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Hi All,
We stayed for 2 night in Lucknow, India and after that we rode to Agra about 335 km away. The first 50 km riding was a bit havoc, lots of potholes on the road, road works and worst of all, the undisciplined drivers. After that it was quite fine as the vehicles on the road became lesser and lesser and the road condition became better. One thing we noticed about Indian drivers was that every one is in a hurry and they will squeeze their way without thinking about the oncoming vehicles. Honking is considered normal in India, it is not a sign of rudeness but telling the others to give way. Even when there is a 5 km traffic jam, they will still honk and expect the 5,000 vehicles in front to give him way to pass through. The other thing that we are always asked by the locals whenever we stop during our rides is 'how much is the bike cost?' and 'how fast can the bike go?'. They will ask us in Tamil or Hindi, a language we are alien to but we can somehow understand because these questions are always asked. Agra is famous for its the Mahal, one of the 7 wonders of the world. It is really a sight to behold and should not be missed. Cheers, Borneoman & Trailing Spouse On 2 Wheels http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1398849523 http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7c432b84.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1398851045 http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1398850808 http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1398850461 http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps906f3763.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7ff3671c.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8dbe8263.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6ae4bd06.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1398848819 http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps306fd8c1.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psb521c038.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps768e068e.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps50eb7606.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps97bcd99b.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps01d211ff.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3b1962b7.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4009985d.jpg |
After Agra we rode to New Delhi on 23 April 2014 and we checked into Vista Inn Hotel which was recommended by the owner of the hotel in Agra. He co-owned the hotel and gave us quite an attractive rate of USD30 per night plus breakfast. We stayed in this hotel for 6 nights. The hotel location was good, with a very happening evening shopping bazaar nearby.
Like most city we have been to, we did not take Black V out when we move around because it attracts a lot of attention. In general in India, when you stop your bike anywhere, there would be many people interested in the bike, curiously touching every part of the bike. Taking photos alongside the bike is normal and if we were to charge 20 sen per photo, we could have made quite a sum. Another thing we have learned about India is that never ask the same question to more than 1 person because you will definitely get different answers. Sometimes before you ask, they already gave you the answer. In Delhi, we visited mostly the big shopping complexes and bazaar. The weather is extremely hot. We moved around mostly in rickshaw or tuk-tuk for short distance destinations. For further ones, we took the Metro train and it was very convenience, super cheap, fast and reliable. I think they run the best train system which is similar to Singapore. Though there are a few interesting historical places in Delhi, we only went to one, The Red Fort and skipped the others due to the hot weather. Cheers, Borneoman & Trailing Spouse On 2 Wheels http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps32d25e31.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps56892618.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps91988ba7.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps81dbb08d.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...pse31954b9.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psd1f1e8ab.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps519e0fc2.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2a7f70ba.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psbadd2ece.jpg On 29 April 2014 we left New Delhi for Rishikesh, a city about 230 km north east of Delhi. As usual the ride was slow and long due to the not so good road condition, hot weather, passing through many small towns and also the overly indiscipline road drivers and non-drivers. It took us about 6 hours to get to Rishikesh. What is so special about Rishikesh? This particular place is known as the Hindu spiritual city, yoga capital of the world and meditation centre. It is situated along the fast flowing Ganges River and is surrounded by mountains. What interest me about this place was the number of outdoor activities available in Rishikesh - white water rafting, beach / jungle camping, hiking, rock climbing, bungee jumping etc. Beach camping referring to camping on Ganges River banks. There were many foreigners around including those from Europe, Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese mostly come to do / learn yoga professionally or simply do meditation. We stayed in a hotel not far from the Ganges River facing the beautiful mountain. It has a small balcony and windy all the time. Every morning, we will sit at the balcony together with the monkeys (there are a lot of them in this city). Since this place is a 'holy' city, everyone seemed to be nice to each other - the swami, the yogis, the Europeans, the Korean, Japanese, the locals, the cows and the monkeys too seemed to treat you nice. The animals do not bother you at all. The only thing that I could not stand was that this place served 100% 'vegetarian food'. We stayed for 6 nights in Rishikesh including a 2 days camping & doing white water rafting at the upper end of Ganges River. Cheers, Borneoman & Trailing Spouse On 2 Wheels http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psc3f0f666.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0b5b18d6.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9d342004.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0ac90151.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1dfa4e67.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8c5dead6.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps20abd770.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps69ad3d75.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1e97aaad.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6f3d5ea2.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psd15015f4.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps82c8733b.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4bab00ac.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4d104878.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psfcf4c661.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psb2f38594.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps515b91e1.jpg http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psa38135f3.jpg |
Keep on posting and have a fantastic trip! Once you get into Europe we´ll need to convince you to see Germany, too and we´ll certainly have a bed for the two of you.
