TRAVEL FEATURE - PAKISTAN
KASHIF BASHIR ( W ) / BILAL HUSSAIN AKHTAR ( P )
THE OLD & THE DOCILE
Hopes to dreams , dreams to reality ; all this conversion needs is a catalyst strong enough to withstand the test of time and onslaught of unfavourable circumstances . Constant – every life has a definitive purpose . Variable – the way it is accomplished . Some just live while others live forever . ‘ Human will ’ coupled with persistent passion , is all that one requires for turning dreams into reality .
While we were on our way back from last year ’ s Vespidition , we were clear that this was a once in a lifetime thing that we had accomplished and were very content with what we had achieved as regards to personal development . The Vespas that we had used for Vespidition got parked away with covers over them and for all practical purposes , for us , that was it . As days passed and we shared our story on social media and miscellaneous publications , we received such an appreciative and supportive response that it got us thinking … Why Stop ?
We just needed a spark to rekindle our love of riding Vintage Vespas on the Karakorum Highway and Peter S . Cooper provided just that .
A New Zealand national , Peter , a sixty-three year young Vespa adventure riding enthusiast showed his keen intent to ride alongside us as he was awed by the picturesque scenery he had seen through our previous year ’ s photographs . This was the culmination of our effort as our main objective while we initially conceived this unique mode of travel to the north was to highlight a positive image of Pakistan , the real Pakistan - the beautiful scenery and the warm and hospitable people . Hence , we took a plunge ; yet again .
A team of three Vespiditionists including myself , a friend from Lahore – Bilal another Vespa enthusiast and Peter S . Cooper was finalised for a gruesome tour to the
TRAVERSE 21