About This Website - In The Beginning

The focus of this website when first established in 2011, wasn't about creating business revenue, and still remains that way in the 2020s. You won't find a single affiliated source link, or donation requests on this website. That's an accomplishment in itself. I could have easily started a trendy solo overland travel blog site years ago using endless amounts of my own content. The reasons for not doing so isn't complicated. Becoming part of the travel blogger and YouTube bandwagon was never a must have, or required ambition. A sheep following other sheep leads to the same result — A flock of sheep.
From the beginning, the website has used low res subpar images for obvious reasons — website image theft. Nothing much changed there, Images through the entire website still use ©RH. Creating a page exposing those using my content without prior permission, is far less time consuming, and more satisfying, exposing website image thieves rather than contacting copyright infringement lawyers.
The classic website design remains the same as it was in 2011. People browsing on this site are here for two reasons only — genuine long-term solo overland travelers in search for something of interest, and others looking at travel content different to their own. The first sections in the home page gets straight to the point.
Having a dedicated solo overland travel website using all your own content, especially images dating back to the early 1980s, is more than rare in the 2020s. And yes, I'm still offshore enjoying street photography and travel.

Note: Using images, modified screenshots of images, data or maps from this website - even with original links back to this website is INVALID without prior permission and consent by the website owner. website disclaimer : website contact : Are you a website image thief?

The older the overland travel images are shows how real overland travel used to be. No doubt, every man and his dog today would love to step back in time just to experience how solo overland travel was through the 1980s. Everything was slower, more basic, laid back down to earth. Hanging out the sides of packed out bush trains, and onboard worn out bush buses wasn't something special — it was normal transportation that everyone used. Open market vibrancy like below have well disappeared. I even remember taking this snap, by standing on top of a 44 gallon drum for added height. Who wouldn't slip back in time escaping from 2020s global control and tyranny? Think about it, there was no need of internet, wifi, smartphones and social media. We used maps and roll film cameras without complaining. Interacting with people in real time beats social media and smartphone swiping any day.   

Web pages up until 2017 had used individual flash activated tumblr headers and music background themes.. It was pure overkill in 2011. Thousands of visitors viewed the site daily. Now with Google AI internet prison, the daily amount of real traffic flow today is unknown and purposely suppressed. How do I know that? By suspicious weekly traffic flow data numbers. The probabilities of having the exact same count week to week is impossible without someone controlling it — Do I really care? Only Google Goolag cares.
Some of the original 2011 tracks below — enjoy.

Intrepid theme

Often, people assume intrepid overland travel journeys are impossible to complete by themselves, and resort to package tours. Virtually, nothing is further from the truth for those chasing dreams turning them into reality. All it takes, is a little research, planning and preparedness in advance. Travel baggage should be thoroughly tried and tested for reliability. Backpacks, boots camping stuff and photo gear can fail when least expected. I can personally vouch for failures of the same brand with three different designs —Sportiva Karakorum and Lhoste both suffered delamination sole separation within short time periods. The most valuable asset on the road, is time, and knowing how to interact with complete strangers a close second. Having limited time with introverted tendencies will give issues on long-term overland journeys through and across continents. Overland Page

This image doesn't hide its age. There was a short window of travel freedom throughout Tibet from 1985-88. The only thing required was a valid Chinese visa and nothing else. I had received Chinese visas issued in Bangkok and Islamabad — yes, twice solo overland through Tibet from different directions (high and low routes) A rare 1987 image of Nyalam, 3750M during midwinter. There are other images of Tibet randomly scattered through the website (low res only)     

Solo overland journeys onboard basic bush buses are 100% recommended for those looking for the classic experience and vibe they offer, as it was in the 1980s. Where do you find bush bus transport? Almost anywhere through the African heartland, the Andean interior, India, Myanmar, and isolated regions through central Asia and Mid East. All that's required is time to slowly travel through continents — the opposite when using comfy deluxe transport. Hanging out of open windows capturing snaps on the go, just like above, are impossible onboard deluxe buses. All super rapid deluxe buses have sealed air tight windows for air con and minimal dust. Bush buses are cheaper with each transit journey giving a  different atmosphere to the last.        

Real solo overland travelers will do their hardest reaching isolated regions scattered through the planet. The more isolated regions are, the more the satisfaction becomes reaching them. You know when you're transiting through extreme isolated regions. There are no tourists, there is minimal or no traffic flow, there are no bitumen highways, no airports, and there are no yuppie travel bloggers or travel influencers. In the 2020s, isolated regions are best completed through the off-season, either during midwinter in peak subzero temps, or midsummer within desert locations. This guarantees overland travel journeys to be free of the usual tourist at these destinations — it's too harsh for them, when especially nothing is dished out on platters.              

