. . . LAND ROVER OVERLAND EXPEDITION

. . . AROUND THE WORLD 2001/02
     
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Africa 1999
Around-the-World 2001/02
 

The Team

Jeff Willner
1. Start: Recipe for Adventure
2. Zimbabwe: Hyperinflation
3. Namibia: Southern Circuit
4. South Africa: Circuit 2
5. Zambia/Malawi: Sketches
7. Kenya: Bandit Country
8. Ethiopia: Diary
9. Ethiopia: Border Run
10. Sudan: Across the Sahara
11. Egypt: Cape to Cairo
12. Jordan/Syria: Sept. 11th
13. Turkey: Hospitality
14. Bulgaria/Romania/ Hungary
15. Slovakia/Austria/Poland
16. The Baltics & Russia
17. Scandinavia
18. Western Europe
19. Brazil: Clearning Customs
20. Argentina: Revolution
21. Argentina: To Ushuaia
22. Patagonia Disaster
23. Buenos Aires Beautiful
24. Uruguay: Beaches
25. Chile: Expedition Life
26. Bolivia: Atacama
27. Peru: Transit
28. Galapagos: Gorgeous
29. Ecuador: Jungle Run
30. Knifepoint
31. Dubai: Lay over
32. Singapore/Malaysia
33. Thailand: Hospitality
34. Cambodia: Ankor Wat
35. Vietnam: Hanoi & Halong
36. Laos: Back to Basics
37. China: Beijing Tour
38. China: Shanxi
39. China: Western Province
40. China: Tibet
41: Nepal: Mountains
42. India: Driving Struggle
43. Pakistan: Dodging War
44. Iran: Overcharging
45. End: One Last Laugh

Sally DeFina
1. Cape Town: Robben Island
2. Zanzibar: Mike & I
3. Kenya: African Driving School
4. Sudan: Mud Crossing
5. Patagonia: Goodbye Max
6. Malaysia: Mike Update
7. Thailand: Ko Phangan
8. Cambodia: Phnom Penh
9. Vietnam: By Train
10. Laos: Vang Vieng
11. China: Meet Mr. Chen

Jody Finver
1. Start: Surreal Solipse
2. Great Zimbabwe
3. Brokedown in Kenyan Desert
4. Egypt: So Should I Hyphenate
5. Poland: Home is Where the Truck Is

Gulin Akoz
1. Start: Bits and Pieces
2. Zambia: Diaries
3. Egypt: Africa Memories
4. Turkey: For Your Information
5. The Team and The Bean
6. Somebody Else's Child
7. On My Own
8. Long Lost Memories of Childhood
9. The Tree and the Boy
10. Jealous
11. The Aftermath

 

Panamerican 2003
Various Trips
Planning an Expedition

 

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#2 - Diaries
Gulin Akoz, 11 July '01

This trip has made some radical changes in my life. And I bet there are greater changes to come yet.

My mother was not happy at all when I quit my job at the university. I told her "When you're sitting in a cafe, you'll see people reading about me or discussing what I did and you'll say "That's my daughter" My mother said "I don't want that. I just want you to be near."

It happened sooner than I expected. I was on the front page of one of the biggest newspapers in Turkey. My mother was out shopping. "I couldn't help it," she said recounting what had happened that day, "The newspaper was lying there in front of me with your picture." She had said "That girl is my naughty daughter" to all three shopowners.

Well, she wanted me to be safe and secure. That's all. But I wanted something more. I don't know what I'm searching.... I just think that life should not be bounded by 15 square kilometers.

And safety?... Is there anything like safety in reality? No! Or do I think that way just because I believe in fate? I am a fate person and I tend to believe that something we think is bad, might in fact be good for us or vice versa. I have experienced this several times in my life so I don't force things much. Take it as it comes... go along with the wind... you can take over and change the direction of the sails if you realize it's taking you to a place you don't want to be or you don't like the scenery anymore. That’s what I prefer to do.

I worry about the future just like everybody. But I guess the last sentence of "Gone with the Wind" has made a considerable impact on my life. I remember Scarlet's words vividly: "I'll think about it tomorrow."

Time passes from that which is no longer (the past), by way of that which is impossible to extend (the present), into that which does not yet exist (the future). So if you are going to regret something one day, let it be something you have done, not something you haven't.


15.8.2001

I really believe that this round-the-world tour is the wisest decision I've taken, the wisest thing I'm doing. I cannot remember how many times I have thought to myself "Life is good" on this trip. Okay, at the beginning I was ready to spend money but I was reluctant to spend all the money I saved for 10 years. Not anymore... can't think of anything better to spend my money on. As Jeff said "When you're in your 20s and start earning some money, you think 'Wow, 1,000 $ is a lot of money to spend on travel. Then you realize... well, 1,000 $ is a lot of money to spend BUT on travel."

It's also probably the first and only thing I did just for myself. Jeff had said "You can't spend your life feeling responsible for other people." Well, yes that's true.
But no, it's not. I think you're responsible to people who love you that much and truely.

Still, one has to be loyal to himself and do something just for himself. I mean, once in a while at least :)

Sometimes I get the feeling that I've lived enough. But as long as there are places to see, people to meet, books to read, things to write... you got a reason to live and you will never run out of them.

Still not satisfied. That's good. Because when you're no longer curious, when the search ends, life ends.


question?

There are classical questions that you ask people you meet on the road. The first is "Where are you from?" Well, mostly I get the answer UK. Do British people travel most or is it just a coincidence? Colonies maybe?.. Well, I'd like to hear someone say "I'm Turkish!" That would be a change.

The second question might be "What's your name?" or "How long have you been travelling?" "Where have you been to?" "Where are you going now?"

What about finding something interesting, something creative? I thought of some but still could use some help. Any suggestions from anybody?

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