Going to Kolkata by boat? Won't take a flight! Part 2, The Planning

Okay, no, I, I understand we are going for an expedition, but that doesn't mean I want to put my life on risk. I like, uh, I don't want to be a martyr.

Then you enter Iran, um, from this border. Uh, from there, um, unfortunately, still, as Mehmet says, the train is not working.

So actually, because the, the train is going to Tatvan. From Istanbul, from Ankara to Tatvan, there is this one lake experience.

And you do not need any visa for those European countries, right?

No, no, no.

I mean, till Turkey, yeah, I mean, you're in European, you will be visiting European Union and then Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey. No, you don't need any visa. No.

As I told you, Kaberi, from the beginning, immigration is involved in here.

Yeah.

Whatever the plan is, the tourism and the immigration is together.

Of a tribute to the girl who died in India, in Kolkata, which is our final destination. And she was brutally raped and murdered because apparently she, she was a whistleblower. So she was a young lady doctor who became a victim to corruptions surrounding the medical profession in Kolkata, and that was— and she just— she was murdered just trying to be brave. This incident had set fire not only in the city but the entire country and also the minds and hearts of all the people, all the sane people living all over the world. So despite— so despite such dangers surrounding women all over the world, We, a few, over 50 women, have dared to take up this expedition over the land, though through many countries which can become dangerous for women, for anybody, only because we firmly believe that for every single corrupt individual in the world, there are 100 quite good people. Hello everybody, all my viewers who are, who are following this podcast and with about the trip to Kolkata that by train that we are planning this impossible route. So today, welcome, let's welcome with us the entire, um, whoever has joined in so far. I won't say the entire crew. Let's welcome Sheila from Iran. She's joined us from Iran, Tehran, right?

Hi, Sheila.

Hi, nice to meet you all.

Nice to meet you.

So happy.

Mehmet Kamoglu from Chamoglu, right?

Yeah, Chamoglu it is.

I'm learning Turkish a little bit, so I know that, uh, C with the thing in look is So, uh, let's welcome Mehmet. Mehmet, he's in Turkey, right? Which city are you in?

Turkey, on the western side. I'm living in Marmaris, a touristic place, and I born here, and I'm working on tourism over here.

Oh, that's nice.

Hi. And, uh, Sheila, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Yes, sure. I live in Shiraz. It's almost south of Iran. It's a big city and very touristy city. It's a kind of main attractions in Iran. So everybody who travels, they choose Shiraz. And I work also as a tourist guide. Guide.

That's right.

That's right.

Okay. So nice to have you on board and with us. We really feel encouraged. About this trip. So on that note, okay, let's let's start right at the bang at the beginning. So last last podcast we discussed the possible routes. So let me share the screen and show you what are the routes we discussed. So yeah, can you see the screen?

No.

Yeah. Now can you see the screen?

Yes, yes.

It's starting. Yeah. Okay. Now we can see it.

So this is a possible first possible route that we were exploring. So from London, we take a train to Brussels, Vienna, then to Budapest, and from Budapest to Istanbul, and then from Istanbul, Ankara to Tehran, and then from Tehran to Zaidan. Now here, this is the part where it, it is most, um, dangerous, that from Zaidan to Quetta there is the Makral Coastal Highway, which I believe this is the most, uh, dubious part. And then again, we heard that the, uh, even if you go from Quetta to Lahore The train from Lahore to Amritsar, Samjota Express, has been closed ever since COVID It's not opened as yet. So there are 2 major places we need to discuss. So, okay, Sheila, can you— Mehmet, can you first start the conversation? Just tell me how feasible is this?

So I— when we first built that website, TransAsia Train, we aimed to sell train tickets from Turkey to Iran.

Okay.

And because the Turkish Railways or the Iranian Railways were not selling it online, so what we did, we just opened the website and we sold those tickets. It was running until Corona, so 2019. but it stopped after Corona and it's still not working since then. So according to this route, right, from Büyükreis to Istanbul, I believe there are trains. Yes, that route, Büyükreis to Istanbul. I believe there are direct trains, but they are running only in summer season as far as I know, but I will double-check this.

Okay.

At the end of the summer season or in wintertime, the only way to reach Istanbul is from Sofia. From Sofia to Istanbul, it's running all year round. That's right. And after reaching Istanbul, as the TransAsia train is not working right now, from Istanbul to Ankara, you can take a high-speed train which is running, I believe, 5 or 6 times Every day, and the journey should be around three hours, three and a half hours or so.

Okay.

