I got the impression that they really
didn’t know if I was actually allowed
to be here and they couldn’t really un-
derstand why I was wanting to pass.
They just kept saying “terrorists …
danger ... bad”.
Yet I’ve had the most incredible day
meeting the most welcoming and hos-
pitable people in the region, explor-
ing some of the most stunning roads
I’ve ever been on in my life and felt
really safe.
After seeing this part of the world
all over the media, for many years,
it was nothing like I could have ever
imagined it and was such a lovely sur-
prise. However, it was equally heart-
breaking as many of the local people
explained to me how distraught the y
are knowing that the western world
is so fearful of them and kept saying,
“we are not terrorists, we are Muslim
and we want peace”.
I heard many stories of families who
used to freely travel across the border
to Syria to see family and friends and
it is sadly no longer possible for them
to do so. They all wish for peace.
Every single checkpoint I’ve passed
through today the guards have re-filled
up my Camelbak with fresh water, en-
sured I have enough food for the jour-
ney and invited me in for some çay
tea. They have all been very reluctant
to let me pass as they seem to be very
worried for my safety, as I have found
the Turkish people to be the most
friendly, caring and hospitable people
I’ve ever met in my life, so that could
possibly be why they wouldn’t let me
cross the final checkpoint … I guess
I’ll never know.
So, now I’m taking a break in the
lush green mountains by the Iraqi bor-
der (definitely not what you’d think of
when picturing this area) and coming
up with a new plan and route east.
Now that I’ve filled you in on my
day, let me give you a little overview of
my trip so far ...
Over seven months on the road,
yet I only left Europe and crossed the
Bosphorus in Istanbul into Asia a few
weeks ago.
I’ve travelled less than 3000 miles
from home, and 220 days on the road
gives me an average of 13 miles a day.
It probably would have been quicker
to walk!
I have a feeling this could be a long
world trip.
So, because I spent so long crossing
Europe my Pakistan visa expired, and
TRAVERSE 62
with no luck extending it in Istanbul I
had two options; either fly me and the
bike over Iran and Pakistan to India
and continue my trip, or fly back to
London for my interview with the Pa-
kistan Embassy in the hope that they
issue me another visa so I can contin-
ue my trip overland.
I’ve heard so many amazing things
about Iran and Pakistan, so I was will-