DAY 71 - HERAT

71) TUESDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 1977 : 139KMS. - HERAT

The distance from TAIABAD  to the border is about 22 kilometers. We arrived the border at about 8 a.m. There were a few cars of Indians from  England waiting there before our arrival.  We had to wait until nearly 9 a.m., when the border was opened and  officers began to let all vehicles pass  over. It took us about  45 minutes driving  from the border of IRAN  to reach AFGHANISTAN  checkpost.   

Iran-Afghanistan border - Photo : geolocation.ws / Google images search

There were vehicles of  Europeans , travelling from the east (INDIA),  as well as many Afghans waiting to pass the border  to IRAN.   We had to wait for the paper form  for  border crossing and vehicle checking long enough until 11.15 a.m. , thus completing the formalities.  We were asked to  open  every cupboard door  and the elevated  floor as well as the top of our seat covers  for  officials to check.

Iran-Afghanistan border - Photo : geolocation.ws / Google images search

 

It was even worse for tourists travelling to IRAN, they must be more thoroughly  inspected, bodies and vehicles. They were  required to take out all belongings to put outside of their cars until they were empty.  The officials dressed as car mechanics with screwdrivers of all sizes  and types, and knocked or tapped  on every part of the cars to detect if there should be some hashisch or ganja hiding in some possible parts of the vehicles without tiring signs.  They may get a nice reward if  they can discover illegal articles.

Afterwards I managed to get some money exchanged to pay for the insurance of about Afghanis 450.- (1 DM = 20 Afghanis) .  So we finished with all formalities in entering the country.   

Desert sandy wind - Photo : bamdadi.com / Bing images search

On the way, we faced  a sand storm,  blowing sand on the road.  There were only few cars from the opposite direction and very seldom.  In the distance alongside, we  saw  goats, sheeps and camels and tents of nomads.  The topography looks like a semi-desert with very strong cold wind.  We saw people wearing baggy Afghani pants and turbans.

Photo : bus3sigma.com / Bing images search

 

Before we arrived HERAT, we were charged for the toll fee 50.- Afg.  We came across with the bus overflowing with passengers and many were sitting on the roof.

 

DESERT SANDSTORM, AFGHANISTAN
Photo : panoramio.com (Bing images search)

 

Frightening Desert Sandstorm caption