Then from Ankara, the best way to reach Iran is to go to Van. So to Tatvan actually, because the the train is going to Tatvan from Istanbul from Ankara to Tatvan. there is this One Lake Express.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

You can take this train to go to, to Tatvan. If you, by the way, if you are looking for, uh, let's say sleeper compartments, because this is a long journey, then the tickets, um, needs to be booked, uh, I believe a month or 40 days prior to the departure, because the, the tickets are being sold pretty quickly. This is a pretty popular route among Turkish people, not only for people who would, who would like to visit Tatvan, or like the people who would like to experience this train journey. So people— this is kind of like tourism in Turkey— people from Ankara to Tatvan, over there, the tickets of the sleeper compartments are sold pretty quickly. That's what I can say.

Yeah.

So we have to purchase this 40 days prior.

40 days prior.

Yeah, that's right. Also, how many people will be traveling on this journey? Could you tell me?

That is a very good question. Actually, it's increasing day by day. So this week, we are supposed to get another person. But let me just, you know, one second. She was supposed to join.

Because we haven't done any full-blown publicity yet.

Sure, but is it because we need to know the feasibility whether we will be able to make it?

Yeah, exactly.

We first need to know why.

Why I am asking is that let's say me and my wife and my child, so we are 3 people, uh, we just need to seek for tickets. But if you are many people, then you can contact with the Turkish Railways and they can open any full car, train car for you.

That will be nice. That will be nice.

Yeah, so you don't need to seek the Then you don't need to check the availability all the time. You can just have your compartments ready.

How many people in the compartment can fit?

Let me check. Let me check. So there are like 3 different cars on the trains. The one is with the seats. The other one is compartments with 4 beds.

Okay.

The other one is compartments with 2 beds. Okay. So, let me let me be sure. Just a second, please. I will be checking.

Okay. Because that's important. Then we'll know how many people.

Sure, sure, sure.

Yeah.

Just a second.

This is we are talking about Ankara to Tuvan.

Ankara to Tatvan, actually. You will be crossing the lake with a from from Tatvan to Van. Whenever the train reaches to Tatwan, then after a couple of hours, 3 or 4 hours, again, I will be double-checking this, the ferry will be departing from Tatwan and reaching Van in 3 hours or 4 hours or so.

Yeah, there is a ferry which I know about. So I'll just share you with the— share you the document where I wrote down these points. So yeah, and Sheila. So meanwhile, Sheila, what can you say about the trip from Istanbul to sorry from where were we? We were.

You are at one.

Tehran.

Yeah.

Yeah, from Tehran to Zadan and Keta. Keta.

I would first like to mention about the borders between Turkey and Iran. Okay, we have three borders, but as Mehmet said, it's the I think the best is the one to go and you have the plan already to pass from Turkey to Iran through. Van border.

Okay.

The city is called Van, as you know. Okay. And then we pass— yeah, after we pass through Iran and we do the checking and everything, you do the visa and the passport check, then you enter Iran from this border. From there, unfortunately, still, as Mehmet said, the train is not working still. Since then, since COVID Yes, since COVID So, so we— yes.

So, uh, like, uh, what do you suggest from Zaidan to Qatar? What would we— should we— how should we go?

Um, Zaidan border, you have to pass through Mirjab border.

Okay.

From there we will arrange by some companies, by my colleagues. Then we, yes, we arrange your trip from there to Quetta. There are some Levi Zia, they arrange everything for your trip. And inside Iran I can arrange your trip by buses, trains.

Yeah, that you can do.

So you mean to say reaching Kota is safe?

Is it safe?

It is actually, it's a little risky, but many people, as I know, and I have had many tourists so far that they said that they passed this border without difficulty.

Without difficulty. So, uh, yeah, that is, that's what we are looking forward to basically. Because we were planning, like as Arundhati had said earlier, we could take a waterway. But I don't think there are any, any.

Is there any way from Iran to reach Dubai easily?

Maybe yes. You can go by ferry from Bandar Abbas to Dubai or Sharjah. You can take ferry. It is like. By ferry, I think five hours takes by ferry, and the ticket is affordable. It's not that expensive, and it's okay.

So based on my research, what I understood that if we can reach somehow from Iran to Dubai, from Dubai to reaching India, even by ferry or water or whatever, it's it's it's easy.

Yes, yes.

But in like Iran to Dubai, I am not very familiar. I am really not understanding which one, if that's feasible. Is it?

Yes, Iran to Dubai is feasible, quite feasible. Yes, yes. There is like just Persian Gulf between us.

