Central Asia in September 2004

[lodewijksarah]

Anyone in for crossing Iran to Turkmenistan and further through all 'the stans' ? Visit me on www.silk-on-the-road.com

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Lodewijk

[seanh]

Yep, i'm in. I'll be there early to mid September. visit me at www.hotkey.net.au/~howmans

[vincent danna]

hello
i was there in 2002.
i put some info on my website, have a look :
http://vincent.danna.free.fr/infos/index.html

i give details on each country for biking

(you can translate it from french to english)

have fun, it s real nice there

happy trails

[simmo]

Hi Sean, when do you head for Pakistan? Phil is asking what you have been up to. Dont forget to stop at the road house near the Zeplek turn off in Turkmenistan to sign the guest book, and join Vincent, Vicki and Myself.

http://users.netlink.com.au/~asimpson

[seanh]

G'day Alec, i've been in Pakistan for a couple of days. Heading north to the Karakorams for a bit, then to Iran. Tell Phil I lost an exhaust pipe and had to fit Enfield pipes - they work fine! Take it easy and i'll keep you posted.
Sean

[simmo]

Ah those BMWs!

[seanh]

Just got into Turkmenistan after being turned away the first time. Got to the Iran/Turkmenistan border with US$2 in cash and no recourse to funds. The Turkmen wanted US$73 for me and the bike so they sent me back to Iran. Iranian customs wouldn't let the bike back through so i camped the night in the duty free zone and tried again the next day. I was lent money by some Iranian businessmen to get into the country, got some spondoola wired from Australia and everything is fine and dandy. Anyone else around? I'm a bit thirsty after 2 months in Pakistan/Iran.
Cheers,
Sean

[lodewijksarah]

Sean,
I changed course and will be in southern Africa enjoying the summer to be back in Asia by April 2005. The Azerbaidjan customs wanted 5000 USD for my bike before getting on the ferry to Kazachstan. They did not get anything. Ah, those uniformed people !

[simmo]

Hi Sean!!! you got a bargain..cost me 100us to get into Turkmenistan...recomend the hotel Nissa, everything works and the italian restraunt is fantastic. Check out the freaky building facades and wacky fountains of Ashgabat. Will you be going up to Turkmenabat? are you on a Transit visa? enjoy crossing the Oxus.

alec

[seanh]

G'day Alec, in Uzbekistan at the moment, couldn't find the Zelpek turnoff to sign the book, but stayed with the same family in Bukhara that Vincent did 2 years ago. I crossed Turkmenistan almost entirely at night, and i've got kinks in my front wheel to prove it. I think spokes are a better option.
Sean