George Tzanidakis | Aroma of Asia | Exploring Asia with Motorcycle

George Tzanidakis | Aroma of Asia | Exploring Asia with Motorcycle

This interview was taken while Giorgos Tzanidakis is on a trip, more specifically in Bangladesh.

George is yet another Greek traveler of the planet who with his motorcycle started a long journey to the Far East, to the countries of Asia and more specifically to the Middle East (or West Asia if you prefer), Central Asia, South Asia and from there north to East Asia or even to Southeast Asia.

In April 2019 you embarked on a motorcycle trip to travel around Asia
with the aim of visiting as many countries as possible. Tell us more about this trip, the itinerary, etc

In April 2019 I started visiting Asian countries without a specific plan and with enough free time. I don’t have a specific plan that I follow, I just go through the countries in the order we look at the map and follow the countries.

And basically where I can enter with my machine, that don’t need special papers. I left with the intention of living in Asian countries, getting to know the different cultures. I wish to be in good health and to continue my path in order to fulfill the dream.

Photos from Aroma of Asia on facebook

Singlitam, West Sikkim (Bumchu festival) in India

Singlitam, West Sikkim (Bumchu festival) in India

Gangtok in India

The journey from Greece: Athens, Peloponnese, Ioannina and then Turkey: Istanbul, Antalya to Georgia, Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Azerbaijan. The map is approx., the actual route can be seen on Livetrips

How many countries have you visited in total and which ones have fascinated you the most, as well as some of the most beautiful places you have come across

In total I have visited 12 countries so far and more specifically from Greece I entered Turkey, from there to Georgia, Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan and from there by boat I crossed the Caspian Sea to Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan), in Uzbekistan (Uzbekistan), in Tajikistan (Tajikistan) and in the last country of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyzstan).

Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyzstan) which is the last country I visited, I also did a little research on where I will stay in the winter. And that’s why I chose India, for which I got a visa for one year. Although I didn’t have India on the schedule for my stay, I left my motorcycle in Kyrgyzstan and took a flight to New Delhi.

From there I continued with another motorcycle and after a second study I saw that I can visit more countries in Asia such as Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, which would help me to renew my visa every three months regardless of whether it lasts a time. It was also an opportunity for me to see the countries with which India borders.

From there I will go up north to Kazakhstan and further north I will enter Russia. From there to Mongolia, from there to Vladivostok and from there to Japan or otherwise from Vladivostok to go down to Southeast Asia, to Vietnam and visit the rest of the countries in the region.

Countries that impressed me the most are Muslim countries. First image was that of the Bosphorus in Turkey where people are warmer. I would say that Muslim countries have impressed me the most so far. For places I do not include any. Each country has its own beauties but what impressed me were the people in each country.

From Aktau and the Caspian Sea to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

From Aktau and the Caspian Sea to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

Photos from Aroma of Asia on facebook

Way to Natula pass in India

Gangtok, capital of Sikkim in India

Gangtok market in India

Some of the most beautiful bike rides you’ve done, we’d love to hear about your travels

What impressed me and really pleased me was in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan were their mountain routes and the difficulties one faces there.

After completing the Pamir road, it was not as difficult as it seemed at first and I would like to pass through these two countries again on the way back.

But I would like to do it the other way around, opposite routes to be more specific, because I couldn’t get enough of it even though I spent two months in these countries, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

These two main countries were the most special routes on the trip and I believe Mongolia will also have great routes.

Photos from Aroma of Asia on facebook

Karnali-Chisapaani Bridge in Nepal

In Majuli, Assam, India

Darjeeling station in India

The journey from New Delhi, India to Agra, Nepal’s capital Kathmandu and from there back to India and from there to Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka

Some dangerous routes also we would like to know if you have ever been in danger somewhere

As far as difficulty goes, I like to take the tough routes to push myself to my limits. In Armenia and Georgia where I did routes from dirt roads, I also had some falls without any particular injury.
Falls are in the program from the moment you follow difficult routes. Also Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyzstan) I would say is a country with quite a few difficult routes, not so much, but in order to visit some lakes the road does not exist and it is a dirt road for the most part with mud. And I will leave Nepal last, which I put as the most difficult country in routes with mud, water, you have to cross rivers in order to progress. But again I didn’t risk it.

Photos from Aroma of Asia on facebook

In Bangladesh

Bangladesh people

Göreme at Cappadocia Turkey

Future travels, what the map says

I don’t have anything in mind right now. I’ll try to keep the particular trip I’m on as long as possible. Possibly the African continent is a future target. But of course this is for the future.

Here are some videos at the bottom of the page from Giorgos Tzanidakis’ personal YouTube channel, Aroma Of Asia.