The Express Tribune

I still remember how tourists, particularly foreigners, would openly wander around the streets of Gilgit-Baltistan before the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent start of sectarian violence in the region. G-B is one of the world’s most scenic destinations, where tourism was once the main source of income for a majority of the population. During summer, some 12 years ago, G-B would host so many foreign tourists that domestic tourists found it hard to find any accommodation. Every hotel, restaurant, guesthouse and even private residents were occupied by foreign tourists and dollars were showered in every business. Tourists would roam around without any guards and there was no fear of attacks on them. But, alas, the golden period is over and the region has been hit by a wave of sectarianism. The tourism industry in G-B has almost vanished and the economic situation of people has started depleting as there is no other business due to the landlocked location of the region and not to forget, its harsh weather. The hotel industry, transport sector, cottage industry and small businesses have also lost their prime customers and G-B was rapidly embracing economic difficulties. Why should it not be the prime responsibility of the government to craft a comprehensive strategy to attract foreign tourists and once again to the key tourist spots of Pakistan and restore G-B back to its former glory? The government should ensure foolproof security to tourists along with providing basic facilities so that they can comfortably visit one of the most scenic tourist spots of the world. Read more by Peer Muhammad here.

I once heard someone tell their friend,

“The northern areas of Pakistan are truly heaven on earth.”

Hundred percent, I said to myself in my head. Places like Swat, Naran, Kaghan, Shangla and Skardu instantly take one’s breath away, the second one lays eyes on the abundant natural beauty, the rich flora and fauna on offer and the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas that surround these magnificent places. It is a paradise and dreamland for tourists. Replete with hotels, motels, cottages and holiday homes, the northern areas are the ideal getaway for those wanting to go on a family holiday and celebrate a honeymoon. For those wanting an adventure, the snowy slopes of the mountains, dotted with vast glaciers, are perfect for skiing, snowboarding, ice-sledding and other outdoor sports suited to the environment. One can feel the excitement and experience the shivers on the drive to these locations. Narrow, one-lane roads (most of the times dirt tracks) built on the edges of mountains with picturesque forests and rivers down below; it is like being on the Kingda Ka, the world’s tallest steel roller coaster with the longest drop located at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, US. Not to mention, the Himalayas being a mountain climber’s ultimate challenge. Over the decades, climbers from all over the world have thronged at the base of ‘The Third Pole’ — a name given to the Hindukush-Himalayan region as it stores more snow and ice than anywhere else in the world outside the polar regions. Multiple and distinguished climbers have scaled the wondrous, dangerous peaks to stand on top of the earth. Unfortunately, places like Swat over the years, have been battered by brutal militants who are intolerant to foreigners and to Pakistanis as well, for being hell-bent on imposing their harsh and strict laws. Fewer and fewer now contemplate on taking a vacation to these tourist hotspots. It is a shame that locals of the area who depend on tourists during the peak season to earn a livelihood have to suffer because of such a barbaric mindset. Equally, holidaymakers miss out on the opportunity to experience the rich, beautiful cultures that have flourished and survived for centuries in the region and are truly worth cherishing. Read more by Frayan here.

You may have heard some remarkable stories about Pakistan as a tourism hub from your parents and grandparents. The 60s and 70s, in particular, were the decades when tourism in Pakistan saw its prime. The pictures of those days can still be found doing rounds on the internet, boasting a plethora of visitors from all around. Those were the days when Pakistan would invariably feature in the lists of international tourist destinations. I haven’t seen that Pakistan, but I can well imagine it, owing to the accounts I’ve had from many people around. Therefore, when I came across this article titled, ‘Pakistan tourism: a sleeping giant?’ in an Australian magazine, shedding light on the aspects of Pakistan as a treat for tourists, I couldn’t help add my own two cents to the topic. The article starts off with an oft-repeated, almost clichéd line:

“It’s a part of the world that usually makes headlines for all the wrong reasons…”

Then the article goes on to indulge in the possibilities that can be drawn from Pakistan’s tourism, narrating its beauty and destinations, and no one can disagree. In 2009, the World Economic Forum’s travel and tourism competitiveness report ranked Pakistan as one of the top 25 per cent tourist destinations for its world heritage sites. Pakistan’s rich heritage is one that outdoes many countries of the world. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has enlisted six Pakistani sites as 'world heritage sites'. These include the magnificent Shalimar Gardens. the fort in Lahore, the Makli monuments in Sindh, the ruins of Moenjodaro also in Sindh, Rohtas Fort near Jhelum, Buddhist ruins in Takht-i-Bahi and the ancient city of Taxila. 18 other sites, including the Baltit fort in Hunza and the tomb of Shah Rukne Alam in Multan, have been classified as 'tentative sites' by the same.

(The Makli graveyard in Thatta famous for its architecture. PHOTO: FILE)

(The Shalimar Garden in Lahore. PHOTO: CPS/FILE) Monuments and structures, dating back to 3300 BC can be found, and impressions from varied dynasties and time periods hold testimony to the rich historical back-drop of Pakistan. It’s not just heritage. Geographically, the country is as rich as it gets. From the snow-capped mountains of the north to the deserts of Thar; from the plains of Punjab to the plateau of Potohar; from the Salt range to the coast of Makran; the country comes solid on the scale of geographical diversity. Lush green fields, healthy hill stations, azure skies and clear rivers - you get all here.

(The rocky mountains of Zhob, Balochistan. PHOTO: M ASIF NAWAZ) Then there’s the culture - the sumptuous cuisines, the multitude of languages, the flamboyant attire, the soulful music, and the genial demeanour.

(Intricate art on public buses and trucks is now a part of Pakistani culture. PHOTO: AFP) We have cities brimming with all the progression of modern life, and villages where ‘saag’ and ‘makai ki roti’ are still devoured beneath peepal trees with stocky glasses of lassi! All this ascertains the great potential that Pakistan has as a grand tourist destination.

(Peanuts roasted in sand are a specialty in Pakistan and are sold on the street. PHOTO: ONLINE)

(Devotees performing 'dhamaal' to the sounds of dhol is a special sight for tourists. PHOTO: REUTERS) But then, as this article points out, the problem here lies in the world ‘potential’. Despite the excess of offerings that Pakistan can make to its tourists, ‘Pakistan has fallen behind neighbouring India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan’ when it comes to tourism, and that’s where the bad news begins. Given the political instability of the country, which can be dated back to about forever, it comes off as no surprise that many international travel agencies warn their clients not to visit Pakistan. Let international tourism be; even domestic tourism has been affected unfavourably by the waves of terrorism and lack of law and order in the country. Moreover, natural calamities such as the 2005 earthquake and 2009 floods have also added to the chagrin. Despite this, the Discovery Channel’s Insight Guides series on Pakistan begs to differ, and rather states that in spite of its dubious disposition, statistics shows that Pakistan remains an excessively safe country for tourism! Accordingly, tourists will tour. It may be argued that it’s actually the tourism industry of Pakistan that’s keeping the tourists at bay. True, there are some places in the country that must not be recommended to travel to, but it’s due to a lack of will on part of the government that the tourism industry is on life-support even in the safer places. Here’s a quote from the same article,

“According to an analyst at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute in Islamabad, Pakistan’s tourism sector has failed to grow due to continued mismanagement of the industry. There’s nothing new there.”

No surprises there. Accordingly, the same World Economic Forum that was all praise for our heritage in 2009, has ranked Pakistan at 122 out of 140 countries in its latest travel and tourism competitiveness report. A sorry state of policy rules and regulations has been cited by the report as the most probable hindrances to a blooming tourism industry in the country, followed by poor prioritising of travel and tourism. Ethiopia, Uganda, Ghana, and Zimbabwe, all have fared better than Pakistan. (Just as a consolation though, that’s three places better than where we were last year!) It is not far from the truth though. The poor state of leisure tourism in Pakistan emanates basically from the sheer absence of any tourism facilities. A single look on the Pakistan government’s tourism website can give you a pretty clear idea of that. Advertisements and propagation of Pakistan as a tourist destination in international media is another sorry tale. The basic services to those who visit the country are at a bare minimum. Moreover, many of the tourist spots are consistently facing gross negligence and nobody seems to be bothered. Tourism, like every industry, needs its due investment before it’s profitable. While there’s no input, sadly, it’s only just that tourism is neither alive nor kicking in the country. But then, on a positive and honest note, there’s one entity in Pakistan that pretty much makes up (or at least tries to) for all these fallacies, and it’s the people of the country! Nothing, perhaps, sums it up more comprehensively than what Lonely Planet has to say about Pakistan:

“Although conservative, Pakistanis are by nature a welcoming and hospitable people to foreigners, trying to get by in the face of indifference from their government and occasional hostility from the outside world… The scams and hustle you might experience in heavily travelled India are nowhere to be seen here. Instead, look forward to spontaneously offered cups of tea and conversations about cricket. You will feel like you have the country to yourself. Attractions that would have been splashed over the glossy pages of newspaper travel supplements are almost empty. While enthusiastic travel advice comes tinged with official government travel advisories, you’ll need to keep one eye on the news before booking your ticket – but once here, you’ll realise that Pakistan really is one of the world’s best-kept travel secrets.”

