"Discover the Land of the Pure!" a Pakistan Travel Page by leonik

Assalam-aleikum.

Seduced by wanderlust (and the Pakistan pages of several VT members) to this amazing country, with wonderful people, rich in hospitality, spectacular landscapes, cultural wealth and delectable cuisine... I bought my flight ticket, procured my visa and off I went!

Pakistan is indeed a very, very misunderstood country. She has suffered the bad press that the western media has exagerrated and portrayed on this otherwise lovely country with an overwhelming majority of peace-loving people, giving it an undeservedly negative reputation.

Undeterred by the travel advisories and raring for adventure... Pakistan seemed like the perfect place to start. Do visit before it becomes overrun by tourism.

Trust me, it's actually really safe despite of what you read, watch or hear in the news.

Simply heed the locals' advice about where not to go and what not to do. Respect the local culture and you'll be treated the same if not already revered as an honoured guest in their homeland.

A trip to this wonderful country without a visit to the northern areas is just unthinkable! It's a land of mind-blowing scenery... pure and relatively untouched.

Check out Pakistaniguy, najamrulz, imranthetrekker and XenaWarriorPrincess's pages for more in-depth information on the various places in Pakistan. They have been extremely helpful in my planning of the trip and just like any other proudly patriotic Pakistani, they'll gladly welcome you with open arms to this beautiful Land of the Pure.

This trip had been themost incredible experience in my 20 years of life!

I take this chance to thank Umer (Pakistaniguy), Najam (najamrulz), Imran (imranthetrekker) and Mona (XenaWarriorPrincess) for all the help rendered to me erstwhile. I cannot thank them enough!
Umer had offered me his place to stay in Lahore (which i couldn't accept it due to a prior arrangement), and introduced me to a good friend of his, Mukarram, in Karachi... who became my good friend too! Thanks for calling Mukarram/Shamir after my arrival at Jinnah Airport, Karachi... all the way from Switzerland to ensure my safe arrival. Am really touched by that gesture!
Najam had helped a great deal with getting about the country and have provided me with really useful information on accommodation, transport and even arranged a mini VT-meet in Islamabad with Mona as well. Thanks for the postcards and the Sindhi handicraft plate! T'was great having gotten to meet him again in less than a month after our last meeting in Rawalpindi... this time in Kuala Lumpur! Earnest, sincere and has a green thumb... Najam's one of the nicest guys i've ever met!
Without Imran's help, i wouldn't have made it to Pakistan eventually! He had helped with my invitation letter which was required for my visa application, and made the trip possible. Unfortunately, i missed meeting him in Chitral or Peshawar as he was in Abbottabad then... Had plans to do a trek in Chitral with him... Inshallah i'll get to do so in the near future!
Mona came across to me as a very elegant lady and very helpful too. (To Mona: Remember the two lost-looking males at Jinnah Super Market who couldn't decide where to head for dinner but decided on Arizona Grill eventually?) Both she and Najam came to meet me at my hostel and thereafter went for afternoon tea and drinks. Shared with me the "secret" of making citrus drinks tastier - add a pinch of salt and black pepper! I've tried it on my fresh Orange juice and yes, it tasted great!

Bohot bohot shukriya to the above-mentioned as well as to other kind souls whom i've encountered in my travels in the country whom i share a birthday with... for my trip would not have been at all enjoyable for these people who have made a difference in my life.

I'll definitely return, not sure when... to visit my friends, to revisit the places i've been to as well as to visit the places i'd missed - Swat Valley, Hunza Valley, Baluchistan, more of Baltistan... a place i'd left my heart in...