The Inward Journey

12 November 2021 - The actual trip has not yet started but the journey has. In fact, the journey had begun a long time ago. I have never been one who could sit still in one place for any length of time. I have always been happiest when I have an aeroplane ticket booked or some form of travel arrangement made, and know, that there was some form of trip happening around the corner. I have travelled rather extensively in my 59 years but quite recently decided that I really need to go out there and explore different places, find the stories, the cultures, the people and the food. I have given up or sold all of my possessions and home and have purchased an offroad motorcycle (Honda CRF 250L) and will be setting out to explore Southern Africa (to start with) at the beginning of the new year, (Covid regulations permitting). As soon as my divorce is through, I will officially be homeless, single, a vagrant, an adventurer and quite honestly, cannot wait. My plan is that once Southern Africa is done and dusted, I want to venture further afield with no real plan in mind and just see where the front wheel of the motorcycle is pointing, and head in that direction. Many people say that you should have some form of plan in mind but I really don't want that. I do not at any stage want to feel that I have to be anywhere specific at any given time. For now though, the researching, reading and information gathering continues as I get myself ready to set out. So far, I have purchased the bike but not yet got possession of it and am in the process of acquiring all the gear. Adventure and the open road is calling.....

25 November 2021 - I have taken possession of the bike and I have already fallen in love with the little 250. Even though I have been riding motorcycles all my life, I have never had license but in order to fulfil this dream, I have to get the license, so, I have completed the learner's license test and I will do the driver's license test on the 9th of December. It is very difficult trying to get a booking at any of the testing stations around Johannesburg as it is only done online and there are never any slots available. However, if you pay 'someone' in the know some money, they easily sort you out with a booking. By the looks of it and after practicing the course and test, I am confident that I will pass first time around. I am sure that, for now, the 250 is all that I will need to start my adventure. The planning continues and I am waiting for tomorrow (Black Friday) to see if I can get some good specials on a GPS and a Gopro camera. I am having fun and learning a lot putting the website and the social media pages and channels together.