Ali Karim Travelog

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          • Silk Road 3; Touring around Turpan, Xinjiang, China
          • Silk Road 4: Kashgar, Xinjiang, China
          • Silk Road 5: More Kashgar; Xinjiang, China
          • Silk Road 6: Tashkurgan, Xinjiang province, China
          • Silk Road 7: Karakorum Highway (KKH) China to Pakistan over Khunjerab Pass
          • Tips: Crossing Khunjerab Pass from Tashkurgan, China to Pakistan
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        • Jaipur-Lucknow-Varanasi Feb 2012
          • Jaipur- Visiting Hawa Mahal, Wedding and City
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          • Pushkar, Rajasthan
          • Karni Mata, Bikaner & wedding, Rajasthan
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          • More Bhuj
      • Thailand-Cambodia-Vietnam July 2012
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        • Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
      • Pakistan
        • Silk Road Pakistan June 2016
          • Silk Road 8: Khunjerab Pass to Passu, Hunza, Pakistan
          • Silk Road 9: Karakorum Highway; Karimabad, Pakistan
          • Silk Road 10: Gilgit to Skardu, Pakistan
          • Silk Road 11 : Skardu; and Khaplu Fort, Pakistan
          • Silk Road 12 : Onto Shigar Fort and onwards
          • Silk Road 13 : Giglit to Islamabad via Kohistan
          • Final Silk Road Episode: Islamabad and Lahore
      • Kyrgyzstan
        • Silk Road Kyrgyzstan Sept 2019
          • Silk Road 14: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
          • Silk Road 15: Osh, Kyrgyzstan
          • Silk Road 16: More Osh, Kyrgyzstan
          • Silk Road 17: Lenin Peak & Turpal kul, Kyrgyzstan
      • Tajikistan
        • Silk Road Tajikistan Sept-Oct 2019
          • Silk Road 18: Murghab, Tajikistan; Sept 2019
          • Silk Road 19: More Murghab & Alichur, Tajikistan
          • Silk Road 20: Langar, Bulunkul Tajikistan; Sept 2019
          • Silk Road 21: More Langar & Ishkashim, Tajikistan; Sept 2019
          • Silk Road 22: Khorog, Tajikistan; Sept 2019
          • Silk Road 23: More Khorog, Tajikistan; Oct 2019
          • Silk Road 24: Dushanbe, Tajikistan; Oct 2019
          • Silk Road 25: More Dushanbe, Tajikistan; Oct 2019
      • Uzbekistan
        • Silk Road Uzbekistan Oct 2019
          • Silk Road 26: Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Oct 2019
          • Silk Road 27: More Samarkand, Oct 2019
          • Silk Road 28: Bukhara, Uzbekistan Oct 2019
          • Silk Road 29: Khiva, Uzbekistan, Oct 2019
          • Silk Road 30: Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Oct 2019
    • Africa
      • Morocco May 2017
        • Departure for Morocco
        • Fes arrival, Morocco
        • More Fes, Morocco
        • Fes Tannery’s & Sufi Music Festival, Morocco
        • Meknes, Morocco
        • Meknes to Merzouga, Morocco
        • Sahara Desert Camp and Dilshad’s birthday, Morocco
        • Todra and Dades Gorges, Morocco
        • Ait Benhaddou, Tisseldai, & onto Marrakech, Morocco
        • Marrakech, Morocco
        • Essaouira. Morocco
        • Safi, El Jadida and Casablanca, Morocco
    • Europe
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        • Bulgaria Sept 2009
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        • Sicily Oct 2017
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          • Palermo, Monreale and Cefalu, Sicily
      • Portugal
        • ››Northern Portugal July 2018
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          • Lisbon Portugal, City of 7 hills
          • More Lisbon Portugal
        • Algarve July 2019
    • North America
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            • Guadalajara, Mexico day 1
            • Guadalajara, 2nd day
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            • Queretaro, Mexico; Part 1
            • Queretaro Part 2
        • Morelia-Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo-Patzcuaro Aug 2016
          • Morelia-Ixtapa
          • Ixtapa – Zihuatanejo
          • Patzcuaro, Guanajuato, and back to Dallas
        • San Luis Potosi & Huasteca Feb 2016
          • San Luis Potosi & Rio Verde
          • Huasteca Potosina
