Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

I get a lot of email. A lot! But I’ve already written reams of advice on this site. So this page was set up to answer the most common questions and direct you to some further reading:

1. Can you help me with questions about my planned trip?

Check out the advice section where it’s likely I’ve already written an article that will help you. If your question still isn’t answered, get in touch. I prefer coffee to email.

2. I want to pay you little or nothing to publish my commercial spam articles/adverts

Sorry — the blog’s sovereignty is worth more than 50 Euros per your spam article.

3. Can you basically plan my entire trip for me?

Sure. Sell everything. Quit your job. Get a bike. Ride it. The rest of it will work itself out.

Don’t believe me? These two managed it in under 24 hours. (The people, not the pigs.) The lady on the left spontaneously rode from Budapest to Asia. Who needs posh equipment anyway?

4. I can get your site on the first page of Google if you pay me oodles

My site is already on the first page of Google.

5. Can I interview you/use your pictures for my website?

You can interview me, with pleasure. Again, coffee trumps email if possible!

If you want to use my pictures, it’s probably OK — just contact me first.

6. Can you help me get sponsorship/money?

Work hard, save up, sell everything on eBay/car-boot-sale/Craigslist/Freecycle, and leave. And when you leave, don’t spend anything.

For a bit more detail, read these two articles:

7. Will you write/shoot/film something for me for free?

Maybe — I’m happy to spread a bit of knowledge and an interesting story or two. But is the information already out there? How much can I afford to work for free when I have to make a living too?

8. Can you help me get a visa for Nowhere-istan?

If you want to travel to Russia, Central Asia or Iran, I recommend Stantours (crap site, great company). David, the German ex-pat in Kazakhstan who runs it, arranged all of my visas for this region. For Western passport holders travelling to most other places in the world, simply turn up at the Embassy in the previous country, hand over a large wad of cash, and come back the next day for your visa.

If you’re still unsure, the people over at the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree forum will have a more up-to-date answer than me.

9. I want to hire you; can I?

I’m always on the look out for way to combine doing what I love with keeping a roof over my head — a tough combination! If you have an expedition or project that you think I’d be interested in, please get in touch. I do writing, video and photography; I manage web communications projects; and I’m happy to… nay, I love to work in all manner of conditions!