe human cost of the Iraq warNew York City skylineMontreal, CanadaCopper Mountain, ColoradoBeaver Creek back country, ColoradoTignesTignesTignes, FranceLondon skylineThe London EyeNew years eve, Rotterdam, The NetherlandsHyde Park, LondonU.A.ESharjah, U.A.EThe Marina, Dubai, U.A.EHot water beach, New ZealandDevenport, AucklandSantiago de ChileMendosa, ArgentinaSaltaSalta, ArgentinaSo, it's

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-35607519968714530942007-09-19T22:56:00.000+02:002007-09-20T00:00:27.050+02:00

Lake Titicaca from Isla del Sol The high ranges from Isla del Sol Young girl with donkey in Isla del Sol Lake Titicaca Isla del Sol Buses crossing the channel on barges on Isla del Sol The highlands outside La Paz at 4000 m Storm One of the more than 500 peaks over 5000 m in these ranges. La Paz, Bolivia Street markets Central La Paz A train grave outside Uyuni, Bolivia Salt directly from the

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-76415661616965225902007-09-19T22:18:00.000+02:002007-10-10T00:36:15.587+02:00

Machu Picchu The terraces perched hundreds of meteres above the valley floor. The Happy Mountain that we also climbed The impressive morterless brick work. An alter in the main temple area The track to the happy mountain.Machu Picchu from the Happy Mountain. Hot springs in St. Teresa River crossing by cable car Lunch being prepared in the Peruvian kitchen

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-90496311656117254562007-09-03T22:11:00.000+02:002007-09-04T01:28:10.854+02:00

Giant sea turtleWhite tip sharkSharks anyone?Nice place for a snoozeThe great flamingoIguana crossing...Big bugLand iguanaTurtle eggGiant turtle baby300 kg turtlesHungry pelicans waiting for fish guts.It´s a hard life for the sea lions.A booby chick.Male frigate bird trying to attract a mate.Sunrise on Symor Norte Island.The blue footed booby.PelicanSantiago IslandLava from an eruption 120 years

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-66146123247186218992007-08-25T15:45:00.000+02:002007-08-28T04:36:39.887+02:00

Guess who at the top...last photo taken with my trusty camera...The summit of Rucu PichinchaThe track to Rucu PichinchaBreathing heavily I clamber over the last rocks to reach the summit of Rucu Pichincha at 4707 m. I give the other two a paton the back and yell down to the fourth guy struggling with the altitude 100 m below. In the cold we take a few photos of Quito and head back down. The first

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-76162199297330691582007-08-20T03:33:00.000+02:002007-08-20T04:15:21.876+02:00

The stamps required to enter the prison.Arriving by taxi at the maximum security jail in Quito, we are given the pat down several time before leaving our passports and getting three stamps on our arms in order to enter the jail. Not quite sure what to expect we are led through 4 locked doors before entering the prison block. There is a bustle of activity with food stalls, small kiosks and many

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-35736508453358541302007-08-20T02:13:00.002+02:002007-08-20T04:39:56.892+02:00

The only bridge over the Morona River and the bus stop. Peruvian army base. The results of a night without a mosquito net. The storm The calm before the storm. Our camping spot for the night. Grant doing what he does best...scrubbing. A friendly tucan. One of the 5 motor changes along the way. Another perfect camping spot by the Morona River. The local bus. Grant juggling coconuts.

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-26274290993319273822007-08-01T00:05:00.000+02:002007-08-01T00:43:10.421+02:00

The Peruvian AndesFreshly caught Barracuda for dinner in Los RoquesA hard place to spend the day...One of the island in the Los Roques archipelagoThe slums of Caracas by nightMangrove swamp on Margarita IslandA scramble for water following a 5 hour delay for our ferry departure.Waking at 3 am from an uncomfortable sleep with my legs wrapped around my bag on the floor of the airport in Caracas, I

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-31700402054935274852007-07-23T22:27:00.000+02:002007-07-23T23:22:16.993+02:00

Canaima aiport checkinAngel falls from where we slept in hammocksThe boats we took 50 km up river to Angel Falls One of the many strange bugs to be found in the rain forrestA walkway behind the waterfall A good spot for a swim... Waterfall in Canaima Canaima Angel Falls from the air, 979 m Crossing the plainsPropaganda "Uh ah, Chavez is not going..." More Propaganda, Chavez stuff in Caracas

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-37488996771981471312007-07-04T23:04:00.000+02:002007-07-04T23:38:29.063+02:00