          • Sotano de la Golondrias and Xilitla
        • Puerto Morelos, April 2015
        • Guanajuato and San Miguel De Allende June 2010
        • Puerto Vallarta Dec 2009
        • Merida and Tulum, Feb 2010
        • Oaxaca, Mexico, Jan 2019
        • Dental Refugee, Nuevo Progresso, Mexico, May 2019
        • Mexico City, Mexico, Dec 2019
        • Bacalar & Mahahual, Mexico, Jan 2020
        • Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020
        • Veracruz, Mexico, December 2020
        • Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021
      • Canada
        • Toronto, July 2016
        • Tofino, July 2009
      • USA
        • Big Bend National Park Feb 2009
        • Tyler, Texas Nov 2014
        • The Flora and Fauna in Southern CA is just wonderful; Zameer’s birthday
        • White Sands National Monument
        • Oregon Coast Hwy 101
        • Yosemite & Death Valley
          • Yosemite National Park, USA, June 2020
          • Yosemite to Death Valley, June 2020
          • Death Valley National Park, June 2020
    • Central America
      • Guatemala
        • Guatemala Jan 2013
          • Antigua, Guatemala
          • Solola and Panajachel, Guatemala
          • Lago de Atitlan, Guatemala
          • Guatemala City
      • Panama
        • Panama City & Guna Yala Feb 2017
          • Panama City
          • More Panama City and Playa Bonita, Wedding
          • Nalunega and Guna (or Kuna) Yala
          • Last day at Nalunega; and back to reality
    • South America
      • Colombia
        • Cali & Medellin July 2017
          • Cali, Colombia
          • Medellin Part 1, Colombia
          • Medellin Part 2, Colombia
        • Cartagena Dec 2017
          • Cartagena Part 1, Colombia
          • Cartagena Part 2, Colombia
      • Brazil
        • Sao Paulo & Rio July 2015
          • Sao Paulo 2015
          • Sao Paulo continued….
          • Rio Arrival
          • Rio sights…..
        • Sao Paulo Brazil July 2016
        • Florianópolis, Brazil Feb 2019
      • Chile
        • Santiago & Valparaiso Nov 2015
          • Santiago
          • More Santiago
          • Valparaiso
          • More Valparaiso; winery and return to reality
      • Argentina
        • Mendoza
          • Mendoza Part 1
          • More Mendoza, Argentina
    • Middle East
      • Jordan
        • Jordan Nov 2013
          • Amman, Jordan Nov 2013
          • Madaba, Mount Neba, and onto the Dead Sea
          • Dead Sea, Jordan, Nov 2013
          • Petra, Jordan Nov 2013
          • Karak Castle and Dana Village
      • Israel
        • Israel Nov 2013
          • Tel Aviv
          • Jerusalem old city
          • Mahane Yahuda market
      • Turkey May 2009
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        • More Beirut
        • Beirut to Tripoli
        • Tripoli Lebanon
        • Bsharri, Quadisha Valley and Bekaa Valley
        • Bekaa Valley Winery, Chouf Mountains & the Druze
        • Druze and the Chouf Mountains
        • Sidon and Tyre
    • Caribbean
      • Aruba, Feb 2015
      • Turks & Caicos, May 2011
      • Dominican Republic Dec 2017/Jan 2018
        • Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
        • Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
  • Trips By Year
    • 2009
      • Europe
        • Bulgaria
          • Bulgaria Sept 2009
      • USA
        • Texas
          • Big Bend National Park Feb 2009
      • North America
        • Mexico
          • Puerto Vallarta Dec 2009
        • Canada
          • Tofino, July 2009
      • Middle East
        • Turkey May 2009
    • 2010
      • North America
        • Mexico
          • Guanajuato and San Miguel De Allende June 2010
          • Merida and Tulum, Feb 2010
    • 2011
      • Caribbean
        • Turks & Caicos, May 2011
    • 2012
      • Asia
        • India
          • Jaipur-Lucknow-Varanasi Feb 2012
            • Jaipur- Visiting Hawa Mahal, Wedding and City
            • Lucknow
            • Varanasi City of Ghats
        • Thailand-Cambodia-Vietnam July 2012
          • Bangkok & Koh Samed
          • Thailand to Cambodia
          • Siem Reap and Angor Wat
          • Phnom Penh and onto Vietnam
          • Saigon
          • Hoi An, Vietnam
          • Hanoi City, Vietnam
          • Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