Cheers Chris |
Great thread - I will soon embark on more or less the same trip but the other way round. Will be interested to read up your next updates.
Have a safe trip and all the best. |
Pakistan
Hi All,
Some updates on our travel. After India, we crossed into Pakistan at Wagah border. In our initial plan, we only planned to stay for about a week in Pakistan, however we stayed for a month instead. We found Pakistan to be very interesting with many places to explore. Furthermore the people are very welcoming, kind and hospitable which made our stay in Pakistan a memorable one. Honestly, what we had experienced in Pakistan was not the same as what we saw and heard on the media. Though certain areas in Pakistan are considered 'not safe', we did not at all feel 'unsafe' throughout our stay in this country. The places we have traveled in Pakistan are as follows: a. Lahore from 9 May to 14 May b. Islamabad from 15 May to 16 May c. Karakoram Highway from 17 May to 26 May d. Rawalpindi from 27 May to 29 May e. Lahore again from 30 May to 31 May f. Traveling from Lahore to Bahawalpur, Shukkor and Quetta from 1 June to 6 June g. Travel from Quetta to Dalbandin and Pakistan/Iran border from 7 to 8 June h. We crossed into Iran at Mirjaveh on 8 June Cheers, Borneoman & Trailing Spouse on 2 Wheels http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1403886256 We are officially in Pakistan http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps626c443e.jpg Meeting with members of Motorcycle Association of Pakistan (MAP) http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9f7c3748.jpg Meeting with new friends, Mr Omar (3rd from right) and his group of friends http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6aa554c8.jpg Pakistani policewomen working (gossiping) http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps23305b26.jpg Many choices of dry dates http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps60487231.jpg Political rally in Lahore http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0dbc763b.jpg Local dessert (very yummy) http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4cc5670c.jpg Info about Lahore Fort http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psd4015d1e.jpg Building around Badshahi Mosque http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psd8844b6f.jpg The famous Badshahi Mosque in Lahore http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psbb95cc05.jpg The building in front of Badshahi Mosque http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psbb9eb817.jpg Borneoman at Badshahi Mosque (look at the size of the guard) http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psf6b15da1.jpg Badshahi Mosque, Lahore http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7c4e36e4.jpg Entrance to Badshahi Mosque http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4e4f1ca6.jpg Trailing Spouse (Celeste) and the view of Badshahi Mosque taken from Lahore Fort http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps817c46b3.jpg Another view of Badshahi Mosque http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psa622fd43.jpg Hello from Borneoman http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps085b5074.jpg Black V, Borneoman and local men http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...pse97df28e.jpg A church in Ayubia, outside Islamabad http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps43733ca7.jpg Motorcycle is toll free http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps05d25c01.jpg Holiday resort Ayubia just outside Islamabad http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psea5e59ff.jpg Pakistan men http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9d914550.jpg Having tea outside passport office in Islamabad http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psd31051db.jpg Local truck drivers http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9a20c8b4.jpg View of Black V http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps222ed16d.jpg Ride stop at a local town http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps920e9bdd.jpg Motorcycle parking in town http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1b64608e.jpg New friends in Lahore http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psec857b03.jpg Our guest house in Islamabad http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps49e2fdb1.jpg Ride stop between Lahore and Islamabad |
Pakistan - Karakoram (KKH)
Hi All,
More photos in Pakistan, our rides to Karakoram Highway (KKH). It is a 'must do' thing for anyone who are exploring Pakistan. Beautiful scenery, challenging ride (any type of vehicle) and you would be meeting people full of kindness,warm and hospitable. Would we do Pakistan again? Definitely yes. Cheers, Borneoman & Trailing Spouse on 2 Wheels http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psa33e6513.jpg Riding on KKH road http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psf6835c64.jpg Good scenery and challenging road http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...pscecc0617.jpg KKH road http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...pseb6c96a9.jpg KKH road http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps23336a53.jpg Sunset view http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps75b7f105.jpg View of the mountains http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8d89e36c.jpg Heading further north of Pakistan http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps44bd4106.jpg Nearer to Pakistan/China border http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7bc8efd1.jpg More mountain view http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps05bc3e86.jpg View from