A FATHER-OF-TWO quit his job and rented out his house to set off on a round-the-world trip on two wheels.
Dan Skeates, 48, from Chelmsford, has already been on the road for more than 150 days, riding through Germany, Italy, India, Pakistan and even Iraq on his motorbike after setting off from the UK in April.
The former Great Baddow High School student is documenting his exotic travels in a blog entitled Destination Unknown, a testament to his lack of certainty as to just where in the world he might end up.
Dan, who is currently in Sri Lanka, said: "I have always loved travel and travelled independently since I was 17, when I hitchhiked around Europe. I then backpacked around the world when I was 24 and 25.
"I decided to ride a motorbike around the world as it is the best way to really feel the travel, on a motorbike you experience everything for real, the weather, people see your face and it does feel very different to other forms of travel."
Setting off from Chelmsford on April 7 Dan began his route riding through Europe, including France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, before heading through Iraq, just weeks prior to the current unrest in the country.
Writing in a blog post Dan said: "I leave Iraq (Kurdistan) with only positive memories, the people are so wonderful, everyone welcomed me and made me feel safe and secure.
"The landscape is semi-arid with beautiful mountains. I will return, should you visit? Travelling to destinations which our media informs us is an area of conflict is a decision you'll have to take. Iraq is not safe; it's in turmoil, bombs and killings."
The 48-year-old also has nothing but praise for his reception in Pakistan, despite his first night in the county being spent in a police compound after armed guards escorted him from Iran.
He wrote: "I am not going to recommend anyone travels to Pakistan currently as there is a security risk throughout the country with different conflicts in different areas be they religious, tribal or political.
"This results in the police guarding you in the majority of the country 24 hours a day, on many occasions there were 10 armed guards either accompanying me or standing guard outside the hotel. Add to this the additional bureaucracy and it can wear you down. That said, I have had a wonderful time in Pakistan and when there is no longer a security risk I recommend you visit."
The adventurous traveller is now making his way through Sri Lanka before heading to Nepal, South East Asia and Australia.
His children Beth, 21, and Olly, 20, also plan to join him in South East Asia for the New Year celebrations.
To read more about Dan's travels go to his blog www.danskeates.com.