    • 2013
      • North America
        • Mexico
          • Guadalajara
            • Guadalajara Feb 2013
              • Guadalajara, Mexico day 1
              • Guadalajara, 2nd day
          • Queretaro
            • Queretaro Sep 2013
              • Queretaro, Mexico; Part 1
              • Queretaro Part 2
        • USA
          • The Flora and Fauna in Southern CA is just wonderful; Zameer’s birthday
      • Central America
        • Guatemala
          • Guatemala Jan 2013
            • Antigua, Guatemala
            • Solola and Panajachel, Guatemala
            • Lago de Atitlan, Guatemala
            • Guatemala City
      • Middle East
        • Jordan
          • Jordan Nov 2013
            • Amman, Jordan Nov 2013
            • Madaba, Mount Neba, and onto the Dead Sea
            • Dead Sea, Jordan, Nov 2013
            • Petra, Jordan Nov 2013
            • Karak Castle and Dana Village
        • Israel
          • Israel Nov 2013
            • Tel Aviv
            • Jerusalem old city
            • Mahane Yahuda market
    • 2014
      • North America
        • USA
          • Tyler, Texas Nov 2014
    • 2015
      • Caribbean
        • Aruba, Feb 2015
      • South America
        • Brazil
          • Sao Paulo & Rio July 2015
            • Sao Paulo 2015
            • Sao Paulo continued….
            • Rio Arrival
            • Rio sights…..
        • Chile
          • Santiago & Valparaiso Nov 2015
            • Santiago
            • More Santiago
            • Valparaiso
            • More Valparaiso; winery and return to reality
      • North America
        • Mexico
          • Puerto Morelos, April 2015
    • 2016
      • Asia
        • China
          • Silk Road China May 2016
            • Silk Road 1; Shanghai, Urumqi; Xinjiang, Far west China
            • Silk Road 2; Turpan, Xinjiang, China
            • Silk Road 3; Touring around Turpan, Xinjiang, China
            • Silk Road 4: Kashgar, Xinjiang, China
            • Silk Road 5: More Kashgar; Xinjiang, China
            • Silk Road 6: Tashkurgan, Xinjiang province, China
            • Silk Road 7: Karakorum Highway (KKH) China to Pakistan over Khunjerab Pass
            • Tips: Crossing Khunjerab Pass from Tashkurgan, China to Pakistan
        • Pakistan
          • Silk Road Pakistan June 2016
            • Silk Road 8: Khunjerab Pass to Passu, Hunza, Pakistan
            • Silk Road 9: Karakorum Highway; Karimabad, Pakistan
            • Silk Road 10: Gilgit to Skardu, Pakistan
            • Silk Road 11 : Skardu; and Khaplu Fort, Pakistan
            • Silk Road 12 : Onto Shigar Fort and onwards
            • Silk Road 13 : Giglit to Islamabad via Kohistan
            • Final Silk Road Episode: Islamabad and Lahore
      • North America
        • Mexico
          • Morelia-Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo-Patzcuaro Aug 2016
            • Morelia-Ixtapa
            • Ixtapa – Zihuatanejo
            • Patzcuaro, Guanajuato, and back to Dallas
          • San Luis Potosi & Huasteca Feb 2016
            • San Luis Potosi & Rio Verde
            • Huasteca Potosina
            • Sotano de la Golondrias and Xilitla
        • Canada
          • Toronto, Canada, July 2016
      • South America
        • Brazil
          • Sao Paulo Brazil July 2016
    • 2017
      • Africa
        • Morocco May 2017
          • Departure for Morocco
          • Fes arrival, Morocco
          • More Fes, Morocco
          • Fes Tannery’s & Sufi Music Festival, Morocco
          • Meknes, Morocco
          • Meknes to Merzouga, Morocco
          • Sahara Desert Camp and Dilshad’s birthday, Morocco
          • Todra and Dades Gorges, Morocco
          • Ait Benhaddou, Tisseldai, & onto Marrakech, Morocco
          • Marrakech, Morocco
          • Essaouira. Morocco
          • Safi, El Jadida and Casablanca, Morocco
      • Central America
        • Panama
          • Panama City & Guna Yala Feb 2017
            • Panama City
            • More Panama City and Playa Bonita, Wedding
            • Nalunega and Guna (or Kuna) Yala
            • Last day at Nalunega; and back to reality
      • South America
        • Colombia
          • Cali & Medellin July 2017
            • Cali, Colombia
            • Medellin Part 1, Colombia
