Grandparents in Afghan odyssey

A group of American tourists – with an average age of 74 – have been telling of their adventures on holiday in war-torn Afghanistan.

According to The Guardian newspaper, the group have had to endure “car bombs, chaotic airports and evening tea with a warlord” – but say they have encountered “only generosity” from ordinary Afghan people.

The group of 12, who all reportedly claim to be seasoned travellers, say they wanted to see the country “before they start putting up Hiltons and McDonalds”. They travelled with a Californian tour company run by an English woman whose father was a colonial officer in Afghanistan in the 1930s.

The group paid around GBP3,500 each to go on the tour, which ended at the weekend when they crossed the legendary Khyber Pass into Pakistan’s Northwest Frontier province.

The group reportedly spurned warnings from friends, family – and the state department – to make the trip. One reportedly said: “My daughter said ‘You’re flying into a war zone. I’m never going to see you again.’ She asked for my last words.”

Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd