It took me few hours to leave Oman and reach the United Arab Emirates. The border was easy, and the customs and immigration didn’t cost me a dime. After more driving, I reach Abu Dhabi, my first destination in the country. It is a big change to be here compared to Muscat.
The city is huge and very modern. I didn’t see skyscrapers in a while, and it would be easy to think I am back in the U.S. There’s also the incredible Zayed Mosque, which they just finished.
I drive around the city for a little bit and find a construction site on one of these pieces of land reclaimed to the water. I decide to camp there, since it’s already close to midnight. It is still very hot, and it’s not very easy to sleep.
The following morning I get to the Pakistani embassy as soon as I wake up. After few hours there, I am left with very little hope. I was able to see the consular officer, and he agreed to send my request to Karachi, but thinks there are very few chances for me to get the visa. Later, I stop at the newspaper to have lunch with a friend from the U.S. and at 3 p.m. I am driving toward Dubai.
It’s a short distance, two hours of driving and I see the first skyscrapers of the city. Dubai is even more impressing than Abu Dhabi. Everything here is huge and the city is difficult to navigate. Few days later, I am able to download some maps for my GPS. But the cities changes everyday and the GPS can’t keep up.
For a week I will stay with some friends from the Americas, Guillermo and Luis, who work at Gulf News, an English-language newspaper.
There are a lot of places to go at night and have drinks, and I find myself going out every night with them. Bars are usually in hotels, sometimes in malls. During the day, I do some shopping to replace the items damaged during the trip. Food is great also, with a lot of options including Afghan, Chinese, Filipino and Indian food. Money is spent fast here.
I get a small point-and-shoot camera which will make it easier to take pictures in cities or places where a big camera attract too much attention. I also get a laptop, a small Vaio netbook, a lot smaller than the one I previously had. I was under the impression that electronic items would be cheap in Dubai, but prices are a bit higher than in the U.S. On the other hand, I try to find a deep-cycle battery to replace my old one without success.
I also take advantage of the internet connection at my friend’s house, and research what will be the next steps of my trip. Unfortunately, I can’t say it is looking good.
The Pakistan option looks like it is a no-go. I believe there are no boats going directly from Iran to India. The border crossings between Georgia/Russia and Azerbaijan/Russia are currently closed. I am now looking into going Turkmenistan-Kazakhstan-Russia. But I will need to get to Tehran to arrange these visas. I will also give another try to the Pakistan visa while I am there, but I think that will become the one visa I couldn’t get during the trip.
I spend time in the huge malls one can find everywhere in the city. No place I saw reminds me more of Las Vegas.
On Sunday I arrange the details for the ferry crossing to Iran. For around US$700 I will be able to sail with the truck from Dubai to Bandar Abbas overnight on Tuesday.
There’s no way of getting money from the outside once in the country, so I try to get the maximum of U.S. dollars and also get Iranian rials. The cash takes a lot of space, as one dollar equals 10,000 rials.
The loading of the truck will begin in few hours now, and I am on my way to the port.
It’s unreal. Thank you for sharing! Stay safe
Hey Nick
Kay was right, Don’t try to cross pakistan, war zone and fresh clashes reported in the city of karachi and queta.
Worst flood in the 80 year history of pakistan and more than 1000 dead, over one million home less, So roads will be real worry.
Talk later
Nick,
That camping shot is surreal! Safe travels.
Brian
If you take Turkmenistan-Kazakhstan-Russia what would the rest of the trip look like? There is not exactly a direct route to India when going that way.
Safe journeys.
Christine
You are the coolest person I know! What an experience you’re having. Glad to hear you’re getting the truck shipped; hopefully it will be handled better than the last time you shipped.
Stay safe. Thanks for the updates. I look forward to reading your next chapter. What was your favorite beverage?
suzanne
I agree with Zahed. Your planned route in Pakistan comes with a high degree of personal risk to you thus I believe that your inability to obtain a visa is a blessing.
Good luck with alternate solutions.
Your posts have been interesting and I am looking forward to your next.
Best regards,
Jerry
a deep cycle battery may be avaiable anywhere boat supplys might be sold deep cycle batterys also mostly used in RVs & boats
KEEP TRUCKING & if you come into NYC via RT 80 in NJ would love to meet up & run into NYC with you
What kind and how long is your Iran visa? When I crossed in 2002 they usually gave europeans only a 5 day transit visa, They were extendable. But lots of work finding the offices. Myself after my 4th embassy attempt I got as a miracle a 21 day tourist visa! As an American! with a german plated vehicle. But I would worry that my visa would run out before I found a boat to ship my truck/your car. ( I already had my Pakistan Visa). Dont worry about the floods or problems in Karachi! You can drive around all those areas and pass to India by land. Good luck! I hope this doesn’t alter your trip through south east asia!
Cheers!
