ADV TRAVELBUG
MAGIC OF THE ORIENT
After a year and a half in Africa, Sandra and Fiona from ADV Travelbug reach the Middle East on their Triumph Tiger, where the two adventurers are enchanted by breathtaking desert landscapes and the hospitality of its inhabitants.
In recent days, the sky over Kenya has been darkening with increasing frequency. The dark clouds herald the approach of the rainy season. So it's high time to say goodbye to Africa. We shipped our trusty Triumph Tiger, which we nicknamed ‘Momo’, from Nairobi to Dubai to begin the next chapter of our adventure. After a much-needed full service at Touratech Middle East, we set off for Oman – a paradise for motorcyclists with breathtaking mountain ranges, off-road trails and endless wadis.
Although we had ridden in hot climates before, the desert heat and humidity in the Middle East were relentless and made long rides, especially shortly after midday, a challenge. We explored Oman's rugged landscapes, the dramatic fjords of the Musandam Peninsula, vast deserts, high dunes and pristine beaches with breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea.
THE ‘EMPTY QUARTER’ WILL HAVE TO WAIT
One day, we discovered an oil leak in the engine. We immediately drove to the nearest town, took Momo apart and realised that we needed spare parts. As our options were limited, we had to return to Dubai for repairs instead of exploring the ‘Empty Quarter’, as the largest contiguous sand desert in the world in south-eastern Saudi Arabia is also known. We consoled ourselves with the fact that we had discovered the leak in time before the engine was damaged.
We loaded Momo onto a trailer and drove the 500 kilometres back to Dubai. The repair was more wide-ranging than expected and required the replacement of the cylinder head. After several weeks of waiting for parts and repairs, we were finally able to continue our journey.
Entering Saudi Arabia was like entering a new world. We were immediately struck by the vastness of the country – the distances between places seemed endless. We made our way along winding roads through dramatic rock formations and crossed vast desert landscapes until we reached a region with huge volcanic craters. The rocky terrain put our driving skills and fitness to the test.
The green valleys with coffee plantations in the highlands near the Yemeni border provided a wonderful contrast to the desert. We were particularly impressed by the ancient Nabataean tombs carved deep into the mountains, which reminded us of how ancient the culture in this region is.
WITNESSES OF A LONG-FORGOTTEN TIME
We crossed the border into Jordan and arrived in the majestic desert of Wadi Rum. Surrounded by towering sandstone formations, we enjoyed the seclusion and tranquillity for a few nights. Our next stop was the ancient city of Petra, carved into reddish rocks, whose impressive architecture tells stories from a long-forgotten time. We continued along the shores of the Dead Sea. The beach was covered with a fine dust of salt crystals, which created an almost unreal atmosphere in stark contrast to the deep blue water.
Our last leg took us towards the Iraqi border. We chose this route to avoid the detour via Kuwait even though it meant crossing a former ISIS stronghold. Although we have crossed many difficult borders, but none of them took so many hours to get all the stamps in our passports and carnets. The condition for entering Iraq was that we accept a military escort to Baghdad. After losing so many hours at the border, we had no choice but to sleep in the local mosque and set off first thing the next morning. As a gesture of hospitality, the border officials treated us to our first taste of delicious Iraqi food: dolma, vegetables stuffed with rice and potatoes, accompanied by tomato soup.
WAKEND BY THE CALL OF THE MUEZZIN
In the morning, we were awakened by the loud, echoing call to prayer, which made us realise the rhythm of life in this part of the world. As soon as the sun rose, we got ready to leave, but before we could go, another immigration officer offered us a freshly made omelette and a cup of tea. It was Ramadan, and since we had at least a 12-hour journey to Baghdad ahead of us, we gratefully accepted the breakfast. From there, we were passed from one checkpoint to the next, following military vehicles. Sometimes we only drove a few kilometres, but sometimes it took up to an hour. This made our progress agonisingly slow, but the officials were all friendly and determined to ensure our safety as we made our way through the country.
We were relieved when we finally checked into our hotel in Baghdad. We couldn't wait to explore the country, its history and its wonderful people. At the end of our trip through the Middle East, we had about two months left to explore the wonders of Iraq and Turkey. These final destinations were the perfect conclusion before we made our way back in time for the Touratech Travel Event.
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MARTIN BRUCKER
YUKON IN WINTER
Martin Brucker took on a special challenge: In the middle of winter, he travelled through Canada and Alaska to Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean. In 2017, he and his friend Alex began planning their winter tour together. Finally, everything was organised, but the departure date had to be postponed again and again due to the Covid pandemic. In February 2022, the two adventurers were finally ready to set off. But shortly before Martin's flight to Calgary, news came that the Northern Territories were still closed due to Covid. Alex suggested making his two motorcycle sidecars available to test the equipment. So Alex and Martin drove to Dawson City, the starting point of the Dempster Highway, as the road to Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean is called, and returned to Calgary.