Therefore, the next time you’re on a break from work and wish to see all things beautiful and exciting, pack your bags and come to Pakistan. It might not be a bed of roses, but you won’t be disappointed. And that’s the promise of Pakistan! Read more by Asif here or follow him on Twitter @asifnz

China reeks of bureaucracy and pork. Women are obsessed with Hello Kitty jackets and men with skinny jeans. They stare at you if don’t look like them, they stare at you if you don’t dress like them, they even stare at you if you think it’s still cold enough to wear a jacket - it’s March but, hey, mornings are cold! I am in a love-hate relationship with China, and by China I mean Mainland China, not Taiwan. Taiwan is, well, just Taiwan. They say that “Chinese queue up even to pee” – it's true! There are long lines awaiting your presence everywhere you go! You would think that given the population of China, people would be rude and hurried, but mist people here are very friendly. The bank staff in particular can be very responsive, I mean, it only took the lady three attempts to get my name right!

“Yes, madam, it is Zain, not Zeng, Zheng or Zhang!” (pronounced 'Cheeng', 'Cheng', 'Chang' respectively.)

She found it amusing that Shah sounded like Xie Xie, and had a good laugh over it. (pronounced 'Shie Shie'.) We have become good friends now and I often try to bribe her into giving me more dollars (mind you - foreigners can only exchange up to $500 per day) than permitted. Yes, there are those private exchange companies, but the rate at which they exchange is brutal, and by brutal I mean brutal. She politely refuses and points to the CCTV camera hovering above her head and says,

“Camera watching, sorry sorry!”

As far as getting a haircut is c0ncerned, you have to be patient. The not-so-good salon that I usually go to has three huge posters: A shirtless Channing Tatum, a famished Justin Bieber and some Chinese celebrity with poppy red hair. In order to get a haircut, you have to point at the poster of your choice. I mean it’s really not that hard, just that I can barely see any hair on Channing Tatum’s head, just lots of muscle and flesh in that poster; Justin has a gelled, spiked up, retro sort of a hairstyle, which doesn’t match my professional look, and so that leaves me with the Chinese celebrity. Of course, I have to specify that I only need the cut and not the colour. You have to wait in line to get into a metro and I'd suggest you leave your manners behind while you are at it.

Photo: Reuters Pushing, punching, kicking, shouting, angry faces, sweaty bodies, flying bags, crying babies - by the end, your'e bruised, battered, exhausted, but you are on the train. Getting off the train is equally frustrating - people rushing in don’t give you a chance to get out, another round of getting beaten up and you are out! It’s better to take a taxi, but roads are usually choked and it takes an endless number of hours to reach home (plus the taxi meter keeps piling up.) The Chinese love food. It is almost like eating is the national game of China. They literally eat everything - from a dog, to a cat, to a mouse and even a snake. I find it kind of gross!

Photo: Zain Raza Eating lunch with my colleagues at work is quite interesting; they eat pork chops and rice cooked in pork broth while I devour my fish, squid, shrimp, and vegetables. Mind you, I have mastered the art of eating with chopsticks - even rice; it took a while but I am a pro now!

Photo: Zain Raza They often ask why I don’t eat pork, but when I attempt to answer, they don’t really comprehend. It is difficult trying to explain why I can’t eat pork, they don’t have the kind of exposure to Islam that Europeans or Americans do. Some are even curious to know what makes food halal. However, I enjoy eating out with them. Our conversations are lively, sentences exchanged are limited and laughter shared is loud. Chinese humour can be offensive, amusing and strange, but with the passage of time, one gets comfortable with it. If you ask me whether I'd want to raise a family in China, I’d say no. China is too crowded, polluted and populated. How do I feel about China and its people? Chinese people are warm, friendly, a little too loud but happy. It has been a pleasure to be exposed to China in such a way. Read more by Zain here.

While our group of five was contemplating on whether to hit the Maldives, Seychelles or Bora Bora for our hard-earned annual leaves, a cursory look at our budget and the tempting rupee-baht conversion rate made the decision all the more easy! Trip Advisor’s pricey recommendations notwithstanding, the vibrant streets of Bangkok and breezy beaches of Koh Phangan provided an alluring escapade from the noise and din of a fertiliser complex. From an array of water sports to top-of-the-line garments for shopping aficionados, all night beach parties to umpteenth resorts lined with deck-chairs and sun umbrellas, there is a magical appeal to Thailand’s pristine waters and sleazy streets. With such a lot to offer, it was difficult planning all the ‘must-dos’ for the 10 day trip. Failing to plan is certainly planning to fail and the immigration officials whisking away flustered tourists of all hues put the fact in perspective. It reminded me of a hard-to-digest one-liner from an agitated blogger who attributed his unfortunate experience at Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi airport to his green passport saying,

“I just wish for a moment I was not Pakistani. I’m not being unpatriotic. It is the most sincere feeling I’ve had in a while.”

On the contrary, we had a hassle-free check-in perhaps because our papers, reservations et al were complete. Immigration officials’ at most international destinations are sensible and trained people- a Brit or Russian hopping queues is as likely to be reprimanded as anybody, and for good measure. And they didn’t ask us to turn our pockets over at the immigration counter too since we had a bank statement ready. Another word of advice as you embark: pack smart and pack less. You don’t want to haggle your way through immigration lines, bus-rides and cruises as you explore the numerous islands that dot the Thai Kingdom. Thailand is rightly called the land of smiles and it’s possibly the zephyr that surrounds the isles; tourists from all over the world seem to embrace and pass on the trademark ‘Thai smile’.

Photo: Jalal Awan As we pondered over Google maps for the nearest Halal food joint at the airport, we were approached by courteous passers-by volunteering assistance and even offering free rides to the taxi stand. The vast majority of travellers confine their island time to a select few of a core of around 10 to 15 main islands dotted on the fringes of the Andaman Sea, leaving the other 500-or-so for next time, presumably. Primary pullers of the backpacker crowd at Thailand are undoubtedly the islands on either side of the country’s southern-most stretch, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao to name a few. Koh Phangan’s account is incomplete without the mention of the world (in) famous full-moon party, a debauched booze-fest of music and dance combining tens of thousands of young backpackers, and bootleggers, from all over the world.

Photo: Jalal Awan Up North, Phuket is one of the gems of the Thai tourism industry, with some of the best islands and sophisticated resort developments. But a visit to Patong and the infamous Bangla Road, you realise that it’s not just the sun and sand after all. There’s another, albeit risqué, aspect to Phuket: nightlife- the lesser said the better! Scuba-diving, snorkelling, parasailing, rafting and safari rides are must-dos while staying at Phuket. Scuba-diving in particular is an awe-inspiring experience- the impressions from undersea adventures completely exceeded our expectations. It’s an amazing excursion to a whole new breath-taking world!

Photo: Jalal Awan As we travelled by land, air and sea to our final abode in Bangkok’s Siam area, we met jet-setters and adventure virtuosos from (almost) all over the world. We found people associating Pakistanis with almost everything from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s singing talent to Bin Laden’s soon-to-be-turned-amusement park hideout, ‘Arab Spring’ to ‘cricketer-politicians’, mountaineering haven to turban-clad fanatics of tribal bad lands. With calamities like the Lahore inferno, it’s sometimes difficult to relate the brighter, cheerful aspect of life. Some handy facts, however keep probing inquisitors at bay: per the Economist World in Figures we’re amongst the top 15 nations in Physics (hats off to the likes of Hoodbhoys, Khans and Salams), top 30 in child prodigies (case in point, Arfa Karim Randhawa and Malala Yousafzai), top-something in number of refugees accommodated, top 10 in wheat, sugar, tea and cotton producers, top 20 in mineral resources and the list of positives is endless. And last but not the least, despite stereotypes; we are a resilient nation, ranked 16th in the Happy Nations Index compiled by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) from sources including UNDP and Gallup. So cheer up guys! Read more by Jalal here or follow him on Twitter @jalal_awan

