Karachi To Peshawar
#46



Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Denver CO
Programs: HHonors Gold, National Emerald Club, no airline affinity status
Posts: 3,805
Another great trip report. I don't know how you keep all the names, monuments and bits of information you take pictures of. Do you take notes or are you a travel savant?
#47


Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,036
That said, you have visited yet another part of the world that I would very much like to visit. But at the very least I would be disowned by my family. Maybe better to mention it after I return?!

Great pics and descriptions. Thanks for taking the time to post in such detail!
#49


Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 3,365
Wow! Very glad that you finally got a chance to visit Pakistan!
Would you share some details on how you arranged for the drivers and tours? Did you go through a local company in Dubai, or did you directly contact a company within Pakistan?
I'm glad you mentioned the fake "magic wand" detectors at the airports! When I first flew out of a Pakistani airport I was shocked to see them being used and the Pakistani's I was with didn't believe me when I said they were pointless....
Thanks for putting this trip report together....will definitely share with a lot of my friends!
Would you share some details on how you arranged for the drivers and tours? Did you go through a local company in Dubai, or did you directly contact a company within Pakistan?
I'm glad you mentioned the fake "magic wand" detectors at the airports! When I first flew out of a Pakistani airport I was shocked to see them being used and the Pakistani's I was with didn't believe me when I said they were pointless....
Thanks for putting this trip report together....will definitely share with a lot of my friends!
#51
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,300
That "Exempted People for Entry Coupon" sign picture had me laughing. They could have just saved a signmaker the trouble and just said who actually has to pay the entry fee which appears to just be males aged 12-59 who aren't professionals, government workers, sports players or entertainers.
Beautiful pictures as always [MENTION=673700]DanielW[/MENTION]. When I get to the end of your TR's I feel like I've been there and yet still feel like I need to go as soon as I possibly can.
Beautiful pictures as always [MENTION=673700]DanielW[/MENTION]. When I get to the end of your TR's I feel like I've been there and yet still feel like I need to go as soon as I possibly can.
. Yes, the very complicated entry instructions were an interesting read, good job the mall's in Dubai aren't so restrictive
!
.Excellent TR as usual, DanielW! I've always read each one of your TR's with great interest and I used to wonder when are you going to visit Pakistan. I am glad that you finally did and I hope that you've had a pleasant stay over here.
Regarding the Centaurus Mall entrance fee policy, they did that initially to curb the number of single men who used to come to the mall just to loiter around which in return used to make the ladies feel uncomfortable. At one point, the entrance fee was PKR500 but after receiving backlash from the public, they reduced it to PKR300 and said that they did so to reduce 'over-crowding'.
Regarding the Centaurus Mall entrance fee policy, they did that initially to curb the number of single men who used to come to the mall just to loiter around which in return used to make the ladies feel uncomfortable. At one point, the entrance fee was PKR500 but after receiving backlash from the public, they reduced it to PKR300 and said that they did so to reduce 'over-crowding'.
. Yes, I have been wanting to visit for quite a while and was great to finally make it. I guess the mall has to be abit selective with who they let in, and not too many window shoppers.
. I had a British-Indian friend who tried to get a visa but gave up after all the paperwork needed. An American-Indian traveler trying to go to every country in the world recently visited though so although it's very difficult it is possible.love your reports!
You are the Sebastiao Salgado of Flyertalk
The picture is not made by the photographer, the picture is more good or less good in function of the relationship that you have with the people you photograph. ― Sebastio Salgado
Would like to visit to pakistan, but very hard to find a good agency in WE
Was yours reliable ?
You are the Sebastiao Salgado of Flyertalk
The picture is not made by the photographer, the picture is more good or less good in function of the relationship that you have with the people you photograph. ― Sebastio Salgado
Would like to visit to pakistan, but very hard to find a good agency in WE
Was yours reliable ?
. Yes, the brief interactions while taking people's photos is a real highlight of travel. I was recommended the travel company by another traveller and can definitely recommend them too. They have been in business for 30+ years and certainly know their stuff:https://www.travel-culture.com/
Thanks, IlikeBowling
.
I saw plenty of ladies without the headscarf, especially in the cities like Karachi.Great report!
How far in advance did you need to book the tour in order to get the visa issued in time?
Also, I notice you post the report installments pretty quickly one after the other. What program (text editor I assume) do you use to write it all up prior to posting?
How far in advance did you need to book the tour in order to get the visa issued in time?
Also, I notice you post the report installments pretty quickly one after the other. What program (text editor I assume) do you use to write it all up prior to posting?
. I booked the trip about 2.5 months out. The visa took 72 hours after I applied for it so was pretty quick though.I just use a simple text editor for the TR writing (Microsoft Notepad).
. I often just use a bookmark on my Maps app on my phone or take a photo of the name/info of a place with my phone camera. Makes it easy to go back afterwards when I want to get the details.I too had this same question. 55 countries and fairly careful of my food intake. But sometimes food choices are limited. Do you take a prophylactic regiment prior to the start of a trip?
That said, you have visited yet another part of the world that I would very much like to visit. But at the very least I would be disowned by my family. Maybe better to mention it after I return?!
Great pics and descriptions. Thanks for taking the time to post in such detail!
That said, you have visited yet another part of the world that I would very much like to visit. But at the very least I would be disowned by my family. Maybe better to mention it after I return?!