In January 2025, the time had come again. Or so it seemed. The problem this time was that Martin couldn't import his motorbike into Canada. The tour was once again on the verge of being postponed. But Alex and Martin were in luck. BMW Motorrad Canada provided two F 900 GS bikes for the tour and Touratech agreed to contribute the equipment. On 17 January 2025, the two adventurers set off on icy roads. After days of riding in temperatures as low as minus 37 degrees Celsius, a flat tyre, encounters with moose and buffalo, black ice, blizzard warnings and road closures, Alex and Martin finally stood in front of the famous sign at the Arctic Ocean in Tuktoyaktuk on 9 February.
The detailed travel report will appear in the next edition of “Travel Time“.
ADVENTURE RIDERS TRAVELLING AROUND THE WORLD
It's not just Touratech Headquarters that supports motorbike travellers in their adventures. Distributors in other countries are also in close contact with the travel scene and equip adventure riders.
KUNIMASA TAKEBE | JAPAN
Kunimasa Takebe is a true adventure touring enthusiast. In 2014, he took part in the GS Trophy in North America and has been living his passion for extended tours ever since. He explores Japan with his wife on his Honda Africa Twin or one of his BMW GS machines – always equipped with his tried-and-tested Compañero suit and Aventuro helmet.
YEONSOO YUN | KOREA
Yeonsoo Yun is not only a motorcycle journalist but lives the adventure on two wheels. At the age of 18, he took on the challenge of the Mongol Rally in 2014 and successfully mastered it. In 2020, he represented Korea at the GS Trophy, in 2022 he obtained his KTM off-road instructor licence, and in 2023 he participated as the Korean representative in the Rimba Raid, Malaysia's largest adventure race. Whether at international adventure events or test rides of new models, Touratech Korea accompanies him as a reliable partner.
BENZ GAIJIN | THAILAND
Benz Gaijin, alias Thaworn Passornsirikul, is one of Thailand's most famous motorcycle travellers and influencers. With his YouTube channel ‘The Gaijin Trips’, he inspires over a million followers and shows the world from the perspective of a true adventurer. His travels are unvarnished, raw and authentic – alone on his motorbike, he traverses the most remote areas, documents his experiences and inspires others to embark on their own adventures. In 2021, he was awarded the ‘Best Travel Influencer’ award, but his greatest achievement remains an incredible journey: from Bangkok to London, 24,000 kilometres, 23 countries – in just three months. Benz stands for more than just motorcycling. His travels are stories of personal growth, freedom and the unique encounters that shape life on the road.
SUNAO UEDA | JAPAN
Sunao Ueda has already travelled to over 30 countries and covered more than 40,000 kilometres in the saddle. His travels have taken him through Southeast Asia, Ladakh in northern India and, most recently, Madagascar and Namibia. As a participant in the 2020 GS Trophy and an experienced off-road rider, he combines a thirst for adventure with riding skills. He shares his passion for challenging routes and remote locations with the Touratech community.
KARIM PHILIPPE SAAD | DUBAI
Karim Philippe Saad has been living in Dubai since 2007 and combines his passion for adventure with state-of-the-art technology. As the founder of Giga Works, he is a pioneer in the field of virtual reality and immersive media. But his true passion is travelling on two and four wheels. With his custom-built Land Rover Defender and his BMW, he has been exploring the most remote places for years – from Saudi Arabia to Iran, from Dubai to Lebanon. In 2026, he is planning an epic tour through Europe that will take him via the Middle East to the North Cape. As Touratech Middle East Ambassador, he organises off-road tours, expeditions and experiences along legendary rally routes and inspires the community to live the adventure themselves.
PURI HIRANPRUECK | THAILAND
Puri Hiranprueck is not only a well-known Thai actor and TV presenter, but also a true adventurer. As the YouTuber ‘Viewfinder Thailand’ with over 590,000 subscribers, he explores the world on extraordinary routes. He is one of the first Thai celebrities to document motorcycle trips to remote and challenging regions such as Ladakh, India, and Pakistan. His inspiring content shows that true adventures begin where others hesitate. With his passion for exploration and untouched nature, Puri embodies the spirit of discovery and motivates others to push their own boundaries – a vision that fits perfectly with Touratech.
QUILÓMETRO INFINITO | PORTUGAL
João and Patrícia live the motorbike adventure. With their blog ‘Quilómetro Infinito’, they inspire the community to explore new paths, plan routes and set off on tour with the best equipment. Whether in snow-covered Norway, on the endless roads of the USA or the legendary Alpine passes – their experiences, tips and product tests make them true ambassadors for travelling on two wheels. For years, they have been sharing their experiences on social media and offering detailed insights into their travels – from navigation and accommodation to chassis tests under extreme conditions. João and Patrícia stand for boundless curiosity, a passion for motorcycling and the freedom to discover the world on their own terms.
MARIA | ROMANIA
Maria is not only Touratech Ambassador for Romania, but also a true adventurer. As owner of Touratech Romania and founder of Romania Motorcycle Tours, she runs the largest adventure touring company in the country with an impressive fleet of 70 motorcycles. For Maria, motorcycling is more than just a hobby – when winter approaches, she is drawn to distant lands. She introduces motorcyclists to Romania's spectacular landscape and lives her passion worldwide – from Marocco to New Zealand. What she shares with Touratech are freedom, adventure and the attitude to life.
