Just jumped off the Mauritanian Iron Ore train and what an epic ride it’s been. It all started two weeks ago with my Interrail adventure from the Netherlands, a journey that now seems worlds away compared to the raw and rugged experience I've just had. In Mauritania, iron ore is a lifeline, accounting for half of the nation's exports. Every day 3 of these colossal trains leave from the mining town Zouerat to the port of Nouadhibou.

HNY!
I'm starting 2024 with a new adventure: taking the train from Netherlands to Mauritania to hop on the Iron Ore train, a long ride straight through the Sahara. With my @Interrail pass in hand I will travel through southern Europe and Morocco. #interrail #GoOneStopFurther This is the route of my trip. It will take me about 14 days to reach Zouerat, the starting point of the "Sahara Express."
Doing 1 overnighter in Barcelona, a few stops in Morocco to enjoy the country and finally exploring Mauritania. Going back in the same way.

Preparing the return home Dubai - Amsterdam. Completely without flying. Majority by train, some parts by bus. Iran has some beautiful train rides, unfortunately they were mostly sold out.
This time will do Istanbul - Bucharest by train instead of the bus. I was supposed to leave last Thursday, because of bad weather the ferry from Dubai to Iran got postponed until this Monday and today I heard it won't be before Wednesday. Should be home around March 10.

Had fun sharing my earlier adventure and lessons today at the WFES. For the ones who recently started following me: here's a thread about what I did before.

A few years ago I challenged myself to drive without money and in an electric car from the Netherlands to Australia. To make it to Sydney I asked people to "Plug Me In" with energy. On my website plugmeinproject.com people could select their location and offer me a meal, place to sleep or electricity for the car.

Day 14. My hotel offered a late check out. I took some quality time for myself and prepared my talk. It’s only 2 days until I’m speaking at ADSW. There is no public transport in Riyadh. You really need a car here. I walked around in my area. Can really enjoy Arabian architecture Loving these Arab toilet signs

Day 11. In my original plan, I would arrive in Dubai on day 10. I prepared less for plan B, meaning from today I have to wear my underwear inside out. Yes, you're getting all the details.
Now getting ready for the bus Amman - Hail (Saudi Arabia). Step for step I'm getting there. Waiting for the bus to depart. I’m travelling on the famous German ‘Nichtraucherbus’

Day 10. In Erbil I tried to find a flying carpet but indeed it is a fairytale. So I flew in a plane to Amman, Jordan. It is the only way to get to Abu Dhabi. I get closer and closer to @ADSWagenda now! Arrived at the airport at 6am. Went to my hostel and after just 3 hours of sleep I was picked by a taxi for an interview with Sky News Arabia. I always thought these city backdrops are fake. Interesting to learn.

Day 10. I’m in amazing Erbil, Kurdistan.
I start the day with a visit to the hospital to take a PCR test for Jordan. My flight is tomorrow morning at 5. *It’s day 9 actually

Day 7. I’m wearing thermal underwear. Suat is bringing me from Dogubeyazit to the border. I’ve been in Dogu before, and had some problems here, on my way to Australia by EV. Suat already helped me back then. Let’s see if we can enter Iran today. It think my chance is 5%. The sights are again spectaculair

Good morning! At 8 I was awakened by the morning sun and I haven’t stopped staring outside the Dogu Express since. Incredible landscapes! UAE newspaper The National also wrote a nice article ahout my trip.

thenationalnews.com/uae/environmen…

Day 5. I’m in Ankara and just did a PCR test for Iran. It’s one of the challenges of travelling in these times.
Now I have some time to see the city. At 17.55 I’m taking the Dogu Express to Erzurum. I think this will be one of the highlights of the trip. At Anıtkabir, Ataturk’s Mausoleum. Massive impressive complex.

Good morning. It’s day 4 and I’m in Istanbul. Starting with a delicious Turkish breakfast. Cheese pide and menemeh Just crossed the Bosphorus Bridge. I’m really in Asia now

Günaydın Istanbul! Do I need to say more?
I reached the city around 6 this morning. Got me a chai and pide and rushed to the Bosphorus to see the sunset. Behind me is the bridge that connects to Asia. Quite unbelievable that within 48 hours I reached Asia from Amsterdam, by land In my original plan I wanted to enter Iran on January 7 so should have continued today. As the border is closed until Jan 9 I now have 2 extra days in Turkey. So will spend 1 night here and tomorrow in Ankara for sightseeing.

Good morning from the Dacia Express. This is the day 2 thread!
Had a decent sleep although two times interrupted by police who came in to check passports and the train stopped a few times.
The best part was waking up: love to stare outside and see the cloudy landscape pass by. I will be on this train until 4pm. Then I have 4 hours in Bucharest to get a proper meal and find the bus terminal. Keep following as I’m going to explore this train today.

I'm gone! Amsterdam - Dubai by train, bus and ferry. In 10 days I'll try to cross 9 countries and the Persian Gulf to speak at @expo2020dubai.
Looking forward to my trip. Love slow travel, meeting new people and seeing the scenery gradually change. This is the route that will take me to Dubai. It'll be an adventure for sure. Iran is closed right now and if it doesn't open on time I need to find another way.
Today's first task is to reach Vienna. Just one short stop in Frankfurt.