Pakistan - September 2009
Dear Drivers
Well back to India for this month’s drive; The Road to Orchha. I hope for those on this year’s Great Arc this marvellous central India drive will bring back fond memories and intrigue those who have an appetite to drive the rural roads of village India.
Prior to the Alfa arriving in Patagonia, I am making the most of an invite to visit the Hunza Valley deep into the Hindi Kush.
Since all independent travel has now been suspended to Pakistan, unless invited, and an invite has to be direct to Pakistan Embassy, it is my good fortune to be invited by Romano Karin to journey across the Himalayas to travel deep into the Hunza Valley. Many will remember Romano from 2006 Himalaya Rally.
To be invited for what could be the last summer of tourist travel to this part of the country, I have leapt at - with a hop skip and a jump!
Pakistan is slowly disintegrating, and whether the outcome resolves into a number of independent states, Punjab, Sind, Baluchistan, Northern Frontier, or a Taliban / Islamic State, or with good fortune the rule of a democratic state, only time and god bearing forces will resolve.
So putting politics aside, and making the most of opportunities as they occur, next month’s Great Drive is from deep into the Himalayas, the Hunza Valley to the Khunjerab Pass and then return via the Babusar Pass.
Other than present day history in the making, the Hunza Valley is rich in the golden years of the Great Game. The clash of great empires; the Russian Bear and the British Lion; where a young Younghusband made his military name, challenged with courage and guts his Russian counterpart Gromchevsky, and a certain Safdar Ali.... ‘unworthy of ruling so fine a race as the people of Hunza’ wrote Younghusband.
I am quite taken aback at the expressions of interest for the Great Game Classic Car Rally with half the places pencilled in. The Hunza Valley played a very minor role in the story of the Great Game; a miniature land compared to the immense Great Game lands we will all travel between Calcutta and Istanbul.
Patagonia looms and Jim has nearly completed his preparation of the first expedition defender. Jim has already wedded this gorgeous defender with much love and attention in preparing her for such a voyage of discovery as Patagonia.
This magnificent job gives ROARR our best ever support vehicle and will serve us all well on many great rallies to come.
I am out driving from 20th September with Jim starting his recce early October. Livy will joining him in November to create, with her love of hotels and her passion for food, a supplement for the road book to enable a better understanding of Patagonia.
Drive into the Hunza Valley will be out on ROARRtv on October 1st.
All the best to you all
Conrad
