BEFORE ROLLING.....

As soon as we finished modifying our campervan, we began to prepare for all provisions needed for our long journey. In fact, we were very excited to realize the journey as soon as possible but I had to see the doctor in the hospital for final check-up (after my lung operation) to make sure that I won’t have any serious problem during the long journey. Besides vaccination against Cholera, I also needed entry visa as a tourist for every country !

 

Friends from Sindelfingfen : Ralph & Gaby, Hans-Martin

I, myself, would definitely leave Germany and return home after having not seen my family during the last 4 years since I left home. Certainly, I won’t see all my friends in Germany again in the near future.

Heinz, Ralph and Me

They were good friends, having given us morale support more or less, namely Ralph and his girlfriend Gaby, Hans-Martin and Heinz in Sindelfingen as well as Chris and Elke and some others in Stuttgart - Rudi, Marinsa  and her sister Nisa.  We would send our slides of photos of our journey to the lab in Germany and they would be sent back at Marinsa’s address to keep for us.

Elke & Chris : I won't forget your huge collection of good records of nice songs and music ! Some of your favorite songs accompanied us along the way to India.

The most important couple was my friend Tilo’s parents (Vati & Mutti - RIP) in Oldenburg.  We began to make our farewell tour from the north to the south. Our last stop in Germany which was our starting point as well was In Eching near Munich, where we said goodbye to my friend Mu and Paul.

Tilo's parents : Gerhard & Helen Grabowski (Vati & Mutti - RIP)

 

Traveling overland to India in those days was a very popular route for westerners and hippies as India has been one of the world 's oldest civilizations, cradle with her various gurus, leaders of thoughts and faith, including religions and philosophies, art and music with their own charms. The unique sound of “Sitar” lulling spellbound by the master Ravi Shankar, said to have inspired and recognizable to some works of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones - were the most famous in that era.

Beatle George Harrison and Ravi Shankar (Photo : thesupersplice.com / Google images search)

We did not travel alone in some certain parts and periods of time because it had to be taken into account for safety on our  way . Sometimes as we went off-way, we did not move on existing roads but on the ground of packed sand . We could only follow tracks of vehicle tyres left on the sand which may be disappeared after a sandstorm in the desert. So we would look at the sun for our orientation for proper direction. Luckily that we had mostly found other travel companions (campers) on the route and to the same destination.

Tyre traces on desert road ( Photo :  Wahyu Hidayat / Google images search)

It was uncomparable pleasure that we were so independent to travel where we would love to go and to spend our nights without depending on luxurious hotels and restaurants. Each of us was restricted only by banking account but not limited by the time. Thus we were so happy to be on the Hippie Trail…..