Journal
Currently travelling the Silk Road. From The Netherlands to China in our Volkswagen T2. Check out the stories here.
Welcome to chaos
When we thought we left chaos in Amritsar or at the border with Pakistan, nothing was less true. Chaos was either following us, or we following it, all the way to Kashmir.
The most ridiculous border crossing ever
While tensions along the Pakistan – Indian border are still as high as ever, the ceremony taking place at the Wagah border makes it seem like a game.
The heart of Pakistan
We end our beautiful Pakistan trip in the heart of the country. Let’s expLahore the city of culture, spicy food and history.
The way to Fairy Meadows
Probably one of the most touristy spots of Pakistan, normally we would ignore places like this and skip them. However, friends told us it’s definitely worth it so here we are, sitting in a jeep on a steep mountain waiting for people to clear a landslide. It just...
Nomads & Bears
Exploring one of the highest plains of the world including the nomads that roam these lands.
Bunch of Creatives
Our group is expanding. From travelling with the two of us to exploring with five. A bunch of creatives on tour.
The Silk Road to China
April 2021 we set out on an adventure. With a 45 year old Volkswagen T2 can we would be driving the Silk Road to China.
All about the Kalash people of Pakistan
In 2015 Milene bought Alexine from a Frenchman. In the years to come we only fixed little things. Nothing major, nothing big. Going on a big trip overly prepared is boring, right?
On our way to Kalash Valley
Wherever we go I always try to document a local tribe, nomads or people who hold on to their traditions and culture while the world is changing. Pakistan has both.
Visiting the Switzerland of Pakistan: Swat
Everyone told us that Swat valley is a must visit when in Pakistan, and when locals tell you something, you listen. Right? Well, sometimes you shouldn’t.
Peshawar, buddha and ditching the police
I’m sitting in the forest with a view on the mountains while in the distance I hear drums. For the first time in a very long time Yuri put on his sweater and I wear my hair loose without feeling too hot.
The Pakistani escort service
You would think by now we would have gotten rid of the Pakistani escort service. Well … read about it here.
Escort Quetta – Peshawar
From Quetta to Peshawar and still with our beautiful escort but without freedom.
Police operation Quetta
Finally we arrived in Quetta, but the police operation didn’t stop. Getting money from the ATM, getting a SIMcard, even doing groceries we do accompanied by the police.
The escort from Taftan to Quetta, Pakistan.
Blogs say it would take two or three days. Our levies had another plan. 635km’s in escorte, welcome to Pakistan.
The crossing from Iran into Pakistan
I’m sitting in Alexine while I feel someone stares at me. It’s the Afghan man who has been imprisoned for no reason clear to me and I dare not to ask.
Stuck at the border
This got to be the longest border crossing we’ve ever experienced. And hopefully will in the future. 12 hours in and still waiting…
On our way to Pakistan
We’re ready to say goodbye to Iran and head to Pakistan. However, with some health issues the travel goes slow, is hard and very tiresome.
It has been a bit quiet lately…
Quiet but not doing nothing. On the contrary. We’ve showered below waterfalls, hiked gorges and camped in the wild.
Alexine’s heartbreaking story
In 2015 Milene bought Alexine from a Frenchman. In the years to come we only fixed little things. Nothing major, nothing big. Going on a big trip overly prepared is boring, right?
Iranian island life
Did you know Iran has some tropical islands? With tropical we actually mean humid. No day without sweat and a supermarket being heaven. For a week we explored three of the Iranian islands.
Adobe cities
Villages, castles, hotels made of mud. Plenty of them can be found in Iran where Adobe buildings are still used in cities like Yazd. But most are turned into museums like the castle of Rayen and the famous citadel of BAM.
An oasis in the desert
We went, voluntarily, to the hottest place ever recorded on earth. And after a night in this extraordinary landscape we moved our asses to an oasis where palmtree gave us shade and water cooled us down. But it didn’t all go as planned.
Arabian Nights in Persia
Exploring the true meaning of a tale from Arabian Nights or ancient times at a caravanserai in the desert. Far away from anything modern and the closest thing to the freedom we crave for right now.
Iranian cities
I haven’t been writing about cities that much because there’s just too much to write about. So in this post I try to keep it short and concise. Enjoy stories from Tehran, Kashan and Isfahan.
The mother of caravanserais
999 Caravanserai were built in Iran. These roadside inns were used by travellers, merchants and even kings. We visited the mother of Caravanserai.
Rain, rice and misery
Things don’t always go as planned when on the road. From hot and sunny days to rain, cold and sadness.
Our first days in Iran
From ancient sites to previous capitals and from meeting new friends to exploring the largest bazar in the world. Read here about our first days in Iran.
The border crossing into Iran
Every good thing comes to an end. It’s time to say goodbye to shorts, lose hair and t-shirts. Today we cross the border into Iran. In this blog you’ll read how that went.
A last goodbye
After weeks of exploring the beautiful Christian country of Armenia it is time to head south and get ready for a new adventure and some more Silk Road explorings.
The shadow
of the sun
Our world, seemingly global, is in reality a planet of thousands of the most varied and never intersecting provinces. A trip around the world is a journey from backwater to backwater, each of which considers itself, in its isolation, a shining star. For most people, the real world ends on the threshold of their house, at the edge of their village, or, at the very most, on the border of their valley. That, which is beyond is unreal, unimportant, and even useless, whereas that which we have at our fingertips, in our field of vision, expands until it seems an entire universe, overshadowing all else.
Often, the native and the newcomer have difficulty finding a common language, because each looks at the same place through a different lens. The newcomer has a wide-angle lens, which gives him a distant diminished view, although with a long horizon line, while the local always employs a telescopic lens that magnifies the slightest detail.