May 2011, I came to South Korea with lots of questions in my mind. Truly speaking, back home we have heard about oriental countries, mostly China and Japan but rarely Korea. A lot of people may not even know that North and South Korea are two different countries as they are mostly referred to as simply “Korea”. Whatever the reason, I am still not sure. The funny thing is the the only time I see people making the mention of South Korea is after Gangnam Style becoming a youth anthem, and yes, of course, after the recent tensions between North and South Korea. Anyhow, stepping in South Korea was a true eye-opener. It’s a whole new world - a world so far ahead in technology, in convenience, in comfort that is beyond our imagination. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Korean Folk Museum, Seoul"][/caption] My words will fall short in describing Korea. South Koreans are usually crazy about technology and workaholics. They’re people who, by any means, have pledged to take their country even far ahead from where it is now. South Korea is one happy nation! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Kyung Hee Observatory"][/caption] Everything was going just fine, until recently, when I started getting calls from home enquiring about the tensions in the Korean peninsula. Due to this sudden interest, I started following the news, and would watch or read it at least five times daily. Honestly, the media had me scared, especially after getting the memo from Pakistan embassy in Seoul, stating their close eye on the situation and mentioning the worst cases. What do they mean by 'worst cases'? Well let’s follow the news again. What did I get in the news, you ask? The media appeared to be bombarded with news like “Korea is having their Cuban missile crisis”. It was dead scary. I started digging in for more and more information, not just related to the tension between North and South Korea, but much more than that. What kind of a country North Korea is, what is their leader like, what about the new and first lady president of South Korea – I was looking for answers to all these questions. In short, within few days I felt myself becoming an expert on this whole situation. The funny part is that I found myself even challenging the statements that were being passed between the two countries. Whoever came up with this 'ignorance is bliss' statement was a genius. Now I understand what it truly means. My husband would often tell me that it was strange that I was so worried about the situation here, when I had come from a place like Pakistan where every day brings insecurities and gloom. However, I feel that is my home. No matter how the situation over there is, I have always somehow felt safe. Yeah, a weird statement, I know, but that is the truth. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Lotte World, Seoul."][/caption] The strangest thing I noticed during this critical time was the reaction of South Koreans - so calm, so content, continuing with their daily activities as if nothing is happening. Hmm, seems like they have gotten used to all this 'exchange of rhetoric'. The news that I followed assured me of it. These kinds of situations have come and gone many times before. The way people deal with them now is to hear them from one ear and throw them out the other; they keep on living in a world where everything is just fine. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="63 Building Sunset"][/caption] There is a huge clash of lifestyle between North and South Korea. Although both countries started their journey from the same point, one went on to compete with the who's-who of the world on each and every level, and the other still lags behind in even fulfilling the basic necessities of life. Maybe that's the frustration clearly visible in their threats. However, thankfully, along with the cherry blossoms came softened stances from both sides of border. I don't know what people think of this place. I wonder what image they have in their minds. What I do know is that South Korea is a beautiful place. It can easily compete with the technology capitals of the world, and is also bestowed upon with breath-taking and well-preserved natural beauty. Luckily, I have been around long enough to go through the contrasting sides of this country. I have witnessed the 'fast forward mode', where everyone seems to be in a race to compete, and I also seen the 'calm and soothing' side , as if one has gone into a trance. The motto of this country states, "benefit broadly the human world", and that's precisely what South Korea is all about. It makes me believe that if you put your heart and soul, you are bound to succeed. It promises and it delivers. It is South Korea. PHOTOS: RABIA REHMAN

Amidst the hue and cry about rigging in elections, the political topsy turvy and the mercury rising and crossing the boiling point, there comes good news for Pakistan. Samina Baig and her brother Mirza Ali made history by climbing the world’s highest mountain Mount Everest without using supplemental oxygen. It is also a moment of great pride not only for Pakistan but also for India and all those who want peaceful relations between both the countries, as Samina and Mirza had in their team two Indian twin sisters, Nughsi and Tashi. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480" caption="PHOTO: PakYouthOutreach.com"][/caption] All four of them were aiming to hoist the Pakistani and India flags together at the summit and spread the message of peace and friendship. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="356" caption="KARAKORAMEXPEDITION.COM"][/caption] The expedition kicked off from April 1, 2013, and ended on 19 May, 2013, at 7:40am. Samina became the first Pakistani woman mountaineer to scale an eight-thousander, and her brother Mirza Ali became the third and the youngest Pakistani male to summit Mount Everest (8848 metres). [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480" caption="PHOTO: TheYouthRepublic.com"][/caption] It’s a proud moment for Pakistan and India both, so let’s forget all the differences and unite to celebrate this historic moment. Let’s also hope and pray that this news will bring new life to the dying tourism industry of Pakistan. Our country possesses plenty of potential tourist attractions, from fine examples of Mughal and Buddhist architecture to some of the world’s highest mountains. We have snow-peaked mountains and vast deserts where people live in a fascinating, rich culture. However, in recent years, convincing foreigners to come visit Pakistan has been an uphill battle. To tempt people from other countries to visit Pakistan would be more difficult today than to outline a workable peace plan between Palestine and Israel. The government has to take special measures for providing relief to tourists if it wants to boost the tourism industry in Pakistan. It is quite possible to attract foreign tourists to our beautiful Northern areas once again if government shows its interest and will. Only a little bit attention of on their part can make this country once again a hub of foreign and local tourists, and eventually this can make Pakistan economically well. This positive news will send a good message to all those who want war and not peace between India and Pakistan. If four people from these two countries can scale the towering, mighty Mount Everest by uniting, there is no telling what we can be capable of in uniting on a larger, international level. I would like to congratulate both the siblings on this wonderful achievement. Pakistan is proud of you! Keep making history and bringing many more positive and proud moments for this nation. Pakistan Zindabad! Read more by Daniyah here or follow her on Twitter @DaniyahSehar

After reading an article on life in South Korea, I decided I should add to it by writing about my own experiences here. I came to Seoul in December 2012, bang in the dead of winter. There was snow everywhere! Being a fan of K-pop, I knew about Seoul or I thought I knew a lot about it! I expected buildings, trains, well-built roads and busy people all around in one of the most overpopulated cities in the world. What I didn’t expect was the striking natural beauty; stunning mountains and the breathtaking view of the Han River is what I’m talking about! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480"] The Han river[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480"] Seoul Grand Park[/caption] Later, my friends and I went to see the light show that happens every night around 8pm to 9pm. We visited one of the many bridges that divide the North of Seoul from the South of Seoul. This place is called Banpo Park and is frequented by couples, families, friends and those who enjoy a nice walk or love to ride bikes. When I first came here, I was a bit afraid because I had read too many articles about Koreans being ‘racist’. However, this was not true. I stood shivering in the cold early in the morning of my second day in Seoul. A woman walked up to me and asked if I was American. I told her I was from Pakistan. At this point I wasn’t sure how she would react to my country but she smiled and said,

“Ah, Pakistan! Well, you're very pretty.”

I was taken aback because strangers don’t really offer compliments so openly back home. In my broken Korean, I told her that I needed to catch a cab. She nodded, stopped a cab for me and told the driver to take me to the place I needed to go. Hospitable and polite is all I have seen here. So far, the taxi drivers have been extremely kind, going as far as offering me candy, conversing with me and giving me advice. Taxis in Seoul are a little expensive because the meter charges you per time and not per distance. Seoul has an impressive public transport system and I usually use the subway or a bus because as I’m on a student budget after all. You simply purchase a transport card from a nearby store, top it with cash and use it for public transport. It is extremely convenient. Another thing that impressed me was the promotion of their local brands rather than international ones. It is almost impossible to find international products at any local store. You usually need to go to Itaewon for that. Itaewon is an area which is frequented by foreigners and has a lot of foreign restaurants and shops. There’s even a Pakistani restaurant here by the name of Usmania, which I am dying to try out. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480"]

A famous South Korean cosmetic company[/caption] Gangnam is an area in Seoul, on which the song Gangnam Style is based. It’s actually one of the more affluent areas in Seoul, comprising Cheongdam and Apgujeong. Apgujeong is known as the 'Celebrity Street', where most actors and singers live and shop. Needless to say, it is not a place for people on a budget but fun to roam around in, nevertheless. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480"]

Apgujeong area[/caption] Myeongdong is another place that is popular with Koreans and foreigners alike. It is full of cafés, shops and K-pop merchandise. It, too, is expensive and very crowded. Korean food tends to be a bit on the spicy side, but if you are from Pakistan, nothing can take you by surprise. The spiciest food so far has been ‘ddeokboki’, which is rice cakes mixed in chilli sauce. It is delicious, especially if you’re shivering in the -13° C and having it from one of the food stands along the road with friends. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480"]

Street food in Korea[/caption] Koreans eat a lot of pork but there are always other options. ‘Bibimbap’ is one of my personal favourites. It’s usually a mix of vegetables and rice but sometimes has chicken, depending on what you order. South Korea seems to be unheard of and I was mocked at when I told people that I plan to live here in the future as well because it is a common choice amongst people my age to prefer the West. However so far, so good; I have no regrets. The East has been great to me. Aside from the language barrier, there is nothing that could make you dislike Korea. The people are inviting, the scenery is breathtaking and Seoul itself is a sleepless city. Korea is not just Gangnam Style. There is so much more to this amazing country and its people. The history and culture is extremely interesting, and traditional areas such as Insadong really showcase Korean traditions. If you plan on visiting South Korea, do brush up on your Korean because hardly anyone speaks English here. However, the language barrier shouldn't stop you from visiting this beautiful place. It is worthy of your time and money. PHOTOS: HERA IFTIKHAR

