13th
October Okara, Pakistan to Amritsar, India
We get up very very early. I for one am enthusiastic about leaving the Madhina Hotel, leaving Okara, and leaving Pakistan.
Stephen, Richi, Martin and myself rush onward. Stephen and I are going to Wagah, Richi and Martin to Lahore. We say our goodbyes somewhere on the Lahore highway.
Stephen and I reach Lahore and find our way through the city with relative ease. When we are on the road to Wagah we are exhilarated.
The border crossing is easy.... yes easy. We arrive at 10.00am and quickly progress through Pakistani formalities. There is a helper on hand who doubles as a money changing parasite. He even picks up and uses official stamps to mark up our documents, but apparently has no official status. Wagah border is famous for its long corridor and flamboyant daily ceremonies. We ride down the corridor and say farewell to outsize Pakistani soldiers and move through gates into India.
The Indian immigration centre is quite huge. On this day we are apparently the only travellers crossing. In the Indian officers are friendly and well spoken. I score 2 cups of tea.
After 2 hours in total we are free to ride out into India. Bharat Machi.
Stephen's friend, Moksha Jetley is waiting for us. Moksha is an Enfield Motorcycle tour guide who Stephen has travelled with before. She offers us garlands of carnations. Journalists from Amritsar are on hand to chat to us about our journey and to capture the moment in digital splendour.
After 20 minutes we are in Amritsar. It is joyfull to have reached India.
Amritsar is one of the major cities of the Punjab. It is the spiritual home to the Sikh religion and contains the Golden temple, the holiest of all Sikh Gudwaras. We check into the "Ritz" hotel. A nice place but possibly over named establishment.
I investigate getting a train to Goa. I buy an Indian sim card and visit the Golden Temple. The Golden Temple is a very beautifull place. It is serene and calming. An excellent way to migrate from Pakistan into India. If you ever find yourself in Amritsar, visit the Golden Temple, it is wonderfull in many ways.
Jeroen finally made it to Amritsar. He left Karachi on a badly wounded bike. He managed to reach Sukkur and then the rear suspension unit failed. He found a truck to transport himself and the bike to the Wagah border for $300. In Pakistan $300 is a lot of money. He then had to push the bike through the Pakistan / India border complex (several Kilometres). Rather him than me. All of this meant we deserved a beer.
We travelled back to the Ritz on a cycle rickshaw organised by Moksha. Neither Jeroen or I felt particularly comfortable about the thought of a man weighing about 50kg pulling along 2 guys with a combined weight of 190kg. Upon arrival I took the rickshaw pilot for spin. My first few metres were particularly demanding, the pilot then released the hand brake.....
I have arrived in India !!!!!!!!!!!!! I have left Pakistan behind !!!!!!!!!!!!
We get up very very early. I for one am enthusiastic about leaving the Madhina Hotel, leaving Okara, and leaving Pakistan.
Stephen, Richi, Martin and myself rush onward. Stephen and I are going to Wagah, Richi and Martin to Lahore. We say our goodbyes somewhere on the Lahore highway.
Stephen and I reach Lahore and find our way through the city with relative ease. When we are on the road to Wagah we are exhilarated.
The border crossing is easy.... yes easy. We arrive at 10.00am and quickly progress through Pakistani formalities. There is a helper on hand who doubles as a money changing parasite. He even picks up and uses official stamps to mark up our documents, but apparently has no official status. Wagah border is famous for its long corridor and flamboyant daily ceremonies. We ride down the corridor and say farewell to outsize Pakistani soldiers and move through gates into India.
The Indian immigration centre is quite huge. On this day we are apparently the only travellers crossing. In the Indian officers are friendly and well spoken. I score 2 cups of tea.
After 2 hours in total we are free to ride out into India. Bharat Machi.
Stephen's friend, Moksha Jetley is waiting for us. Moksha is an Enfield Motorcycle tour guide who Stephen has travelled with before. She offers us garlands of carnations. Journalists from Amritsar are on hand to chat to us about our journey and to capture the moment in digital splendour.
After 20 minutes we are in Amritsar. It is joyfull to have reached India.
Amritsar is one of the major cities of the Punjab. It is the spiritual home to the Sikh religion and contains the Golden temple, the holiest of all Sikh Gudwaras. We check into the "Ritz" hotel. A nice place but possibly over named establishment.
I investigate getting a train to Goa. I buy an Indian sim card and visit the Golden Temple. The Golden Temple is a very beautifull place. It is serene and calming. An excellent way to migrate from Pakistan into India. If you ever find yourself in Amritsar, visit the Golden Temple, it is wonderfull in many ways.
Jeroen finally made it to Amritsar. He left Karachi on a badly wounded bike. He managed to reach Sukkur and then the rear suspension unit failed. He found a truck to transport himself and the bike to the Wagah border for $300. In Pakistan $300 is a lot of money. He then had to push the bike through the Pakistan / India border complex (several Kilometres). Rather him than me. All of this meant we deserved a beer.
We travelled back to the Ritz on a cycle rickshaw organised by Moksha. Neither Jeroen or I felt particularly comfortable about the thought of a man weighing about 50kg pulling along 2 guys with a combined weight of 190kg. Upon arrival I took the rickshaw pilot for spin. My first few metres were particularly demanding, the pilot then released the hand brake.....
 |
| Cycle rickshaw pilot ...over the limit |
I have arrived in India !!!!!!!!!!!!! I have left Pakistan behind !!!!!!!!!!!!
Amritsar Mileometer
24022
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