Great pics and descriptions. Thanks for taking the time to post in such detail!
. Both times I've been to India I've gotten 'Delhi Belly' but I was fine in Pakistan. The food was great and I had no issues whatsover. Definitely recommend putting Pakistan on your travel busket list, a real highlight of alll my travel experiences.
. They also serve as a good transition between the more interesting parts of the whole travel 'story'.Wow! Very glad that you finally got a chance to visit Pakistan!
Would you share some details on how you arranged for the drivers and tours? Did you go through a local company in Dubai, or did you directly contact a company within Pakistan?
I'm glad you mentioned the fake "magic wand" detectors at the airports! When I first flew out of a Pakistani airport I was shocked to see them being used and the Pakistani's I was with didn't believe me when I said they were pointless....
Thanks for putting this trip report together....will definitely share with a lot of my friends!
Would you share some details on how you arranged for the drivers and tours? Did you go through a local company in Dubai, or did you directly contact a company within Pakistan?
I'm glad you mentioned the fake "magic wand" detectors at the airports! When I first flew out of a Pakistani airport I was shocked to see them being used and the Pakistani's I was with didn't believe me when I said they were pointless....
Thanks for putting this trip report together....will definitely share with a lot of my friends!
. I booked everything through a local Pakistan Travel Company, partly to help with getting the visa (since you need local invite/ID etc.): https://www.travel-culture.com/Yes, the 'magic wands' were quite amusing. For a country that has mastered the scientific and technical expertise for nuclear technology, it was a bit of a headscratcher that they were using these 'divining rods' for airport security
!
#52
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#53
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,300
. Just getting ready for country #121 , my second attempt at visiting the DPRK
!
.
#54




Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: Qatar, Turkish, Aeroflot
Posts: 539
horses for courses and whatnot!
#57




Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 7,191
I was at work and saw your postings of a trip report, so I got all excited to come home from work and slowly scroll and enjoy it.
I take a lot of pictures when I travel but I have a friend who complains that I never have people in the shot. I usually go out of my way to make sure there are no people in the shot.
But, I think what makes your trip reports so interesting is that a lot of your photos have people in them. And I just realized how much more interesting they make travel shots. You still have landscapes and buildings, but the eye is drawn to the shots with the people. They really make the story so much more interesting. Thanks for that.
I think I am going to try to incorporate more people in my shots. Thanks for the inspiration and great photos and another great trip report.
I take a lot of pictures when I travel but I have a friend who complains that I never have people in the shot. I usually go out of my way to make sure there are no people in the shot.
But, I think what makes your trip reports so interesting is that a lot of your photos have people in them. And I just realized how much more interesting they make travel shots. You still have landscapes and buildings, but the eye is drawn to the shots with the people. They really make the story so much more interesting. Thanks for that.
I think I am going to try to incorporate more people in my shots. Thanks for the inspiration and great photos and another great trip report.
#58


Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 3,365
In my hotel in Lahore the power went off (load shedding) while I was on a wifi call back to the U.S. My hotel room was pitch black but as I was complaining to my family in the U.S. it occurred to me....how is the power off but the wifi works? The front desk told me the routers/modems/etc are all on UPS (uninterrupted powers supply). Of course I remarked "The internet is on UPS but none of my room lights???"
The front desk person looked at me quizzically and said: Your phone doesn't have a flashlight?
After I thought I about it....I actually WOULD rather have internet than lights during load shedding!
Last edited by Burj; Sep 1, 2018 at 2:13 am
#59


Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 3,365
Many thanks, Burj
. I booked everything through a local Pakistan Travel Company, partly to help with getting the visa (since you need local invite/ID etc.): https://www.travel-culture.com/
. I booked everything through a local Pakistan Travel Company, partly to help with getting the visa (since you need local invite/ID etc.): https://www.travel-culture.com/
#60
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: JNB
Programs: Flying Blue, Miles and Smiles, Hhonors, ICHotels
Posts: 1,307
Also, I see them as a point of reference, as in: Expectation vs Reality vs Price Point.
As usual, another great report - thank you Daniel. Your photos continue to amaze me. Happy and safe travels. Here is to the next, (eagerly awaited), Trip Report.


