As Stephen approaches the final stretch of his extraordinary journey across South and Central America, we wanted to pause and hear directly from the man behind the miles. For months, readers have followed his adventure through deserts, mountain passes, border crossings, and encounters with remarkable people. Yet behind every update lies many experiences that shape Stephen’s adventure in a unique way.
In this special Q&A, Stephen reflects on the challenges and highlights of this third major expedition, comparing it to his previous journeys across Europe, Asia, and Africa. He opens up about the realities of solo travel, the mental and mechanical hurdles he faced, and the unexpected beauty he discovered along the way. His insights offer a rare glimpse into what it truly means to cross continents on two wheels, guided by curiosity, courage, and a love for the world’s people and cultures.
Q&A With Stephen
1. Now that you’re nearing the end of this third adventure, how would you describe the overall experience compared to your previous journeys through Europe, Asia, and Africa?
I would definitely say that this is the best trip out of all three and also the longest. Probably, I managed to leave the best for last. Latin America has always been in my mind, mainly due to the historical remnants associated with lost civilisations, which left some incredible structures. I found it easy to adapt in the sense that here, there is practically one language that unites all countries, except Brazil. There is a significant presence of European culture, which has blended with the indigenous people’s way of life. Each country has its own differences.
2. Were the challenges on this trip; whether logistical, cultural, or mechanical, harder to solve than on your earlier travels? If so, which moment tested you the most?
Logistical challenges
Logistically, this trip was the easiest. This time around, I didn’t need any visas, except for Bolivia so far. At this stage, I am not sure whether I am going to Cuba, and currently I am checking out the option of where to ship my motorcycle back home. Moreover, on this trip there was no need to apply for a Carnet de Passage.
Recently, I crossed into Nicaragua, a country that has become notorious for its lengthy and bureaucratic border controls. Before doing so, I engaged in some mental preparation to be prepared for a long and arduous time at the border. Surprisingly, the whole process was quite fast, and nobody bothered to check my luggage or my motorbike. I think I have broken a record, as most people seem to have spent much more time.
Cultural challenges
I faced no cultural challenges so far. I found people to be very friendly, especially in the small villages. Like all cities, life goes fast, and the danger increases too.
Mechanical challenges
On this trip, my motorbike suffered significantly, mainly due to two reasons: altitude and unpaved terrain. The first part of the trip involved extensive riding on unpaved roads, which consisted of gravel, dust, and corrugations. Later on, I travelled extensively at high altitudes.
Due to the corrugations, I had some damage to the bike. I had to repair the chain guard a couple of times. Before I left Chile for the first time, the front end of the motorbike snapped. To repair the damage, I had to dismantle the front end, including the wiring, which took around six hours to finish the job—thankfully, the job still holds.
As a carburetted motorcycle, it struggles to ride at high altitudes due to a lack of oxygen; however, no damage has occurred so far. In Colombia, I had to replace the fuel pump with the one I had carried as a spare.
Before leaving Costa Rica, I started hearing a squeaking noise coming from the front wheel, and the speedometer stopped working for the second time. I had the whole front braking system revised. The speedometer cable snapped again, probably due to the seized mechanism residing in the front wheel, which sadly couldn’t be extracted and eventually had to be destroyed.
3. What surprised you the most about South and Central America, something you never expected before arriving?
South and Central America are two distinctive zones. Central America is a tropical region, and therefore very lush and green, with an exciting and varied biodiversity. The weather is usually warm, which also has an impact on the region’s distinctive population.
On the other hand, South America is primarily composed of large countries with extensive road networks that lead to very remote areas with different climates. You can be riding in the desert or the mountains, and riding across vast wasteland where you can travel for hours without encountering any sign of human life.
I am not sure if I was surprised by anything unexpected, but surely something that amazed me is the infinite number of mountain chains that exist.
4. Were there any moments when you seriously considered stopping or turning back? What kept you going during those tough times?
Like any other long trip, there is always some mental exhaustion. People are different, and although motorbike adventurers usually share similar goals, there can be significant differences. This is one reason I travel alone.
There are times when I don’t want to ride; however, I still proceed, as on the other hand, riding is less boring than staying in one place unless I have things to do. Yes, there were a couple of times when I thought of calling it a day. This happened when I was in Colombia, as I realised I still had a long way to go before finishing my trip, especially since I still didn’t know where I would end it.
I am a person who gets fed up of everything, especially when I keep doing the same thing repeatedly. Most of the time I cannot see much of a difference between some countries, and perhaps this deprives me of motivation. However, curiosity to discover new countries and meet new people is one reason I keep going.
Although my wife worries about me and would be more than happy to have me back home as soon as possible, she is also the person who encourages me to fulfil my objectives and my dreams. I want to conceal the national record of being the first Maltese person who travelled furthest on a motorcycle and solo.
5. Many people dream of a trip like yours but are afraid or do not know how to take the first step. What advice would you give to someone who wants to travel but doesn’t know where to start?
As they say, the first step is the most difficult one. Embarking on such a trip requires some preparations on a logistical and mental level. However, what I have learned is that there is no big need to prepare everything in great detail.
Travelling in Europe is different from South America or Africa; however, dangers exist everywhere. Today, a wealth of information is available, and numerous people are willing to lend a hand.
Of course, such a trip requires time and money. However, the biggest hurdle is fear. Some countries or regions may have a bad reputation, which may not be factual or may be based on rumours of sporadic events. Of course, one must be cautious and follow the advice of others who can provide reliable information, especially from those who have recently been there or from residents.
To undertake such a trip, one requires a certain degree of selfishness and also a certain amount of confidence to sort things out. Embarking on such a trip will ultimately help you discover more about yourself, including your hidden abilities and fears. I suggest starting with short trips and seeing how it feels; however, there is nothing that can truly prepare you for extended travel. I hope to live to see if someone else can beat my record.
Stephen’s reflections reveal a traveller shaped not only by the landscapes he crosses, but by the people he meets and the inner journeys each road demands. His honesty about the difficult moments, the emotional fatigue, and the determination to push forward gives us a deeper appreciation of the man behind the adventure.
As his journey draws closer to its final chapter, one thing is clear: this expedition has challenged, changed, and inspired him in ways no map could ever show. And for those following along, Stephen’s story continues to remind us that courage often begins with a single step, and that the world is far more welcoming, surprising, and beautiful than we imagine.
Stay tuned as we accompany Stephen through the last miles of this unforgettable adventure!