the road http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2021820d.jpg Hardly meet any vehicle for miles http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9a102e40.jpg Once a while you meet the villages http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps88f6105e.jpg Stop at police check points to register your presence http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psbf887660.jpg KKH roads http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...pse6d798f2.jpg The local police would escort you in certain areas consider 'not safe' http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psd0b99b90.jpg The Black V on a good road http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1403899475 The Black V on a NO good road http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psad42e1c6.jpg The road runs along the famous Indus River http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...pse3e4411e.jpg Another police escort group http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1403895573 Following a different police escort vehicle http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9635f6cc.jpg Crossing small stream on the road. You find many along the long KKH road http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6834d05c.jpg View from our hotel balcony in Karimabad, Hunza Valley http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psafdedfa9.jpg View from another angle of our hotel's room http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psef2a6fbb.jpg Borneoman with the local men in Hunza Valley http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps318f309c.jpg Celeste and the 'decorated truck' http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...pseed4e44f.jpg Doing a 3 days mountain trekking to Fairy Meadows during KKH ride http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0741cfc3.jpg Taken in Fairy Meadows http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7c90614e.jpg (l to r) Our police escort, Borneoman, Ahsan - the Resort Owner and Celeste http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psdf66bdaf.jpg View of the chalets at Fairy Meadows at the back http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3f02839e.jpg More photos of the chalets in Fairy Meadows |
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Thank you for the kind offer but unfortunately Germany is not in our route in Europe. However we are keeping our option open because just got information that Celeste's (my wife) visa for Morocco has been rejected and mine approved. I do not know how the heck they expect us to travel together by giving visa to only 1 person. Cheers, Borneoman |
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I trust you will have no regret in choosing these countries. You will definitely enjoy your travel. When are you starting your journey? Cheers, Borneoman |
Hi bro u r great
:clap:HI BRO ,HAVE view all photo n note .
n wish to joint u .ha ha ..it is great experience 4 this type of trip .:scooter::scooter::scooter: TAKE GOOD CARE Do not FORGET to sent back KUEK RAYA ....... |
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We would be in Europe till October, probably we can meet in one of the country we are going to. Please pm me if you can make it. Cheers, |
Hi All,
We were in Iran from 8 June till 19 June 2014. In general we like Iran but not as much as we like Pakistan. This was probably because the scenery and general outlook of the country landscape is about the same as Pakistan, so not much to feel the 'wow' feeling. The people in Iran generally are very kind and warm especially those in the country side. The one in cities are mostly minding their own business. Not many people in Iran are able to communicate in English so conversation with them and them with us really was an issue. Their cities, towns, roads and even villages are very modern so life is really easy for the Iranians. We did not see or hear any issue about war or fighting, religious elements or political sentiments from the Iranians. So, if the media is telling that Iran is not safe and not peaceful, I would say it is all bull****. We have been to Iran, we traveled from big cities to small towns and did not see or hear any such things happening in Iran. For money availability in Iran for foreigners, everything is by cash. You are not able to withdraw money through ATM or use your credit cards. We had made quite a number of friends in Iran and quite a number of them had invited us to their homes. We will cherish their kindness and hope one day we will meet them again. The places that we had traveled in Iran are as follows: a. Zahedan b. Bam / Kerman c. Shiraz d. Isfahan e. Tehran f. Zanjan g. Tabriz Petrol in Iran is extremely cheap, for foreigners is about USD0.30 per liter. If not mistaken it is only USD0.10 per liter for Iranians. They use their card (I believed it is their petrol subsidy card) and if they have used up their limit they too have to pay higher than USD 0.10. There is not much choice of food in Iran. Their food are mostly dry and not much to our liking. However, they have many fruits - peaches, apples, grapes, plum, banana and they are very cheap. Overall, food and beverages in Iran are affordable so anyone traveling to Iran should not worry at all about the cost. As for accommodation, there are many average and budget hotels available all over Iran. Wild camping is another option and would be fun due to the beautiful landscape. Iran is not an internet friendly country. Though wifi is widely available in hotels and cafes but many websites are either blocked of restricted. How do we rate Iran in term of liking the country? We would give Iran a 7 out of 10. Cheers, Borneoman & Trailing