Pakistani Stan Day -1 hot Lahore and Wagha

Late start because I'm still recovering, but a short bicycle ride is as good as a hot shower as after only a few minutes I'm dripping wet.

My host Adeel surprises me with a visit of a bike friend Khurram riding a 1200GS, a rare sight in Pakistan where the import taxes are super high. He's riding to Europe in the summer with a group of about 40 through Iran, Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria and eventually France and Germany. We've swapped numbers and I'll plan to meet them when they get closer to my home.

The day's highlight is a trip to the Wagha border crossing to see the closing ceremony. Like the sombre Last Post tribute to the fallen at the Menin Gate in Ypres, it's a daily event, but unlike that, it's completely the opposite with pageantry, cheers and patriotism on both sides. High kicks abound as both sides try to outdo each other. 

But you can see it's all carefully choreographed and a very, very, very rare display of cooperation between Pakistan and India. The guards on both sides (Pakistan Frontier Rangers and Indian Border Security Force) and are tall, adept at aggressive foot stamping and marching. The ceremony ends with the closing of the gates, flag lowering and everyone leaves. 

But not before a selfie with the celebrity guards.

Then an evening in the swanky Phase VII area of Lahore, famous for being a mini Dubai complete with ostentatious displays of cars, cruising and insta pouting. 

Pakistanistan Day -2 to Lahore

Faisal Movers again, but this time in business class.

A motorway stop and a burger leaves me with strong and unpleasant memories. The weather (rain!) and many toilet stops along the way mean we arrive later than expected. I all but collapse into bed and spend a restless night trying hard not to be sick. Recovery by midday the following day.