LOVELY, ah well i suppose it will be a good time to test the gear for any leaks.
Obviously now pictures at the border and we all sit in procession in the rain at the gate and are sent in through the next stage in pairs. They stamp the passport, then check through the V5 and enter the details onto the computer again. As I was with Robert they were very interested as to why a polish guy was travelling with an English guy.So Robert can speak Russian as he had to learn it when Poland was under the Soviet Union and explains what we are doing and when he says "China", there were lots of patting on the back and hand shakes.
Next cubicle, something else is stamped in your passport and look into a web came and have your picture taken (with your helmet on, DUH!)
Then motioned to go to the gate to exit Georgia, Jesus Wept! passport out again and it is chucking it down with rain.
Finally off we go 100 yds and through another gate with a soldier and the obligatory AK47.
Another soldier calls us to park at the side and asks "Passport, Moto Passport". Why do they all sound out of a James Bond movie
I hand mine over and he takes Roberts and hands them through a small window. We are then shown to move through to another area.
OH hell, what about my passport with all the visas in
Park the bikes up and then into a room through eh green door, No seriously, the nothing to declare door.
"5 Euro or 5 Dollar" is barked at me for the 3rd party insurance we have to buy.
"document"
Uh with the guy next door
"Get them"
Well one by one we help the young guy key all the details onto his computer system and during my turn, it crashes
"GREAT" it takes him 20 minutes every application an when paperwork is printed off, it is handed to another official looking soldier who motions for me to sign the form.
Done and with that he waves his hand and says "GO"
Ok will do and out into the rain on the bike and through another guarded gate.
I'm in! hopefully the other guys get through a bit quicker, still raining though.
The observant amongst you will notice cows at the side of the road, as a guy is herding his cows through the arch. This was generally the norm across the whole of the country, sheep dashing across the road and dogs trying to run into your bike. The only way to deal with them apparently is to shake a foot at them as they realise that a foot will hurt them but a big motorcycle apparently does not phase them.
So off Robert and myself riding through torrential rain along straight road after straight road, cows, herds of sheep and people who look in sock as we ride past. Young lads run to the side of the road to wave at us.
We arrive in Saki and then have to find the hotel which is a caravan-saray with 300 years of history on the silk route. This is where the camel trians would hitch up for the night. Thankfully I have a Robert at my disposal who immediately check with the locals where we have to go. It also becomes very clear that the locals know you are tourist and where you are heading for and start pointing up the road.
There it is, stone structure, a large wooden door with a small sign above
In think you will probably have guessed what is on the menu for tonight, yes meat lovers unite! Kebab, Lamb or Chicken
4227 miles - Saki, Azerbaijan
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