I was also triple checking all the luggage strappings since I had dropped the Top box, the rain coat and so many thing falling off the bike yesterday due to going too fast on bumpy wavy roads. Still I caught up fairly quickly to Donkey even though today I was slower to ensure nothing fell off again.
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| Rabat Sasok-Kul Lake |
Somewhere with a beautiful view of Rabat Sasok-kul lake just before the turn off to Wahkan-Valley I stopped for a smoke break waiting for Chye’s Van to catch up. A 4x4 local pulled over and asked where I was going today.
Langar I told him and he was so excited asking me if I had a place to stay. Not sure was my reply and he told me to check out his guesthouse Arsen Homestay. I told him I would but would need to run it through friends first if they agree. We parted ways but that was the beginning.
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| Turn off to Wakhan-Valley |
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| Gravel Road all the way |
Turn off the M41 and the road became off-road immediately. It was in a way good off-road for the cars for it was wide and flat but for me on the motorcycle, it was torturous since it was very very loose rock gravel with loads of sand. I went so slow almost to the point of walking just to minimize skid and slide. It was not difficult but just painfully slow.
Some of the uphill and winding mountain passes cause me to skid and had to let the bike fall as I lost control of the weight balance. No one in sight so I had to really find the inner strength to pick up Bragge.
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| Wakhan Valley - Looking over the River to Afghanistan |
This time I only removed my luggage and not the Top box and straining every bit of muscle, I managed to pick up the bike and just at that moment, five army guys walked round the corner. If only the turn up a few minutes earlier.
We met another Malaysian family on 4x4 rental going the opposite way and they warn us about a river crossing. It did not really register anymore since we did two already and confidence was super high. Further down the road we met a tandem bicyclist and they gave the same warning but meh, we’ll see and figure it out when we get to the river.
We met another Malaysian family on 4x4 rental going the opposite way and they warn us about a river crossing. It did not really register anymore since we did two already and confidence was super high. Further down the road we met a tandem bicyclist and they gave the same warning but meh, we’ll see and figure it out when we get to the river.
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| Wahkan Valley Corridor Route of Pamir Highway |
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| Wahkan Valley Corridor Route of Pamir Highway |
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| Wahkan Valley Corridor Route of Pamir Highway |
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| Wahkan Valley Corridor Route of Pamir Highway |
LUCH was so far ahead we did not see them for the whole journey but just 5km short of the river crossing they was coming back to meet us. Its impossible for the VAN, LUCH said.
The local 4x4 from Arsen Home-stay rocked up and a quick conversation with him on the river crossing was met with great enthusiasm. It’s easy river crossing. Don’t worry it can be done even with the Van as I can help you tow it over.
We all headed to the river crossing and all our face paled watching that river current. It was nowhere near the difficulty of the first two. I watched as the local tackle the crossing easily with his 4x4 and figured it was feasible but definitely required help from friends to stabilize the bile from falling.
We all headed to the river crossing and all our face paled watching that river current. It was nowhere near the difficulty of the first two. I watched as the local tackle the crossing easily with his 4x4 and figured it was feasible but definitely required help from friends to stabilize the bile from falling.
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| Langar River Crossing |
Donkey was the question now but he was panicking and both LUCH and Me left him to make the decision. It was too large a decision for us to advise confidently. Eventually with Mouralis (Arsen Home-stay) great confidence permeating through his big smile, Donkey decided to give it a go with the locals driving his Van instead of himself.
It was a good decision once we saw how it was done. The locals could communicate effectively to pull the Van over the river obstacle safely. It was still a feat to cross that river and now we were really in a one way direction. No way to backtrack if the road ahead gets worst.
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| Donkey being towed over the river crossing - Easy Peasy for the Locals |
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| LUCH Crossing - I have a Hilux .. No problem |
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| I have two Wheels + many Stabilizer helps for the River Crossings (HAHA) |
We are staying at Arsen Home-stay tonight I suppose. The rest of the ride for 10km to Langar was beautiful mountain cliff scenery.
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| To Langar Village - Wahkah Valley Corridor - Tajikistan |
Traveled on: July 2024
