+++ Breaking news from Apocalyptistan! +++

Dear ladies and gentlemen,

due to unforeseen circumstances, we had to revise our travel plans at short notice. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Since reaching the 7000 kilometer mark and approaching the Pakistan border, specifically Balochistan, a common thread has accompanied us. This thread persistently sowed doubts in us, displaying both ingenuity and a sense of perfect timing in obstructing our path with the next hurdle. First, it tangled the already familiar ignition distribution that had been giving us trouble for a few days. A rejuvenating jolt, reminiscent of a final surge before collapse, followed by an effective motor power reduction to 0.0PS, forced us to take a short break. There were only the sun, the wind, and the rugged mountains of Balochistan around us. When we were finally able to continue, we headed straight for our intended border crossing into Pakistan, which unfortunately closed just minutes before our arrival. So we drove back to the border town of Pishin, where we were warmly and selflessly welcomed upon arrival. We were treated to a feast, shown around, and informed that the road following the border was no longer passable for our car. Furthermore, the region is considered extremely dangerous, even more so than the areas in southern Pakistan, where there is another small border crossing near the coast. Well-rested and eager, we set off the next morning, only to realize the familiar humming of another wheel bearing, which we had already encountered in Armenia. When we arrived, we were regretfully informed that this crossing was only accessible to Iranians and Pakistanis. So we were left with only one border crossing, the one near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. And the common thread did not break, because to recover from this setback and regroup, we held a brainstorming session in the middle of the desert to weigh our options and the associated consequences and risks. In addition to realizing that continuing with a damaged wheel bearing and without a replacement through Pakistani Balochistan was not an option, we found that the Pakistani authorities had made a significant oversight when processing Sandro's visa. Even for an exit from Pakistan, it would have been too late with this visa. We prioritized our problems and finally went to Kerman, the last truly major city, where the search for a suitable replacement for our wheel bearing seemed most promising. And indeed, it seemed as though our sociable common thread had left us. It was promised that the visa could be applied for directly before the border in Zahedan, where it would be issued within 24 hours. After some back and forth, we even had the right bearings in our hands. Although the search was time-consuming and one of the bearings had to be adapted to the diameter of our suspension, our common thread forcefully returned at the same time - it had deployed new weapons: elections in Pakistan! First, we learned about a suicide bombing with already over 130 fatalities in Quetta, a city that we would have to pass through due to our northern Pakistan route. Further research revealed that this was already the third attack in a matter of days. The arrest of a former prime minister and his daughter also led to violent riots in Lahore, another city that could not be bypassed on our route. There was talk of significantly heightened police presence and declared restricted areas. Since the further developments and the resulting risks are not foreseeable for us, we reluctantly came to the conclusion that crossing Pakistan within the possible time frames is no longer an option. We were able to solve all the small problems that we had faced up to that point on this or that way. However, this luck has now left us. Since no other ways to Nepal are open to us in our situation due to both time and cost reasons, we have decided that we will not reach Nepal by car and now turn back west.