Mhr Pearl Continental Hotel Rawalpindi

Ik ben dus inmiddels aangekomen in Lahore, Pakistan. De reis dag was hectisch: De nachttrein naar Amritsar. Daar lekker geslapen (van 2100-700!!) door de airco, kletsen in de trein met een indier (eentje die wel OK was), en veel moeite moeten doen om een peuk te kunnen roken. Nee , op die trein was het personeel helemaal niet zo makkelijk. Aangekomen in Amritsar spullen gedropt, en op naar de gouden temple. De mensen in Punjub (sikhs) zijn erg ...

... control beyond the main highway. As mentioned earlier in this travelogue, Canadian Defence personnel we met in Tashkorgan had warned us about taking this route by road as their intelligence indicated that in this area the Taliban were very close to the highway. Our Australian High Commission had advised also that Besham was "not particularly safe". Furthermore, we were advised that this leg of the Karakoram Highway was in ...

... to resist earthquakes. Some men were working to restore some of the stone walls and we stopped for a glass of hot, sweet green tea with them. The afternoon arrived quickly and we prepared to go our separate ways - V & S were catching a train to Lahore and I went to find a bus to Islamabad - It was sad to say goodbye and strange to start off on my own again but I was also excited by my next plans so with hugs and smiles we left each other for our next adventures.

The bombing of the Marriott hotel in Islamabad occurred whilst we were in Iran and immediately our otherwise innocent perceptions of Pakistan's capital warped into visions of a dark, dangerous and lawless city that was best avoided. It's slightly unfortunate name possibly adding to the fear on a sub-conscious level. Islam - a bad...religion/place? It is always hard to picture somewhere you haven't been, particularly when there are events playing out that add ...

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Our most attractive characteristic is a home like atmospheres along with a professional orientation. We know exactly how to accommodate our guests, to make them comfortable and to cater for all their needs and necessities, while they are away from their homes

We Offer to find the exact Guest House to travel seekers, Multinational Companies, NGO s ...

... are on the road, constantly horning and shouting. The streets are so full of people that no one really cares about me taking photos, unlike in Islamabad whenever I take my camera out people just started starring at me. People are nicer in Rawalpindi compared to Islamabad. I was looking for the truck decoration workshop and was invited into the shop for a glass of water after I asked some random ...

Well we made it into Pakistan but only just. We timed our arrival to cross the border and then wait for the closing of the border ceremony - really good plan. We got through the India passport control and customs fine but then they wouldn't let us go through the gates with our truck. They claimed that the Indian border had closed but the Pakistan border was open for another hour and a half. We sat there like lemons in no man's land for ages in the sweltering heat waiting ...

OK.. got the photos up.. so have a look. Following on from my tour of the Fort and Old City, I wandered off to the swish suburb of Gulberg, which is the playground of the Lahore elite. Felt distinctly underdressed as I sat down in the Coffee & Tea Company Cafe (and patisserie). Several immaculately and fashionably dressed Lahore trophy wives ...

... not, I am actually wearing a shalwar kameez (long sleeved shirt, long pants, and dupatta (scarf) wrapped around my neck. Did I mention it's an oven during the day here? I currently look more bedouin than chic Lahore lady but at least my modesty is now protected by the folds of my scarf across my chest. Can't lead men astray by showing them the outline of my body shape, can I? ;) Still doubtful if I am being recognised as a female though, with my head revealing my short hair ...