Yeah, yeah. Okay, the Persian Gulf between us. So let's, um, yeah, at least, uh, um, okay.

No, I, I understand we are going for an expedition, but that doesn't mean I want to put my life on risk. I like, uh, I don't want to be a martyr by any means.

No, nobody is going to kill us. Don't worry, we are going to be fine.

Yeah, so, uh, I did follow like few solo trips. When I do the solo trip, the first thing is do a lot of research and be absolutely sure of safety.

Yeah, safety is primarily in our, on our agenda, obviously, because we are going to be all women traveling. And as Mehmet said, I think we can contact the governments or, you know, like the railways directly. And that way we are assured of our safety. We are not going to travel without telling the government. We're going to contact the government. And Shira, do you think that is possible to contact the Iranian government that such a trip expedition is happening and that they can, if they can provide us with safety and security?

Yes, yes, sure, sure. And I know a good person and very trustable person and like a team at the border. They can help you and send their—

That is one good thing that we should—

That's very good.

should contact and communicate with the governments of both the countries that we are taking this trip, expedition, and we would like to have security and safety given to us.

So, I, yeah, sorry, I have one question in here. So, I'm asking Sheila, what about the visa process while While people will travel by train to, let's say, to Dubai or Sharjah, whatever the visa, there is any immigration in the train, immigration process, checking visa on the train, or what is the immigration process? Because it's a different country, we are passing through different countries, right?

Of course, yes. When you plan to go from Iran to Dubai, we need another visa, a different visa. So we need to take it in advance. Maybe sometimes it takes one week, but sometimes it takes longer. So better to prepare it in advance, maybe three at least three weeks before.

Actually, without visa, no one can travel by the train or the air, right? So that is the first point: you need to have a visa.

Visa always. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That yeah, that should be expand our horizons actually. We have more.

Sure. You know, recently there are some restrictions for US citizens, Canadian and English citizens.

Oh boy.

Not that much, but there are more like—

So that you're talking about in Iran, the restriction in Iran.

Iran, yes.

Okay. So in that case, in that case, if we take Istanbul, Turkey may not have the restriction in Turkey, may restriction in Iran, but isn't it?

Iran, yes.

Iran, especially for Canadians, English, and US citizens, they need to have a special certificate for tour guide.

Okay.

Yeah, let me share the screen once more.

So how many countries actually we will be touching, like we will be passing by?

My understanding is a two-way. One, we can go through— people can travel through Iran and Dubai, what you suggested. Or second way, maybe Iran to Istanbul. To Pakistan.

Just look at the, look at the map. So here, this is—

No, no, Istanbul to Iran. Istanbul is—

Yeah, yeah, just look at the map. This is, uh, Turkey, right? Okay. And this is Iran. Okay. You can see the map, right? Okay.

Yeah.

And, uh, if we have to go by land, we have to either go from here This is the route we are going, and Iraq, Syria, Iraq. Where is Abu Dhabi? Or Abu Dhabi and everything is over here. So yeah, so I I I'm how like from Tehran to Dubai? How that how you cannot go from Tehran to Dubai without crossing Iraq and Syria, which are more dangerous. Yeah, no no no. You have to cross the other way this. So there is a.

I know there is some simple route between Iran, like the southern Iran and Dubai. There is a ferry service.

Ferry service that could be ha. That could happen.

It's a southern southern Iran and Dubai. Yeah, this is what I think. Like every day, I think. Like let me get a three hours interval.

There are.

फेरी सर्विसेज, but let me get a better map. The name of the port is let me please share the screen once more. Let me just say 9 days without bus or sorry without internet problem. And see Turkey is here train. I'm sure that you are here. You know we don't need to go to Dubai. Why do we need to go here?

Why do we have to go to Iran to do it?

Just look at the water.

I cannot use my laptop right now.

From Bandar Abbas, if you go by, let's say, it will be Tehran. So Gulf from Tehran, you don't need travel to the end of Dubai. We can straight away.

How many people? There is any ferry service from Iran?

Cross the ferry to Dubai. Yeah, Bandar Abbas from Dubai, then have to any— yeah, in the लेकिन गोइंग पॉइंट बंदरबाज़, तो राजपुर का पास है ना? सम्मान में स्टेटिंग, सम्मान में गुजरात में है, तुरंत हमें क्या राजपुर तुरंत होगा बेटर आइडिया। फ्रंट बैंड को पास है, और हमें गुड लैंड पास है, वो भी है पास। वो भी है पास। सॉरी रिगार्डिंग फ्रंट बैंड को पास है, I am not sure how to get to those cities around, but I know from my The reason is Dubai.