Spouse on 2 Wheels http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6b724f04.jpg The flag of Iran http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3939116e.jpg Police escort at the Iran border assigned to take us to Zahedan City http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0864c29d.jpg On the way to Zahedan City. Police escort is in the front http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps43e35bef.jpg Half way the journey another police escort from a different district took over http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps114d07ea.jpg On the way to Kerman City (from Zahedan) http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3794d70b.jpg Iran beautiful landscape http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0b5f7ffe.jpg Iran beautiful landscape and they also have good roads http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psfeaf53fb.jpg Salt Lake in Shiraz, Iran http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psd580aaaf.jpg On the way to Shiraz, Iran http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psc791974d.jpg Lunch at local restaurant, grilled chicken and roti http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...pse5e00195.jpg From Shiraz to Esfahan, many more km to travel http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps503e4fce.jpg Hasht Behest means Eight Paradises in Isfahan, Iran. Built in 1669 http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psc3324d97.jpg A fountain facing the palace. Not many buildings left to be seen http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...pseae9a76d.jpg The famous Siose Bridge in Isfahan (the bridge with 33 arches) http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps600ed8ce.jpg Many shop owners giving free drinks and cakes to whoever around http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3a9fae84.jpg Dinner in Tehran, typical Iranian food http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1b5ee4bc.jpg Black V stopped at a small town mosque http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6e0a789f.jpg Traffic in Tehran, Iran http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3794d70b.jpg Beautiful scenery http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps314b1cfc.jpg Iran landscape makes the traveling pleasant http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7e9e4c6c.jpg No problem traveling in Iran, good road, good scenery and wonderful people http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psc643c6df.jpg Street signs in Tehran http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps273e644d.jpg Another traffic condition in Tehran http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psb320cacf.jpg A mosque in Tehran http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...psfd34697c.jpg Another mosque in Tehran http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps506290ad.jpg Signages found on Zanjan street http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps31f4fac7.jpg Met another overlander in Iran. He is from Spain crossed into Iran from Turkey. http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps08f4b385.jpg Our hotel in Zanjan. We parked the bike inside the hotel http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps44fa0228.jpg Nearing the border into Turkey http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/...ps72000065.jpg Near Bazargan, Iran/Turkey border. In the front is Ararat Mountain |
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Sorry for the late reply... I thought I would get a notification that you'd answered my post, but I didn't. Thanks again for taking the time to post more pictures and info. It really is interesting and encouraging to read your experiences. Your pictures are great too... We start our journey from Portugal. We first had in mind to follow your route through Iran and Pakistan, but then ended up considering the Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan route. These countries sound really interesting too. However, we still are unsure as to what to do when we get to Kyrgyzstan! I read on a forum that it is possible to fly our bike, and ourselves, from Bishek to New Delhi. Can't get a confirmation about this unfortunately. Now that I read your posts I am wondering whether we should go the Iran/Pakistan way which would simplify things. Are you planning to visit Portugal? Send me a PM if you do (before the 7th of September). We can put you up and you can use my garage to do any maintenance on your bike. If you are in Spain you aren't far... |
Hi Moto 32,
I have no experience in those countries that you had planned to go to, so I am not able to share any advise how to go about it especially about flying out your bike from Bishek to Delhi. However through my personal experience, everything is 'doable'. For example when we failed to get our visa for Iran before we started our journey, we just planned to airfreight our bike from Pakistan to Turkey. Fortunately, when we were in Lahore, Pakistan, things took a change and we managed to get our Iran visa through a different party. So, it just made our travel easier. You are right about riding through Iran and Pakistan, it is simpler than avoiding them. Iran and Pakistan are beautiful countries and a 'must see'. Thank you for the offer house us in your place and definitely will contact you if we are able to make it. Cheers, Borneoman |
Good point, everything is indeed doable.. I'm sure we'll work quite a few things out as we go along.
Hopefully you can make it to Portugal. Please pm me if you do so that I get your message as early as possible. Have a happy and safe journey. |
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