The Great Game Expedition - Overland Across Central Asia 2013

[BigOAdventures]

Manali, Northern India

Hi All,

Just thought I'd pass on a couple of photo's from Manali. These were taken part way up the Rohtung Valley from Manali a few days ago.

 

[graynomad]

Love the vids, I hope you're planning to do something longer.

Did the Urban Dance Centre offer you a position, I could hardly pick you out from the others

EDIT: Just found your other clips, looks like hours of fun for the whole family.

 

[BigOAdventures]

Glad you liked the short films. I am indeed planning to produce some bigger and better when I get back to London. I've been filming the entire journey to date.

There is always a place for me with Urban Dance Centre but they are the pros that made me look good. Along with the power of editing.

 

[BigOAdventures]

Here are a few pictures from the Karakoram Highway. I just spent 10 days driving from Islamabad up to the Chinese border at the Khunjerab Pass and back. A fantastic part of the journey.

 

[BigOAdventures]

Two months from today, on January 11th 2014 I will arrive back in London. As my journey starts to reach the final phase it's a good time to celebrate the people and places I've seen so far on this amazing journey.

From April to August 2013 I travelled from London to Malaysia, visiting 18 countries on the outward journey of my expedition East.

I've met a lot of interesting people along the way. Here's a few of them.

 

[Wainiha]

Great adventure. I'd be scared by myself. I like the videos and look foward to more.

 

[concretejungle]

That was really great! Thanks for sharing and inspiring.

 

[BigOAdventures]

Glad you like the film guys. I get a lot of enjoyment out of watching the people and places as well. There are more films on my website under the Film & Photo Gallery.

Enjoy.

 

[piratexpress1369a]

cool trip safe tavels thanks for sharing

 

[PGA]

Great job on the film. I'll be following closely. Can't wait to do it myself!

Cheers
Paul

 

[BigOAdventures]

Hello All,

I hope you are well.

A quick update. No sooner have I escaped Baluchistan in Pakistan (a particularly dodgy part of the world currently) than I've hit problems with Boris in Iran.

Unfortunately my Land cruiser 1994 VX Auto 80 series is not so well. I'm currently stuck in Zahedan, Iran with potentially a failed gearbox, transmission or both.

I'm looking into my options for finding replacement parts in case the Toyota mechanics here can't fix it.

Does anybody have any contacts in Iran for toyota parts or a country nearby? Apparently Iran isn't bless with a big second hand parts market for 80 series.

It's quite an urgent issue I've got so any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Jon

 

[Wainiha]

"Contacts in Iran for Toyota parts". Holy smokes. I had to laugh, sorry. I hope you find what you need. You have some courage friend. Good luck.

 

[Lantern58]

This blog mentions Toyota garage in Zahedan so maybe a good place to start.

http://www.destoop.com/trip/3 DAYBYDAY/011031 Erzurum/IranC&C.htm

 

[BigOAdventures]

Update

Hi All,

I found the Toyota guys in Zahedan but they were unable to help. So after 48hrs on the back of a truck I'm now in Tehran with some gearbox specialists looking at my truck. I hope to have some good news soon.

I got a great link to the Toyota Land Cruiser club here in Iran and they have been a great help.

Jon

 

[BigOAdventures]

A few more details

Hi All,

It's been a challenging couple of weeks. I was basically stuck in Zahedan which was the worst possible place. No freedom to move about due to security escorts. No internet at the rubbish hotel. And initially no local sim to make calls. It meant no comms to make arrangements. I had to got to Kerman for a couple of days to get everything underway. The Toyota lads in Zahedan wanted to help but ultimately it was too hard and I lost over a week with them and no progress. It took nearly 2 weeks but I'm now in Tehran with some gearbox specialists looking at the truck. It was a 48hour drive from Zahedan to Tehran in the world's slowest freight truck.

Hopefully I'll know if a day or two what the problem is. Then it's a matter of replacement parts or not?

The Toyota LC club in Iran have been a great help.

I've lined up a replacement gearbox, transmission from the UK if need be. However it's not cheap and I would prefer to source closer to Iran. I've got a few tips for parts. We'll see what we need soon enough.

I've got a couple of weeks left on the visa and the ability to extend. the challenge is that I've meant to be in Istanbul by Dec 24th to catch a flight to Paris for xmas.

It sure isn't boring around these parts. A little more stress than I really needed though. She'll be right!!