Asian theme

Many brag getting through Asia overland in six months. Most probably didn't include Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Philippines, Bhutan and Pakistan. These countries alone mount to six months minimum travel time. Completing the three main overland routes in and out of Asia will take a minimum of 18 months. Winter and monsoon seasons shouldn't be missed, but rather enjoyed experiencing what 4.7 billion Asians go through year in year out. The Trans Siberian has you covered entering and leaving from the north. Landing in Jakarta, then onward through south east Asia, Nepal, India, Pakistan, up into China, leaving north east Asia til last completes the entire Asian circuit. Like Africa and South America, crisscrossing through the continent is part of the journey. Chinese and Indian multiple entry visas are a must. This allows reentry into both countries from neighboring countries i.e. Myanmar, Nepal, Bangladesh, Laos, Vietnam.  Asia Page                 

African theme

Where do you begin an overland solo journey completing all of Africa? I used to ask the same question in the 1980s. From Europe, Spain and Malta by boat and via the Sinai. Arrival by flight from the rest of the planet, is either to Cape Town, Jo-Burg, Casablanca and Cairo. Although these are optional landing points, it avoids back tracking through regions already visited. There's no escape of zig-zagging coast to coast in either direction up or down the continent. Minimum time require without schedules — 18 months.  African Page

There's mainly two types of westerners visiting Africa. The leisurely kind hanging out at heavily prompted safe locations, and the solo overland traveler getting through the continent no matter how long it takes to complete. Street images like below of daily habits and lifestyle in the real world has limited importance to the western mindset. It's about beach, food and party with endless narcissistic selfies posted to social media platforms — Dopamine likes and ego overkill.

Solo overland through Africa, is at times unpleasant and can be inhospitable, but that's how the real world is in real time reality. The very opposite to fluffy fly in fly out travel destinations. Avoiding following the usual travel crowd may sound difficult for some out there. It takes a change of mindset, and dedication to get through Africa on your own, at your own pace. The image below has more appreciation than any selfie. Capturing street images of other people instead of at yourself is good start.         

South American theme

What's the first priority on arrival to South America? Learning to speak Spanish ASP. Keeping your eyes peeled, knowing what's happening around you. who's watching you, and having a hand or foot on baggage in public lessons the chances of being targeted. Those failing doing this will eventually lose stuff. The usual arrival locations are Buenos Aires and Santiago in late spring, and Caracas or Bogota in the north. It gives optional directional overland travel routes beginning from either end of the continent. Correct timing is required for Patagonia — October to April. The minimum time getting through the entire continent in either direction crisscrossing coast to coast is about 18 months. I've personally completed three separate journeys of 12, 18 & 24 months. One year through South America doesn't cut it.         

Fire in the sky, no just one of those saturated Raw images that came out that way. Below, I still remember taking this snap decades ago. The early morning walk from Aguas Calientes along the railway track crossing the river up to Machu Picchu was an added highlight. Hiking in from the backside was another, and recommended for those wanting the best experience to this complex.

Middle Eastern theme

The constant Geo-political atmosphere through the Mid-East hasn't changed since the French and English empire carved and divided land for territorial gain — welcome to the Middle East. Even through past conflicts, main road routes and border crossings were open. During the 1980s and 90s, it wasn't difficult getting from Iran to Iraq via Turkey, or from Syria to Israel via Jordan. The only taboo, even now  in the 2020s, is an Israeli stamp in passports. Syrian, Iranian and Lebanese embassy, consular staff, and border officials do flick page by page, searching for that stamp. And if they find one, including entry stamps from the Israeli borders of Egypt and Jordan — forget about any onward overland journey elsewhere in the Mid-East, it just got cancelled.

On a positive note, the Middle East is well worth the effort and time reaching locations off the beaten track. Caution is required, at your own risk and peril traveling into known Red Zones in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. Traveling with any type of soft or hard drugs will land you inside a Mid-East jail cell. Best advice — don't do drugs!  Mid-East Page       

Mid-East landscape is either rugged or endless desert sands stretched as far as the eye can see. The majority of western two week tourists spend most of their time dipping their feet in warm coastal waters. There's more to offer than than just sandy beaches. The road route from northern Iraq through to southern Egypt via Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, is by far the easiest Mid-East Journey well worth doing. Like other regions, the Middle East requires six months minimum duration time. Completing the entire Mid-East overland at turtle speed takes 12 months i.e. Iraq 2 months, Syria 2 months, Lebanon 1 month, Jordan 1 month, Israel 2 months, Egypt 2 months, Saudi 1 month, Yemen 1 month. As mentioned, visas must be obtained well advance from consulates or online. Entering Red Zones locations is at your own risk.         

