Lahore and Wagah Border.

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One of big tourist interest is the border with India near Lahore, where the flag ceromony is a good spectator event, how these two super powers treat their neighbour.





From 'Pindi to Lahore is a 300km run on GNR (great north road) or N5 dual carriageway, bikes banned from motorways in Pakistan. Was quite hot during day so could be an idea to travel in cooler evening. No police escorts required, 300km do in 4hrs, 4..8pm.




Think Road Safety is a bit risky on this dual carriageway, numerous central crossings & few central barriers, with many unlit vehicles from small bikes with no lights, farm vehicles, & dogs move any way they like, finally black bison would be hard to see. Lower speed limit 90..100kph is sensible.



But front tyre had a slow puncture, much more apparent at slow speeds. Stopped in dusk by water stand to blow it up, lift luggage off etc. Completely dark when it was all back together - "Would U like Chai?" Well yes, then another 5 locals turned up, so now I was well outnumbered. But they could not have been nicer, tea, lots of hand shakes, on my way.



30min later stopped in town of Dina, need hotel can't continue. Rashid and his brother picked me up, follow us to hotel & curry supper, then offer "Come back to my place"



So 15km East of Dina, Rashid has a large house in a walled garden, lives with extended family, wife, son, brothers family, his mother. His hopitslity was fantastic, more Chai, a change of clothes into authentic Shawar Kameeze while my shirt was washed. House has multiple bedrooms spread over 3 floors, they often sleep on roof terrace to keep cool when electric fails (power often off 2..3 hours in power share scheme, but they do know when it will come back on). The ladies of house are quite shy - in culture here, but did meet for hand shake and photo. Breakfast was spicey omlete, toast and more chai.



Arrived at Wagah border about 3pm, would be just time to cross into India, but l was here for flag ceremony, they fiddle about preparing from 4:30pm. Indian side has big grandstands full ~3000 people, Pak side nearly empty.



Theam of ceremony would be dominance and contempt, weather it extra loud music from each side or strutting and fist shaking from guards as they face off against each other. Pakistani guards must be 7ft tall, with extra fan decoration on cap creates good impression. Both sides have jesters or MC to rev crouds up and cheer teir side. But after much rope throwing, a very brief hand shake, the gates are banged shut, then both sides retire for tea together.



Met Dmitry outside one last time, he turned up too late, get to border for 4:30, not 5:30. He will cross to India, for bit of a jolly there before storing Harley & fly home to Moscow in early October. Hope stay in contact.

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Photos

Rawalpindi outside Javad auto
All kinds of traffic.
Javad auto has good range of bike tyres.

Rashid and Joe in local outfit.
Rashid was a really good host.
The Pakistanis are great nation for their hospitality & friendship.

Rashid's family.
In his main reception room.
The ladies very sky, only really appeared after breakfast.

Livestock market
Could not get close to action, just so many people & some animals.

Where to park bike.
Did pay 50p fee, but just could not get big bike in spaces.
Also with crowd I attracted, just a problem, did not stay long.

a cow with ribbons.
Do know they use bit Shampoo at home to get best price for sheep, would a few ribbons help?

Bison cooling off
View just before border, looking other was pile up on dual carriegeway with 600 onlookers, poor do.

Wagah Broder
Border gates are impressive, would be nice to cross into India.

Jesters to raise crowd response.
Not massive Pak' crowd, more behind me.

Parade
Tall lads & do kick boots above their ears, kindhard to get best photo.

Rope throw
Flags about to come down, how many times can U coil rope & throw it to just miss other side? Much strutting, fist shaking and preening of guards.

Cheenab river
View from Tulip hotel near Dina, overlooking river.
Probably not Cheenab, few km Dow roar, but it had 'super flood' only 2 wks before, loss of lives & homes, built on flood plain - just like UK!

Tulip hotel gardens
Looking good, bit of irrigation wonders can be achieved.