No, no, no. I know there is. I'm very well connected with all Middle Eastern artists.

Same day. Yeah, yeah. That's why I want to play one thing.

Now down south of Iran. Even though you're thinking about that point, I don't remember the exact place. Like any other place, it doesn't mean that you can use that route.

That's why Sheila is saying, I don't know about these routes.

Sorry, you can take still train from here. You will be visiting your city and then you will be off to your destination.

So will you be able to find us? Most of the time, then from there you can go by ferry. So that many people on board, they are not allowed.

Next year, so we can get at least 50 people on board, 50 women.

For example, for chorus, then we can arrange.

You know what I mean?

Yeah, excited, uh, if they know that something is already booked.

So I, I also believe that, I also believe that if, um, like, I mean, there should be some company companies, especially in Europe, uh, arranging, let's say, private trains. And let's say you could, you could give a route, let's say, from directly from London to anywhere, and I believe you can go to that place. And I believe they will be also taking care of the safety and everything.

Oh, that's nice.

It might be pricey compared to regular trains and tickets and everything. But this would be the, I believe, the, the easiest and the, the best option in my mind.

What would be the price approximately? Uh, can you have— do you have any idea?

I have no idea. I mean, I know that there is one train departing from Paris and reaching to Istanbul, but this is like in in 1900s there was a train.

Is it the Orient Express you're talking about?

That's right, that's right. And this company is doing this luxury way.

It's extremely luxurious, like unimaginably luxurious. It's one of the luxurious trains in the world.

That's right, that's right. So this is just one example.

You guys read The Murder on the Orient Express, right? The famous Murder on the Orient Express.

I know, Agatha Christie.

It's based on that. It's an extremely luxurious train.

So this is one example, but I believe, uh, regular trains with sleeper compartments would also do this journey. Just, just you need to find the right company or right railways who would do this.

So we are, we are clear about one thing, that we are not going through Pakistan or Afghanistan. That route is—

yeah, yeah.

So let's focus. So, so turn To Tehran, Mahmoud can take care of us and Mahmoud help us to reach Tehran. So we need guidance from Sheila.

My favorite city in the world.

Sheila can help us from Tehran to reach Dubai.

Yeah, now we have to think about and now Sheila will tell us what we can do from Tehran to where is it gone?

To Bombay routing. Or to Dubai routing to work out how to work out this.

Yeah, this this route. So from Tehran, how to work out to Bombay? We are not going through Pakistan, so that route is clear already. So we have to reach Dubai somehow, and from Dubai we either we have to take a sea route because there is no land route to India. So you have to take a sea route to Mumbai, right?

Yeah, but Sheila can also can just to verify, to check from these Bandra to to Bombay if it's possible.

If it is possible, possible option if these are feasible.

Okay, I do because it's a line road most of people have used so far as I know. I've used the land border.

Because of the political unrest in Afghanistan and Pakistan, we are not taking this route.

So Sheila has to work out on 2 matters. One is to Dubai route and one is to Bombay route.

Yeah, yeah, Bandar Abbas to Dubai and from Dubai to Bombay. I think there should be a sea route, uh, sea route to— from Dubai to Bombay.

Yes, sure. So I will check all the things and prices and let you know. Sure.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. That will be great. So we can use this on our next podcast. Uh, Tehran— from Tehran, uh, to this place called Bandar Abbas.

Now what about the visa process? She's saying we cannot get in— Canadian cannot get in Tehran.

Oh, then it's Tehran.

They can get it. Yeah, Iran. That's, that's right. She was— I think he's right. So Canadians are not allowed in Tehran, is it?

It's better not. Visa on arrival could be risky. And by the way, because you are passing by a road, so at the border, at one border that you are passing through Iran, it is called Kapikoy border. Or Razi, or Razi border. So there they check your visa, visa, passport.

Okay, so Canadians, what is what is the status right now? Like Iran is at at not at war, at political discord with USA. But what is Canada? Canada Why Canada?

It's not that much restricted, but I say it is not like other countries that much. Okay, but still they check more than other countries.

Like visa and arrival will not be a good, uh, option, but what we apply for the visa, uh, before leaving Canada, that can be possible, right?

Yeah, is that possible? So let me check if I will do it. Yes, I should do it for us, right? So let me just check if Canadians need visa in Turk— in Iran. Yeah, okay. Let me just check this. Traveler needs a visa to visit Iran for business or tourism. Yeah, so we need a visa, of course.

