Tommy stayed in yurts when biking through Mongolia. Photo: Supplied.
A Yoogali resident who set off on an overland motorbike ride from Italy to Japan has returned to Griffith after completing a different and longer route than he originally planned.
Italian forklift mechanic Tommy Caragilo caught a ferry from Italy to Greece in May 2024 then set off on his Honda CBR600 through to Turkey, Georgia, Iran, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia.
“I had planned to catch a ferry from Russia to Japan, but found out it would cost $4,000 to ship my bike across the sea. So I decided to instead catch a flight to Moscow, where I had my motorbike sent, before I explored Eastern Europe,” he said.
On the second leg of his yearlong journey, Mr Caragilo weaved his way through Estonia, Poland, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia.
But it was his trip through the ancient Silk Road, where he passed through predominantly Muslim countries bordering war-torn Ukraine and Afghanistan, that caused family some anxiety.
“My trip wasn’t dangerous at all, even though people thought it would be,” Mr Caragilo said. “I was never robbed or threatened. In fact, the people were really hospitable. The only danger I faced was on some highways in places like Iran where they drive very fast.”
Tommy said Tajikistan has spectacular scenery and vast stretches of remote mountainous land. Photo: Supplied.
He said Iranians were also notable for their friendliness towards tourists.
“We saw this man in his own little bakery. When I told him I was from Italy he was so welcoming, he wanted to chat even though he didn’t speak much and he gave me five loaves of bread,” Mr Caragilo said.
The 40-year-old said highlights of his trip included seeing the unique cone-shaped rock formations in Turkey’s Cappadocia, visiting the world’s largest tea plantation on the Black Sea, climbing through the spectacular mountainous scenery in Tajikistan and sampling the unusual cuisine of Mongolia.
Cappadocia in Turkey was a highlight. Photo: Supplied.
The strangest place he visited was Turkmenistan, which is often called the “North Korea of Central Asia” and is run by an eccentric dictator.
“It was weird, all the cars were white, it’s like there were no people at all in the capital, but everything was so orderly. I was only allowed in the country after I agreed to do a tour,” he said.
The only major hiccups were losing his passport in Kazakhstan and his bike breaking down in Kyrgyzstan. On both occasions, the hospitality of locals quickly got him back on track.
“On the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, we had to ride through rivers, where water damaged the bearings. I found help and parts quickly and was able to fix it up,” he said.
“In Almaty [Kazakhstan] I lost my passport in a phone shop. I reported it to the police, but a good Samaritan found it for me and returned it a few hours later.”
Tommy said meeting other travellers was a highlight, including here in Turkey. Photo: Supplied.
He faced another challenge when he crossed the border from Kazakhstan to Russia.
“I spent four hours with border officials. They asked so many questions, like what I thought of [President] Putin. But they eventually let me in.”
The globetrotting Italian has now visited more than 60 countries. In 2016, he rode 60,000 km to make his way across the length of the Americas, from Patagonia in Argentina up to Alaska.
A map of Tommy’s planned Silk Road route. Image: Supplied.
So what’s made him return to Griffith after exploring so much of the world?
“I was missing Griffith, especially all the great tennis in town. I hope to work here for another six months to save money and then plan my next adventure – I want to bike from South Africa to Norway through all of Africa and Europe.”
TOMMY’S TOP TEN ON HIS SILK ROAD TRIP
Best food: The nicest was Turkey, which had great kebabs and quality vegetables, but there was also interesting food in Mongolia and nice saffron rice in Iran.
Friendliest people: Iran, but they were also great in Turkey, Kyrgyzstan and most places.
Best accommodation: Heritage Hostel in Esfahan in Iran, great hospitality from management and I met travellers from all over the world.
Best scenery: Tajikistan and Mongolia.
Toughest place in terms of language: Russia and Kazakhstan.
Most expensive: the European countries.
Cheapest: Iran.
Strangest country: Turkmenistan.
Most difficult place to travel: Tajikistan was the most difficult to ride my bike on the mountainous terrain; in Kazakhstan, it was difficult to find accommodation in some remote places.
Best nightlife: Moscow. There wasn’t much nightlife in a lot of the mostly Muslim countries along the Silk Road.