The view from where I am staying in Caracas for a couple of days.Arriving at the airport in plenty of time for my 19.10 flight from New York to Los Angeles, I proceed to the check-in where I am promptly informed that I will not be able to board the aircraft because Qantas is not licenced to carry domestic passengers, great!!! I'll be having a word with my travel agent. As the sweat starts to

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-68459020343604555482007-05-03T10:53:00.000+02:002007-05-06T21:48:43.472+02:00

It is easy to spend a long time on the road without realising what you have at home! After being in New Zealand now for almost 5 months, it is again time for me to put my pack on a head out again. I have put some photos in that sum up my few months in this amazing country!THe next month will be spent in Sweden followed by two weeks in the US before 3.5 months in South America, I will be updating

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-1165838035991958762006-12-11T11:57:00.001+01:002008-05-28T23:33:05.960+02:00

Locals, Jodhpurfrom the fort walls The blue city, Jodhpur The market and fort of Jodhpur The Golden City of Jaisalmer Walking to somewhere... Village woman collecting water Camel back view The great Thar Desert Camels resting Giving our behinds a rest in the desert The fort in Jaisalmer The start of the dishwashing chain Early morning worshippers at the Golden Temple Feeding of 500 people in

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-1164472707701082332006-11-25T17:26:00.000+01:002006-11-26T06:39:36.666+01:00

Boatman, Pokhara Morning frost Returning for breakfast after watching the sunrise Annapurna 1, 8093 m (I think) Annapurna 1 "The Fishtail" A cold dip in the river after the hot pool The hot pool at Tatopani Fertilising the fields Chicken transport Water transport... ;) Donkey transport Nepali tractor Crossing the river plains out of the high mountains Thorung La pass in the middle The holy city

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-1162463088417214862006-11-02T10:42:00.000+01:002006-11-02T11:59:02.143+01:00

Langtang to the left, 7200 mThe village people with the children showing off their new outfitsMother and daughter in her new outfitVillage boy with his new ballKaynjen Gompa from 4330 mPrayer flags with 7000 m peaks in the backgroundOur 24 year old host and her two beautiful childrenFuel must be carried from lower down in the valleyA typical kitchen in the areaMy new found friendCrossing a swing

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-1161511537000682242006-10-22T11:35:00.000+02:002006-10-22T12:05:37.123+02:00

Dish washing with the cow. Market place along the roadside Real work men on their way to clear yet another slip One of many faces from the bus window Rice patties A first glimpse of life in Nepal The Friendship Bridge which divides Tibet from Nepal,we crossed on foot as the bus was stuck in traffic. Nepali trucks lined up in the 8 kms of no-mans landon the Tibetan side of the border. A look out

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-1161509626945804012006-10-22T10:54:00.000+02:002006-10-22T11:33:47.090+02:00

Sunrise, relief from the -15 degree night.Mt. Everest, 8848 m Everest ahead, Cho Oyu to the right, what more do you need? Crossing the ridge for the first real view of the hill. River crossing, very icy on our return as a storm moved in.Mt. Cho Yyo at the head of the valley, 8156 m Another chilly start to the day! Nomads moving through the highlandsin preparation for the winter. Three Yak

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-1161502748046236542006-10-22T09:23:00.000+02:002006-10-22T10:53:03.390+02:00

Life on the street in Tingri The first view of Everest! Just 73 km away. View along the Friendship Highway Attempting to avoid roadworks hold ups.Theywere still there when we finally got through. Monks boots, Tashilhunpo Monastery Young monks, Tashilhunpo Monastery Two old monks encircling the Tashilhunpo Monastery Crossing the river from the Samye MonasteryMaking cotton candle wicks, mine were

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-1160370730838182452006-10-09T06:31:00.000+02:002006-10-09T07:53:10.076+02:00

A lama enjoying my lonely planetA room with a view...A nuns home, 9 sq. m. at 4650 m above sea levelOne of the houses on the hill at 4500 m Young nuns praying Another Tibeten road, the nuns place is near the top of the montain in the centre.Entrance to Samye Monastery Samye Monastery by night The view to the east from the hill by SamyeWaking in the dark, I pull on my cloths and grab my bag.

