Passport renewal smooth and timely, ready next week. First two country visas ok, but some news from unofficial sources that the next one won't allow individuals to cross the northern border (not mentioning it outright, see a map). I've heard from a travel agent and a friend's friend who works in a hotel, so it's not solid info. I'll go speak to the embassy people next week, and hopefully get clarity. Apparently I can enter, with transit visa, but not exit at the northern end. And that helps me none, as I need to transit through, not turn around and come back.
I mean, that's not transit at all. But all's cool as I'm used to these kinds of obstacles, and oftentimes they melt away on their own. So let's visit the officials in person and hear from the source. No answer at the embassy phone, and that adds an ominous feel to it. To be fair, they've had far more pressing problems to address these past 10 years than some buffoon on his scooter wanting to waltz through!
However, this news brings the eastern route back into the picture, though recent developments from that area are not particularly encouraging for tourists, even though that was my original first choice as the history and culture is amazing and a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.
At the same time I've confirmed that Iraq does not currently allow overland private travel by vehicle - I inquired via the embassy just to cover all options, as that's the third possible route to reach Turkey - though a 1,100 km or so ride across Iraq north-south exposed on my Burgman, like an idiot, makes even Saudi look like a garden of pleasures, and I had no real intentions. But, good to know it's not on the menu anyways.
Time for bureaucratic suspense... little over two months to Departure-Day.
I mean, that's not transit at all. But all's cool as I'm used to these kinds of obstacles, and oftentimes they melt away on their own. So let's visit the officials in person and hear from the source. No answer at the embassy phone, and that adds an ominous feel to it. To be fair, they've had far more pressing problems to address these past 10 years than some buffoon on his scooter wanting to waltz through!
However, this news brings the eastern route back into the picture, though recent developments from that area are not particularly encouraging for tourists, even though that was my original first choice as the history and culture is amazing and a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.
At the same time I've confirmed that Iraq does not currently allow overland private travel by vehicle - I inquired via the embassy just to cover all options, as that's the third possible route to reach Turkey - though a 1,100 km or so ride across Iraq north-south exposed on my Burgman, like an idiot, makes even Saudi look like a garden of pleasures, and I had no real intentions. But, good to know it's not on the menu anyways.
Time for bureaucratic suspense... little over two months to Departure-Day.