How beautiful! Getting to a beautiful city like this has to give you some sort of relief and relaxation. You sure deserve that!!! Being able to visit with friends and have great food must be great for your spirits. Just too bad for all the heat. But, back here in the US it is extemely hot too.
Have you thought about posting your pic on a site like Flickr so we could download and print them? You could possibly make a few bucks off of it too. LOL Good luck and be safe my friend!!
Forge on~
Ms. Marti~Nashville, TN
Hi Nick,
It just broke on the news that a top politician in Karachi was assasinated today and it’s turining into chaos there (riots, etc….).
Best to bypass Pakistan entirely. No need to put yourself in excess danger. You’ve made it so far in one piece and we all want you to stay that way!!
Love the pictures. Absolutely fabulous! Definitely Dubai a must go. Thanks for sharing.
Is there a boat route from Abu Dhabi or Dubai to India? Or How about from Masqat, Oman to India? Going through Russia wouldn’t be a good route cause you’ll miss all of Asia (assuming you won’t drive through China cause it’s too expensive as you mentioned before).
I hope you’ll find a good route to India. Good Luck!
Best of luck! I’ll be thinking about you & hoping you are able to travel w/o too much trouble.
Hi Nick,
Great photograph of the car with the tent on the city backdrop!… Definitely very different from what you’ve been showing us lately!!
If you can’t go through Pakistan, then maybe Kazaksthan to Mongolia to Beijing? That would probably be a beautiful journey as well….
There are cargo ships that run to Iran, Pakistan and India. That may be your best bet. Also you can go to Iraq through the Kurdish north which is safe. It would be a major back track though. You would have to go round the black sea if there was no way to cross in to russia (hard to get visa) then into china (expensive and requires a guide) but from China there is a ferry that goes from Beijing to S. Korea and Japan. Its a long way round but might be worth it.
what about go Iran and back again to UAE to take a boat to India ?
seems to me like the only option south.
From Dubai there must be boats to Mumbai (and you can check it out right now)
best from France (ouais, Paris mec 😉
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The Pakistan route doesn’t seem the best right now with the violence in Karachi and floods. Seems like your best bet would be to just ferry over to India or go the very long way around. I wish you the best of luck in Iran.
The way I took was to drive to Georgia and then take a quick Black Sea ferry to Sochi, Russia site of the 2014 Olympics. Then you can drive with no problem from there across Russia or to Kazakhstan and the rest of Central Asia. Turkmenistan is closed as far as I know.
Good Luck! There is an American (Charlie Wittmack) doing a World Triathlon and he will be riding a bike from France to Nepal. http://www.theworldtri.com/. http://www.theworldtri.com/about/what-is-the-world-tri (route). He will be going through Kazakstan, Kyrgys Republic, China to Tibet and Nepal which seems to be a pretty straight shot. You should look into this option. If you come through Des Moines on your way to NYC, you are welcome to stay at my place.
BTW, another sponsored by-land-only world traveler, Graham Hughes (http://theodysseyexpedition.com/) may still be in Dubai right now. You might want to look him up.
Hey Nic!
Beautiful pictures. Love the descriptions. Enjoyed seeing the indoor ski mountain–amazing. Incredible you could camp there (in the city) by beach with no problems. I’ve always thought I was adventurous, but I would’ve wondered if someone (police) would come during the night since your tent is not exactly inconspicuous. But when there’s a will there’s a way? Keep pressing on!!
🙂
Beth
Absolutely beautiful Nick, i’m so glad you are sharing your journey with us!!!!!!!!! I love reading your entries especially after another boring day at work in my cubicle. I can’t read them fast enough. I feel like i’m right there with you please stay safe.
Hey there,
I hope you got across to Iran safely.
Just a quick note: earlier this year the Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum (who is also the UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Minister of Defense) renamed the Burj Dubai (the tallest building in the world), BURJ KHALIFA. This is in name of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu-Dhabi and UAE President (so basically his boss!). Rumours have it, that this was done because of the Abu-Dhabi injection of USD 10 billion into the ailing Dubai economy (the Emirate of Abu-Dhabi has far greater oil reserves than neighbouring Dubai, while Dubai has suffered heavily under the economic crunch).
Regards from sunny Dubai,
David
Great update Nick, good luck on the trip to Tehran. It sucks that your trip has to take another detour but what would a trip around the world be without the speed bumps?
Dubai looks amazing, I am sure you got a much needed break back into the real world since Argentina.
Nick.
The pictures of Dubai are fantastic! I was there a few years back when all that was being built. Driving into the city was surreal to say the least. I fell in love with this city immediately. The skiing at the Mall of the Emerites was so cool. If I ever go back I would love to ski there. My husband is in Abu Dhabi right now. He is due home in 3 weeks. That too is an awesome city. Enjoy your stay.
The pictures are beautiful. With all the different countries & pictures, there is so much cultural shock. What an amazing adventure. I agree that it’s God protecting you when you are denied a visa. Too much uncertainty and danger in Pakistan, imagine, even the flood they just had! I look forward to your updates. I gotta admit, I’ve been having and interesting, informative, beautiful cyberspace trip thanks to you.. Be safe! Sending hugs from home..
