OzBus 14

Border crossing today leaving Pakistan.  As Amjad taught us when first entering Pakistan, the song ‘Jeeway, Jeeway Pakistan’ meant ‘Long life’, a song that we all had no issues singing when leaving the country.  We drive to the border, where a few days before we’d seen the ceremony of taking down the flags.  As with every border crossing on the trip so far, the process is long and arduous.  The weather has been progressively increasing in temperature since Turkey, making the border crossing that much longer.  After 1 hour of having passports checked, bags randomly searched and many forms filled out, we finally reach Indian soil!

Sandeep is our guide for the next couple of days, sent from the tour operator looking after us while in India.  Our bus was the biggest so far on the trip, with space for us to literally run around (or at least lay across a row of seats each).  The drive from the border was short and the hotel was “traditional” (looking like it was last renovated in the 30’s).  As usual, nothing to write home about.  A lunch stop after the baggage drop, and our first taste of the renown Indian culinary delights.  I opted for egg biriyani, which was very cheap and very tasty.

After lunch, we paid a visit to the Golden Temple, the Sikh equivalent of Mecca.  By the time we arrive, it is late afternoon and the sun is in the process of setting.  Because of the timing, we sit outside the temple and wait for both the sun to go down and the lights to come up.  The sight itself feels holy, sacred.  More than peaceful, I felt I could spend the whole day there staring and simply being, without a care in the world.  I wouldn’t be able to put my finger on what time of the day is preferable to see the temple, as the building itself has a special magic around it both during the day and at night.  Another highly recommended sight to visit.

On the way back, some of us decide to try and find some alcohol.  We find some rum and also a bar to have a few beers.  After the pub, some of us have a small rum party in Leader’s room, ending our first night in India on a drunken high.

A rest day for us all as we are free till 4pm when Amjad has organised that we all go shopping.  Due to security issues, simply walking out of the hotel was an almost impossible feat.  A lie in was in order!  Considering our hectic schedule so far, a few hours stuck inside the hotel seem to go backwards.  It didn’t help that half of the day was missing power – due to the increased level of electrical output the city has seen over the last few years, power plants cannot meet the demand and, because of this, there would be periodic power outages.  The backup generator was on task, but couldn’t power the whole hotel.  A nuisance or entertainment, you decide.  Eventually, after faffing around and eating lots of room service, we head out to the shops!

The market square was not large, diverse nor pretty, but it did provide the essentials.  A couple of hours out and we head back to the hotel.

After getting back, Wayne, Anne and I head out to a restaurant recommended by the hotel manager.  The manager also kindly chauffeurs us to the place.  Sarhad Restaurant, five minute drive from the hotel serves traditional Pakistani cuisine.  The restaurant itself is quintessentially traditional; hammock like seats, local families with kids running and playing and a butcher located near the entrance preparing the cuts of meat used in the dishes – amazing.  Food is nice, but the atmosphere was something more than the food could ever offer for the traveller.  The rest of the night would be filled with beer and football.  High spirits as tomorrow is the beginning of a new country – India!

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The capital is our last stop and will be the place where we spend longest; a total of 3 nights. Moving from Multan to Lahore also meant that we progress from the Sindh province to the Punjab province ... [Continue reading this entry]

A long drive but not such an early start as there aren't any cities or towns to go through.

It does also mean that there aren't many interesting places to stop at.  Most of the ... [Continue reading this entry]

A long drive is in store for us today, making for an early start. There is a chance for us to see one of the royal excavations and another mosque before getting into Sukkur. On the way ... [Continue reading this entry]

We head out of Karachi with high hopes for what's to come. Today is the first time we meet our ever changing police escorts, something that we become accustom to (eventually). Unfortunately one of the group had ... [Continue reading this entry]

5am start, straight to the airport. Long check in process before our flight, the usual immigration procedure and a 3 hour flight all to be able to say "welcome to Pakistan". The airport in Pakistan is nothing ... [Continue reading this entry]

 

Mustafa lives in Esfahan, so for the final city hop we have a new driver and coach (though the same as previous). Tehran is our destination as our flight to Pakistan leaves from the capital city. Much ... [Continue reading this entry]

Hassan provides a guided tour in the morning for those who want to see the city, but some decide to opt out and stay behind. Liam and I decide to head out together and explore the wonderful ... [Continue reading this entry]

We have what is undoubtedly the tour's best breakfast before seeing another museum. 6 hour drive ahead of us would, to the normal pedestrian, sound like a long journey, but is somewhat of a norm for us ... [Continue reading this entry]

There is a visit to another Blue Mosque after departing from Zanjan. The weather is brighter compared to the last couple of days, giving us all a renewed sensation of tackling travel through Iran. Our next stop ... [Continue reading this entry]

Second day in Iran starts with a visit to the Blue Mosque; a historic mosque (blue as depicted in the name) devastated by an earthquake a few centuries back. We also visit the Azerberjan Museum before heading out. Fridays are ... [Continue reading this entry]

Today is the day of change; new driver, new bus, new culture, new country and, for the first time, a local tour guide. Border crossing into Iran is a long and lengthy process.  As we say goodbye to Martin, we head ... [Continue reading this entry]

Our last stop in Turkey is a border town.  A long drive ahead means we won't have much time in the place, so we assume it'll be a case of dinner and rest. On the way, less than one hour after ... [Continue reading this entry]