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As you may remember, after crossing the Takla Makan Desert I came to Kashgar.

From Russia to India (part V: Karakorum Highway)

Alex Mumzhiu
2006-03-22 19:30:10

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First, restaurants are almost full, second nobody eat, and third hygiene was terrible. So I prepare my own food in hotel room using electrical spiral.

On the next day I hitchhiked from the Sost back to the Kunjerab Pass and start riding bike down the highway. At one place the road was covered with fallen stones and bulldozer pushed them to the river. I stopped in the middle of that area and start to make pictures. Soon I heard RUN, RUN and saw people running out of this area. I take a look up and saw many stones rolling directly to where I stand, with very high steed. It was like stone avalanche. I did not have enough time to run out of affected area. So, I run toward the protective wall and stand right under the wall, in hope that stones will fly by inertia and will fell directly down to me, see picture. It was scary. When stone falling stopped I run to unaffected area and talk with people. They told me that stones fall every time. One man shown me a fresh wound on his leg.

In many areas Karakoram Hwy cut directly through the glaciers, in others it is washed out by the rivers. So, the nature constantly is fighting with people. Riding bike is the best way to travel here. Every turn of road uncovered new mountain landscape, and the fantasy of nature is inexhaustible. It will be more pictures at Yahoo Photos later

Near village Passu I stopped to camp near beautiful lake at the end of Batura Glasier. Before dawn, the group of young man found me. They were very friendly and asked do I need anything? Usually I do not like to be noticed when I camp, but it was too late to move so I stay, and in fact nothing happened.

Karimabad, where I stay now is backpacker's Mecca. It is popular with tourists, but not overwhelmed with them. I stay in LP recommended hotel "Old Hunza Inn" My room with hot water and good view cost $2. Also they have communal and pretty good dinners for $0.90. Hygiene is OK here. About 20 backpackers stay here and exchange sometimes incredible stories during the dinner. Many people stay here for a long time. But I am not a person who can enjoy the same things for a long. I will bike to Gilgit in a coupe days and then take a bus to Islamabad.

Pakistan is good country for all sorts of addicts.

1. 1. It is dry country. In order to buy alcohol foreigner have to apply for special permission. After this, he can buy it in special places. Price $10 per beer cane. Pakistanis cannot buy alcohol at all.
2. 2. Food is mostly vegetarian and not really exiting. Mostly all sort of beans
3. 3. Womanizers will not find woman here. So all sort of anonymous societies, like alcoholic anonymous, sex addict anonymous and so on should sent their members here.

Alex Mumzhiu
Karimabad, Pakistan
July 14 2005 6pm