Where do you want to travel this summer??

It's Summer again, here in Pakistan. The best time to have a tour to the northern Pakistan, majorly because now all the roads are clear and you can easily go up north quite easily compared to winters. Most of the people visit places upper north in Pakistan purely because it's quite sizzling hot in their areas. People from Karachi and Lahore are the frequent travellers in the northern part of the Pakistan, though other cities also have their people leaving for much colder places, mild climates and beautiful scenes.

What is your favourite place to travel this summer?? Why the travelling is important for you? Answer below.

Kohala Mohali: A piece from Heaven on Earth

Kohala Mohali Water Fall near Neelum Point Azad Jammu Kashmir

Kashmir  is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. It is also called and known as the Heaven on Earth because of its natural widespread beauty. Until the mid-19th century, the term Kashmir geographically denoted only the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range. Today, it denotes a larger area that includes the Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir (which consists of Jammu, Kashmir Valley, and the Ladakh regions), the Pakistani-administered territories of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit–Baltistan, and the Chinese-administered regions of Aksai Chinand the Trans-Karakoram Tract. (Source wikipedia)

The Water Falling from the mountains and speeding
towards the center of these three waterfalls

The  beautiful land is in reach for everyone who wants to have the glimpse of the part heaven on earth. Yes part of it as the most beautiful part of this heaven is still under the Indian Occupancy illegally and against the will of the Muslim dwellers. The Azad Jammu and Kashmir is accessible through many routes, commonly used being the Abbotabad-Kashmir Highway. A beautiful road curving around the neelum river deep down the valley and lush green mountains a topping it. The whole route has beautiful scenes everywhere and the cold water springs falling from mountains at many spots. One of the beautiful spots around this route is KOHALA MOHALI. This is the spot where 3 water falls joins together and fall into the Neelum River. One of them is quite small just like a bigger spring, other one is higher up the mountains and the water gather at the base moving swiftly.

There are Plastic chairs to sit upon the water and 
have a cooler rock massage. The beautiful feeling this massage gives is unexplainable. The Third waterfall is across the bed of water on the other side of the bridge made by NESPAK. The Picture of this waterfall is on the top. Here too you can find chairs set on the water and you can enjoy sitting on the water hanging your feet deep inside and have the soothing effect of water passing through. This water fall is like from the pictures, beautiful and serene. This picture is from the winters, it is said that in summers this waterfall is all encompassed with the lush greens which gives a view, no camera can take other than the natural one made by Allah.


 

Chicken Pakora - A Kashmiri Special Dish

It's better to take something with you to eat if you are on a tight budget as the food up there is quite expensive. Some because of the monopoly of the only dhabba lying there and other because of the transportation of the raw materials from the towns which are quite far off. Many people though still go there and eat the Kashmiri style local specialities such as Kashmiri Karahi, Tandoori Chuncha and the Chicken Pakora being on the hit list. We tried Chicken Pakora, it was quite tasty especially after long hours of fighting with the water to be on the highest point of the waterfall. People were Enjoying their sensational foods sitting on the chairs upon the moving water.
The Roti you get there is quite different from the roti we get in other parts of Punjab. Though that too is very different from the Roti we eat here in Karachi. These people don't Know how to make Chappati's. So Chappati's which we get in Karachi so easily are specialities of these areas as they hire someone from the sourtheren part of the Pakistan to do the job and thus, the chappati is quite expensive than the other roti made in hot ovens.

I love to Travel, Do you ??

Travelling Around is the favorite pass time of all those who love to explore the wide world and learn from the different traditions and styles of people in this beautiful world. Unluckily I never got a chance to travel outside Pakistan, but inside Pakistan I have seen the places which I can bet are the true essence of the belief we read in Quran about Jannah. 

(The Beautiful Spring at Marghozar, Swat)

Where Northeren Pakistan is not only an awesome divine piece from the holy Jannah, its people are as kind and hospitable that you'd love to hang around and in my case I seriously wanted to shift there for good. (I wish and hope *sigh*). Easy, Simple people with little from the luxuries of life, but huge open hearts which can take up everything and flush in with love and care. You'll never feel you are among some very new people, they would open up their everything to use and would find privileged if you'd use and appreciate what they provide you with. From friends of friends I met a family at Swat, they treated us like their own kins and with enormous dinner given in our honor and their son assiting us round Swat, making us visit all the accessible areas of it ( It was winter there, so many of the areas were closed due to land sliding). We seriously felt we were enjoying a piece of tranquility on earth which is quite scarce at a place like Karachi. My advice for anyone who is up to travelling, the best way to travel around Pakistan is by road. Woooah you experience the ultimate beauty on your way, lush green fields, farmers working on their farms with little kids helping their parents to do small chores and on contrary humongous industries smoking leisurely and presenting the pride of the Pakistan's economy. Being Pakistani, (another advice if you truly want to enjoy in the true sense) enter every area as one. Yes, own everything up and enjoy everything being Pakistani not any sindhi, balochi, punjabi or pathan. Whatever is there it's all Pakistan. Every person you meet on your way are Pakistani's. 

Between the hills and mountains

 Know the line between the difference of opinions, greet every one on your way and ask them about their place first and lately if you stay for that long their life styles, appreciate how they live, every person around there does not have that many facilities like we urban class relish. Treat them like equals share from your things and believe me, you'll have the most amazing time while you stay at a particular area. All the places are very secure and easy to move unless you are instructed. There is no such thing as "only for men", yes all the ladies out there believe me there are so many things to enjoy when you take your visit and tour Pakistan. Take good care of your belongings, and yes beware of the cunning drivers and waiters who bewitch you into doing something your pocket may not afford. If its something which has to be charged, fix the charges before you enjoy the facility (even a simple evening meal or some transport to anywhere). Never believe on a waiter who tells you " app khayen to sir, bill too hojaye ga munasib" or a driver "arey app paison ki fikar kion kartay hain, app hamaray mehman hain". These type of people are drooling inside for a bigger money than necessary this way, so avoid such situations on hand or they may ruin your travelling moods to pathetic. Know your routes, become some tech savy on your trips and at least keep a good scrutiny on maps. This way you'd not only learn about great places, but also you will be able to conceive your own plans rather on leaving it on the drivers or the guides who may lead you to the inns of their choices and earn heavy commissions on it. They may be cheap in some places and those drivers could be the only source of getting reasonable hotels or inns but in some cases they can loot you this way too.  

Malam Jabba( the highest point), Swat

Happy travelling, Plan out a trip and leave your worries and workloads behind. It's a myth that you need a lot of money to travel, in real you may travel a lot in very little if you plan intelligently. Have a happy day, and blessing from Allah tabarak waTallah. 

Assalam o alikum