Indian theme

Even though India's landmass is smaller in comparison to Africa and South America, energy and time are two must haves traveling through this bustling country. The India rush is alive and well, and felt upon arrival and continues till departing. If noise is an issue — Tough, either deal with it, or head to the mountains. Those with weak stomachs should consume daily amounts of fresh local curd — bio active as it gets. Another, is having a weekly fix of rehydration electrolyte drinks. With that out of the way, you're good to go through India coast to coast, north to south. Six months minimum travel time is recommended for India. We're not talking about beach crashing or hanging out up in Manali, for months on end. First timers heading to India, is best through the cooler months from November to April. Anyone else that's traveled the country extensively already know their own limitations. India Page          

India has and still is one of the top five countries for street still photography. Anyone arriving to India without camera gear will wish they did so (excludes smartphone junk). Interacting with locals through the country young and old, is like anywhere else using positive dialogue. Some of my favorite closeup street portraits have been taken in India with full frame DSLR's and prime lenses. A last resort for those wanting camera gear — new or second hand, can be sourced in most major cities i.e. Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bangalore.      

I'm used to noise. At 15, I was cruising around in V8's with straight pipes, and riding Harley's as loud as helicopters. India has plenty of noise, so no problem there. Below, a classic SLR roll film snap on a very first visit to India during the eighties. The feel and vibe of the Indian rush hasn't changed one bit in the 2020s. Motor rickshaws, motorbikes, bush buses, diesel trains and trucks are in full swing heading in all directions. There's no favorite state — they all have their own ambience.    

Solo Overland Transit theme

Some of the best times remembered, even after clocking up countless years of overland travel, are all those past transit journeys onboard bush transport. Rattling vibrating bush buses contain much more ambience that deluxe transportation can never offer. The same for bush trains and slow floaters heading down river and across oceans, always overloaded with passengers and cargo. Hitching lifts onboard long haul trucks have been some of my best journeys. Traveling solo using basic transportation getting through entire continents, is something I've been doing since the early 1980s.

Some of my first sea journeys began in the Mediterranean in the early eighties. It was simplicity getting from Alexandria to Cyprus, Crete Rhodes, Haifa, Corfu, Brindisi, Marmaris, Trabzon and Ceuta by boat. Major shipping lines usually have water tight vessels. Smaller maritime registered vessels also have an open display mounted somewhere onboard showing the ships decks from top to bottom. Being familiar where stairwells are positioned in case of abandoning ship during the night, is something most ignore, but recommended. Knowing how to swim and be buoyant does come in handy. Images above were taken onboard the MV Liemba at the Kigoma port just before departure.     

Forget about those overland package tours up and down continents. They're for people preferring travel time with other westerners. Getting out traveling on your own through continents, is the best advice for those looking for full on adventure. Each day is different to the next not knowing what will unfold. It begins by using basic bush transport. Don't think about it — Do it.  Overland Transit Page

Dirt track highway routes through central Africa are many. They're mainly used by trucks and typical rough bush buses like above. Three full days of transit onboard the same bush bus feels more like a weeks travel. Drivers differ with driving habits, although speeding is common practice. Getting from coast to coast through central Africa solo onboard bush buses and the odd truck lift, is what overland travel is all about. How do you begin? Having no time limits, no schedules, and no fixed itineraries is a good start — Try it, I've done it a few times.       

Some of the best on the go overland transit snaps are along back roads and bush track highways. Most of my overland transit images are taken with point and shoots. Hanging out of windows grabbing snaps en-route through countries crossing continents, is something I've been doing since the 1980s. There's nothing better being onboard vibrating bush transport capturing random snaps like above. It's part of of any overland journey experience.  

Typical clogged up land border crossings through central and north Africa are good locations hitching lifts onboard trucks. If the cabin is full, jumping on the backside is optional. This is the difference between solo overland travel through continents compared to plastic yuppie overland travel onboard outfitted transport with other foreigners. You think for yourself, you find places to sleep, you look for your own transport, and decide directions and routes. Try it, I've been traveling solo overland since 1982. Nothing changed there, I recently completed a rough as guts journey in India 2023 using basic transport — 4 decades and still going strong, how about that?         

