Author: ivo

Traveling the world with a GS: a GlobalSmile
By ivo

Nice, but I have to go!

My last evening in Islamabad is one of reunion and fun. With Sébastien and Alexia from France and Simon and Elya from Belgium I go to the famous Montana restaurant where we enjoy the view over the city and a delicious Pakistani buffet. Afterwards we are asked to leave a message…

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By ivo

The Faisal Mosque

I wake up to the sound of the rain. That could be a reason to stay down, but I can't. If I lie down for more than 7 to 8 hours, my back starts to protest, so get up. Not much later the power goes out and noisy generators start here and there…

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By ivo

Back to the sun

In my hotel room I can look out through the cracks in the window and door frames. It was 1 degree last night, but my sleeping bag and the blankets from the hotel kept me nice and warm. In the clear blue sky the radiant sun is already challenging me to get up, but the…

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By ivo

Off road in Kashmir

The mountains immediately start north of Islamabad and the roads that run through them lead to northern Afghanistan, Tajikistan and China. The road to China is on every globetrotter's bucket list: the epic Karakoram Highway. This is not a highway but one of the highest asphalted roads in the world with the highest point 4.714…

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By ivo

Finally free again!

The last day that we have to drive with police escort has arrived. We leave for Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan and for our group the end point, because from there we can travel alone. Changing the Levies today is super fast, usually the next patrol is already waiting when we arrive and there are…

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By ivo

Incident in Qaiser

Breakfast is not included today. We have not been able to do any shopping on the way and the stocks of cookies and bananas have run out. Fortunately, our Russian travel companion has boiled water on his gas burner and we can still wake up with nes coffee and tea. Brushing our teeth at the water barrel and then we leave again. Where…

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By ivo

Back to basics

At 8.30 am we are ready to leave and sure enough, the Levies are on time. Without the Vespa riders it goes fast and at the switch points of the Levies the next ones are usually ready to take over. That's how it goes well! The scenery is truly breathtaking…

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