            • Medellin Part 2, Colombia
          • Cartagena Dec 2017
            • Cartagena Part 1, Colombia
            • Cartagena Part 2, Colombia
      • Europe
        • Italy
          • Sicily Oct 2017
            • Catania & Mt. Etna, Sicily
            • Taormina, Torre Faro & Castelmola, Sicily
            • Siracusa, Noto, Modica, Sicily
            • Agrigento, Sicily
            • Palermo, Monreale and Cefalu, Sicily
      • Caribbean
        • Dominican Republic Dec 2017/Jan 2018
          • Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
          • Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
    • 2018
      • Caribbean
        • Dominican Republic Dec 2017/Jan 2018
          • Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
          • Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
      • North America
        • USA
          • Oregon Coast Hwy 101
          • White Sands National Monument
      • Europe
        • Portugal
          • ››Northern Portugal July 2018
            • West of Lisbon, and onto Porto
            • Porto, Douro valley, Coimbra and back to Lisbon
            • Lisbon Portugal, City of 7 hills
            • More Lisbon Portugal
      • Middle East
        • Lebanon July 2018
          • Beirut
          • More Beirut
          • Beirut to Tripoli
          • Tripoli Lebanon
          • Bsharri, Quadisha Valley and Bekaa Valley
          • Bekaa Valley Winery, Chouf Mountains & the Druze
          • Druze and the Chouf Mountains
          • Sidon and Tyre
      • Asia
        • India
          • Rajasthan – Kutch Nov 2018
            • Pushkar, Rajasthan
            • Karni Mata, Bikaner & wedding, Rajasthan
            • Jodhpur, Rajasthan
            • Leopards, Bera, Rajasthan
            • Bhuj, Kutch, Gujarat
            • More Bhuj
    • 2019
      • North America
        • Mexico
          • Oaxaca, Mexico, Jan 2019
          • Dental Refugee, Nuevo Progresso, Mexico, May 2019
          • Mexico City, Mexico, Dec 2019
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        • Brazil
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        • Argentina
          • Mendoza
            • Mendoza Part 1
            • More Mendoza, Argentina
      • Europe
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          • Algarve July 2019
      • Asia
        • Kyrgyzstan
          • Silk Road Kyrgyzstan Sept 2019
            • Silk Road 14: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
            • Silk Road 15: Osh, Kyrgyzstan
            • Silk Road 16: More Osh, Kyrgyzstan
            • Silk Road 17: Lenin Peak & Turpal kul, Kyrgyzstan
        • Tajikistan
          • Silk Road Tajikistan Sept-Oct 2019
            • Silk Road 18: Murghab, Tajikistan; Sept 2019
            • Silk Road 19: More Murghab & Alichur, Tajikistan
            • Silk Road 20: Langar, Bulunkul Tajikistan; Sept 2019
            • Silk Road 21: More Langar & Ishkashim, Tajikistan; Sept 2019
            • Silk Road 22: Khorog, Tajikistan; Sept 2019
            • Silk Road 23: More Khorog, Tajikistan; Oct 2019
            • Silk Road 24: Dushanbe, Tajikistan; Oct 2019
            • Silk Road 25: More Dushanbe, Tajikistan; Oct 2019
        • Uzbekistan
          • Silk Road Uzbekistan Oct 2019
            • Silk Road 26: Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Oct 2019
            • Silk Road 27: More Samarkand, Oct 2019
            • Silk Road 28: Bukhara, Uzbekistan Oct 2019
            • Silk Road 29: Khiva, Uzbekistan, Oct 2019
            • Silk Road 30: Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Oct 2019
    • 2020
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          • Bacalar & Mahahual, Mexico, Jan 2020
          • Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020
          • Veracruz, Mexico, December 2020
        • USA
          • Yosemite & Death Valley
            • Yosemite National Park, USA, June 2020
            • Yosemite to Death Valley, June 2020
            • Death Valley National Park, June 2020
    • 2021
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          • Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021
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Final Silk Road Episode: Islamabad and Lahore

