Darran's Diary (London to Beijing): Incredible scenery 18th May

Sun is shining and it promises to be a warm dry day so the first port of call is for petrol. This is just outside the town and is dispensed from a bucket. My fill up is just less than 4 buckets which equates to about 20 litres.

Off we go and the roads are easier than yesterday and it is a relief not to be fighting through the mud. However you must keep your wits about you as the road can suddenly change to gravel pot holes or both. Always across the river is Afghanistan and these are generally just mountains but occasionally there is a small village which has very minor roads to it and these are even cut off with rock slides. Even the knobblies are gripping really well even on the tarmac and the tempo starts to pick up as we all start to have some fun. It still amazes me that trucks get down this route and there are often areas that you would not think a truck could get through but they do. You will see one of the pictures with a truck climbing a temporary bit of road round a cliff face.
Start of the day is Simon sat on the wall as we all get filled up by the bucket for fuel and he is feeling really fed up at the thought of himself missing the Pamir
These areas are remote and when you can get fuel, make sure you have a tank full as the next place may not have any or it may be 100 plus miles to the next place that fuel is available

One of the occasional Afghanistan villages on the other side of the river, which is still made out of mud bricks

There was a civil war about 10 years ago and there are still traces of the conflict along this valley which are just left to rot as well as having pieces scavenged off them. Even if they are perched on the side of the valley (I am sure Martin will identify what these are)

Still remember to watch out for the Mother Nature curve ball as in a stream or a rock fall that has took out he power lines and the reinforcement to hold it back

Remember the lorry

Finally arriving at the 2nd largest city in Tajikistan and the hotel we are stopping at is an Indian hotel that is a chain of five and they all have restaurants. So what do you think is on the group meal tonight “NO SURPRISES”.

Wonder how different it will be for the Central Asia taste as they do spice but that is generally in there soups and usually the kebabs have very little spice.
“FANTASTIC” meat that is not on a stick or in a broth “YIPPEE”
Just got back from the food and it was a very welcome change to what we have been eating and it was enjoyed by all. The majority where on beers but a few of us tried some red wine from Moldavia and it was not bad at all.