Yes, yes. And the visa process and the Prices are some of them sometimes depends depends the prices between twenty to fifty dollars each person.

Okay, okay, okay.

Sometimes yeah, and traveling to Iran as you know it's affordable. It's not that much costly from Tehran. So you can go to Bandar Abbas by land either by train or by bus. How long it takes? Around fifty dollars.

No, because how much time it takes?

I mean, from Tehran to Banaras, it's almost one thousand kilometer.

Like four five hours.

Yeah, almost twelve hours by land. Yeah.

So that bus, right? The twelve hours bus will be.

ट्रेन ट्रेन विल बी बेटर। या, इस देर एनी ऑप्शन फॉर ट्रेन?

या। ट्रेन, अंटिल सम, आई थिंक तू ज़ाहिदान, देर आर अवेलेबल। देन फ्रॉम ज़ाहिदान तू बंदरपस, यू गो बाय बस, एंड इट्स क्वाइट इजी, एंड या। दैट हाउ लॉन्ग?

फ्रॉम दैट हाउ लॉन्ग?

बंदरपस। बंदरपस, अबाउट टwelve hours.

No, from Jaidan. From Jaidan to Bandarbas by the bus.

By road, yeah, it's about 12 hours.

Okay.

Is it by train or bus?

By bus.

By bus.

Train is usually slower. It should not pass— it's almost 70 kilometers, the speed. It's not more than that. Even, even our VIP trains, um, the speed is not more than 70 kilometers per hour.

Oh, okay.

So same as bus?

Yeah, it is slower than buses.

Slower than bus?

Bus can go fast.

But this is still safe and nice.

But it's, it's, is it more comfortable to travel by bus or train?

Which is, um, I suggest by train as far as you can. As far as there are railroads, better to travel by train.

Okay.

And the train is regular service, right? Every day we have, like, you guys have train, right?

Every day. Yeah.

But then you're saying Zidane, it's up to Zidan.

I don't see Zidan. Where is Zidan?

I know, I want to look at that.

It is near the border of Pakistan. Oh, okay.

So it should be here.

And from Zidan to Bandra, how long?

How far?

It's about 12 hours.

There it is. Zidan. Yes, Zidan is here.

So we have to go from Tehran to Zidan. Zehdan and Zehdan to Bandar Abbas.

So Tehran to Zehdan.

Is there any train from Tehran to Bandar Abbas straight?

No, straight unfortunately, uh, there are not.

So Tehran to Zehdan.

Zehdan, Zehdan.

Where it's gone?

Yeah, this is Zehdan. So Tehran to Zehdan. Yeah, I also remember doing research on this. So there is a train from Tehran to Zeydan.

So I would suggest Tehran to Zeydan and let's stay overnight there for the rest, and the next day take another train or something to go to Bandar Abbas.

Bus.

Bus. So we need to stay one day in Zeydan just to have the rest for the body.

Bandar Abbas, Bandar Tang, there is Bandar Tang, there's So where will we get a ferry to Dubai with the bandar-e-Rabas? So let me just plan and chalk out the route since we have all the 3. So we are going from Tehran to— Tehran is here— Tehran to Zadan here, and Zadan to Bandar-e-Rabas. We are crisscrossing the entire Iran. Yeah.

Yes, yes.

Okay, then from Bandar Abbas we can take a cruise or ship to Dubai.

And yeah, that's few hours, that's not much.

That's a few hours. And then Dubai, we take a day off. Maybe we— Dubai, we don't need visas. I don't think we need— Canadians need—

we need, but visa on, uh, it's much more safe, I think. Yeah, that, that's easier. That's very easy.

From Dubai, we go straight to— we take the ship to Mumbai.

Yeah.

Then Mumbai, we take a train to Kolkata.

And we are finally reaching.

Even through planning, it's so difficult to reach. So yeah.

From Dubai to Bombay, Dubai To Bombay. Is this routing allowed?

What is allowed? Sorry.

This routing is allowed? I mean, that we are—

Bombay, I'm sure there are lots of ships going from Dubai to Bombay. Let me just also find out. Ships.

There might be some cruise or some kind of passenger ships. Yeah, passenger ship.

There are lots of cruises from Dubai to Mumbai, so don't— we don't have to worry about that. 3 days, 22 hours, that's the time we need in a ship. So we'll have a good cruise experience too. Yeah, good cruise experience too. I just hope we get some sponsorship for the entire trip. Mehmet also, and Sheila, I'm giving you the The liberty to look for sponsorship for this entire trip, so that you know you guys also can hop in on board and we you can take this expedition if you want to the journey. And please spread the word around so that you know we at least we yeah know what to do. So is there any any other questions you want to ask?