The glaciers melt; the streams from them gush with fresh water. The Swat River and its tributaries spurt. The fruit laden orchards of peaches, apples, apricots and plumps bloom. The whistles of gypsies, seasonal nomads, buzz and the bells of sheep ring. This is summer in Swat. Since the last successful military offensive against the Swat Taliban the military in Swat arrange festivals in the valley. These events of entertainment are meant to revive tourism in the valley and to present a soft image of the idyllic landscape to the world. And of course one objective is to prove that Swat is now ‘cleared of militants and that the operation against the Taliban has been successful’. Whatever the motives are, one thing is crystal clear, that the festivals have effectively revived the domestic tourism to Swat which was damaged by the militant crisis and the worst ever floods in the valley. The only hurdle to a complete revival of this means of livelihood is the shattered infrastructure particularly the main road and other access roads. Swat Valley is among the cherished destinations of common tourists. Besides, it has many sites for mountaineers, trekkers, hikers, winter sportsmen and drifters which are still to be discovered and promoted. The Swat Summer Festival is annually held in Kalam and in Mahee Dhaan (Mahu Dand) — an enchanting valley and lake at an altitude of 10,500 feet from sea level — which can by now be accessed via every type of vehicle. It is 35 km from Kalam. It takes two hours to reach there by the bank of an emerald stream from the lakes and glaciers above the valley. The festival in Kalam and in Mahee Dhaan commenced on June 19 and will continue for a full four days. There will be jeep racing, cliff climbing, paragliding, trekking and rowing in the lake. The festival in Kalam will have live concerts, songs, dances and stalls for families. One distinct characteristic of the Swat Summer Festival this year are the shows of local — Torwali and Kalami (Gawri) — culture. The local but unique culture and the languages are endangered. Presentation of it in the festival is meant to educate the tourists on the unique non-Pashtun identity of the people of Bahrain hill station and Kalam. It is also meant promote the particular languages and culture and to take the local people on board. The local population, other than the shopkeepers and hoteliers, are not pleased with what was happening on their land in the name of such festivals, primarily because of the damage tourists do to the natural environment. A number of the native civil society of Bahrain and Kalam expect care from the tourists whom the locals always called Melaesh (guests). Unfortunately, in Pakistan, the environment has never been a priority among the general public. Neither is it a priority in the governments. During a very recent reconnaissance visit to the Mahee Dhaan (Fish Lake)—the most cherished location of the festival, this scribe was shocked to see an abundance of plastic bottles, wrappers and other waste scattered on the green patches and the surface of the lake. Similarly, these tourists have no regard for the trees, big and small. The brutal and unchecked fishing in the lake also damages its beauty. In Swat, unfortunately, rowing is not done with oars. This causes a lot of pollution in the water as petrol engines are used to run the boats on the lake. Canoes with oars would be great for the environment and a much-needed measure to maintain the beauty of the lake. The lake area is the best place for short time camping, tents brought in by tourists help them stay among fairies for few days. There are short treks on the peaks; and paths for similar adventures. The sun rise here is worth capturing and the nights are no less gripping and fortunately, on the days of the festival, the night skies will be lit up with moonlight. One really can’t compare the feeling of being among the stars underneath a clear sky; it’s as if the angels from above send down fairies to greet you. The local cultural presentation and shows in the festival were included by a local civil society organisation, Idara Baraye Taleem-o-Taraqi (IBT), based in the area. This would be the first ever public display of the indigenous culture. The particulars of the presentation include concerts, traditional dances, instrumental music; stalls for daily use items and local cuisines. Come meet the tribe, come feel the relief from the sweltering heat; plan a trip to Swat and escape the ruckus of a city life for a couple of days! Retreat to the heavens on earth, we all deserve a break. PHOTOS: AFTAB AHMAD; https://www.facebook.com/Swat.Swastu.Udhyana; https://www.facebook.com/Dist.Swat Follow Zubair on Twitter @zubairtorwali

Yesterday was a sad day for Pakistan. 10 foreigners, who were in Nanga Parbat to witness first hand the country's beauty, were murdered in cold blood, allegedly to avenge a death caused by drone strikes. How these innocent travelers are related to drone strikes is beyond me. You know what is even sadder? Reportedly, local tour guides have started to receive emails from tourists who were to visit the area in July and August. They do not wish to visit Pakistan anymore; they have requested for the cancellation of their reservations. If you thought this lone incident would bear no affect on the country, think again. Essar Karim, who works as a local tour guide stated that he received the following email from a European traveller:

Oh my God! Such friendly people; such a peaceful place. How did it happen?

Exactly my sentiment. How did the Government of Pakistan let this happen? My attachment to Gilgit: Among the tallest mountains in the world lies one of the most beautiful lands one can ever behold: Gilgit-Baltistan. It is famous for its influx of foreign tourists during the spring and summer seasons. Unfortunately, however, this influx has steadily declined over the past decade, terrorism in Pakistan being the main reason. After spending two years in the US to complete my Master’s degrees, it was a wonder and a relief to be back home. I was welcomed with the views of beautiful valleys, sparkling fountains, massive mountains, and beautiful scenery. What made me rejoice even more was the fact that G-B not only had these many gifts of nature, the region was enjoying peace after a long time. People were hopeful about tourism prospects this summer and its potential to generate sustainable wealth for the region. I landed in Islamabad and bought a ticket to go home; to my surprise, I could not get my ticket confirmed due to the high flow of tourists to the region! Despite the setback, I was happy to learn that G-B has restored its tourist flow again. Many tour guides were also happy about the inflow, as a significant number of these people earn their livelihood through tourism in the region. While I was in Gilgit, I saw many foreigners shopping and adding life, and varied richness to the city - even the G-B tourism ministry report declared a higher flow of tourists to the region. However, tourism has been severely hindered because of the way our government treats tourists. My observations of how tourism has been hindered: An activity I observed that struck me as very unusual was that security personnel were interrogating the tourists in the city, even though it does not fall under their jurisdiction. Unfortunately, tourists were even barred from entering most of the glaciers in the Baltistan region as well; this region is famous for its hospitality and pacifism. The fall in tourism in GB has many reasons and one of the main problems is the No Objection Certificate (NOC) policy of the federal government; as tourists have trouble acquiring an NOC to visit G-B, the flow is artificially decreased from the federation directly. The extremely tragic incident at Nanga Parbat is one of the worst blows to impact tourism in the Diamer District (which borders KPK and Kohistan). It is certain that G-B will be thrown ten steps back and will have to work doubly hard to regain the trust of tourists. This one incident has taken away the hopes of the tourist friendly people of the rest of G-B. I was talking to a local and his words struck me because they depict the depth of sorrow that people feel after the murder of the tourists,

"Mar mar ke humaray pass tourists aye aur aaj is incident ke baad humaray bachon ka mustaqbal bhi tareekh ho gia hai." (We have had tourists in our area after such a long time and today, after this incident, our children's future has become dark.)

A year ago, many Shiites were slaughtered, butchered and stoned to death in same region. The murderers were dressed in military outfits and were highly trained. Unfortunately, the killers got away with the heinous crime; had they been hung publicly, no one would have ever dared to commit such a heinous crime again. The lack of appropriate punishment has ruined the social fabric of Pakistan. Likewise, it is engulfing the peace of G-B, particularly in the Diamer district. My solution: We, the residents of G-B, demand stringent action against terrorists carrying out such atrocious crimes; these are not reflective of the people we are. If this incident is ignored like the incidents in the past (e.g; Lulusar, Kohistan and Chilas), then the locals have every reason to doubt the sincerity of the security agencies within the region. It is nearly impossible for the miscreants to get away easily due to the tough terrain of the area. The mountains of the district should be searched thoroughly and operations should be carried out to take them head on. Furthermore, to tighten the security of this district, it should be handed over to the Gilgit-Baltistan scouts for search operations and particularly for the security of the foreigners, as they know the area better than anyone else. To ensure the security of tourists, the provincial government should be empowered, and they should be given the authority to brief and debrief those in Gilgit-Baltistan and those who visit as well. A tourism rescue system should be established and intelligence agencies should make it their priority to do their job, ensuring security, rather than poking their nose into the minute internal matters of the region. G-B is already under-served. If tourism is affected - as it indeed will be because of the Fairy Meadows incident - then it will descend into absolute desertion such as that of beautiful Balochistan. My plea: I reiterate that the people of G-B are tourist-friendly and hospitable; we are peace loving and culturally rich. We have numerous tourist spots that are safe havens for foreign tourists: Baltistan, Hunza Nagar, Astore, Ghanche, Ghizer, and Gilgit. This incident of terrorism has greatly grieved everyone in G-B; we are stunned as we mourn for the victims and their families. Needless to say, this is a serious blow to an already under-resourced economy. It is the high time the government prioritises education in the district of Diamer and take serious action against institutions that give birth to this mindset which ruins the appeal of regions like Diamer. If the government is unable to meet the perfectly reasonable demands of security for the people of G-B, then it won't be too long before they seek help from those who will! We have waited long enough. Follow Dr Zaeem on Twitter @ZaeemZia

Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), a thinly populated area in the northern parts of Pakistan, is solely dependent upon tourism and agriculture for its sustenance. Commonly known as the mountaineers’ paradise on earth, it is safe to assume that the world’s top mountaineers and trekkers know this region better than most Pakistanis do, since a majority of the Pakistanis do not know a lot about G-B, other than that this land hosts five of the world’s tallest 14 peaks, which are above 8,000 metres. Last week, G-B was in the media spotlight as 10 foreign climbers and their Pakistani guide were killed by militants on the base camp of Nanga Parbat — the ninth highest peak in the world. This news gained the attention of the media because the victims of this ill-fated attack were foreigners from six different nations. Everyone was shocked by this brutality. But it was not the first such incident for the people of G-B who have witnessed such ruthless killings before, but especially so, in the last two years. As expected, the suspected killers are known to be from Chilas, an important area that lies between Islamabad and Gilgit city. Today, Pakistanis hang their heads in shame as they have sent back the bodies of the foreign tourists. It is Pakistan’s murder; it is the murder of the tourism industry of G-B. This incident will haunt G-B for a long time to come as it has badly shattered the confidence of climbers who came to this region every year and fuelled its tourism industry. In the absence of any heavy industry, the hardworking people of this area mostly dependent either on tourism or agriculture-related work. This is the same area where innocent people, belonging to minority sects, were brutally killed after their bus was stopped and checked for their national identity cards. If the government took serious notice of those attacks and arrested the criminal gangs hiding in Chilas, incidents such as the Nanga Parbat killings could be avoided. Let us hope that this time around the security forces will capture the perpetrators, not just because the victims were foreigners, but because the government owes this right of safety to the people of Pakistan. Read more by Farhan here.

