::Travel to Natural Beauty::

Moving!

2010-01-16T20:25:00.002+05:00

I am moving for the time being on new TravelbasedSITE. Kindly do visit.
Insha Allah this summer I have planning to visit Shandur for Polo Tournament. Before this I have a long trip to Gilgit-Hunza-Sost-Skardu-Deosai-Chilas and back. These thrilling movement will be shared with you.

Happy "CHRISTMAS" to Viewers:

2009-12-25T19:23:00.003+05:00

No other thing today, yes, HAPPY CHRISTMAS today. Christmas is around us and I must wish and congratulate viewers/visitors of TRAVEL TO NATURAL BEAUTY, smongst other, those from USA and Germany. You are very kind and encourgment your suggestions via email are really an assest for me.

More pics from Tokyo:

2009-12-17T15:13:00.004+05:00

I skipped last post on Japan due to very important event from Hunza which was organized at LOK VIRSA "Wakhi Cultural Festival." About Japan I have more pics and contents. Here are some good scenery from beauty of Japan + Tokyo city life:

Music from Wakhi Cultural Festival:

2009-12-12T19:45:00.003+05:00

Brief Facts: Inhabitants of Wakhan speaks Wakhi language and also known as Pamiri or Mountain Tajiks.
Population of these wakhan people is roughly estimated about 50,000. The population is mostly divided among these fours countries Pakistan, Tajikstan, Afghanistan and China. These wakhi are followers of Prince Karim Aga Khan and are Nizari Ismaili Shia Muslim. Literacy rate is better; about 60%.
In Pakistan Wakhi Tajik Cultural Association is an NGO actively involved in preserving the Wakhi Tajiki language and culture and record its poetry and music. In Gilgit Radio Pakistan broadcast the Wakhi program like Sada-e-Baame-eDunya” the voice of the Roof of the World.

We visited Lok visited on Saturday December 12, 2009 where Wakhi Cultural Festival were being organized from 9-13 December, 2009: It is was very impressive. You may like to listen and enjoy sweet melody of this region. It is from Hunza.

Painting is a Craze in Japan:

2009-12-07T12:03:00.005+05:00

Japan: some more pics:

2009-12-07T11:51:00.001+05:00

Kargil-Skardu Baltistan Blood Relations:

2009-12-03T14:12:00.001+05:00

Baltistan and Kargil historical located in the same region and have great simillarity and attachment each other. Traditionally people of Kargil and Baltistan speak same dialict Balti, their customs even whether, mountains glaciers all are the same. Only a signle LoC is in between them. But it does not matter. People from both sides are still hoping some trade exchange, bus service Kargil-Skardu, and other people to people contacts. This all is due to rigid attitude of Indian Government towards people of these beautiful but backward areas of world. If easy access to the people across the LoC is allowed highlighting the culture so as to boost the this travel hub, it would be beneficial for the people of this region. But there are some factors which causing hiderance one is Buddhists and Hindu from Ladakh. They seemed fear that opening of roead from Kargil to Baltistan (Skardu) combined Balti population on both sides of the border outnumbers the Ladakhis.
BRIEF: Kargil is a district of Ladakh, Kashmir, India. Kargil lies near the Line of Control facing Pakistan-administered Kashmir's Baltistan to the west, and Kashmir valley to the south. argil district is nestled in the Himalayas, giving it a cool, temperate climate. Summers are warm with cool nights, while winters are long and cold with temperatures Populatin of Kargi is l 119,307 (2001) the only Muslim majority district in Ladakh. 80% are Muslim 95,963, of which 73% follow Ismaili Shia Islam. Most of the district's Muslims are found in Kargil town, Drass, Wakha and the lower Suru valley.
Baltistan region is highly valued for its strategic geo-political location. Its trade routes in the past have served as economic lifelines for the inhabitants of this region, who bartered goods while visiting East Turkestan (Sinkiang), China, Central Asia, the Indian Sub-continent, Central Tibet and beyond.
Baltistan contains some of the highest mountains and longest glaciers in the world. Further, the rivers and streams have formed numerous valleys over the course of time, which are inhabited and cultivated by the residents. Innumerable rivers and rivulets including Shyok, Siachen, Saltoro, Suru, Shingo and Shigar rivers, augment the mighty Indus River, which after bisecting Baltistan enters Gilgit. Glacial lakes are abundant in Baltistan and are of high touristic value. Baltistan possesses approximately fifty peaks with heights of more than 20,000 feet (6,100 m) above sea level. Mighty K2 - the second highest peak in the world at 8,611 meters in height – is situated here, overlooking the Shigar valley. The glaciers - the longest in the world outside the Polar Regions, reaching to a length of 90 kilometers – surround Baltistan in the north and west directions, separating her from China and Gilgit.
Images was taken by one of my relatives during his visit to Kargil recently.

