Shipping to New Zealand - is it even possible?

[Badger110]

I’d take 3 years at least, far too much to miss on the way! 

[Bowie69]

You're probably right! 

[Anderzander]

4 hours ago, Bowie69 said:

Given the choice, that would be my choice too! 

To be honest, who wouldn't want to spend 12 months driving to Aus? 

That’s a retirement dream ! 

[Nonimouse]

16 hours ago, Bowie69 said:

Given the choice, that would be my choice too! 

To be honest, who wouldn't want to spend 12 months driving to Aus? 

My mate Gareth drove to Aus, through Russia, to Vladivostok; as part of his emigration. 

I rather fancy driving to Vladivostok, then back to Mongolia and down into China, Japan, Indonesia, Australia and back. 

[Bowie69]

Sounds perfect. Must admit, seeing Long Way Round and the Grand Tour special from Mongolia, it looks like the most wonderful, tranquil place to visit.

[miketomcat]

Any/all of the above trips float my boat. I hope that someday I able to do some of them preferably with friends but happy to be just me, the wife and or kids.

Mike

[FridgeFreezer]

On 3/23/2021 at 5:29 PM, miketomcat said:

When do we go.  

I told a friend I'd happily drive to aus just to turn around and drive back rather than go to Disneyland. He thought I was nuts (he may have a point). 

Mike

You don't want to go to Disneyland, there's a f***ing huge rat lives there

[roamingyak]

21 hours ago, Bowie69 said:

Sounds perfect. Must admit, seeing Long Way Round and the Grand Tour special from Mongolia, it looks like the most wonderful, tranquil place to visit.

I spent 3 months there when I was younger. It was the first year that they allowed independent travel, 1998.
Bought 3 horses and a cheap tent with a Taiwanese woman I met (brave soul, never left Taiwan before!) and travelled around the entire west of the country.

It's a brutally hard place, average elevation is about 1800 metres, vast vast emptiness, we had deep snow in July one night.
No fruit, no vegetables, people live off their animals. I was very run down when I left.
Huge alcohol problem, I was beaten up badly by a drunk.

With a sound vehicle it would be interesting, you can shield yourself from these things, it is very majestic and interesting, but in a very short window each year, 2.5 months maybe. Winter is down to past -40 in places, -20 almost everywhere is not uncommon.

I'll go back there one day in my Landy hopefully, horses were fun but also very hard work.

[Bowie69]

Thanks @roamingyak for the first hand feedback, hadn't imagined many on here had been that far east. 

Even more intriguing, but does sound like you would have to be quite careful on your way through!

[roamingyak]

3 minutes ago, Bowie69 said:

Thanks @roamingyak for the first hand feedback, hadn't imagined many on here had been that far east. 

Even more intriguing, but does sound like you would have to be quite careful on your way through!

I believe there are issues in Mongolia with illegal miners if you stray into their area etc, but generally people are Buddhist/Socialist and very gentle and extremely hospitable. You can't survive there without helping others and relying on their help sometimes too. I have many lovely memories of staying with families in the middle of nowhere after just riding up on the horses. I may have played New Zealand's first football game against Mongolia in one tiny village. We got thrashed as it was 8 kids against me

Russia is ok I think, keep your wits about you as ever. People with power and alcohol as ever are the ones to keep away from.