“I don’t want the public to see the world they live in while they’re in the Park. I want them to feel that they’re in another world.”

This approach made Mr Walt Disney come up with the idea of Disney World, a place I always wanted to visit but couldn’t. Little did I know that South Korea had a surprise in store for me in the form of “Lotte World”, or as I like to call it, the Korean Disney World. Being someone who has not let go of her inner child, I was more than happy to discover Lotte World. I just couldn’t let this opportunity slip without availing it! So there I was with my husband on a fine, magical morning in Lotte World. We opted for the “whole day pass”- obviously! Fee for whole day pass: Adults – Won 40,000 ($35.8) As usual, being a foreigner had its perks- this time in the form of discounted ticket prices (Won 28,000 each). What a wonderful start to a fun-filled day! Lotte World is divided into two parts- the indoor part referred to as Adventure Land and the outdoor part known as Magic Island. We entered a world full of fantasy and magic that only had room for imagination. It was breathtaking!

We started our adventure with the indoor area, which was aptly decorated according to a theme of the approaching Halloween. This indoor part of Lotte World is known as the largest indoor amusement / theme park in the world. Apart from being huge, each of its four floors has a new story to tell and new joys to explore.

As we were walking through the “Mini Europe” section on the ground floor, catchy music beats caught our attention and we walked in the direction of the music; this led us straight into the centre of the indoor arena. Lucky for us, the Halloween day parade had just started. I could see all the characters coming up, one after the other, dancing to the peppy theme song. There were joyous faces and dancing feet all around. It was truly magical!

After the parade, we continued with our indoor tour. Mini Europe, tomb of horror, the adventures of Sindbad, water slides, bumping cars, concert area, fantasy forest, hot air balloons and what not. I couldn’t seem to get enough of it.

Though we explored all the areas, we skipped most of the rides because of my motion sickness. However, I did take the Euro Rail tour. It is a mini rail on the second floor, which gives you a circular ride of the indoor area. What you see from there is an astounding view of the whole indoor section along with the ice skating rink in the basement. It just couldn’t get better than this!

After the indoor area, we left for the outdoor area, to make the most of daylight. The moment I entered this place, appropriately named Magic Island, I was spellbound. There stood the Magic Castle, more or less a replica of Disney’s famous Magic Kingdom. It was a sight to witness.

We kept roaming around the castle – in and out - taking pictures. After a while, we finally moved forward. The rides in Magic Island were extremely scary and I just didn’t have the guts to try them. So we skipped them and experienced the lighter parts, such as Snow White’s castle and Geneva cruise lines. Geneva cruise line is a mini ferry ride that took us on a tour of the lake that surrounds Magic Island. This lake tour not only showed us the milestones of Magic Island, but also allowed us to see parts that we may not have seen otherwise.

With a promise to return back to witness the island when the lights turned on at night, we went inside to complete the indoor tour. The upper-most floor is the place that distinguishes Lotte from Disney world. It is dedicated to the Korean Folk Museum.

This museum takes you for a journey through South Korea’s stone ages to the revolutionary and literary days, all the way down to the present. It’s huge and absolutely magnificent. Also, over there I witnessed a traditional Korean wedding. The memory still brings a smile to my face when I recall it. I couldn’t have asked for more! It took us a whole hour and a half to get through the museum and by the time we finished, the whole of Lotte World was sparkling with lights. Keeping up with the promise we had made earlier, we headed towards Magic Island again. It was sheer bliss to see how lovely it looked. Words alone can’t do justice to how I felt in that moment. We strolled around the area for a while and then went in for the day end parade. Although we skipped the laser show that is demonstrated late at night, our day trip ended on an ecstatic note, giving us memories that we would cherish for a lifetime. Being someone who loves to travel, I intend on visiting and narrating many other wonders that South Korea has to offer! But to all my fellow Pakistanis, who are either living in or plan on visiting South Korea, Lotte World is a must visit. No matter what time of year it is, the availability of both indoor and outdoor premises is a guarantee that you will have the time of your life. Make sure to carry your foreign cards or passports along to avail the foreigner discount. You won’t regret it! PHOTOS: RABIA REHMAN Read more by Rabia here

Swat: I grab my white parrunay (veil) and handbag, and ask my younger son to hire a rickshaw for us. It’s the last week of Ramazan and my clothes for Eid are still lacking a lace here, and a button there; my elder son wants shoes while the younger one wants to a buy a shirt like the one his friend at school has. As the rickshaw races towards Cheena market - the local market where almost everything is available that a woman might need for herself and also for her kids – I see life at its full swing. People of all age groups are busy shopping. It doesn’t matter if they are fasting or the weather is unexpectedly hotter than usual; the shops, stalls, roads, all are crowded. Some still looking for the things they want, others rushing back home with excited children and heavy shopping bags. Voices of women, men, children, laughing, clattering, bargaining, prices and inflation rates can be heard in the background. But this motion, bustle, ebb and flow – is life! Suddenly the Ramazan and Eid of the year 2008 flash before my eyes…. As they say ‘good old times’ unfortunately, in our part of the world not all times are good and such times, certainly not! No woman could go for shopping or even step out of the house. Wear a black burka, omit any traces of being identified, and let an adult male ‘guardian’ accompany you - only then were you allowed to see past the gates of your house. This was a time when we feared to send our dear ones out of the house, because we never knew if they’d return safely. This was a time when the daily head lines would help extinguish the little hope that kept us alive. Many people in the town hurried to get married, so they could enjoy the little time they had left; life was unpredictable. We were also one of them and thus, Eid for us was followed by my brother’s wedding. The summer of 2009 was a dark phase with only terror and sounds of heavy gun fires. Our elders refused to move to a safer place and we stayed in our house for at least 50 days without any electricity or gas. We learned to survive on little water and food which was enough for hardly a week - awaiting death. Luckily, soon after, an announcement was made that the operation had been successful and the natives were allowed to return. We were able to see our loved ones again. But, when it was all over, it had stripped and cleansed Swat of all its beauty, if nothing else. Those returning said they could smell gunpowder in the air, and felt it wasn’t their Swat but some other deserted place. The beauty of time is that it never stays the same. It changed for us too: from good to bad and then back to good again, though in an extremely short period of time. Gradually everything went back to normal. Schools, colleges and bazaars reopened and we too, reverted to our old ways. Swat is a better and safer place now. New developments, cadet colleges, shopping malls, parks, cafes, hotels and a university all are signs of a better and more developed home. We are happy, quite happy, that it’s all normal again. But the past has scarred us. The locals apprehend that this peace is temporary and actually something more horrible is brewing deep down. The external circumstances have changed, definitely, but what about the horror and insecurity which has formed firm roots and still lives deep in our hearts and in the darkness of the night when we hear wolves howling or a sudden cries or a gunshot, we jump out of the beds saying: have they come again?

Imagine yourself clipped into a pair of 216cm downhill skis, pushing out of the start and flying at 145km/h down a steep, icy slope. Imagine the snow conditions ranging from bulletproof ice to slushy ruts and the terrain ranging from a near cliff to flat ground all in the same breadth. It’s not an easy task to confront a tsunami of challenges that Alpine skiing throws at you. Alpine skiing, also known as downhill skiing, is the sport of sliding down snow-covered hills on skis with fixed-heel bindings. Sounds scary? Well, it is! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Pakistan Adventure Tours and Expeditions Facebook page.[/caption] It requires very high levels of strength, agility, stamina, flexibility and last but not the least, fine motor skills. There are many dare devils out there that are hell bent on not only facing all the challenges of the sport but also setting new records. Recently, two Pakistani brothers, from Shimshal Gojal, Hunza, made a new record. Niamat Karim, who is just 27-years-old, along with his younger brother Mansoor Karim, aged 15, completed the first ever Pakistani Alpine Skiing expedition. Niamat Karim - the elder brother - is a mountaineer by profession and has been scaling adventurous peaks since the past 13 years. He also runs a travel agency by the name of PATE (Pakistan Adventures Tours and Expeditions). Mansoor who is only 15, started his career as a professional skier in 2008. He also set a new record by becoming the youngest Pakistani to attempt Alpine skiing and that too successfully. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="337"] Photo: Pakistan Adventure Tours and Expeditions Facebook page.[/caption] The 6000m Ski Expedition 2013, that kicked off on July, 10 2013, was the first of its kind in Pakistan organised by the Pakistan Adventures Tours and Expeditions. The first challenge was to attempt Quz Sar (6000 meters). The summit was accomplished in about three hours amidst the worst kind of weather conditions and then the skiing started from the top to the advance base camp. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Pakistan Adventure Tours and Expeditions Facebook page.[/caption] This hefty descend was accomplished in a mere 15 minutes! On the very same day, both the brothers attempted Qol Sar (6,000 meters) too. In their initial plan they had planned to climb only three peaks (Quz Sar, Manglik Sar and one unnamed peak ), but during the expedition they found that the advance base camps of Qol Sar and Quz Sar were situated quite close to each other and so they decided, on the spot, to attempt Qol Sar too. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="337"] Photo: Pakistan Adventure Tours and Expeditions Facebook page.[/caption] On July 12, 2013, they set their goals to summit Manglik Sar (6,050 meters). The Manglik Sar summit was covered in six hours and the descent took just 17 minutes via skiing! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Pakistan Adventure Tours and Expeditions Facebook page.[/caption] After two days, on July 15, the remaining part of the expedition started. The challenge was to summit an unclimbed peak (6,000 meters). This peak was conquered in three hours and its descent was finished in only 10 minutes of skiing downhill to the advance base camp. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Pakistan Adventure Tours and Expeditions Facebook page.[/caption] After setting this amazing record, Niamat and Mansoor have set their eyes on many other record breaking events. They are also very keen about promoting Alpine Skiing as a sport. Alpine Skiing is popular wherever there is a combo of mountain slopes, snow and sufficient tourist infrastructure. In this regard, they want support from the Government of Pakistan to provide safe and reliable tourist infrastructure to help promote tourism and mountain adventure sports even more in the country. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Pakistan Adventure Tours and Expeditions Facebook page.[/caption] I congratulate both our brave skiers and pray that their dreams of promoting Alpine Skiing come true! Wishing them all the very best for such future endeavours. May they earn many more heights, Amen!

