Traverse 12 | Page 107

“Obviously with the right precau- tions and, we don’t deny it, some- times with a lot of fatigue but united, together, we overcome any difficul- ties. Life is awesome guys. Never stop chasing your dreams, believe in it and cultivate it with love!” There is something about the Italians and adventure. It must be that ‘Marco Polo gene’, because later, coming into Kajuraho, India (famous for its erotically carved temples) we spot an Africa Twin motorbike at our hotel entrance, fully loaded with two spare tyres on the sides. Later, we meet the riders, Michelle and Mirta. They have also come all the way from Italy on their 28-year- old motorcycle, and not for the first time either, the third in the last 15 years. They’re a bit of a legend in this part of the world, at the time being interviewed by local television. I myself, with 40,000Km behind TRAVERSE 107 me on an Enfield Bullet, riding the breadth and width of India as pillion with my partner, can understand the thrills and hardships of long rides and particularly international ones. Exploring new territories, coping with extreme altitude, dangerous roads and travelling with no reserva- tions is special because there is no certainty about anything. You don’t know where or how you will get help in case of a breakdown in remote