It is about a half hour walk from my hotel to the golden temple and it takes some searching in the narrow streets. But the closer I get, the more people head in the same direction. On arrival I have to hand in shoes, socks and cap and I am given an orange cloth to wear as a head covering…
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It's only a short distance to the border crossing with India so I leave at my leisure towards the Wagah border post. This is one of the most special border posts in the world. India and Pakistan are not friends and residents of both countries are not allowed to travel to each other's countries, with exceptions. It is therefore…
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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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Next to Islamabad is Lake Rawal and today I visit the Lake View Park which, as the name says, is next to it. I don't have to look far for a taxi, because old, small Suzuki Altos are waiting for customers at the bus stop every day. Motorcycle taxi is also possible, recognizable by the (usually much too…
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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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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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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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The application for the visa for India cannot be done directly at the Indian embassy in Islamabad, but must go through a designated agency, called Visatronix. I have all my papers with me and walk towards it. At least 20 people are queuing outside for a guard who occasionally lets someone in….
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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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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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