Dec 27, 2016

Memories of a detour through Pakistan

As a traveller I have a bucket list of countries that I really want to visit and Pakistan had not even reached my radar. Pakistan? Why would I want to go to Pakistan? It’s just hot, dry and not much to see or so I thought. How wrong could I have been!

Just entering Pakistan was the most exciting border crossing!

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Tensions were high at the border with Nepal and Tibet with many Tibetans fleeing their country from the Chinese invasion in Tibet which resulted in the China Government banning people from crossing this border in 2008. This meant the overland trip I was booked on had to be cancelled and a new route planned.

The new route took me to India and then into Pakistan via the famous border crossing in Wagah with the lowering of the flags and gate closing ceremony that takes place every evening before sunset. It is a highly amusing and colourful display of the Indian Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers parading in front of the hundreds of people gathered to watch the show. They seem in competition with who can goose-step the highest like they had just stepped out of a Fawlty Towers scene. I didn’t think it seemed particularly friendly but it was such a great show to watch. I don’t know of any other border that offers this!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

My preconceived image of Pakistan was so wrong!

The mosques were stunning. One of my favourites was the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore. The intricate Islamic architecture and vast scale of this mosque was impressive. It was built in 1673 by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb which just captures the majestic beauty of that era.  My only gripe was having to wear a headscarf in 40 degree plus temperatures – it was a sweaty and messy affair!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Pakistan is full of glaciers, mountains and even polo matches

 

A quick flight from Islamabad took us to Gilgit and the surrounding mountains. After watching a friendly game of polo in Gilgit (a must do when in Pakistan) we headed to Bagrot Valley which is stunning. Snow capped mountains everywhere you look.

Polo Game, Gilgit

Polo Game, Gilgit

 

Diran Peak (7,270m)

Diran Peak (7,270m)

Hunza Valley…one of the most beautiful places in the world

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

One of the not so amazing architecture was this bridge that was still being used by the locals!  Many of us (the dumb tourists) thought it would be a good adrenaline rush to ‘have a go’ crossing the bridge.  Well, my legs went to jelly as I tried to cross.  I froze!  No safety net or harness to sweep me to safety…how stupid was that idea?  Luckily my legs managed to get me back to solid ground.  Hats off to the locals that have to cross the bridge everyday…it’s quite unbelievable actually.

 

Rakaposhi (7,788m)

Rakaposhi (7,788m)

Finally I would like to apologise to my friend Jordan who put a request in for me to get him an India cricket shirt from India. I could’ve sworn he said a Pakistan cricket shirt from Pakistan…whoops! I was not popular for that slight error. So Jordan next time I visit India I promise to bring back the correct shirt.  Personally I don’t know what all the fuss is about…it’s just a shirt isn’t it?

Links:

Explore the top hotels and restaurants in Lahore

Find hotels in Hunza here

Find a good book on Pakistan here

For more humorous travel tales you may enjoy also reading living off falafel and making hummus in Jerusalem and trekking the Overland Track in Tasmania – awesome but gruelling

 

Baltit Fort, Hunza Valley (built 800 years ago)

Baltit Fort, Hunza Valley (built 800 years ago)

 

Golkin Glacier, Hunza Valley

Golkin Glacier, Hunza Valley

 

Ultar Glacier (7,388m)

Ultar Glacier (7,388m)

 

Hunza Valley

Hunza Valley

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


%d bloggers like this: