Just another year, it has been 2 years already!
Thank you my friend to give me a once-in-a-lifetime chance to do the overland route to India with you.

IN REMEMBANCE OF  "TILO GRABOWSKI"  (20.06.1938-16.08.2018)

Departed for the greatest journey in life, my best friend and overland travel companion to India in 1977, Tilo Grabowski (20.06.1938), finally finding his way to heaven, passed away peacefully on 16 August 2018 in Oldenburg, Germany.

......Sadly to accept it, I will miss you forever! All good memories we shared will be appeared on this blog and on the Facebook page as long as they exist.

May you Rest In Peace my dear friend !

There were arguments about the discrepancy of the DAY of Anjuna Flea Market that I captioned in my diary, and posted  to the Facebook group "hippie trail". I just want to keep it as a reference and for your kind information.

In remembrance of Tilo Grabowski (20.06.1938-16.08.2018)

Departed for the greatest journey in life, my best friend and overland travel companion to India in 1977, Tilo Grabowski (20.06.1938), finally finding his way to heaven, passed away peacefully on 16 August 2018 in Oldenburg, Germany.

......Sadly to accept it, I will miss you forever! All good memories we shared will be appeared on this blog and on the Facebook page as long as they exist.

May you Rest In Peace my dear friend !

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION

Dear Honoured Readers and Friends !

If you just come across to this blog, please be advised that I have already finished my travel diary from DAY 1- the last DAY 228 (see Archives) but you may click back at Older Post(s) to view the very beginning of this blog of my travel diary. I still, however, may continue to post occasionally more interesting photos, articles etc. relating to my travel routes.

As you may see on the top left corner, the blog is equipped with Google Translation app that makes it possible for all readers to translate my stories into your native languages at one click.

Again, thank you for your kind interest. Explore and enjoy your reading !

Any comment is welcome and appreciated !

  

EPILOGUE

EPILOGUE (which is indispensable)

After my departure back home from MADRAS via COLOMBO, Tilo continued on his route to the end point of the southern Indian peninsula and turned up to the north  on his way back to GERMANY .... 

http://munichtomadras1977.blogspot.com

Unfortunately,  he had an accident along his way on the road .... Our campervan collided with a large truck, it was badly damaged and unable to continue the journey. 

http://munichtomadras1977.blogspot.com

Tilo had to have it repaired in the garage in CULCUTTA and he was, fortunately, invited to stay at the Germany Consulate in CULCUTTA for a month in waiting  until the camper van was repaired to be fit again for a trip back to Germany afterwards.

 

http://munichtomadras1977.blogspot.com

Lucky enough for me that I decided to return home earlier otherwise I might get injured by the accident as it happened to the front right side of the van body where I used to have my seat while driving on the road.

CONCLUSION :


During that time, the important event of the Russian army invading and occupying Afghanistan was in a protracted war.  On his way back home, Tilo was allowed to travel through Afghanistan within the limited period of time 10 days in returning to Europe. The invasion of the Russian and her occupation of Afghanistan broke down the dream of many travelers, especially those who called themselves the Hippies.  

Tilo with Harun & his cousin - https://www.facebook.com/FromMunichToMadras1977/

Harun, a student of German language course at Goethe Institute in KABUL, our Afghan fellow and some of his family members and friends, whom we knew in KABUL and he accompanied us to BAMIYAN, the site of the giant standing Buddha image, carved in the cliffs of the mountains, had applied  for war refugee status to settle in Germany.  He then married a German girl many years afterwards. 

Harun - https://www.facebook.com/FromMunichToMadras1977/

It was not likely that we would meet again. However, I met Harun again as well as BAHLU, a Lhasa Apso, adopted from a Tibetan restaurant in KATHMANDU, when I returned to Germany for the second time, after living in Thailand for almost 1 year.

BHALU,  our Tibetan Lhasa Apso adopted from a restaurant in Kathmandu, was then taken care by the family of Tilo's younger brother in north Germany until the end of its life.

Hoping that my simple diary will give some inspiration to those who love travelling and adventure to follow their dreams.


           === PERFECTLY END ===

Back in homeland !

229) SATURDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 1978 : RETURN FLIGHT – COLOMBO - BANGKOK

After breakfast at the hotel, I had a chance to visit COLOMBO as I got my connect flight to Bangkok in the evening, so plenty of time.

 
 

http://munichtomadras1977.blogspot.com

I arrived Bangkok safely and took a taxi directly  to my home in a nearby province.  It was in the evening and  everyone was happy and surprised by my unexpected arrival.