22 June 2010

It was early morning when I started my ride. Went to a local police station to get confirmation for the possibility to ride across the Kohat tunnel.  They gave me a go.

lonely road to south

camel bites and loves to spit…so stay away..

Was stopped halfway by the highway police, asking me for my papers. They wanted to see a permit to ride on the highway.

“Huh? What permit?” I asked them.

They told me that I need a special government permit to ride on the toll highway. A cup of chai with the highway polices and I was escorted out on the next exit. They showed me the normal road to Penshawar.

entering Penshawar

This is the land of hospitality. Anywhere u go, don’t ever be surprised that the local will offer you some drink and food. Even at road blocks along the way they will offer you a seat. It was sign language all the time but I really felt their sincerity. They are nice people.

Kohat tunnel was a short tunnel; about 2 km long. It was a joint-venture project between the government of  Japanese and Pakistan. It is located right at the edge of the Taliban area. As I reached there, I guess there was some communication lost along the way that they stopped me and I was not allowed to ride through. No motorbikes allowed in the tunnel. They said it is dangerous.

getting close to Kohat tunnel

It has been almost 6 hours ride. They ask me to turn back and take another road from Islamabad. That is as good as a day lost. Tried to talk over it and they radioed here and there. 2 hours waited and finally a guy offered me to put the bike on his truck. My day was saved.

Lil G getting a ride on a pick up truck entering the tunnel

Pakistan’s signature truck

Spent few more hours on the road before reaching Dera Ismail Khan in the dark…