London to Mumbai by Road 2016 – Revisited
Day 30 – 26 September 2016
One Last Night in Kazakhstan
Today was not a sightseeing day, nor was it a driving day. Instead, it was all about preparation.
Tomorrow we would be crossing into China, one of the most anticipated and complicated sections of our entire London-to-Mumbai adventure. We had heard countless stories about the strict border procedures, vehicle inspections, permits, and security checks that awaited us.
With that in mind, Team Kontiki spent the day getting everything ready.
The motorhome received a thorough clean inside and out, and we carried out various maintenance checks to ensure Kontiki was prepared for the next few thousand miles through China and Myanmar. After everything she had carried us through so far, we wanted to give our faithful old motorhome the best possible chance of continuing without problems.
We had also been advised that Chinese border security could be extremely strict. There was even a possibility that our gas cylinders might have to be emptied before entry, although we would be able to refill them later once inside the country.
To avoid any issues, we emptied our spare diesel jerry can and transferred the fuel into the main tank. Carrying loose fuel containers across the border was not permitted, and the last thing we wanted was unnecessary complications during the crossing.
By the afternoon, everything was packed, organised, and ready.
All that remained was to wait.
The excitement was definitely building. For months, China had seemed like a distant destination on a map. Now it was only a few miles away.
Later in the evening, Team USA finally arrived in Zharkent. It was good to see Kunal and Devanshi Modi again, along with their friend Stephen, who had recently joined the team. The next stage of the journey would see both teams travelling through China under the same guide arrangements, making the adventure even more enjoyable.
Naturally, the first thing we did was gather in Kontiki for tea and conversation.
Stories were exchanged, plans discussed, and excitement shared as we talked about the challenges and experiences that lay ahead. Everyone was eager to enter China and begin what many considered to be the most fascinating section of the entire route.
Just when we thought the day was winding down, something unexpected happened.
The hotel where we were staying had a function room, and that evening it was hosting a birthday celebration. The party consisted of around twenty professional women, including accountants, doctors, lawyers, and businesswomen, all enjoying a lively evening of music, dancing, and celebration.
At some point, they noticed our group and invited us to join them.
Never ones to refuse a friendly invitation, Ramesh and I accepted immediately.
Before long, we found ourselves as the only two men in a room full of energetic and enthusiastic ladies enjoying their evening.
What followed was one of the most unexpected and entertaining nights of the trip.
There was dancing, laughter, music, and plenty of fun. Once they discovered we were travelling from London to Mumbai, the atmosphere became even more lively. To our amazement, they began playing Bollywood songs especially for us.
As had happened elsewhere in Kazakhstan, Bollywood’s popularity was impossible to miss.
Soon everyone was dancing to familiar Indian tunes, and despite being thousands of miles from home, it felt as though we had brought a little piece of India with us.
The ladies danced enthusiastically to the Bollywood music, and before long so did we.
The language barrier didn’t matter.
Music, laughter, and goodwill spoke for themselves.
As the evening came to an end, we reflected on how fitting it was that our final night in Kazakhstan had been spent celebrating with local people. Throughout our time in this remarkable country, we had been welcomed with warmth, kindness, generosity, and genuine friendship.
From Astana and Almaty to Lake Balkhash and Zharkent, Kazakhstan had exceeded every expectation.
Tomorrow, however, a new chapter would begin.
Beyond the border lay China.
A vast country, a different culture, new challenges, and countless adventures awaited.
As we returned to our rooms and prepared for an early start, there was only one feeling shared by everyone in Team Kontiki:
Excitement.
Location: Zharkent, Kazakhstan
Accommodation: Small hotel near the Chinese border
Highlights: Preparing Kontiki for China, meeting up with Team USA, and an unforgettable evening at a local birthday celebration
Most memorable moment: Dancing to Bollywood music with a group of Kazakh professional women
Preparation completed: Vehicle checks, cleaning, fuel transfer, and border readiness
Mood of the day: Excited, optimistic, and ready for China
Join us tomorrow as Team Kontiki leaves Kazakhstan behind and attempts one of the most significant border crossings of the entire expedition—the gateway into China on our epic road journey from London to Mumbai
