*** Critical issue *** In summer 2009 I have had one report that Pakistan is not allowing westerners to use trains or other surface travel within Pakistan, to avoid the embarrassment of having a westerner involved in any potential terrorist incident. The correspondent was refused a visa for Pakistan by the Pakistani embassy in London when they realised he was entering overland and intended using surface transport. This clearly affects people's ability to travel overland to India through Pakistan. I have not had any confirmation of this, and do not know if it is temporary or not. If you have any more feedback, please please let me know! It was later reported by the same correspondent (in early October 2009) that the Pakistani embassy in Birmingham also refused a visa on those grounds, but that the Bradford Pakistani embassy had no problem issuing a visa for overland travel, and he can now travel(!).
“I'm sure tourists would leave Somalia alive and I'm hopeful they wouldn't be kidnapped. At least, we would try to make sure they were not kidnapped, although it can happen.” Somalia's minister of tourism Abdi Jimale Osman
Then again, when I look at some of the cargo ship schedules for sailing around Africa and on to India, I would love that experience as well. Although you mostly only get to know the crew, I like the idea of days and days of nothingness out at sea -- time to write, time to dream, time to put things in perspective. And you still arrive at places from time to time.
That sounds wonderful, K. Yeah I'd like to do that too.
Re: Road trip - UK to India « Reply #62 on Feb 25, 2010, 4:41pm »
Asker, yes, I thought as much. And within the last few months things in Pakistan have become even more volatile. I'd actually like to visit, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, but don't think it's worth the risk, at least until a time when things quieten down a bit there.
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 4,291 Location: USA
Re: Road trip - UK to India « Reply #63 on Feb 26, 2010, 3:41pm »
It sound like such an amazing trip. I hope you get to do it.
I'd only consider it if I could go with someone who's done it at least once, and who has proven to be solid and reliable, not given to sudden random decisions, or say pawning my camera when in need of quick cash. The ideal travelling partner for this trip would also have a billionaire father and a stack of no limit credit cards. I'm pretty timid, though, and too lazy to study all those languages.
I'd only consider it if I could go with someone who's done it at least once, and who has proven to be solid and reliable, not given to sudden random decisions, or say pawning my camera when in need of quick cash.
It sound like such an amazing trip. I hope you get to do it.
I'd only consider it if I could go with someone who's done it at least once, and who has proven to be solid and reliable, not given to sudden random decisions, or say pawning my camera when in need of quick cash. The ideal travelling partner for this trip would also have a billionaire father and a stack of no limit credit cards. I'm pretty timid, though, and too lazy to study all those languages.
Lola, I'd really like to, but not sure when. Yes, going with someone who has done it before would be the ideal thing to do, but how do you find someone like that?
Mark, they'd be no point calling you, you wouldn't be able to get permission to go.
Re: Road trip - UK to India « Reply #67 on Feb 26, 2010, 5:00pm »
If you say so. I'm sure you can find a place to get some sympathy for that.
I really do want to do this trip though. Been mulling it over and over for some time now. I wonder if it would be safe enough to do it alone? One of these days, I'll just put on a backpack and go.
Maybe I can persuade Spindrift to do the same. I betcha anything we'll make it across to India one way or another.
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 35,178 Location: Paris, France
Re: Road trip - UK to India « Reply #68 on Feb 26, 2010, 5:56pm »
I don't see why OnlyMark couldn't bring his whole family along as long as it is scheduled during the school holidays. Then again, the various participants probably would know enough different things among themselves that they would be a treasure trove for home schooling for the kinds, who would return home far ahead of their classmates in learning.
In the meantime, I was thinking that Spindrift could decide to return from Goa overland, in which case she will glean lots of important information for the trip in the other direction.
Re: Road trip - UK to India « Reply #69 on Feb 26, 2010, 6:32pm »
K - going on a trip like this would be murder with kids. Besides, for me, the trip would be a way to get away from them for a while! Mind you, two of my boys are older now, so they would be more of a help. A different story with the younger one.
I can't speak for Mr. Know-it-all , Mark ofcourse. It wouldn't surprise me if Sprindrift informed us she had decided to overland it back to the UK instead!
Re: Road trip - UK to India « Reply #73 on Mar 7, 2010, 9:22am »
Wasn't there a travel channel show where they followed exactly this trip? I think I watched a couple of the shows, one of them was about one of those "obtain visa at border" situations and it basically amounted to you cross our palms with cash we give you the paper you want. I sort of want to say they went through China, but I did not watch the show from start to finish.
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 35,178 Location: Paris, France
Re: Road trip - UK to India « Reply #74 on Mar 8, 2010, 11:10am »
Borders in that part of the world can be totally closed, even with proper documentation, or amazingly flexible even with totally dubious papers. I have been stamped into certain countries with totally expired visas (actually I had a valid visa farther along in the passport, but they thought the old one was good enough), and this without even the request of a bakchich.
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 4,441 Location: England
Re: Road trip - UK to India « Reply #75 on Mar 23, 2010, 9:03am »
Deyana - OF COURSE we can easily make it across India....I have bought all the right cover-up clothes and we'll only need a light rucksack...the railway network reaches nearly everywhere and it's such fun...it's safer that two women travel together but having said that, I've never felt afraid in India or Nepal....
Deyana - OF COURSE we can easily make it across India....I have bought all the right cover-up clothes and we'll only need a light rucksack...the railway network reaches nearly everywhere and it's such fun...it's safer that two women travel together but having said that, I've never felt afraid in India or Nepal....
Come on then....
I know, you know the countries so well, Spindrift.
YES! Lets do it. Really. We can start planning it whenever you want. Id love it if you went with me. Imagine the photo opportunities on the way! Not to mention all the gorgeous dark haired men as eye candy
I want to explore India throughly, take a few months doing so. It'll be a great adventure.
Re: Road trip - UK to India « Reply #81 on Apr 8, 2010, 4:54am »
The train sounds interesting to me. I'm not sure I'd want to deal with a car. I'd love to see Romania, Bulgaria, Tibet....all the 'stans, were it possible with reasonable safety. That Banasura looks really interesting. Can you wait two years for this trip so I can come along? I have already warned my daughters as soon as my youngest graduates, Mother is running away to travel the world. I promise to pay my fair share...or wash dishes...or something. Maybe we can teach English along the way, like a lot of the JetSetZero crowd?
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 4,441 Location: England
Re: Road trip - UK to India « Reply #83 on Apr 8, 2010, 11:34am »
Gertie - coming with us might be a possibility. I really really want to drive because this means we can stop anywhere that takes our fancy and we don't have to keep to time schedules. I'd rather head south than north. The 'Stans' strike me as being cold and we'd be liable to being kidnapped...however south and we might be beheaded.
None of this would deter my nepalese friend who is disdainful of any danger.
The train sounds interesting to me. I'm not sure I'd want to deal with a car. I'd love to see Romania, Bulgaria, Tibet....all the 'stans, were it possible with reasonable safety. That Banasura looks really interesting. Can you wait two years for this trip so I can come along? I have already warned my daughters as soon as my youngest graduates, Mother is running away to travel the world. I promise to pay my fair share...or wash dishes...or something. Maybe we can teach English along the way, like a lot of the JetSetZero crowd?
gertie, you are more than welcome. And anyone else who is foolish enough wants to join us.
I've told my kids the same thing. As soon as they graduate, they won't see me for dust! (it's lucky the youngest one is a real daddy's boy).
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