Month: April 2006

1933 kilometers run in Iran.

The border was crossed at the 30th kilometer.

7H05, Serge left and for 10 kilometers was accompanied by Jean-Marc and Benjamin.  As we have always done for border crossings, we left Serge with his back pack to reach the Iranian border post, which is located in the city of Serakhs.  Something rather unusual, this border post is located at the edge of the road and is only marked by a fence and a sign.  It’s difficult to imagine that behind the fence and a few buildings the road continues towards Turkmenistan.  The team arrived at 9H00 and for the first time Serge arrived before we could get out of our vehicles.  At noon we finally left Iran.  We found Serge at the Turkmen border post.  He had been waiting for us for an hour in order to have the US$ 10 which everyone has to pay to enter the country.  Serge was furious at having wasted the time because he wants to keep up his kilometer average even on border crossing days.  Serge set off running on the Turkmen asphalt while we went from office to office to deal with employees who were rather confused by our vehicles’ customs documents.  It would take a few more hours before the gate was opened but luckily we didn’t have to go through a search, which would have meant taking everything out of the vehicles.  If that had happened we would still be there.

Leaving the Islamic Republic of Iran and entering Turkmenistan took place after a 6-hour wait and a great deal of patience to go through almost a dozen offices to receive 50 official stamps.

Serge, who had a map, found his route like a chief, in spite of the change of direction, because at Serakhs (the Turkmen border crossing) there are two roads which lead to Mary.  At the 50th kilometer, we found Serge, who was completely out of water.  It was very hot and humid.

Noah’s ark must not have run aground on the Mount Ararat in Turkey but rather in this desert of Turkmenistan. There are camels, foxes, tortoises, horses and snakes.  The fauna is incredibly rich and our eyes light up at each little beast encountered.

A storm broke, raising tons of sand.  Lightening split the sky and Serge became a shadow which vanished in the dust and darkness.  What a day!

The 11H34′ indicated next to the number of kilometers includes the time we spent in the different border posts.  It’s good to remember that when Serge sets his GPS Garmin watch at departure in the morning he does not stop it until the end of the stage so the time includes the stops when he meets people, stops to relieve himself and border crossings.

We are now 3 hours ahead of France: At noon in France it is 15H00 in Turkmenistan