Riding 2Up

June 11th, 2009

Taftan, Pakistan

We got a taste of what it's like to be baby sat by police in Pakistan and it was in retrospect actually quite good even though at the time we thought of it as a hassle, they were actually helpful and there for our security which is a lot more than can be said for the Iranian escorts. From Quetta to Dalbandin and then to Taftan, the border with Iran we had police escorts all the way. There were several police check points where we were obliged to complete necessary information and show our passports but these were generally quick and hassle free. When we arrived in Dalbandin, the police tried to insist on us staying at the police station where they could provide protection and guarantee our security but the accommodation was far too basic with no running water, food and no matresses or privacy, in fact we felt that being in the police station with prisoners would be less safe than the only hotel in town, so we insisted on taking a room at the affordable hotel at the end of town (travelling to the border) where we could park our bikes in their secure backyard. The police ended up posting two officers outside the hotel and for 500Rs we were very comfortable and could have a shower and a nice meal. The hotel manager even offered us a couple of Pakistani beers, the first and last ones we found in Pakistan! From Quetta to Dalbandin the road was potholed but not so much that it affected our riding, infact we were expecting a much worse road from other reports but it was fine, especially on a motorcycle when you can avoid the potholes quite easily. We averaged 80-90kph and the ride took 4-5hours.

From Dalbandin to the border the escorts were quick and efficientand the 300kms passed quite quickly taking us about 3.5hrs. The Taftan border crossing was a bit confusing as the road just seems to end and there are no real signs so we took a guess at customs and luckily we found the building first go. The Pakistani customs officer quite laid back and not in a rush was very welcoming and offered us a cold water and cup of tea whilst he completed our paperwork. It's not often that you're welcomed into a country by customs at the border, in fact only Nepal and Pakistan have been so welcoming and this has by and large set the mood for our travels as first impressions last. The immigration and exiting Pakistan was easy enough but as soon as we crossed the border to Iran we were faced with arrogant unfriendly and strick Iranian customs who treated us like we were an inconvenience and were told time and time again to wait or move then wait some mor

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