Ow, my arm.
October 12th, 2006 by JonnoIt’s a little under three months before we depart… and the first step has been taken - vaccinations. Josh and I took a trip to our local Travel Doctor, to talk Rabies, Rashes, and Love-Bites (not an actual disease), plus other things of that nature…
All up, i’m getting shots for:
- Rabies - I was a bit iffy about getting this one, but considered that small, furry creatures tend to chase moving objects (like motorbikes). Having this shot gives you about 7 days to get to a major-ish hospital for the required anti-rabies jab(s). Without it, you’ve only got 48 hours - not something you want to have to worry about when your in the middle of no-where. In particular, our journey from Boa Vista to Manaus (300 miles through the Amazon) might be a little hairy if one of us is hit by a flying monkey… rahrg. (This is 3 shots, spaced over a month - $50 per shot so $150 all up)
- Yellow Fever - a viral disease transmitted by mosquitos, mostly fatal. It’s compulsory to be vaccinate before entering some of C/S America. They also give you a spiffy looking certificate to show off to boarder guards. I’m having this one last, as it’s a living culture of the disease (!), so your immune system needs to be in tip-top shape. Apparently on in two million people die from the vaccine… (One shot, $70)
- Hepatitis A / Typhoid - Pretty much mandatory, as both diseases can be transmitted through food and water. Hep A is the most frequent disease seen in travelers that is vaccine preventable. (One shot, $150, protects you from both for up to a year)
- Tetanus/Diptheria - To protect against any nasty crashes, scratches, or over excited love-bites. (One shot, $10, cheap and choice)
- Malaria - Transmitted by mosquitos that bite at night. Theres no vaccine against malaria, but it can be prevented by taking anti-malarial tablets while there. Depending which one we go with, we’re looking at $4 - $9 a week in tablets.
So far, Tetanus/Diptheria has been sorted, and i’m one shot into my Rabies treatment. Horray!
Hope you like the website, it’s almost finished - a few minor things to do still.
In budget news, i’m still trying to sell my Car, and my Guitar… the whole trip becomes viable as soon as I can pawn them off 
Peace, Jonno B
October 31st, 2006 at 11:20 am
Cool website. Don’t you dare sell your acoustic guitar !!!!
Anna wants to know what the cure is for love bites.
October 31st, 2006 at 11:21 am
I love the site man, wicked idea and looks great. I know I need all these jabs you getting before we head off to South/Cental America, but reading over it has made me a bit uneasy (ignorance is bliss). I managed to sell my car which was the same as yours and got a good price, got me through a long way.
November 9th, 2006 at 9:09 am
You’re lucky. They still have smallpox & bubonic plague in Bengal. And local putting water in the petrol to make a few bucks. Not good for the engine, as some who rode a bike overland discovered. Adamo
December 29th, 2006 at 12:47 am
Stay on yer bike, son !
January 10th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
I’ve checked your travel map and am starting to think that four months may be ambitious. Venezuelan oil fields are being re-nationalised creating potential for all sorts of unexpected difficulties. Nevertheless, what happens on the ground can bear little relation to media reports. Stay safe, stay sane, stay grounded - and don’t forget to get away from the bikes occasionally to smell the flowers, take in some music, explore the history, art, culture, .. and meet the locals.
Take care of yourselves,
Adam.