June 12, 2016August 27, 2021 By Ali Karim
This post is part of a series called Silk Road Pakistan June 2016
Show More Posts
  • Silk Road 8: Khunjerab Pass to Passu, Hunza, Pakistan
  • Silk Road 9: Karakorum Highway; Karimabad, Pakistan
  • Silk Road 10: Gilgit to Skardu, Pakistan
  • Silk Road 11 : Skardu; and Khaplu Fort, Pakistan
  • Silk Road 12 : Onto Shigar Fort and onwards
  • Silk Road 13 : Giglit to Islamabad via Kohistan
  • Final Silk Road Episode: Islamabad and Lahore

Spent 1 day touring Islamabad, after a nice paratha and potato curry breakfast at the B&B we had stayed in. The B&B was run by Ismaili’s also all from Hunza; arranged by our tour operator.

Islamabad seems like a nice, clean and well laid out city. It was relatively clean, open spaces and un-crowded, and largish homes located in the sector we were in (which I suspect was an upper class sector). All the homes were fenced/gated; many with barbed/electric wires and many with armed guards. So it indicated some signs of insecurity.

However, we personally felt safe and so wandered where we wanted to. Since Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, we drove by several Govt buildings, like Parliament building, High and Supreme Courts, Ministries etc; all under heavy armed guard, with concrete barricades in front; and no photography allowed.

silk-road-image001Govt building, lots of barricades

We then went off to the most iconic symbol in Islamabad, the Shah Faisal mosque, the largest mosque in Pakistan, financed by the late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. A very nice architecture shaped like a Bedouin tent; it does indeed stand out located at the base of the Margalla Hills. Took off our shoes at the entrance and immediately felt the hot floors burning our delicate feet; people nearby advised us to walk on the marble and not the other flooring, and this made a huge difference, it was about 98F in Islamabad. Inside the mosque, we did the ablution and found that the water was refreshingly cold; probably refrigerated; knowing who had funded this building.

silk-road-image002Beautiful Shah Faisal mosque

silk-road-image003The mosque comes with instructions

silk-road-image004Covered courtyard of Faisal mosque

silk-road-image005Innocence

silk-road-image006Ablution stalls; cold refrigerated water in the taps

Tried to get into the actual prayer hall but it was closed; only opens at prayer times. This mosque is quite majestic, with a huge clean courtyard, and even larger grounds and very peaceful. Met a few local tourists to chat with and take pics with; as we obviously stood out as strangers.

silk-road-image007Friendly local tourists

silk-road-image008Beautiful minarets

Then went off to the local shopping areas for some fresh fruit juices and some shopping (Dilshad was ready to do some shopping after ~3 weeks of no shopping 🙂 ). Had lunch at a nice and very busy Kabul Restaurant (cash only) and then went off to do more sightseeing and shopping.

