By Ton and Tim
After the elimination of the Dutch National Team, we have a short night and Dirk and Ton walk for the last time to the workshop at the launderette in Dushanbe. Bleeding the brake lines is the last action, after which the T-Ford slowly rolls out of the garage. The subsequent test drive through the neighborhood goes well and we are finally ready to leave.
The well-deserved ice cream from the very appropriate ice cream parlor was certainly appropriate here.
We drive along the river and go straight into the mountains to an altitude of 3,500m. Down at 1000m it was still 35 degrees, now it cools down to less than 15 degrees, while it starts to rain. We drive through the Anzob tunnel, which is 10 km long and pitch dark and has quite narrow roads.
We take a beautiful ride through the high mountains. With snow-capped peaks that reach 7000m and higher, this looks like a tourist route from Floortje Dessing’s program.
Once we descend again and cross the border with Uzbekistan, the landscape becomes duller and there seems to be no end to a long, poorly accessible road with buildings on both sides of the road. We approach Samarkand, a highlight on the Silk Road. We are escorted by the tourist police to a hotel near the Resistan Palace. With the lighting on it in the evenings, we imagine ourselves in the fairy tale from 1001 and a Night.
Daily temperatures are now rising to above 40 degrees and the number of shady places is decreasing noticeably. All Uzbeks walk in sandals, but the sturdy, very warm walking shoes that Trudy and Dirk wear are necessary to protect against the release of engine heat in the cabin. If there is a moment to cool down, Dirk likes to take advantage of it with two feet.
On July 11 we drive through the most sacred city in Central Asia, Bukhara. It is no coincidence that Trudy’s birthday can also be celebrated on this day.
It is also the day that the highest temperatures are measured, which exceed 41 degrees.
We have now reached the west of Uzbekistan. The landscape is flat, the roads are moderate, the people are cordial and in appearance they resemble a mixture between a Chinese, Mongolian, Russian and a Turk. Very fascinating to see here.
Dealing with the heat remains a struggle and we drink liters of fluid every day. Even a melon seller on the side of the road is in danger of going under and can no longer find the energy to engage in any commercial activities.
We pass the dried up plains of the former Aral Sea, created after Stalin started an ambitious agricultural program here during WWII. However, this turned out to be one of the greatest environmental disasters of the 20th century.
The road through this is almost as big a disaster. Since the Soviet Union fell apart, no maintenance has been done on it. The route is even indicated on the maps as “road to hell”
The path you ride must be sought by yourself. Around the potholes, through the roadside and often through a sand path next to the road. Sometimes you can’t even reach 10 km/h and every kilometer you cover takes minutes of time.
The T-Ford also does a great job in this section. While we see one flat tire after another falling next to the roadside, we move through it without any problems.
Today is July 16 and we as a follow-up team are saying goodbye to Trudy, Dirk, T-Ford and Landrover. Dirk had to decide not to travel to Baku Azerbaijan via the Caspian Sea. The borders with this country are closed, meaning a detour via Russia to Georgia must be made.
Tim and Ton travel further by train to Aktau and from there via London to Amsterdam.
We experienced 2 unforgettably beautiful weeks in an environment that was completely unknown to us. Traveling with a T-Ford opens so many doors that it gives you a wonderful insight into the lives of the people in Faraway Region. The enthusiasm, generosity, hospitality and often also the openness with which people greet you is unique. The beautiful balance that Trudy and Dirk radiate to people with their T-Ford does the rest. We regularly imagine ourselves on an adventure like “around the world in 80 days”
The teamwork and performance of Trudy and Dirk cannot be underestimated. At times it is quite tough, but the positivity, humour and drive to drive around the world with this T-Ford gets the best out of the driver, co-pilot and follow-up teams.
Trudy and Dirk, thank you and have fun with your children and grandchildren on a trip that will soon feel like a well-deserved victory.
Ik heb weer genoten van de verhalen en foto’s, bedankt allemaal.