1974
I thought I would include diary excerpts from our return trip through Afghanistan as it left a deep impression on us. We travelled north on a road built by the Russians through a high mountain pass to the town of Mazar-i-Sharif which was just south of the border with the USSR. On the way we passed very large military bases which were almost certainly Russian.
Thursday, 13th June
After getting money from the bank we set off at about 10 for Mazar-i-sharif. The road was really superb and the scenery very beautiful. In fact it was a lovely drive. We had a bit of difficulty finding a hotel but in the end we found quite a good one. It was a very hot evening. Went out for quite a nice Afghan meal in a very strange looking restaurant and played a funny game of chess with very few pieces.
Friday, 14th June
We had a look round the town but it didn't really have much to offer. The mosque was very beautiful but the shops seemed to be geared to the Russian tourists and were full of cheap plastic things. Went and had ice cream from Mr. Dowd and decided to go back to Kabul as the suspension on the van wasn't good. Set off at about 11. Tried cooling water with ice from Mr. Dowd and also collected some from the mountains later on. Very nice drive back arriving at about 7. Went out for meal and had a look around the town.
Saturday, 15th June
We took the car to a garage on the Peshawar road for an estimate of repairs to the front suspension. We took it to a garage next to the hotel where we decided to get it done. We stayed there practically all day with a break to work out our expenses. They did a good job rebuilding the torsion bars and fitting new shock absorbers finishing at about 7pm. We went and had a very nice meal. Went to bed quite early.
Sunday, 16th June
Started the day with some washing then went to change money and paid the rest to the garage. Had a big lunch and did some window shopping and had a shower before going for a meal. Went to bed quite early.
Monday, 17th June
Went and bought some food and a coat for Simon and found bargaining quite fun. Went back for some-thing to eat. Went on a fruitless search for the main Post Office. Spent ages buying presents and then went for a meal. Bought the rest of the gifts for our families before coming back and tidying up the van. Went to bed quite late.
Tuesday, 18th June
We started off at just after 6 with our new travelling companions, Glen a New Zealander and Robin a Canadian. Stopped at the Steak House for breakfast where no one was up. Drove to Kandahar with one stop for tea on the way. The weather got hotter. Went for a swim in the minute swimming pool at the hotel then went to a fly ridden restaurant and then to a bakery! Read a bit before having an early night.
Wednesday, 19th June
We started from Kandahar at just after 6 and had A good but a little boring ride. We stopped off for a swim in a river with a small wirlpool which was lovely and very refreshing, then stopped for something to eat. got very hot. Got to Herat at about 4.30 and found a hotel, not very nice. Went out for an Afghan meal It go and then tried to do something about the fleas.
(We suspect we got the human fleas from our travelling companions. We eventually got rid of the fleas by putting all our clothes in plastic bags with a powder we had bought called “Rocket” which was in fact DDT.)
2025
Saturday 28th June
After our last breakfast overlooking the lake, the taxi arrived on time and took us to Tbilisi airport. We are staying at the Ibis Hotel which really isn't bad at all. They have a pretty decent looking restaurant so we don't feel the need to move from here until our early start tomorrow morning.
I will write the final blog tomorrow after we have returned to Lewes.
No comments:
Post a Comment