What about Mohammed? Where is Mohammed? What he is opening?

Mohammed is here.

Mohammed is here. Can you see him?

Mehmet want to say.

I didn't understand. Could you repeat, please?

Yeah, Mehmet. So, um, I was just saying that, uh, we have, uh, almost reached Dubai and reached Bombay by planning. At least our planning, we know there's that, that's the feasible route. So in this meeting, we've been able to, uh, like discard Pakistan, the trip through Pakistan, because it's clearly, it's not very safe to go through Pakistan. And it's not also very, you know, not very practical. So, we are taking the trip from Tehran to Zadar, and then to Balderabas.

Balderabas.

Balderabas. And then from there, we take a ship to, uh, Dubai and take a Dubai cruise to Mumbai.

Okay, it looks feasible. Just, um, from Dubai to Mumbai, I'm not sure if there are direct ferries. I know that there are some like, uh, the—

yeah, yeah, I just found out the cargo ships and everything. There are cruises.

Okay, it's not ferry, it's not a like few-hour service, but it's a It's a cruise, 3 days and 22 hours cruises.

Okay, then yeah, there should be a lot of, uh, Dubai to Mumbai, a lot of Dubai to Mumbai cruises are there. So Arabia, India, Thailand, so we can take one of the cruises.

Okay, then this is, this is feasible, and I believe this is the best route. Like, yeah, the alternative would be visiting Russia and then Kazakhstan and then China. Yeah, that would be—

we tried that, that would be, that would take us Months, and it's not even safe going through Russia at this time because yeah, no, it's not.

Not only safe, it's not possible.

They are not possible. Even China, they're at political squabble with Canada, so it's not a good idea to go through China.

Going Russia at this moment, it doesn't look feasible.

It's not a feasible idea. Right, right.

So now, we will be staying in there. Then okay, Sheila, we we will be staying one like.

One night in Zadar. I would love to, you know, visit Zadar.

We will see the city, maybe a city tour.

So we are avoiding Istanbul?

No, no, no, we are going to Istanbul. Istanbul, Turkey is fine. There is no problem over there.

There is just one thing about the trains, especially Ankara and Van train. There may be delays. And when taking a ferry from Tatvan to Van, ferry may not work that specific day. So you need to maybe take a minibus or a bus from Tatvan to Van. And from— let me think about it. I believe from Bulgaria to Istanbul there won't be many delays, just maybe on the passport check, like the customs may may delay a bit. So you need to consider, you need to plan in a way that you give some flexibility, right? It should not be like, okay, so we will be reaching there at 2 PM and the next train will be at 4 PM. No, next train should be at 8 or 9 PM to, for, you know, to—

Yeah, to have enough buffer between.

That's right.

That's right. That's right. That's right. And we have to be open to any kind of delays, any kind of train things. So, and I suggest, you know, if we can contact the country like Turkey and this Iran, the consulates, if it can, if we become big enough, if we are a group big enough, if we can consult the Turkey and Iran consulates to say that we are passing through.

Yeah.

And this is what— at least to keep them informed, because if there is any problem at the border, they will know at least we have the backup. You know, we have to— we can say we got a letter from the consulate saying that, yes, you can pass through. So that will help us get through to the countries. And I think we should make this more public. So that more and more people know about this. At least the country head, country consulate should know about this.

If you can definitely tell the Canadian government also before leaving. Yeah, total plan. As I told you, Kaberi, from the beginning, immigration is is involved in here.

Yeah.

Whatever the plan is, the tourism and the tourism and the immigration is is. Together, it runs together. So whatever plan we are doing, it has to be approved by the government. Yes, we cannot get into their country without visa, passport, and approval.

That's right. That's right. Now, also the European countries, do you think we should inform the consulates like UK, Romania?

No, no, I don't think so. For European country, we need to inform, but then Iran, Istanbul, we need to. But but one more thing. Mehmet, I have one more concern here. While you are saying that is delayed train, maybe in a whole day only one train or one bus, it's not possible to catch up the next train or next bus to the other country, to Tehran. Therefore, people must stay overnight. So your country Your country, Istanbul, Turkey, can take that responsibility to stay overnight. It's not possible if it's one bus or one train. It's not possible to catch up the next train. So it has to be overnight stay in your country. Also overnight stay in Iran. It may not possible to catch up the next connection. You understand, Kaberi?