Katoora Lake (also called Jaz Dand) is situated in the Lamoti Valley of Upper Dir, KPK at an altitude of 11,500 ft approximately. Most of the time, this lake is surrounded by high mountains covered with snow. The best season to visit it is August/September. However, June and July are also good months for a tour, if you are prepared for random monsoon showers. The level of difficulty for trekking in the area may be considered ‘moderate’ for regular trekkers/hikers. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Moderate weather, fresh air and stunning views - a winning combination. Photo: Murtaza Mahmud[/caption] Travel towards Jaz Dand actually starts when you reach Upper Dir – a location that can be reached from Islamabad within seven hours or the Swat Valley through Badgoi Pass. From Upper Dir, it takes almost five hours to reach the base camp in Jandrai (also pronounced as Zhandrai). At this point, one has to leave the road (as there is none!) and start trekking towards Jaz Banda. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] While trekking to Jaz Banda, one has to pass through dense forests. Deforestation rate is not so high in this part of valley, so trekking becomes a real experience. Photo: Murtaza Mahmud[/caption] It takes another five hours of trekking in dense forests to reach the destination. I would advise tourists to stay a night in Jaz Banda and then trek towards the lake - this will take you close to three hours. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] After trekking for almost 3 hours, you reach this place. We continued our journey towards the right side. Photo: Murtaza Mahmud[/caption] As far as accommodation is concerned, the best option is to set up camp, as my companions and I did. However, for those who are not comfortable with camping, there is one private rest house in Jandrai and one in Jaz Banda. These rest houses are owned and managed by Mr Raja Taj Muhammad. He is a renowned personality of the area and has been promoting tourism and serving visitors for more than 10 years now. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] These mountains are the main source of chilled and fresh spring water. Photo: Murtaza Mahmud[/caption] If I have to describe this place in one sentence, I would say ‘It is just amazing!’ [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Katoora Lake waterfall. Photo: Murtaza Mahmud[/caption] The serenity in the atmosphere puts pains and troubles out of your mind and puts you in a state of peace from where there is no return. One simply cannot forget the time spent there. We spent a night in Jaz Banda, trekking back the next day to continue our adventure through Kumrat Valley. Personally, I wish to just live here; streams of fresh, chilled water emanating from the lake, high snowy mountains, meadows spread over large expanses, the fresh and pure air – there are so many reasons why this place is absolutely beautiful. Here, you will find yourself closer to nature. For those who travel alone, this spot offers pleasant company – here, the clouds won’t leave you at any point. As for the lake itself, it takes your breath away for a moment, and then it recharges your mind with its freshness and glory. Just writing about it has me wishing I could go back! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Situated at an altitude of 11,500 ft approximately, it seems like the colour of this lake changes with the weather conditions. Photo: Murtaza Mahmud[/caption] Of course, we cannot possibly overlook the terrific hospitality shown by the local community of the area. People here are simple, kind and hospitable. Mr Raja Taj Muhammad, the owner of the rest houses mentioned above, is a prime example. We were so impressed by his hospitality that we recorded an interview with him, requesting him to brief us about this place and shed light on the area’s security situation. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x11tcpt#.UezTSNKbdnM [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Our group and some locals, with Chimrain Cottage in the background. Photo: Murtaza Mahmud[/caption] During our trek, we met many people who offered us a cup of tea, extending a hand of friendship in their own hospitable way. These people are pursuing a very simple life and eat plain yet healthy food. In pure economical terms, their cost of living is very low. One can guess their general political views via flags and banners of various political parties. These people are self sufficient and this is evident from small irrigation channels and small-scale electricity generation facilities. I personally feel that a better infrastructure would bring more prosperity to the area and make life easier for these people. They have great respect for their customs and traditions. As a general rule, it becomes the responsibility of travellers to get familiar with and show respect for these local community manners. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300"] This man requested us to take his picture with his buffalo. I cannot forget his gestures of joy when he saw his photos. Photo: Murtaza Mahmud[/caption] A special plea to my photographer community - pack your bags and visit this place as soon as you can. It is a brilliant opportunity for your work and can indeed bring you fame through the eye of your gear. As for general adventure-fans, trekkers and travellers, Katoora Lake is an ideal spot for you to explore for your next vacation. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x11wskt_katoora-lake_travel Follow Murtaza on Twitter @murtazamahmud

In the early 80s my parents, who were both Indians, settled in Pakistan and got married. Yet, somehow they never left India behind and thus began our annual tradition of travelling to Rampur, India each summer. As toddlers, my siblings and I loved the feeling of crossing the Wagah Border. We used to grin and wave at the Sikhs guarding the border who stood there tall and proud, flaunting their grand horses. And how can I forget the petrichor as we passed by the vast, barren fields - it was truly beautiful. For my parents, India was a safe haven – their salvation where they returned just to breathe in the air of their childhood. However, it wasn’t until later, that I realised India was their escape; it was their retreat to a wonderful world of childhood memories that had now become ours too. Enroute to India, we devoured daal chawal and bhaji with gusto. Every now and then when we got off at stations, my mother used to make us sit on our luggage, tugging on to us and making sure we were within an arm’s distance from her. Along the way we would giggle and exchange stories with our newly made Indian friends who would share incredible and unknown facts about India's infamous landmarks. Awestruck, with our mouths full of bhel puri and lemo pani, we would yearn to visit them all. Our conversations would go like:

"Aur batao bhaya, aur kia kia hai daikhnay ko?" (Tell us more brother, what else is there to see in India?)

Ever so inquisitive, we would shower them with our queries and stories of our own. Some of them went like:

"Humari dadi bhi Shimla se theen, kia khoobsurat pahar, kia manzar hai wahan ka!" (My grandmother was from Shimla too, what a beautiful hill station it is, what a view it has!)

The passengers would share their stories with my parents as well - Indian or Pakistani was a fact that remained irrelevant in all conversations. My teary-eyed mother would sit and nod silently, longing to return to Nenetal and Shimla. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"]

A distant view of the hills near Rampur and my mother walking down the stairs. Photo: Hiba Naeem[/caption] Thus became the annual, seasonal ritual of escaping to India and it was such an important part of our lives. It was, perhaps, even the most awaited season of the year. We would relish every moment of it, from the rowdy, heart warming Punjabi families to the coy Rajistani girls, each one with their own tale to tell. With swiftly got used to complete strangers inviting 'Pakistani bhai bhain' to their weddings, and so went their hospitality on and on... [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"]

My uncle's wedding in 2001 in India. Photo: Hiba Naeem[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"]

My Khala's wedding in Rampur, India. Photo: Hiba Naeem[/caption] In retrospect, we fondly remember our visits to India with watery eyes and heavy hearts. We remember boasting about our vacation to the motherland to our friends and family in Pakistan - as if our sun kissed faces, 'narial ki batya' (dry coconuts), chunri k dupattay were not souvenirs enough of our obviously great trip. Though we are Pakistani, we felt as Indian as our parents and leaving India was as hard for us as it was for them - each time. Bidding adieu while promising to return, our hearts never failed to twitch while we silently confessed with a proud glow on our faces,

“Hum bhi Indian he hain bhai!” (We are Indian too, mate!)

If ever it were possible for a Pakistani to love India, my family and I are living proof and believe me, there are those on the other side of the border who feel the same way about Pakistan too. Here is hoping that the leadership of India and Pakistan allow us to be united, because at heart, we are all family.