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-1159630713879833582006-09-30T17:27:00.000+02:002006-10-01T16:08:16.390+02:00

Market, LhasaPrayer wheels, Lhasa Monastery, LhasaPotula Monastery, Lhasa, Tibet"Mr. Wong's (King's in Chinese) Little Book", Cheng Du The Peoples' Park, Cheng Du The Peoples' Park, Cheng Du, China Bangkok Bangkok, ThailandAfter two days being chased by monsoon rains in Bangkok I boarded a morning flight for Cheng Du (Cheng what? I hear you say...). A town by Chinese standards with just 10

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-1155328566293153382006-08-11T22:05:00.000+02:002006-08-11T22:36:36.990+02:00

Reality...Here is a brief run down of the trip:Number of days cycling: 21Total distance cycled: 2120 kmDays of rain: 5 (the last five)Flat tyres: 1 (Cres, Croatia)Crashes: 1 (Hungary, only minor damage)Countries visited: 9 (If 5 km in Italy counts...)Border crossings on bike: 11Free meals from generous people: More than 25Most water in one day: 9 litres (Over 40 degrees in Croatia)Number of times

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-1155314026805197762006-08-11T18:19:00.000+02:002006-08-11T22:05:32.493+02:00

It's not kayaking if you don't get wet, is it? Me getting an upper body workout for once...That's not a bike! The chandelier The remains of 40,000 humans decorate the inside...Looks like a normal church from the outside... Church in Olomouc Some say that rain is just liquid sunshine...After seeing the town of Olomouc under heavy cloud, I again caught a train in hope of finding some sunshine. In

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-1154729475731168512006-08-04T22:59:00.000+02:002006-08-05T00:15:59.780+02:00

Czech countryside A Polish ValleyThe High Tatras shrouded in cloud Marco and Paul The building style of the 60s in Bratislava Relaxing on the "beach" in Vienna Three days in Vienna was about right to do what needed to be done...relax and do something other than cycling. Spending time with friends is the perfect way to prepare for the road again...Sebastian escorted me out of Vienna, following

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-1153998084303834622006-07-27T12:40:00.000+02:002006-07-28T17:09:02.116+02:00

Leaving Bovec (pronounced Bovets) at a height of 480 m I climbed slowly to an altitude of 650 m, this is where the fun began! 8 km, 2.5 hours, two tins of Slovenien bean and sasuage soup, half a kilogram of biscuits and 3 liters of water later (not to speak of at least 25 breaks), I arrived at the pass at an altitude of 1611 m...I happily rolled down the other side stopping only to take in the

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-1153673212939822722006-07-23T18:31:00.000+02:002006-07-27T12:40:13.390+02:00

Crossing the three main northern islands of Croatia I arrived in Istria, the paninsula stretching down from Italy. The temperature was not decreasing, climbing above 40 in the shade. Stopping for lunch I was forced to pack up and get out of there as a forrest fire neared. The hills stretching down the centre of Istria where too much for me in this weather, I was forced to walk up the hills for

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-1153393083296089522006-07-20T12:40:00.000+02:002006-07-20T12:58:03.493+02:00

Arriving at Plitviče I camped with some kiwis at the overpriced campground.Heading to the national park I was amazed by the clarity of the water filled with friendly fish and bursting with waterfalls (and unfortunately, tourists also...). The picture gives some idea...traveling south on the old main road, still scared front tank tracks, I again joined the main road and headed west towards the

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-1153392029386144202006-07-20T12:36:00.000+02:002006-07-20T13:01:14.720+02:00

Leaving Korivnica, I headed south, feeling the effects of the graduation party. 120 kms later, the light was fading, nowhere suitable for camping anywhere...I summoned the courage and asked two men standing by the road if I could camp on their lawn. This being done in sign language and a little bit of very broken German, no problem! One shot of home made spirits later his two sons arrived and

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-1153040890177087352006-07-16T10:47:00.000+02:002006-07-16T11:08:10.336+02:00

It is strange feeling so at home in a very foreign country.Leaving Budapest I negotiated the maze of streets to a point where the well established cycle roads disappeared and English became as useful as Swedish. My 1:550 000 map was as good as a compass at the south pole and I had no idea where I was going...Many wrong turns later I was barreling down a main road with loads of traffic,

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-1152662759527129842006-07-12T01:46:00.000+02:002006-07-12T02:13:05.896+02:00

I am often told that luck is on my side, this is a notion I often question. Am I really luckier than the next guy? I wonder....When it comes to traveling, call it what you will, at the end of the day, luck or no luck, it all works out.During a frantic morning packing session, less than 12 hours prior to departure I discover that the back wheel bearing on my bike is about as functional as a square

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30753370.post-1152275397228608742006-07-07T14:25:00.000+02:002006-07-07T14:29:57.393+02:00

Hello there...after the trip to portugal fell through, I decided to try something a bit more out of the way. I have attached a map of my approximate intended route. I expect to cycle about 2500 km in 5 weeks, though I'm not sure how it is going to be with 30+ degrees everyday! Could be a challange...

Ben Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649863002889902433noreply@blogger.com1