Islamabad seemed very well thought out planned city, as there were wide roads everywhere, shopping was always close by, and lots of nice green spaces close by. Wonder if this was a British design or local Pakistani design idea. Regardless, it was a very pleasant place to visit.

silk-road-image009Always need picture of fresh fruits & vegetables

After some time, decided to leave for Lahore; so went off to the airport, and were lucky enough (with very nice help from the PIA front counter manager) to get standby seats, and walked to the plane. In about 35 mins, we landed in Lahore; where we were met by the hotel car (included); and after settling into the Nishathotel (very kindly arranged by Amin Feersta); we went off to the busy Liberty market to see what was happening there.

Liberty market is a large place, very busy, with everything being sold under the sun. Very nice and colorful place, and busy. We did some walking, shopping (lots of bargaining of course); and as it was getting late, decided to go to the nearby Bundu Khan restaurant (within Liberty Market area) for dinner. This place was super busy, but after a short wait, we were shown to our table. The place was very clean, nicely air-conditioned, with lots of attentive staff and packed full with diners. Obviously, we chose the right place to eat at. After a delicious meal here, we grabbed a rickshaw back to the hotel, and hit the sack.

Next day, we went off to do more shopping on M.M. Alam Road; it was hot; the temperature was 109F, and with the heat index, it was even higher. Since we looked lost, Ibrahim Alia came over, out of the blue, introduced herself, and asked if she could help. Very nice of her, and she helped set up Dilshad’s shopping plans. We visited a fair later that evening where the local “green” community was holding a fair and Alia was showcasing her “eat smart” business. Very nice of Alia

silk-road-image010Street scene; Entrance to Anarkali bazaar

silk-road-image011Lahore was hot; 109F without heat index; hotter next few days

Lahore rickshaws

In-between shopping, we did a tour of the Old Walled City of Lahore. This place reminded me of the old walled city of Jerusalem, and, once all the restoration work is completed, it will be a terrific tourist attraction like Jerusalem. It has the hundreds’ of years old houses, haveli’s, mosques (Wazir Khan), Hammans, warren/labyrinth of small streets and gullies and a very lively environment where people live, work and play. Very nice and interesting, see video

and a lot of restoration work is being done with the AKF playing a solid part.

silk-road-image012Busy area outside Delhi Gate, Old Walled City

silk-road-image013One of the entrances to the walled city

silk-road-image014Old City

silk-road-image015Old City 2

Restored Wazir Khan Shahi Hammam; Old city

Restored interior of the Wazir Khan Hammam; Old city

Old city; busy place

Narrowest gulley in Old city

Kids playing; no electronics. Old city

silk-road-image016Old city 3

We also visited several other areas like the Governor’s mansion, law courts, railway station, Museums etc; all housed in very well kept English Colonial buildings; went to the Anarkali bazaar, ate “Payya” (lamb feet curry) at the famous Pajja Sri Paya restaurant; which is actually in a not-so-clean part of town, but the restaurant was very clean with very attentive staff.

The Data Darbardurga area was way too busy and had plenty of pickpockets so we avoided this. We did find and have tea at the Pak Tea house; which is where poets, writers and intellectuals still meet over coffee and discuss literature, poetry, politics, etc. While we were there, they were preparing for a famous Urdu poet to speak there later that evening.

Wazir Khan Mosque; Old city

Wazir Khan Mosque, Old city

Fresh Naan, Old city

Fresh sugar cane juice anyone?

Everything’s for sale in the Old city

Yes please

Old city homes and entrances

silk-road-image017Magnificent Badshahi mosque on right and the white Gurdwara on its left; Lahore Fort is in the middle in the back

silk-road-image018Phajja’s for Payya

silk-road-image021Payya

silk-road-image019Loves her Payya; with garam masala

silk-road-image020Pak Tea House; with pictures of the past intellectual patrons

We had dinner one evening at Cuckoo’s Den (site of an old brothel) on Food Street, in the old walled city, next to the Lahore Fort, the Sikh Gurdwara, & the majestic Badshahi mosque. This was a rooftop restaurant with fantastic sunset view of all these wonderful architectural delights, and the old city. We also visited our JK one evening on Aga Khan Road. Very nice

silk-road-image022Badshahi mosque, dimly lit at night

silk-road-image023Cuckoo’s Den overlooking Badshahi mosque

silk-road-image024Badshahi mosque; last prayer

Sadly, it was time for us to return to reality, and to our daily life in Dallas; next is my views on Pakistan since this was my first time to visit.