The majority of vehicle deaths, is from driver error. Speeding out of control off the sides of cliffs happens. With no safety barriers, the risk factor is greater, and increases during heavy downpours. The below snap, a typical scenario with all the right ingredients of a fatal accident in waiting. The chances of surviving this 300+ meter drop rolling down out of control inside vans, cars, bush buses and 4WDs, is zero. Locals have plummeted at this same location with no survivors. At the end of the day, it's up to the driver getting passengers through in one piece. In situations like this, one can either tell drivers to slow down, or get off and find other transport. It's your life on the line. Only you can decide if fate will allow a free pass onboard transport with crazy insane drivers.
Poor souls that didn't make it who trusted their drivers — 4 dead van plunge Peru :  24 dead bus plunge Peru : 29 dead bus plunge Peru :  12 dead bus plunge Costa Rica :  18 dead bus plunge Mexico : 48 dead bus plunge Peru : 10 dead bus plunge Brazil : 19 dead bus plunge Peru : 20 dead bus plunge Bolivia : 11 dead bus plunge Bolivia : 36 dead bus plunge Ecuador : 54 dead bus plunge Brazil : 4 Germans dead bus plunge Peru : 2 Germans dead mini van plunge Peru : 10 dead bus plunge Peru

Overland middle of nowhere theme

Most seasoned overland travelers have encountered being through the middle of nowhere. Timbuktu was one of those iconic isolated locations before the Sahel region turned into a militant Red Zone. Some of the best locations on the planet are situated in the middle of nowhere. Reaching those regions become the non-forgettable journeys, especially onboard basic transport. Antarctica is certainly right up there, although global population are forbidden to freely travel past the 60th parallel. Forget about the tourist penguin colony peninsula, that's been created for obvious reasons. Getting to the real Antarctica, is beyond the 150+ meter high ice wall. What have they been hiding down there that's been so secretive — since 1959? Maybe Eric Dubay has the answers. Many of my own middle of nowhere overland journeys have been more than rough and rugged. The overland one and two pages have more on this.

Wildlife theme

Looking for a break escape away from city life? Wetland regions are the perfect locations seeking tranquility. The sounds of different birdlife brings you back to nature. The only item required is camera gear capturing images like above and below — excludes smartphones and point & shoots.

Wildlife sanctuaries differ greatly in what they present online compared to what is actually seen in real time. Glossy wildlife images are  advertised for one purpose only — creating income revenue, so don't expect wilderness wildlife to be waiting for you. Wildlife are always on the move. Having time without rushing off in a hurry elsewhere or returning to the same locations the following day can give positive results. It's all about timing. Using your own transport getting around at your own pace solves issues when being with others. Think about it, most traveling offshore visit wetlands and wildlife parks only one time — make the best of it, or regret the same mistake that many do.

Long prime lenses are essential for capturing distant shots. It's beyond embarrassing watching smartphone travelers trying to capture long shots of wildlife past 400 meters. As the saying goes "never arrive to battlefields without the right weaponry and knowing how to use it". Getting as close as possible to isolated watering holes at daybreak and late afternoons usually gives positive results. I avoid promoting camera brands and camera gear on this website — only what's personally been used past and present. Below, an open bill stork above the tree tops taken from distance with a 12 MP 2007 Nikon D3 in the 2020s. Lenses are more important than camera bodies — Got It?

Don't be like others righting off older photo gear. The above and below images prove just that. The salt water swamp tiger was taken with a mid-1980s Nikkor 800 5.6 ED AIS manual focus prime & 2012 D800 in 2023, from 70+ meters onboard a boat. Running out buying the latest camera gear stuff doesn't make you a better photographer. Spending a ton of cash on a guitar doesn't make you a better guitar player. Just because something newer looks better doesn't necessarily mean older stuff needs to be replaced. The world of consumer spending using constant glossy advertising is rigged. You have to ask yourself — Do I really need it, or should be like others keeping up with the Joneses?      

Street Photography theme

Street photography is heavily categorized in today's world of still imagery. Debating what a good image is in the 2020s, resorts to resolution and sharpness — say what? Personally, It's more about composition and subject matter that counts before resolution and sharpness. These random people street shots are quick examples showing just that. A shoe shine boy from 1988, Paraguay taken with an F2 SLR and prime lens has minimal sharpness. Nothing is more important than composition. Bad composition no matter how sharp images are cannot be changed. Today, it's all about taking 500 images within seconds at the same subject hoping one is in focus. Street photography, is about concentrating on that one shot and composition.      

Capturing closeup people shots — Asia, South America, Africa, Middle East — Interacting with subjects first makes the difference.

There's no special technique capturing random people shots apart from getting the best composition possible. It also doesn't matter what camera gear is used as long as subjects are in focus. The difference between the above street portraits compared to the below street shots, is in plain sight. Interacting versus non-interacting. As mentioned many times through this website, capturing the best random offshore street portraiture, is by interacting with subjects first.     

