Chantal Simons rides her bike from Australia to Netherlands via Pakistan

Last year Chantal Simons travelled by motorbike from Australia to the Netherlands, not something many single women find themselves doing.  Read a little of her story here…

There are a few countries along the way that most people, both men and women, would advise you to avoid. One of these is Pakistan. But with the high costs of riding through China, that wasn’t an option for me. If I’d taken a more southern route, I’d have been sinking my two wheels in the Arabian Sea.

So, to avoid loading my bike onto an airplane, I rode through Pakistan.

Contrary to popular opinion, Pakistan is actually an amazingly welcoming country with super friendly people and mind-blowing nature. Without exception, when asked what is the most beautiful part of their country, Pakistanis will tell you it is the mountainous North.

The Karakoram Highway serves as the meandering spine for the little international tourism Pakistan still gets. This road leads from the flat, dry lowlands, just north of the capital Islamabad, to the arid grey mountains of the highest border crossing in the world, at the Khunjerab Pass.

On my motorbike, I happily left the crowds of Islamabad and headed north. Somewhere along the way, I would be meeting up with other motorcyclists. Since Pakistan is not a holiday destination your mother will quickly approve of, only rare, daring travellers are to be found on your way.

Read the rest of her story here