Having spent 8 solid hours in Banda Abbas, southern Iran, getting the necessary paperwork to ship our bikes (which will make a separate post) and ourselves to Sharjah, UAE, then travelled 12 hours overnight on the same ferry as our bikes, then spent 5 hours at Sharjah port clearing our bikes, we arrived at our hotel looking like 2 drowned rats, dripping with sweat, filthy and no doubt not smelling too fresh! When we explained why we looked that way, the lady checking us in was so excited, she immediately called the front desk manager and the hotel general manager to meet us and must have sent a broadcast to all the hotel staff about our journey as we kept being introduced to various managers throughout the day. They also upgraded us to a … wait for it …117 square metre apartment for the duration of our stay, 10 days! Why? She said it was because we inspired her and she felt energised by our attitude – which was so different to how we looked. Wow!!! Thank you Anastasia and thank you angels, once again…
Anthony looking like a drowned rat
Anne looking like a drowned rat
The lounge and dining room of our 117 sqm apartment – thank you Anastasia
Here is what we have planned for our 10 days’ R&R:
First, shower, sleep, relax, catch up on mail and unpack
Friday (week end here) rest!!
Print completed Indian visa application forms
Get new 2″ x 2″ photos for Indian Visa
Submit Indian visas
Get new plastic folders
Pay CT (business) website
Pay Beanie (our car) insurance
Hand wash jackets – twice
Take trousers to laundry
Upload photos to WordPress and caption
Upload photos into blog posts
Compile videos
Upload videos
Write Banda Abbas post
Write Iran and UAE shipping & customs posts
Order new rear tyres
Organise bike maintenance and tyre swap
Get quotes for shipping the bikes
Find crate or crate builder for shipping the bikes
Find shipper
Book shipment of bikes
Book flights for ourselves
Book Mumbai hotel
Locate place to service the bikes (check wheel bearings) & book
Find place to clean the bikes
Clean the air filters and bikes
Replace Storm head lamp
Replace Shoei visor
Buy extra spare headlamps
Buy new scottoiler oil
Check out Dubai Bikers’ Cafe
Collect International Drivers’ Licences
Collect new helmet bluetooth systems
Order AO sleep tablets
Find new trousers for AJ (lost 8 kgs)
Find new bra for AO (lost 8 kgs)
Get cash for Burma trip
Dentist x-ray for AJ
Replenish toiletries
Buy wet wipes
Buy new medical kit
Make more colour copies of bikes’ V5 documents
Mail documents, maps, clothing
Ship rugs & books
Get extra flash card for AO camera at airport
Have a swim at the hotel pool most days!!!
We expect the list to keep us pretty busy over the coming week! And growing no doubt too…
Photos have been uploaded for the “Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva” and “Leaving Khiva for Turkmenistan” posts. More coming soon!!
– Anne
2slowspeeds 
Wow! That’s some list. Hope you get some time for lots of R & R before you set off again. Enjoy the comforts of your luxury apartment. You’ve both lost a lot of weight but looking well. Enjoy some ‘ home’ comforts. Looking forward to the photos when you have time. Enjoy XXXX
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We are aiming to use the pool as much as possible and we are definitely enjoying this outrageous luxury. We’ve uploaded the Khiva and Turkmenistan photos. More coming!! Xxx
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Oh Wow! You have “du pain sur la planche” so I guess and I prefer you to tell me when you will have some times to talk;) i think of you! Looooooove you:)
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Un peu en effet. A demain Marion. Xxx
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Merci Anastasia! vous nous avez apporte des semaines de plaisir, maintenant bon repos vous deux : ))
Tas d’or xxx
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On va en profiter au max! Tas d’or oh si! Xxx
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Love Anastasia being inspired and generous! The title R&R with that huge to do list made me realise how the demands of this trip are perfect for the project manager in you. I do hope the comfort you find yourself in will build your reserves for the next stage in the journey. You both make good looking drowned rats 😉 xxx
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Building up our reserves alright!! And definitely enjoying the luxury while we have it!! Xxx
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Sleep well, my darlings. Just reading all you have to do has worn me out so I too am going to bed. Bravo all you have achieved so far (not least the fantastic upgrade at the Hilton – only to you could that have happened) xx
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Merci Badame. I have to say we both burst out laughing when we were shown to our apartment and saw its size and the view as we were looking forward to a standard room with their great beds and bedding. Now we have been invited out to dinner tomorrow which is so lovely. Xxx
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A list of note!! SO pleased to see some photos !! You always look good ! As always you don’t disappoint !Have a wonderful stay and enjoy the space. Lots of love LECH xxx
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Thank you Lesley. You’ll be seeing more photos sooooon!! Xxx
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you are likeable rats !! 🙂 🙂 🙂
i hope , have good time and give full relaxation …
& tanks to anastasia for best Catering and Hospitality ..
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