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Many of my buddies, colleagues and relations initially thought that I used to be loopy once I instructed them that I had joined a tour to Pakistan just a few years again. I didn’t trouble with their opinions, fortunately, as I might have missed an alternative of a lifetime in any other case.
When our tour group arrived at Peshawar – which is about 50km from the Afghan border – in September, our luggage have been all loaded on high of a minibus. This was a primary for me as I had by no means had my baggage positioned on high of a bus like that. We weren’t frightened although as our driver made certain all the luggage have been secured tightly and lined up.
If you’re planning a go to, the climate in September is simply good – not too chilly, or scorching. But do deliver a lightweight jacket in addition to just a few items of heat clothes simply in case.
Travelling by street in the nation can get tiring however seeing the mountain ranges and exquisite lakes made up for every little thing.
Pakistan is thought for its 1,300km Karakoram Highway, or the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway. This freeway is filled with indescribable views of the very best mountain ranges in the world. This makes Karakoram Highway, one of many highest paved roads in the world, a preferred vacationer attraction.
Due to its excessive elevation and tough situations underneath which it was constructed, the freeway is also known as the eighth “Wonder Of The World”.
I discovered the Karakoram Highway very bumpy, nonetheless. But we had an glorious driver who tried to make the trip as easily for everybody as he potential may.
We visited the Khunjerab Pass, too, which is the border of Pakistan and China. On our approach there, we handed by some actually beautiful locations together with the Attabad Lake, Passu Cathedral and Passu Glacier.
The Khunjerab Pass is a scenic and breathtaking landmark positioned in the Karakoram Mountains. It is the very best paved border crossing in the world – the province of Xinjiang, China lies on the opposite facet of the border.
After that we went to the Hopper Glacier, the place we have been supplied with just a few jeeps to take a look at the beautiful glaciers there. We had such a enjoyable time driving round in our jeeps.
Most of the vans in Pakistan have been elaborately embellished. — Photos: TEE SIEW LAISpeaking of automobiles, I got here throughout quite a few fascinating ones in Pakistan. The vans in specific have been enjoyable to have a look at as a lot of them have been absolutely embellished with plastic flowers, stickers, calligraphy and different issues.
You may discover the Pakistani model of a “tuk tuk” known as qingqi in every single place. These motorised rickshaws are named after the Chinese motorbike model, Qingqi.
People and meals
I beloved the youngsters I met in Pakistan as they have been simply so lovable and well mannered. We gave them some snacks and ballpoint pens, which they love and even fought over one another for. I’ll be certain to deliver just a few packing containers of those pens if I ever get to go to the nation once more in the long run!
Before my journey, I used to be not conscious that Pakistan and China had such an in depth relationship. You can see proof of this all around the nation, or at the very least on the locations we visited.
I even met with some Chinese engineers working in Pakistan and had a pleasant chat with them.
When it involves meals, one needn’t fear about consuming something “strange” in Pakistan. In truth, you’d benefit from the delicacies.
For breakfast, we have been often served naan chana or paratha, and lassi to drink. Many of the dishes are literally fairly just like what we’ve in Malaysia.
All the lodges we stayed in Pakistan got here with trendy facilities and amenities. Some of those lodges comparable to Silk Route Lodge, Hunza Serena and Eagle’s Nest in Duikar had breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains so we took tons of images. We even climbed up a mountain to see the dawn (you may also view the sundown on the identical place) close to one of many lodges.
Our final day was spent lounging round at Hotel Islamabad, which was a grand property. Security was very tight on the resort, however that didn’t cease up from taking a number of images and movies on the many photo-worthy spots across the place.
If you’re searching for an excellent vacation spot to go to after the pandemic, I might positively suggest Pakistan.
The views expressed are fully the reader’s personal.