This has to be our most memorable and adventurous trip; we visited many old and interesting Muslim heritage and cultural sites in a part of the world that is off the beaten path (Xinjiang (China) and Hunza (Gilgit-Baltistan)); and met many interesting, beautiful and very hospitable people; travelled through some of the most beautiful landscapes and scenery we have ever seen in the world; drove on some of the most adventurous, and heart-stopping scary roads and landslides in Pakistan; drove through the highest border crossing in the world, drove through dubious territory in Pakistan, and then into the heart of very busy, populated & hot Pakistan.

A Truly memorable trip of a lifetime; that we will remember forever. I highly recommend my readers to try and visit some of these areas and I can help guide you as needed. Interactive map of our tour is at link below; you can adjust the zoom/scale to see more detail-

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1dvZBRikejal_bhkZecyWmHmd3A4

map-of-silk-road-trip-china-pakistan

This was a first visit for us to Pakistan, and when I compare it to India (admittedly last India visit was over 7+yrs ago); Pakistan appeared much cleaner, no unnecessary car honking, no stray dogs howling in the night, cleaner bathrooms, and less dirty/smelly when I compare Lahore to large cities in India that I have been to. People were very helpful everywhere; and that may have been due to the lack of tourists or simply nice people.

Northern Pakistan (Gilgit-Baltistan, Kohistan, etc) has huge tourism potential (Trekking, Hiking, Nature lovers, Mountain climbing etc) if they can get their political system stable, like India, that has significantly more stability. Higher literacy/education rates like in India will help a lot in Pakistan. Just my humble opinion; no offense meant. I suspect cities further south like Karachi are different than Northern Pakistan. All in all, an excellent experience in Northern Pakistan.

Same for Xinjiang, China; wonderful experience and hospitality from the Uyghur people.

Now to update my bucket list of next places in no particular order (Mongolia, Brunei, Borneo, Bhutan, Sikkim, Burma, Malaysia, Philippines, New Zealand, Galapagos, Fiji, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Armenia/Azerbaijan/Georgia, Romania, Moldovia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia, Serbia, Macedonia, Tunisia, Surinam, Guyana, other places in South America,…….); open to suggestions and recommendations.

I am already exhausted just thinking about this bucket list; too much for 1 lifetime; I need to return, this time with a 25yr old wife……:) 🙂

Thanks to all my readers for staying with me during my rantings I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Related posts:

Silk Road 13 : Giglit to Islamabad via Kohistan Silk Road 12 : Onto Shigar Fort and onwards Silk Road 9: Karakorum Highway; Karimabad, Pakistan Silk Road 11 : Skardu; and Khaplu Fort, Pakistan
This entry was posted in Asia, Pakistan, Silk Road Pakistan June 2016
  • Islamabad
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2 thoughts on “Final Silk Road Episode: Islamabad and Lahore”

  • Pingback: Silk Road 13 : Giglit to Islamabad via Kohistan - Ali Karim Travelog

  • Amir February 13, 2017 at 2:34 pm Reply

    Hi Ali..this is amir, pine bluff, Arkansas. Thanks again for writing n sharing your travel-log of China-N.Pakistan..Enjoyed reading all of it. Hopefully, someday will get your logistical details from you. Would love to join you to Tajikistan, if you haven’t traveled there yet. Still hope to meet with you in Dallas someday. Thank you once again.

    Regards,amir
    ps: she is worth being smitten over!

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About Author Ali Karim ali@karim.net View all posts

Recent Comments

  • Ali Karim:

    Thanks so much Iqbal, for the feedback. So glad you
  • Iqbal Talib:

    Ali, As always - great photography. You are able to capture

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