Joanne drops me at the airport and I leave the States for South Korea.

Uneventful flight, arrive at Incheon (Seoul Airport) with little idea of how to even find the bike, clear customs and transport it to Sokcho...300 miles away where the Dong Chun Ferry provides service to Zarubina, Russia.

Everything was clean, modern and full of technology. Remote controls for everything. But not bad value at $90.00 usd per night.
Just call and they will pick you up and drop you off anywhere in the airport.

Had to find my bike and had a Schenker of Korea helping me. Jinwook Lim was especially helpful as he spoke excellent English and orchestrated the extrication of my bike through the customs and onto the bonded freight.

Running after Mr Nam of Schenker trying to get the bill of laden...need this document to clear customs

Found the bike and got the bill of laden from Cathay Pacific Cargo division

The next few hours Schenker of Korea through Jimwook Lim arranged for bonded freight passage of my bike from Seoul to Sokcho and the ferry to Russia.

The Koreans do not allow motorcycles on their expressways, and as the only road out of the airport is one of these forbidden roads (the toll booth people will stop bikes) the only choice I had was for bonded freight. That also served to bypass any temporary import duty the Koreans wanted to charge.

Anyway, for about $250.00 usd plus various airport charges and sundry expenses which all came to a grand total of about $400.00 I secured passage for the bike to Sokcho.

I took a bus for about $20.00 and arrived late in Sokcho to find a cheap $30.00 hotel room and sleep.

Sokcho customs office first thing. Although no-one spoke English, they were all very friendly and helpful

Breakfast Korean style....didn't know what most of it was, but for $5.00 I wasn't complaining

Shoes off no matter what in Korea

sitting on the floor for brekky

Never figured out what came out of the pipes

Hoorah....first sighting of the bike

The bonded freight yard has direct loading to the ferry. I decided to let them take it on crated and I would re-assemble during the 17 hour passage to Russia.

and there she goes, never once having felt Korea asphalt.

This lady was giving out free ice coffee for Christ.When in Rome....

Finally on my way to Russia, One way cost me about $170.00 for economy class. The bike they charged $200.00. Bit steep I thought.

Ferry runs three times a week in the Summer. This one left at 3.00 p.m. on Thurs.

found the bike in the bowels of the ship. Hot as hell and noisy like a jackhammer.

Stripped down to shorts and t-shirt. Earplugs in and start work.

Curious crew members checking out the bike

All dressed up for her date with Russia.
Took me about 9 hours to get her ready.

Economy class gets you a bunk in a shared dorm.

My bunk - #612

Ready for Russia?
The door is opening onto my first glimpse of the great country.