In an age in which reading or watching the news is enough to turn any normal human being into a raging lunatic or a hardened cynic, the smallest piece of good news is often like a breath of fresh air and can do wonders for restoring a positive outlook on life. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Rooftops near North Jerusalem. Photo: Abdullah Saad[/caption] I am originally a Palestinian from Jerusalem, and like many Palestinians, I suffer (or perhaps benefit) from a severe case of Wanderlust. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Dome of the Rock. Photo: Abdullah Saad[/caption] This means that we have to remain on the move because, as a nation that is mostly made up of refugees, hardly any countries present themselves as warm hosts. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] People gathering around Masjid Al Aqsa on Eid. Photo: Abdullah Saad[/caption] It humbled me that during my time in Pakistan, I felt very welcome no matter where I went. Little experiences I’ve had here and there led me to think about the world in a more positive way, but personally experiencing a human miracle, however, can permanently instil a positive outlook in a person. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] The Apartheid Wall. Photo: Abdullah Saad[/caption] My visit to Chitral at the end of August was one such miracle. Although I suffered the misfortune of being victim to a flood and landslide simultaneously, I was also witness to one of the greatest shows of humanity that I have experienced. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Chitral’s scenery. Photo: Abdullah Saad[/caption] When I told my family and friends that I was headed to Pakistan, I was told that if I had to go, I should avoid the “dangerous North” of the country. There is a long history of Arabs having gone to the North of Pakistan and having their lives turned around. My namesake, Abdullah Azzam, was one such Arab who originally arrived in Pakistan as a teacher, but upon his death was known as “the father of global Jihad”. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] A beautiful town in Chitral. Photo: Abdullah Saad[/caption] It did not help that he was also a Palestinian. This is not to mention, however, the infamous Osama Bin Laden, who hid in the north of the country for years; another Arab experience that shapes the view that my compatriots have of Pakistan and its northern regions. Despite the fact that I left Chitral with damaged ankle ligaments, my life changed for the better over there. I went there as a typically cynical student of political science and left having experienced a marvel that changed the way I viewed human nature. My arrival in Chitral was different from my arrival in Lahore roughly six weeks earlier. Contrary to my visit to the colourful city of Lahore, I had no knowledge of Chitral and its culture, and I went on my own rather than accompanied by a Pakistani. At the airport, I was received by Amaar, my Chitrali host. Even though I did not know what he looked like or who he was, it was not very difficult for us to locate each other. To my surprise, he greeted me with a huge, welcoming hug, as if we were long-lost friends rather than new acquaintances! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Chitral airport. Photo: Abdullah Saad[/caption] The first thing I did on my arrival, as all foreigners are required to do, was register with the police in order to be assigned a police escort. I was accompanied by the police escort over the next couple of days, as I explored the area around Amaar’s village – the quaint and quiet Garam Chashma, aptly named for its hot spring. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Garam Chashma. Photo: Abdullah Saad[/caption] I could spend hours writing about the breathtaking scenery surrounding Chitral and the activities that we undertook during my stay; but frankly the highlight of my trip was the response to a heavy storm on the evening before my return to Islamabad. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Storm clouds. Photo: Abdullah Saad[/caption] During the day we had hired a car and driven to Bomboret Village, a part of the Kalash Valley, which is possibly the most unique area in Pakistan due to the Kalash people’s preservation of their own distinctive culture. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Kalash Museum. Photo: Abdullah Saad[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Kalash women in traditional attire. Photo: Abdullah Saad[/caption] In the evening, just as we were getting ready for our return to Chitral Town, heavy clouds began to gather on the horizon. In just an hour, we found ourselves in the midst of the worst storm I have ever seen, stuck in sloppy mud somewhere near Bomboret. The sheer force with which mud was hitting the side of our car made us realise that there was a good chance of our car falling into the river running parallel to the track. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] A Chitral town. Photo: Abdullah Saad[/caption] Hence, we decided that the only thing to do was to abandon the car and remain on the move until we found some shelter. We left the car and started walking together, but due to the gathering darkness and heavy rain getting into our eyes, many of us got separated. After some time, I realised that I was alone and to make matters worse, I did not have my glasses or any light to guide me; not that I would have known which direction to go in, anyway. Eventually, after sloshing through mud and trying to stay on my feet, I came across two men, who thankfully turned out to be my police escorts. They literally held me by my arms and took me to a mosque, where I was greeted by an old Imam who later took me to his house. At the house, I was re-united with Amaar and the others in our group. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] The group of men who saved me. Photo: Abdullah Saad[/caption] What followed was even more exceptional, with people coming to the Imam’s house with essentials such as fresh clothes, water and in my case, footwear. I was amazed by the fact that in spite of the terrible weather, the life-threatening travel conditions for those walking on foot, and the difficult terrain, people still came out to our aid. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] A view from the hotel. Photo: Abdullah Saad[/caption] It was truly the most heart-warming and humbling experience of my life. Despite the language barrier, my injuries and lack of vision, I was simply revitalised by the sheer humanity and generosity of the people who helped me during this experience. It may seem ironic, not to mention downright perverse to attempt promoting tourism in Pakistan by writing about a natural disaster; but the level of hospitality that I experienced far surpassed any hospitality that I have experienced anywhere else in the world. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Chitrali children. Photo: Abdullah Saad[/caption] It is incidents like these that make Pakistan what it is. For every disaster or crisis, there is always a great communal response, especially when guests are involved. However, these priceless incidents are hardly ever reported or appreciated. It is sad, as I told Amaar’s father that in England where I study, a man saving a dog from a flood makes the news, whereas in Pakistan, no news agency is interested in the rescue of a group of nine men, including a foreigner. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] One of Methar's castle. Photo: Abdullah Saad[/caption] To some extent this may partly be due to the fact that acts like these are considered normal by the helpful people of Pakistan and hence, nobody considers them newsworthy. However, I feel responsible as a writer who has personally experienced such amazing levels of concern and hospitality, to ensure that the story is told regardless. A tiny part of me hopes that it helps restore some much-needed faith of people in humanity.

In my earlier blog, I wrote about the influx of Turkish dramas on Pakistani television channels. Ever since Urdu 1’s Ishq-e-Mamnoon shot to fame there has been no looking back. In fact, the Pakistani audience has been literally swept off their feet. For me, this was followed by a desire to appreciate the wonderful Turkish culture in person. While making travel plans with four of my friends we unanimously agreed on Turkey as our vacation destination. Our plan was to have an adventurous backpacking sort of trip for nine days and we set out with our ambitious itinerary. I am glad to say that our trip turned out to be nothing short of what we expected. Our hectic tour consisted of eight flights, four train journeys, several shuttles and a night spent at the airport but we successfully managed to see some of the most spectacular places on earth. Turkey offers a myriad of cultural and sacred experiences, from the ancient Greek city of Ephesus to the glorious history of Topkapi Sarayi (Palace) and from the Virgin Mary’s last abode to the iconic Blue Mosque. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Inside the grand Blue Mosque. Photo: Farwa Aamer[/caption] The region literally encapsulates the best of what the world has seen over the decades. I was truly awed by the remarkable wonders of nature that exist in the country, particularly the travertines of Pamukale and the colossal cave city of Cappadocia. I had been told that I would lose my mind at these two sites, but trust me this was an understatement. In spite of having seen so much, I still feel that there is a lot left to be explored, discovered and admired. In addition to indulging in all the touristy activities, my friends and I embarked on a different journey – one that offered us a deeper insight into the daily life of the Turkish. It took me no time to get smitten by the whirling dervish, the aromatic kahve (tea) houses and the mouth-watering baklava, but besides the basic allure of Turkey, I have my very own list of the ‘Best of Turkey’:

Cay

Served in tiny tubular cups, Turkish tea is a customary favourite. Brewed in uniquely styled kettles, it is consumed numerous times during the day and also serves as a symbol of hospitality. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="336"]

Turkish tea is a must-have the next time you are in Turkey. Photo: Farwa Aamer[/caption]

Grand bazaar

How I loved this place! It is a shopper’s paradise where bargaining is the order of the day. You will find it next to impossible to resist the beautiful ceramics and the blazing glass lamps. Of course, the shopping experience here is enhanced by the harmless and occasional flirting that the vendors indulge in, not to mention the opportunity it creates for you to score a good deal! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"]

Looking for ceramics, lamps, clothes and spices? The Grand Bazaar is the place to go! Photo: Farwa Aamer[/caption]

Bosphorous

Istanbul and its’ beauty owes a lot to this stunning piece of nature, with its gentle waves and wide expanse. A ferry ride across this strait is not to be missed. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]

A cruise on the Bosphorus. Photo: Farwa Aamer[/caption]

Simet and chestnuts

These are the traditional street foods which you must munch-on while strolling around the sites and squares of Turkey. Simet, which looks like a pretzel is a delightfully crunchy and chewy twisted ring studded with a generous topping of sesame seeds. Vendors sell it for a lira and it is the local favourite. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]

Enjoy some Simet as you get lost in the history of Turkey. Photo: Farwa Aamer[/caption] Chestnuts are another local favourite snack and are sold roasted and warm. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]

Roasted chestnuts are easily available in Turkey and are wonderful to munch on while you stroll through the cobbled streets. Photo: Farwa Aamer[/caption]

Taksim

Connected to Istiklal Avenue, Taksim Square gives you a taste of modern Turkey and the area boasts fashion and food. With several international high street brands, this square is a gastronome’s heaven of Turkish delicacies and it is not surprising that Taksim is known to be a celebrity hot spot. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="336"]

Tourists and shoppers on Istiklal Street. Photo: Farwa Aamer[/caption] I especially love the fancy little trams that run between the streets. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="336"]

A tram weaving its way through Istiklal Street. Photo: Farwa Aamer[/caption]

People

The most admirable thing about Turkey, without a doubt is its people. Hospitality, generosity and warmth are at the core of their personalities and they can befriend anyone. In spite of language barriers, they try their best to help you out and make you feel at home in their country. I can go on and on about the marvels of Turkey but for now, you will have to be content with this excerpt from my travel diary. Those nine days are etched in my memory and I cannot wait to be back to see more of what Turkey has to offer! So people, you know where to plan your next escapade. But a word of caution – avoid planning a vacation in Turkey during winters. They are harsh! But beautiful. The rest is up to you! Bon voyage!