What's the the most important of all capturing closeup people shots? Interacting with subjects first. Without using dialogue with total strangers, the chances of getting that one shot of anyone looking directly at the lens is almost impossible. The examples above show positive results, because of interacting with them beforehand. Interaction time can take a minute, or an hour. In general, many people become camera shy, especially when full frame DSLR cameras are pointed at them. The second most important thing to do, is showing subjects the image captures, which is always appreciated.  

I personally prefer subjects looking at the lens, although somewhat difficult with people on the go in a rush on a mission going somewhere. On lazy days, I'll mount a long range lens on a tripod at certain locations where plenty of local activity is within reach. If locations are positive  I'll return a few times over a week. The one downside which is easily rectified, is to move to other spots at each location avoiding the same backgrounds.   

Above, during a second overland journey through Venezuela. Those looking for countries all to themselves having zero fluffy tourists and no travel bloggers — Venezuela is for you.  Markets like below are perfect locations for random street still photography. It's normal returning to the bustling locations two or three times capturing people shots. I normally use a lengthy zoom and prime lens in markets.  

Mood Chill theme — (all tracks lifetime licensed)

Where does one chill out taking short breaks during overland journeys through the planet? Almost anywhere one feels comfortable enough until continuing on elsewhere into the void. It could be locations mentioned in travel guide books, or recommended by other fellow travelers.

In general, the overland traveler halfway through an 18 month journey isn't that choosy where they stay. As long as there's a food source, a lockable room, and a place to wash dirty laundry. And if likable, an extra week of stay is added. Above images, a UK national taking time out in India. Top right, 1980s classic Polaroid snap, Takasaki, Japan surviving decades inside a scrap album.

Chill out camping offshore requires a good reliable tent. This Macpac light year goretex tunnel tent only weighed one kilo, had 3 pegs, and took under 2 minutes setup time. It was purchased new in the early eighties, and used through South America (twice), east and west Africa, east and western Europe, north, south, central and south east Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and NZ totaling decades of overland travel and usage. It was when Macpac had made quality designed stuff — 100% NZ made, a well bygone era! I sold the tent only a few years ago — Big mistake! Today, nothing is designed and made to last — It doesn't  generate profit. Below, a low res snap from a high res image chilling out @4400M enjoying the ambience. About Page    

Remember when image sharpness was unheard of, and no one really cared? In the 1980s all that was required was lens focus before taking shots. Below, a typical roll film street snap taken with a Nikon F2 and 200 f4 AI lens — late 1980s South America.

Imagining this overland travel website using other people's images — it would be plain boring. Although the majority of images through the pages are mostly low res only, there are reasons for that. The loading time is already slow and would be even slower if high res images were used. Website image theft is rampant, so why give website image thieves  high resolution images. I certainly haven't traveled throughout the planet taking images for others to use expanding their social media egos, or to use, modify, and crop profiteering income from my sweat. It's more difficult than what most assume creating a similar website like this. One requires extensive travel time over many decades to accumulate their own images. That's what makes this solo overland travel website different to others — the content material.
The website is all about what one person can achieve looking through the lens. That one shot that may have been taken in the 1980s, 90s, 2000's 2010s, and now in the 2020s. The below lenses have been part of numerous solo overland journeys. They've captured shots that point and shoots and junky smartphone cameras struggle to do — even on blue sky sunny days. I've been down that road once never to return. I still use Nikon DSLR camera gear in the 2020s. Photo Gear Page    

Some street photographers hang on to certain camera bodies and lenses they've been using for years that give good results. I'm one of them. The need of updating lenses, is only required when complete failure happens — which has never happened over four plus decades. I haven't had a single failure with a camera body or lens. They've all worked consecutively. It's even rear now to purchase brand new camera gear. Why waste hard earned cash splashed out on new stuff when anything can be bought second hand. We're now in the lightweight age of camera gear. The mirrorless age. In the 2020s, when mounting DSLR's and manual focus lens on tripods, I get asked why I'm still using old technology. We do live within a marketing consumer world believing that everything and anything newer is better — Really? I don't think I'll be selling my 1986 Nikkor 800 5.6 AIS lens just yet.            

Avoiding being a camera lens couch potato counting pixels is good advice. Instead, get out through the planet traveling with camera gear getting the best out of what you use. The Nikkor 800 5.6 ED AIS lens is straight from old school. A manual focus only lens weighing 5.5kg. It isn't the friendly little featherweight lenses people use today. Amazingly, this lens have never failed within extreme environments capturing images. It's that one shot that counts which this lens has successfully done — no matter the camera body or the environment.