Yeah, we have to keep those options open. So in case, in case there is a delay, like we said, in case there's a delay, we have to stay overnight. In fact, staying over it is something I would love to, you know, look at.

People can have that idea.

We want to know the country because we are coming to the country. We want to know the culture of the place.

Exactly, exactly.

We want to see the people, we want to meet more people.

Meet more people and understand the country.

I have a lot of uh, co-workers from both the countries, like Turkey and Iran. Like, Iran is flooded. My lab is flooded.

My—

from my biochemist to my, um, head of the department, all are Iranian. I have a lot of colleagues. I have colleagues from Turkey, even Syria and Iraq also.

So, so that's why I'm very fond of you guys' culture.

That's one of the reasons I would—

Yeah. See, the plan we are doing, Kaberi, this is for any country, they should approve this because here's a revenue matter involved. Even Mehmet, I'm saying, I'm telling you too, you need to convince because it's a revenue matter for any of the country, your country or Iran or Canada actually, or even, you know, even in India, it's a revenue matter. Yeah. Based on this plan, if we can present properly, country should approve this plan actually, because lots of revenue, because we'll stay, people will stay overnight, not even overnight, maybe 3 nights they will stay. And next time they will stay another 2 nights in Iran. So big revenues there. So both countries should accept.

That's the publicity that goes around.

Publicity also, there is a safe कंट्री या कम पीपल सो टूरिज्म बात है या सो टॉप ऑफ़ दैट सो टॉप ऑफ़ दैट इम्पोर्टेंट आई वांट टू टेल यू वन मोर थिंग कबरी एक्चुअली वी नीड टू बिल्ड अप ए बिजनेस प्लान दिस बिजनेस प्लान नीड टू समिट तू द बोथ बोथ कंट्री बोथ कंसुलेट इन इन कनाडा वी नीड टू plan up, to chalk out, and to create a business plan. It's a business plan. It's a tourism business plan. And this plan you need to submit to the consulate in Canada. They will get this approval. Yeah, in my mind, this is the process.

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. You're right. You're right.

So yeah, because I do business, we can chalk out in the Excel, like the whole thing and the cost also.

I have an approximate cost written in my. Okay, we have nine minutes. I have an approximate cost written down somewhere. I'm going to forward that plan to you, Rinky, and then we can work out a business plan because we also need to produce that business plan to sponsorships. Anybody who wants to sponsor us, like they're saying that.

Yeah, they said that what you are saying apps and whatever. What you are saying? No, one country will not. This is my opinion, okay?

Yeah.

But this is the possibility.

No problem.

One country will not. One country will not sponsor the total business trip.

Yeah.

So each country will sponsor their part, okay? Canada will.

You are talking about sponsorships to say, for example, banks, to travel and tourism companies, the big tourism houses.

Yeah, like my travel agency will promote these ट्रिप या या और देन देन विल या देन विल अप्रोचिंग कनाडियन टूरिज्म, वी नीड टू मेक अ बिजनेस प्लान फर्स्ट और देन विल अप्रोचिंग कनाडिया। We can approach of course travel agencies in India to big travel agencies who can promote this expedition, you know. Actually when you will submit this business plan to Canadian consulate in Canada, India consulate. Will help you which agency would be better.

That's correct.

That's the right idea.

Yeah.

First we'll make a business plan.

Also Mehmet is there. Mehmet will help us where to talk that he will take care of that part when Sheila will take care of their country her part. But we need to create because I do business last 12 years. I know without written nothing will be happen. It has to be submit the business plan. It's a big tourism plan.

And also Mehmet and Sheila will be compensated enough for their, for their whatever effort they're taking. So you will be compensated enough. So your companies also get general business. So we are trying to make an entire, you know, expedition where everybody, it's a win-win situation for everybody. Any more questions before we wrap this up? Any more doubts in your minds? Tell me, Sheila.

Sorry, I have a question. I would ask him how many days you will stay in Iran, for example. Have you planned or not?

No, not yet.

We are not yet because we just discussed the whole thing like Tehran to Zeydan, Zeydan to Madar Abbas.

So no, if you, Sheila, if you arrange, it's a tourism matter we are talking about. We are also talking about the revenue in your country. So You are asking the right question that in your country, maybe Zidane, there's something to explore that he will arrange to stay one night and then he will take by the bus to the Bandra bus. There's nothing to see maybe. So he will tell me that one or two nights is good for to stay overnight.

Yeah. So it's up to you to tell us. How how many days we should stay in Iran?

And how we'll take care? What type of hotel he can provide? What food and what is the explore that he will tell tell us?