I am a Pakistani, but the first time I visited a mosque comfortably was in Malaysia. I was able to appreciate the house of worship without once feeling like an outsider, something I have never been able to do while living in Pakistan. As a non-Muslim tourist in an Islamic country I felt liberated to reveal my identity to everyone, and I consciously did so just to relive that feeling again and again before I returned home. In Malaysia, however, it is not until one utters ‘Assalamu alaikum’ can you gauge if they are Muslim. Although over 61.3% of the population are Muslims by law, the country has opted for a conscious uncoupling of religion from culture. With private and public lives clearly demarcated, nobody talks, dresses, breathes and broadcasts their faith in public. And it’s the country’s pulsating diversity of cultures that has become its asset for tourism. While living in Pakistan, it is hard to even envision the peaceful coexistence of Hindus and Muslims, in Malaysia it is a palpable reality. The country celebrates a number of major Hindu festivals each year and the festival of Thaipusam, the biggest after Deepavali, is actually a huge spectacle for which scores of Hindus fly in from around the world; this example of harmony is not evident on only a few occasions, it is intricately woven into the very fabric of society. The annual ‘Colours of Malaysia’ festival, popularly known as Citrawarna, is a platform where different ethnic groups in the country come together to celebrate their unique culture with dance and music. And their display of solidarity is so overwhelming it can actually put any Pakistani to shame. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="584"] Photo: Dilaira Mondegarian[/caption] Let alone a united Pakistan, can you, on your own, even imagine women participating in a dance parade dressed in a sari or shalwar kameez or a skirt in Pakistan? But in Malaysia you can dress however you want without attracting any unwanted attention. You can go to a club and have a drink and nobody will judge or harass you because they respect the fact that everyone has a different set of beliefs and no one set of beliefs is better or truer than another.

“A bubbling, bustling melting-pot of races and religions where Malays, Indians, Chinese and many other ethnic groups live together in peace and harmony,” is how the country projects and promotes itself on its official tourism website.

It’s not the rainforest in Taman Negara, the sandy beaches in Pahang, the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur or other holiday ‘surprises’ with which they attract tourists, but the fact that you can explore the country freely, without having to camouflage yourself in the hues of a particular race, religion or caste. And the allure of multiculturalism is propelling the tourism market in the right direction as the country celebrates ‘Visit Malaysia Year 2014’ that is expected to boost their GDP by 6.8% to MYR168.9bn as reported by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). An industry which, if Pakistan does choose to give serious thought to, can hypothetically help reduce dependency on foreign assistance to a considerable extent. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="337"]

Photo: Dilaira Mondegarian[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="337"]

Photo: Dilaira Mondegarian[/caption] For the sake of many traditionalists who might argue that beneath Malaysia’s glittering ‘facade’ is a growing wave of disconnect from its Islamic roots and other Islamic nations, the country openly endorses itself as ‘Muslim-friendly’ holiday destination. An estimated 4.3 million Muslim tourists visited the country in 2013, and approximately six million more will be paying a visit this year, as pointed out Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, during a seminar in February. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="584"]

Photo: Dilaira Mondegarian[/caption] In fact, many non-Muslims who visit the country return home with spiritual enlightenment. At the Putra mosque, in Putrajaya, the tour guide claimed that some revisit Malaysia to convert to Islam, and this year, for the first time, a marriage ceremony will be performed at the mosque for one of the converts. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="584"]

Photo: Dilaira Mondegarian[/caption] Pakistan has a lot to learn from Malaysia’s cultural mosaic that has not only catapulted tourism in the country but also cemented its status worldwide as a Muslim-majority nation with a progressive outlook. And while we may still be light years away from mirroring Malaysia’s model for peace and tourism, I guess there is no harm in at least talking about the possibility of it for now.

I believe words do not suffice when it comes to describing the emotions that run through you when you’re standing at the foot of a mountain. The raw beauty and power of these mighty mountains make you realise how small we really are. No matter how many times I see them, those mountains, valleys, glaciers or plains of multiple coloured flowers changing after every few feet, I am always left speechless. Maybe it’s just me, but somehow, just being there instils this faith that there truly is a higher power out there. To truly understand these mountainous areas and northern valleys, one must be witness to it. Pictures and stories are merely a depiction of what it means to be surrounded by them. I feel somehow that out there is where the real world is and here, among thousands of people in this metropolitan city, is just a bubble that we believe to be our reality. Can you imagine what it would be like to look up at the night sky and have an argument over which star is the brightest of them all? The mind cannot comprehend the beauty but the eyes see what we only dream of seeing. I could stare at the night sky for hours, praying for it to never come to an end. The mountain peaks and valleys around you light up at night in a natural form. Man has changed so much of this world’s beauty that our generations to come will not know of what existed here once upon a time. Here are a few photos from the many trips I’ve taken to the northern mountains. This might help people understand what true beauty Pakistan has to offer. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Maula ki basti (70kms from Naran). Photo: Hasan Ali Sharif[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Maula ki basti (70kms from Naran). Photo: Hasan Ali Sharif[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Maula ki basti (70kms from Naran). Photo: Hasan Ali Sharif[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Maula ki basti (70kms from Naran). Photo: Hasan Ali Sharif[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Basil. Photo Hasan Ali Sharif[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="473"] Diran and Rakaposhi. Photo: Hasan Ali Sharif[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Meer Peak at Hoper Valley. Photo: Hasan Ali Sharif[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Meer Glacier at Minapin. Photo: Hasan Ali Sharif[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Maula Ki Basti Base Camp. Photo: Hasan Ali Sharif[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Maula Ki Basti Base Camp. Photo: Hasan Ali Sharif[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Basil. Photo: Hasan Ali Sharif[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Basil River. Photo: Hasan Ali Sharif[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="253"] Maula Ki Basti. Photo: Hasan Ali Sharif[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Maula Ki Basti Base Camp. Photo: Hasan Ali Sharif[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Maula Ki Basti Base Camp. Photo: Hasan Ali Sharif[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="216"] Maula Ki Basti. Photo: Hasan Ali Sharif[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="443"] Maula Ki Basti. Photo: Hasan Ali Sharif[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Maula Ki Basti. Photo: Hasan Ali Sharif[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Basil. Photo: Hasan Ali Sharif[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="483"] Maula Ki Basti. Photo: Hasan Ali Sharif[/caption] People lead the simplest of lives in these vast mountains and valleys. They find happiness in the smallest of matters; whether it rains or not can become a matter of life and death for them. This may sound extreme but that is because the importance they give to things there could mean absolutely nothing to those living in the fast tracks of city life. They perceive life differently. Age has no limits to the way they live. From a child to an old woman, everyone works for their household and livelihood, albeit to carry lots of wood or herd their cattle. A minor gesture from us means the world to them. We have so much to learn from them as to how simple life really is, rather than being a part of this worldly rat race we all are a part of. Pakistan is a country with all seasons and natural beauty. It’s a pity that our country was not able to nourish the true potential it had in tourism. This country would have been more than what it is today. We talk about countries in Europe and the rest of the world but have not taken a step forward to understanding and seeing where we live. The Swiss Alps for example, is a beautiful sight to the human eye; however, it is nothing compared to the kind of majestic sights we have in the northern parts of Pakistan. The second highest mountain, K2, is in our very own backyard. Before seeing what the world out there has to offer, one should appreciate what our country has so that we truly know where it is we are from. People say we should leave a better world for our children; perhaps it’s time we leave better children for our world.

Bring back tourism to G-B

Welcome to nature’s masterpiece

Pakistan could be a tourist’s delight

When in China, wear Hello Kitty and eat snakes

Backpacking across Thailand – on a green passport!

Life in South Korea

Samina Baig and Mirza Ali: Pakistan climbs Mount Everest!

South Korea: Why I prefer to live in the East rather than the West

Swat Summer festival: A summer retreat, to the heaven on Earth

Gilgit Baltistan: You have taken away our livelihood

Pakistan’s murder: Aftermath of Nanga Parbat massacre

Disney World the Korean way: The magic of Lotte World!

Eid shopping and memories from Swat

Alpine Skiing and the two Pakistanis who made a new record!

Katoora Lake: An awe-inspiring spectacle of beauty

Childhood memories of India

From Palestine to Chitral: Miracles do happen

Six of my favourite experiences while getting lost in the magical world of Turkey!

In Malaysia, I visited a mosque – In Pakistan, I can’t

Getting high in Pakistan