Day 148 Monday 12 February 2007. Islamabad to Taxila, Pakistan

Its still raining so after a late start we drive around Islamabad which is a bit like Canberra without the curves, modern low density city laid out on a 2km grid, with shopping areas in the centre of each block and a commercial strip stretching for 4km down the centre and the embassies and govt buildings at one end. We find a bank, a coffee shop and a source of DVDs and CDs to restock the resuscitated ipod. Then we visit the Faisal Masjid, the worlds largest mosque which looks like a collection of missiles around the Thunderbirds HQ. Actually its quite impressive hard up against the mist clad hills above Islamabad.

Unable to find a Kinkos to scan our maps, we head west from Islamabad to nearby Taxila, site ofone of the oldest cities in the world and of course another world heritage site. There are remains of a succession of three cities dating back to the 6thcentury BC including early Buddhist stupas and a fascinating museum with some fabulous artifacts.

We check into the PTDC motel opposite the museum, which is refreshingly cheap but very basic.

Distance Today: 68km Trip to date: 21,887km