Japan is Japan from every angle:

2009-11-19T13:37:00.003+05:00

This is fascinating look from Hotel. If you stay in a towering hotel or your traveling via bullet train in Tokyo (Japan) you cannot forget beauty of Japan and japanese what they did.

TOKYO - Beauty speaks itself:

2009-11-17T08:48:00.003+05:00

Some more pics from visit to Japan (Tokyo)
Animal like donkey is also carefully looked after here in Tokyo.

Tokyo Natural Beauty:

2009-11-06T10:40:00.005+05:00

Posting on Japan (Tokyo) is continuing, as I have a lot of stuff and some good image on different location and issues. In the meantime an important and major event of Election to the Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly is going to be held on November 12, 2009 in Gilgit-Baltistan, a tourist’s attraction and formerly know as Northern Areas of Pakistan. Importance of these election after announcement of Gilgit-Baltistan Self-empowerment and Self-Governance Order 2009, elections to the Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly (formerly called as Northern Areas of Pakistan) have become of the visitors around the world are also familiar these areas due to mighty K2 and Nanga Parbat, Karakoram Highway and of course some good trekking places. Earlier Prime Minister of Pakistan visited these areas. Than some political parties strengthening themselves, especially campaign of MQM is getting momentum. Former Prime Minister is also in Skardu and yesterday some big rallies by MQM and Muslim League (N) were held. It is first time in the history of Pakistan that the election in these areas are getting importance which is healthy sign for the uplift of this region. In this party base election a total number of 264 candidates are contesting. PPP 23 candidates, 20 from MQM, 14 from PML-N, 14 from PML-Q, 6 from Jamiat-e Ulema-e Islam, 3 from Jamaat-e Islami, 10 from the Gilgit-Baltistan Democratic Alliance, 4 from the ANP and 2 from TIP and 2 from Balawaristan National Front.
According to the election commission, there are 166 independent candidates in the field.

However, don’t go without these beautiful natural beauty of Japan (Tokyo):

Yarlung Tsangpo River Loves Pakistan:

2009-11-01T17:25:00.003+05:00

Before posting about Japan, I would like to give some detail about this river which is very dear to us due to its shape. If you look Pakistani Flag and than this River your could not believe how it resemblance (look) each other. River is moving like a circle like moon in Pakistani Flag. It is totally naturall and amazing, which reflects long lasting Pak-China Friendship. I love my flag, I love my country and of course love this River.
Now some history of this River: Yarlung Tsangpo River is one of the most important rivers in China, with water reserves that rank second in China. It originates from the middle section of the northern slope of the Himalaya Mountain with an elevation of more than 6,000 meters and make an unparalleled unique U-turn around the mountain of Namjfgbarwa, before finally reaching Baxike in Medong County, and creating the famous Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon.

JAPANESE CULTURE:

2009-10-19T08:44:00.002+05:00

Culture has always been an identity of a country. In Japan, culture has evolved greately over millenia. From archtect to gardening there is a reflection of these japanse culture. They made it totally unique. Here painting has been an art in Japan for a very long time: the brush is a traditional writing tool, and the extension of that to its use as an artist's tool was probably natural. The flowing, brush-drawn Japanese language lends itself to complicated calligraphy. Calligraphic art is often too esoteric for Western audiences and therefore general exposure is very limited. The written work can consist of phrases, poems, stories, or even single characters.
Japanese architecture has as long a history as any other aspect of Japanese culture. Originally heavily influenced by Chinese architecture . Examples of traditional architecture are seen at Temples, Shinto shrines and castles in Kyoto, and Nara. Some of these buildings are constructed with traditional gardens, which are influenced from Zen ideas.
Some modern architects, such as Yoshio Taniguchi and Tadao Ando are known for their amalgamation of Japanese traditional and Western architectural influences. One thing is aboslutely unique that in Japan the garden has the same status as a work of art. It is amazing and unblievable.

NB: Japan is amazing, totally, even since I started posting about Japan there is a remarkable respoonse from all corner. It is very encourging to know that how people love this country. So I have huge collection of images during one week trip to Tokyo in early October, 2009.

Tokyo City and People:

2009-10-14T17:44:00.002+05:00

I have a lot of pictures on different location of Japan (Tokyo), in a 1 Gigabytes memory card. From this one week visit of Japan selecting appropriate pictures for posting is difficult.

