September 3 Taftan
By the time we crossed the border to Pakistan. It was too late to start riding to the next town. It was unsafe to stay in local hotel, so we were offered a room in the Taftan Police compound. Taftan had the feel of the wild west of Pakistan. We were not allowed to take picture of the town or its people.
September 4 – 5 Dalbandin
We were escorted by Police to Dalbandin. Unfortunate for us, the road was closed the next day due to protest from a nearby town. We had to stay there extra night. We could not venture outside our hotel without police escort. So photos were taken from the balcony of the hotel room.
Our Pakistan Police Escort to Dalbandin
September 6 – 7 Quetta
We had to stay in Quetta for extra day to get NOC, a permit to leave the city. We were also running out of cash and in desperate need to withdraw money from an ATM. We have exhausted our US$ cash in Iran where we could not access any ATM. Quetta is the first city in Pakistan where we can get cash from ATM. Here are photos of various Police Escorts.
We had to stay in Quetta for extra day to get NOC, a permit to leave the city. We were also running out of cash and in desperate need to withdraw money from an ATM. We have exhausted our US$ cash in Iran where we could not access any ATM. Quetta is the first city in Pakistan where we can get cash from ATM. Here are photos of various Police Escorts.
September 8 Sukkur
We were so glad that we had police escort with us to battle the chaotic peak hour traffic in Sukkur. we went to several hotels and they were all full. We finally found this guest house with secured parking.
September 9 - 10 Multan
I was introduced to a local adventure rider from Multan for 3 years. Iqbal is a very generous man welcoming bikers from all over the world to his home. We were also very fortunate in timing as his niece was getting married, and the wedding ceremony for the groom was right next door that night. It was a fun night with music and food. We didn't get to bed till 2 pm. The next day was spent on hair cut, and changing oil on our bikes.
Mr Iqbal Ghangla's family home - belong to him and 3 other brothers
September 11 Lahore
Lahore is a big city with over 5 million inhabitants, and the traffic is chaotic and dangerous. We met with Iqbal's friend Malik who owned a second hand car dealership. He checked us into a very nice hotel nearby. I had trouble with my oil change, so we seek help from his bike mechanic.
Oil change by Malik's bike mechanic. No charge!
September 12 – 13 Islamabad
Malik took us to a roof top restaurant overlooking the famous Badshahi
mosque.
Igbal arrived late afternoon, and we rod off to Islamabad at night. It was a real battle to ride in heavy traffic a night.
We accompany Iqbal to the Islamabad Auto Show, where he was an honorable exhibitor.
Faisal Mosque is the largest Mosque in Pakistan. It was the world's largest mosque until 1993.
Went out to a nice restaurant after the show with some of his friends there.
September 14 – 15 Naran
We said goodbye to Iqbal and rode to Naran. We are entering the most beautiful part of Pakistan.
On our way there, I fed the monkeys.
Choy was feeling a bit sore after his crash
Igbal arrived late afternoon, and we rod off to Islamabad at night. It was a real battle to ride in heavy traffic a night.
September 14 – 15 Naran
We said goodbye to Iqbal and rode to Naran. We are entering the most beautiful part of Pakistan.
September 16 Gilgit
September 17 - 18
Karimabad
We spent a day ride on the Karakorum highway to the Khunjerab Pass (4,700 metre) right up to the Chinese border. This section has the best road and scenery of our entire trip!
We spent a day ride on the Karakorum highway to the Khunjerab Pass (4,700 metre) right up to the Chinese border. This section has the best road and scenery of our entire trip!
September 19 Besham
A tough day riding from Karimabad to Chilas. where we stop at Shagrila Hotel for lunch. We were considering to stay there overnight, but decided to ride on because they did not have internet access. That was a bad mistake as it was already 3 pm and we didn't realized that the next 200 km was consisting of very rough roads, and that a police escort was waiting for us at the hotel. We got to Besham city at around 9 pm, very tired and thirsty.
September 20 – 21 Islamabad
We managed to sneak out of our hotel without any police escort, but when we reached a police checkpoint, we were again escorted for a around 50 km later. We rode the rest of the way to Islamabad by ourselves. We arrived at KP House around 6 pm. Accommodation was arranged and paid for by Alan's relatives. We spent the next day with them sightseeing around Islamabad. We had a nice time with them, and grateful for their incredible hospitality.
Alan's son in law's family from Peshawar.
Faisal Mosque is the largest mosque in Pakistan.
September 22 Lahore
It was a long day ride in the rain. We were totally wet by the time we got to Lahore. Then we had to battle with chaotic traffic and heavy flooding for nearly an hour before we arrived at our hotel. Our boots were filled with dirty flood water. We spent the rest of our day with cleanup.
It was a long day ride in the rain. We were totally wet by the time we got to Lahore. Then we had to battle with chaotic traffic and heavy flooding for nearly an hour before we arrived at our hotel. Our boots were filled with dirty flood water. We spent the rest of our day with cleanup.