That's very true.

That makes sense, Sheila.

Sheila, are you there? I think she's frozen. Oh, there. Sheila, I think you just froze for a second.

Um, and I would like to know in total how many days you have. And you know, in Iran it's not enough really to, uh, even 4 or 5 days is not enough. Each city of Iran must be visited at least 3 days.

No, this type of trip, um, people don't go too far. If someone go to Iran for vacation, they take 7 days. This is only for transit. Transit time.

Transit time. But stay in Tehran. We would like to go to the market to see, to go to the restaurant to—

let's say one night stay. One night stay.

One night stay in Tehran.

One night at Tehran, one night at Zeydan.

Yeah, because there's no train. Because there's no train on the same day. That's why we have to stay overnight.

And then we can roam around the city a little bit and Check out the places to visit that you can arrange for us, Sheila. If you have any, you know, you can suggest which places.

So, Sheila, for Turkey also, probably we have to stay one night.

I would love to stay in Turkey.

Yeah, I would love to.

I have a couple of places.

I would love to see Turkey.

Yeah, yeah, I'd love to see Turkey.

I will later go separately, but right now at least one night.

At least one night we should stay in Turkey. To explore the city. That's right.

So Sheila, does it make sense to you that one like a transit time, transit hour to stay in Zedan?

Like at least two night, one night at Tehran, one at Zedan.

Maybe three days, you know, three three nights we'll stay in Iran.

You know previously there was a train from Tehran to Bandar Abbas. Now it's almost stopped. So I will check if at that time you are coming, they restart again. So you don't need to stay overnight in the—

Exactly.

Yeah.

If it's a 2 train, if it's a 2 train in the morning and night, so people can get the last train, like a nighttime train. They can get it.

Yeah. Right.

Yeah. That you need to work out that are they going to start this service? You need to. It could be. It could be only the Zidane service starts. It could be only the. Yeah. So that you need to tell us. Listen, other route is not starting, but this routing is starting. That you need to tell us. Based on that, we'll modify our plan again.

Of course.

Yes.

Yeah. That train from Tehran to Bandar Abbas was 20 hours, so you could sleep on that and no need to— yeah, to visit.

That could be a very good train if it works. If it is working by next year, that sleeper train is always welcome.

I love—

Yes, yeah, I love that. Yeah, I love that too.

Yeah, we can work out that.

And they are comfortable, 4 and 5 comfortable. There are nice compartments for 6 and 4 people. There are some of them are for 4 people. And there are all facilities inside.

Okay. Sheila, Sheila and Mehmet. Hey, Kaberi, I'm talking a lot. But this is—

It's okay. Clear your doubts. We have just 2 more minutes left.

Okay. Sheila and Mehmet, I'm asking, please ask the right department Do we need anything written that, you know, you will ask your department to— we need to submit something written like a business plan or the permission. We need to write something to submit to your right department in your country. That also you need to ask.

I believe it would be good to get in contact with Turkish consulate in Canada to talk about your plan and maybe consult them. Those organizations, the consulates, are they know Canada way better than any other company in Turkey, and they know the companies who are the Turkish companies who are working in Canada. They know the Canadian companies who are working in Turkey.

So that's right.

This would be a great way to find sponsorship to to consult the the consulates. Right.

That's what they should approve. They should sponsor for the revenue purpose for their country, for Turkey. Yeah.

Okay. On that note, we have to wrap this up and we will again come back, guys, for the next podcast after we set up a business plan and contact the consulates. And since it is set for next year journey, next year August possibly. So we are, we have still have time within our hands and September, September is सेप्टेम्बर आई थिंक यू सेड, नो? 25 अगस्त वी सेड बिकॉज़ वी विल वी हैव टू रिच देर कोलकाता वाले पूजोस दैट दुग्गा पूजोस दैट वाज़ द टाइमफ्रेम वी हैड सेड. सो वी कैन बी बिगिनिंग ऑफ़ सेप्टेम्बर और एंड ऑफ़ अगस्त बिकॉज़ वी नीड टाइम इन हैंड. अटलिस्ट आई थिंक वी Guys, check out my other video, other podcast, and subscribe if you want to follow this route. Please join in. Please comment below so that I can contact you and we can join in from wherever, which part of whichever part of the country, world you want to join. Please join. Thank you for watching, guys, and thank you all of you for being there in the podcast. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, everybody.

Thank you, everyone.

Bye bye, bye bye, bye. Good night, Mehmet. Good night, Sheila.

Thank you. Bye bye.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night.