Well, Tokyo is Japan's capital and the country's largest city. There are cities within the city like metropolis. For a tourists there are variety. Some of them are Marui City (Ueno), Matsuya Ginza largest departmental store with leading edge fashion and of course Akihabara where some high tech shopping, entertainment and restaurants are available, totally amazing. While in Tokyo, one cannot forget the two major catastrophes of 20th century, the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake, which left 140,000 dead or missing, and the other was World War II. The bombing of Tokyo in 1944 and 1945, with 75,000 to 200,000 killed and half of the city destroyed, were almost as devastating as the atomic bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined. .
One thing is very interesting and beyond the imagination that every one is peaking Japanese. Their knowledge about English is just like we speak English in Pakistan rather in Pakistan English is at advance level. Anyway, it is not alien thing for the Japanese. What they have done is also amazing. Their name for electronics and high technology is a symbol. However, I will continue some more on TOKYO.

Tokyo is TOKYO:

2009-10-13T12:00:00.001+05:00

Main Tokyo in Japan:

2009-10-13T11:57:00.000+05:00

Tokyo Japan in pictures:

One week in Japan - TOKYO IN PICTURES:

2009-10-13T11:53:00.002+05:00

Visiting Japan (Tokyo) is a cherish for every one. When is sponsored it is double treat. One week visit to Tokyo and suburb in pictures:

A Visit to Hunza and Baltit Fort:

2009-09-29T12:47:00.000+05:00

My route usually to Gilgit-Baltistan has always been through Skardu via PIA flight with spectacular view of K-2. Last time my route was Islamabad-Gilgit-Hunza-Sost Border. Journey Islamabad-Gilgit via PIA small plane is somewhat different and rather exciting. One can see both side right or left you about 55 minutes journey. KKH with vehicles plying can easily be seen from your window seat, take snaps, enjoy scenery even Nanga Parbat can also be seen.

By reaching Gilgit I took a room in PWD Rest House located near NLI Market. After one an hour with the courtesy of friend went to Sost. We crossed Rakaposhi and when reached Passu, (in front of Passu peak) there were drizzling on the way. Sometime it increased even one time jeep driver lower the speed due to losing the balance due to wet road. We did our lunch in a Sost Hotel, in my view it was not a lunch for a slim person like me rather it was as heavy as Lunch+Dinner.

In the evening starts pack to my actual destination i.e. Hunza Valley which is situated at an elevation about 7990 ft. Karimabad is its main town which is a popular tourists attraction due to the spectacular scenery of the surrounding mountains like Rakaposhi, Ultar, Hunza Peak, Lady finger Peak all about 6-8 meter height. Like every tourists I had to search for a hotel. Though Darbar Hotel in the top of Karimabad was excellent but I prefer PTDC which also in prime location especially those who loved to see morning view of beautiful Rakaposhi etc.

Baltit Fort: If there is no Baltit Fort there is no Hunza. This ancient Fort has a special attraction for the tourists. Majority of tourists first come for Baltit Fort and then Hunza or Karimabad. It was told that in 16 century the prince married a princess from Baltistan who brought master Balti craftsmen to renovate the building as part of her dowry. The architectural style is a clear indication of Tibetan influence in Baltistan at the time. Later, Mirs of Hunza abandoned this Fort and moved to a new palace down the hill. It is about 700 years old, by the time it decayed and could be lost and ruin but Royal Geographic Society of lOndon, works for its restoration and in 1996 Fort was made museum and run by Baltit Heritage Trust. I spend two days in Karimabad. When I wrote these few line I still missing it and cherish to go once again early next year. Besides Hunza and Baltit Fort there is another personality who is more important and exteremely adored by the people of Hunza, like million of loyal followers worldwide is none other than but H.H. Prince Karim Aga Khan, 49th Imam of Ismaili community.

New Setup for Gilgit-Baltistan

2009-09-16T08:31:00.000+05:00

Thanks God after 62 years, people of Gilgit-Baltistan, somehow, get their identity. No one, even the most powerful man and ex-President of Pakistan could do this. It credit goes to present Govenment who moves and take this initiative which is good sign and would lead to betterment of this region. People of Gilgit-Baltistan are happy over the announcement of "GILGIT-BALTISTAN SLEF-EMPOWERMENT AND SELF-GOVERNANCE ORDER 2009" and vehemently welcomed package for Giglit-Baltistan at all level. For the last 62 years, this region could not come up at par with the rest of areas in Pakistan, though Muzaffarabad with the same status was (governed) or enjoying full privileges of Prime Minister and President. People of Gilgit-Baltistan are happy with this province like setup. Tthey urged that the this must be implemented in the letter and spirit and role of KANA Divsion to be minimum. This Division logically needs new name as Gilgit-Baltistan Council Secretariat dealing with Budge, Planning & Development and Staff Adminitration. Rest of Sections must go to Gilgit-Baltistan.
There are some voices against it too. Those come from across the border which was understood. Record of Indian Government towards Pakistan is always negative, therefore, it has no weightage. As for as Kashmiri leaders are concrened theywere some reservations about it which are based on perception and being addressed. As far as APC or like other statement from Muzaffarabad, where were these for the last 62 years when Gilgit-Baltistan in without any identity.

