Retour

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16 June 2004

Everybody is here, but not without some dramas - Amanda Padoan (US) has lost
a bag, and Sue Fear has lost a lot of bags - 5 in total!

We've made the decision to leave tomorrow even if they don't turn up - our
ground boys will go to Chaklala International Airport hunting for them and
we hope to be reunited with said wayward luggage in Skardu. Tonite we all
sat down together for the first time and enjoyed the sumptuous buffet at
the Shalimar Hotel next to the pool. This is 4 star luxury, great air con
rooms and all the trimmings, some of us a little surprised we are in a top
end hotel. It was great to meet the faces behind the emails Field Touring
had been circulating for some months now, we are a mixed bunch of crew -
but all eager and keen to get the show on the road.

It has been raining and is forecasted to continue raining for the next 3
days, we could play the waiting game and see if the 737's fly tomorrow,
but have opted for the quick start and a 12 hr drive to Chilas along the
Karakoram Highway. So it looks like we are going to hit the ground running -
there has been none of the delays we feared may have happened - FTA's guy
Ian Wade had arrived early and done everything that was required, and the
Ministtry thing we just whisked through - our local guys seem to really
have a handle on whats going on. Its been a good smooth start, barring the
lost bags (we were joking she had to pay excess for the privilege of the
airline losing them!!), and trust that's a good omen for what Ive heard is
a bone cruncher of a road trip coming up tomorrow.
Signing off,