Last night after a good dinner and astounding show of the gate closing ceremony I went in to my tent trying to get some rest with Lil G sleeping outside. It was a bit warm, so I guess I can make it without the sleeping bag. About 11 pm wind started picking up and later came the violent sandstorm.
I was holding on to the tent and praying hard it won’t collapse and fly off with me inside. Half an hour later, it started slowing down. Phew, still in one piece.
But stars were not to be seen. Few minutes later I could hear the rain falling on the tent. Very glad that it rained down to cool off the night. From slow it got heavier and heavier; with loud thunderstorms and strong winds. I was laughing to myself like a madman. Told myself, “Argh finally, a refreshing cool air for you, Hadi. It has been a long time since you last slept in a tent.”

I thought that it would only be for awhile but I was wrong. It lasted until almost 3am. And I have been up every freaking hours to hold still my tent. I kept telling myself, “it is going to be OK. Just pray and hang on.”

After it calmed down, I peeked outside the tent to see whether G is OK. She slept with her side on the ground; she couldn’t fight the strong wind! Picked her up and tried to get some sleep. But oh! The sunrise greeted me way too early. As early as 4am! But I didn’t care, I picked up where I left off. Had a short nap and woke up by 7am. Had a quick packing and off for a light breakfast not forgetting a taste of Pakistani chai. We were on the road short after, determined to be in Islamabad before dark. The road here is very good, well built and taken care of. I cruised at 80km and skipped Lahore city by using the bypass road. I don’t feel the need to put up a night there as I have been there before. Furthermore, a night means more money flying out of my pocket which I don’t really have much now.

After 100km, I took a break. Got Lil G filled. And a drink and stretching for me. Later, I sat by the floor on the side of the petrol mart just to catch on my breath. An old man walked towards me and started talking to me in Urdu. I gave my salam and he was saying something that I could not comprehend. He walked away and came back with a plastic chair. He told me to sit on the chair, not on the floor. Oh! I was so touched by his kind gesture that I almost cried. He insisted for me to sit on the chair and not on the floor. I refused but he knelled down and trying hard to talk to me. I took his offer and thanked him politely. He disappeared and came back few minutes later with a glass of water for me.

Pakistanis. They have their own way with a stranger, a foreigner like me. I will treasure this moment forever.

Moving on, I headed straight to Islamabad. Went for a courtesy visit to Malaysian Embassy. So happy to see fellow Malaysians and I instantly felt at home. They were so kind and generous to provide me a place to put up for the night. When I arrived at the embassy, I missed His Excellency by few minutes. But worry not, will be meeting him soon.

I unpacked my stuff in the room and contacted my Pakistani friend. Had the luxury of Pakistani lamb for a dinner till I bloated! Hahaha, good food after a long ride. I needed the fat.

Did some laundry, had a good shower as well as a good sleep. Later prepared my papers for the next border-crossing. Will be heading out to Taftan and into Iran in few days time.

Tonite, am sleeping over at the home of my Pakistani buddy, Shahid. A good buddy and very helpful indeed. Been running around with me in this clean city. And he feeds me a lot too.

Till the next update, people.

Khoda Hafez.

Yesterday was a very long ride and longest ever for me in India; 530km in 12hours. Started a bit late from Srinagar and reached Amritsar almost 10pm. Tired. Deadly tired. My butt really hurts. Gonna have flat butt soon if this continues.

Amritsar was almost dead when I set foot. Got myself a bad room. Ah, too tired to think about it. That was all I can afford. Showered and changed in mildew, slimy, cockroach flying and bug infested smelly room.

Out for a bite. Felt like zombie chewing my food; too tired to eat but too hungry to sleep. Was back in the cyberworld to send some updates and reply e-mails and later to bed. Sleeping on the wood bed doesn’t do justice to my body. More back pain for me. Haha…a beggar can’t be choosy, can he?

Woke up in the morning and my goodness, tons of messages in my inbox!! And more and more messages came in as I read the earlier ones. Good lord, I must be incommunicado for a very long time!

Waited for a while for water to come out from the tap. Hahaha. Showered but still felt yucky and sticky. From snow to  rain to hailstorm and back to rain, it was cold all the way two days ago but today it’s more than 40°C. More than 40°C increase of temperature in 48 hours. I am so going to fall. I kept telling myself to hang tough and not to fall on this trip. I prayed hard.

Not really sure whether to hang around another day here or hit the border. The blaring sound of traffic outside where I stayed is killing me. Lil G needs new rubber and I’m really running low on India Rupee. She needs it more than me. I will hit the border when she gets the rubber. We need it to cross all the way to Iran. Anticipating the desert and unknown road conditions, she really needs a good set of tyres.

All packed, had breakfast by the roadside. Went around the town but most shops were closed. Silly me, it was Sunday. An hour going around asking for bike or tyre shop was not an easy task. Oh, I saw the golden temple, it was jam packed with people. I wanted to have a visit but then I have to leave Lil G far from my sight with bags and everything. And I have to take off my boots also. I know it’s a holy place but I cannot jeopardise my bike, my bag, my stuff and my only boots just for the visit. Got some pictures in front of the golden temple entrance. There were tons of people. Guess gonna skip it for now.

Time is running short and funds are low. Tyres are the priority here now. Finally found some shops selling but none fits my budget. Went around and around and finally found one. USD35 inclusive of fitting it. Looks really like good rubber to me. Lil G needed it so she got it but before that the mechanics were arguing who should take her wheels off. Truth was, they didn’t know how to do that on a small bike with disc brakes. So yes, you guessed it right, I ended up doing it by myself. Hey, this is India and I am not complaining. Waited one good hour to put them wheels back. It was Sunday, with too many customers and little mechanics, they were short of hands.

Lil G is really tall now, grown up so fast before my eyes. Hahaha. It’s the good rubber and I hope it could last till Iran the least.

Off to border but oh! Lil G was bleeding oil from the side cover. I really hope she can stay strong and make it to Iran so she can be fixed soon.

38km it says. Good road. With new rubber and the old one kept as spare just in case, we’re good to go.

Getting paperwork done at the Wagah border was not that easy. Too much questions and too many higher level signature required. Then off to the Pakistan’s side. Done in 3 hours. By 4.30pm, I was safely out of the gate. Asked around about the Ceremony of The Gate. They told me it’s at 6pm. It’s either I hang around here or I hit Lahore.

Since I’m already here, I better stay and watch. But where do I sleep? I asked around and got to know that I can tent at the tourist spot nearby. So, I camped there and watched the show. Believe me, it was worth the tent. I could feel the excitement of the locals. Great and colorful event. Will post the video up once I get my laptop back. No thanks to Lenovo for making you guys wait since Agra.

Watched the show for almost an hour and later headed off to my tent at the tourist spot. Here, they got rooms and showers and area for tents. There’s a food area too. Camping here is the only choice I have at the moment. Here, you can change money also. Changed all my Indian Rupee to Pakistan Rupee, which was enough for my dinner and balance of USD15 in my pocket. That would take me to Islamabad tomorrow. Hopefully.

It’s really heaty during the day here. I hope it’s cooler tonight for me to sleep under the stars. Had a feast of chicken fried rice, 2 bottles of soda and and a cup of chai. I am bloated, feasted myself to the max. Haha…don’t blame me, blame it on the very tiring day.

Time to hit the sleeping bag and gaze at the stars…goodnight people!

Have a good week ahead.

Khoda Hafez….

Ps: in Pakistan they use Allah Hafez