Boy this a homework assinment to do everything. Glade it’s comming toether.
You might consider transiting into Russia. If you decide to do so, email me and I will see if I can provide some contacts to assist from Georgia to Russia.
I can’t think of any other route that would get you to the Pacific (at Vladivostok) without crossing China, or Pakistan.
As to the roads in Russia, can’t speak to that. Sorry. A recent copy of Google Earth might reveal something worthwhile.
Just a suggestion.
Nick:
The photo with your Land Cruiser in the foreground of The Burj Dubai is truly a depiction of your journey around the world, if any. I think it captures the very essence of modernity and simplicity. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe and remain wise. Oh yes, I look forward to reading that you are in INDIA. :).
-joyMaria
Nick, Thx for the update, as always very interesting. Have to agree with the gang here, great pictures! Adding my “stay safes” and “enjoys”. -Mike (Prague, Czech Republic)
Hey Nick
Quick update, Pakistan is on real turmoil, 82 dead within last 73 hrs in karachi.
Be safe
Love the camping near the city photo from Abu Dhabi! For what it’s worth: bypass Pakistan. Just too many uncertainties there! You are an amazing explorer!
Dubai skyline looks stunning. As others have suggested, you may want to ship the car directly to India and go from there. Stay safe.
Nick
soooooooooo cool, what you’re doing. I’m so envious.
Wonder if you’ll come back to AP and we can hear you give a talk about it all.
Enjoy yourself and stay safe.
Rhonda Shafner,
News Research Center
Associated Press
Nicolas, great report, pity about the visa problems. This may be a stupid q: are there casinos in Dubai? (or Abu Dhabi?).
Safe travels, take care,
Wim.
Hi Nick, Great shots! We still check and are keeping track of your progress and enjoying the great pictures of the places you are seeing! It’s fun following your adventures!! Stay safe, my friend!
Nicolas,
Great photography throughout your trip! I was noticing the really wide angle lens that you are using. Can you tell us (you already might have done so earlier) what camera and lenses you are using to get these shots? Very impressive!
I agree with the others…Pakistan right now is unstable and worrisome. Good luck in India!
Bob (Seattle)
Hey Nick,
It’s been a few days since your last post. I’m wondering if you’ve made Tehran yet. Have you made any progress on selecting your route to the East? Best of luck and travel safe.
Hey Nick
I am from india and found two individuals from india are embarking on the similar overland expedition around the world you may want to consult them if you need any further assistance.
I am giving you their website address http://www.pradakshina.com. I found out from a automobile forum website.
Do what it takes but don’t bypass india.
Talk later
Hey everybody,
I am now in Shiraz, Iran. Should be in Tehran in few days. I looked around at the port of Bandar Abbas, but it doesn’t look like I could catch a boat to India there. Most likely the Pakistan visa will not work out. At this point I am looking more and more into getting to Russia. Will keep you updated ASAP.
Nicolas.
Well that’s uncool 🙁
Pakistan!!! arrrggghhh!
Surfer Dude
Thx for your updates.
Hi Nick,
Great to hear from you and welcome to my motherland and my city (Shiraz). Make sure to call the number I gave you, I am sure they can help you around.
Take care and have fun.
Hello Nick:
Welcome to Iran. What a trek and yet another accomplishment. We look forward to your new photos and comments. I suppose if your expedition mission was only about “seeing and touring” new countries you would not miss out on wonderful India. Maybe another time? Glad to know that you are taking the safest route and traveling through Russia and on to Asia. Take good care and stay safe.
-joyMaria
Nick,
I’m hooked on this website like dope. I write maybe once a month and check back for your updates and others comments generally 5-6 times a day! What will we all do when you return home and there’s no more TWE? READ YOUR BOOK! Hurry!!!
Harvey
The photos are fantastic..I know you have had your share of problems ,but you had to be over joyed with the sites here..Stay safe and GOD BLESS YOU,,
Good luck and keep us posted about the Pakistan issue. I really hope it does work out for you. I would try in Tehran for sure. If that doesn’t work I would risk driving to Zahedan and try again…
Adventurous greetings,
Coen
Hi! Love to follow your entries! I find myself wanting to correct the spelling. Guess that’s the teacher in me. Anyway, what a trip you are having! It is a reminder of how very much there is to see in this world! And how brave you are to tackle difficult situations! Take care! J. Z.
The bare minimum you can do is establish some basic ground rules before trying to assimilate a population who are not only thankless their reason for existence is to abuse your democratic rights and preach to their wn folks every friday how important it is to hate the non-muslims. Wake up attend a few friday prayers, especially the sermon after the prayers and see for your self whats going on. I appreciate it is not as easy as sitting on your back side and criticising those who have taken the pain to explore this vile cult thoeoughly but do try if not for your self then for your future generations.