How to get Gilgit-Baltistan

2009-09-06T09:07:00.000+05:00

After renaming of Northern Areas of Pakistan as Gilgit Baltistan by the government with province like setup there is a need to highlight these areas. Here are some basic means of communication for that areas from where one can have other info about these areas.

There are lot points in Rawalpindi-Islamabad from where one can get connected to Gilgit-Baltistan. Whether one needs transport, newspapers or other info. There are main office of newspaper where 3 newspapers relating to that are being published (one daily & two weekly) providing news and other feature on that area. On the side of transportatin, in Rawalpindi there ia a bussiest bus stop located at Pirwadhi Rawalpindi with different company like Northern Areas Transport Coporation (NATCO), Mashabrum Tours and K2 Travels and so on operating for Gilgit-Baltistan via Karakorum Highway. Tourits can have their seats from this Bus stand. But the face of that area can be the newspapers from where amongst others things a great info about particulars areas are available. Some lates images were taken while visiting these info placeswhich could be useful for the local and foreing tourists:

Chitral - Kalash tribes:

2009-08-24T08:30:00.001+05:00

Chitral, in Northwest Frontier Province of Pakistan and a capital of the Chitral District, is situated on the west bank of the Chitral (Kunar) River in the backdrop of Tirich Mir, the highest peak of the Hindu Kush, 25,289 ft (7,708 m) high. It has a population of 20,000, The altitude of the valley is 3,700 ft (1,100 m). The area is connected from different routes which is absolutely uniqu of its kind. In the south, there is Lowari Pass (3,200 m or 10,499 ft) leads 365 km (227 mi) to Peshawar and in the north, the easiest route during summer runs over the Broghol Pass (3,798 m or 12,460 ft) to Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor, however during winter this route is usually closed. But the foreingers mostly used route is the east i.e. from Gilgit vis marvelous Shandur Pass where every year a Polo Tournament is played over the height of 3,719 m (12,201 ft). Another rounte is from southwest along the Chitral/Kunar valley towards Jalalabad. This route is open all year and provides direct access to Kabul. The other routes are over mountain passes.. And in the west, the Dorah Pass provides an additional route to Afghanistan. The territory is home to rare falcons and the snow leopard.
Chitral is multi lingual tribe. Their basic language is Khow, Chitrali, Khowar. which is also spoken in parts of Yasin, Gilgit, Ghizer and Swat. Pashto language is also spoken and understood by some in the city.
Kalash Valley: One of the major attractions of Chitral is Kalash tribe and Kalash Valley – the home of Kalash or "Wearers of the Black Robes" a primitive pagan tribe. Legends say that five soldiers of the legions of Alexander of Macedonia settled in Chitral and are the progenitors of the Kalash. There is also a sizeable population of Nuristanis, Tajiks and Uzbeks most of whom arrived from Afghanistan in the late 1980s.
Over 3,000 strong Kalash live in the valley of Birir, Bumburet and Rambur, south of Chitral.
Bumburet: the largest and the most picturesque valley of the Kalash, is 40 km from Chitral and is connected by a jeep able road.
Birir: 34 km away is accessible by a jeep able road.
Rambur: is 32 km from Chitral. The Kalash Women wear black gown of coarse cloth in summer and hand-spun wool dyed in black in winter. Their picturesque headgear is made of woolen black material decked out with cowries shells, buttons and crowned with a large coloured feather. The Kalash love music and dancing particularly on occasions of their religious festivals.
KALASH FESTIVALS:
Chilimjust or Joshi (14 - 15 May): This festival is held in Spring when the girls pick the first lowers. The days are marked by dancing, and the people visit each other and exchange milk, cheese, yogurt and flowers.
Utchal (mid July): Two days of celebration mark the harvest of wheat and barley. There is much singing, dancing and feasting which is worth seeing.
Phool (20 – 25 September): This festival celebrates the reaping of the grape and walnut harvests. Chowas (18-21 December): This is the winter festival celebrated to welcome the new year. The people remain indoors, feasting and drinking until the elders, who sit on hill-tops to watch the sun reach its orbit, declare the arrival of the new year. Everyone then lights the torches and performs the commemorative dance, and goat sacrifice is carried out. All this is unique, natural and worth seeing.

Picnic point of Rawal Dam::

2009-08-15T19:08:00.000+05:00

Rawal Lake is beautiful picnic spot in Islamabad. Basically it is an artificial reservoir that provides the water needs for the cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. This lake covers an area of 8.8 km. and located within an isolated section of the Margalla Hills National Park. The lake is 3 square miles long with a maximum depth 102 feet.
After construction of a Murree road and a beautiful named as Ankara Park with the help of our brotherly country Turkey, the popularity of this lake has increased and huge gathering can be seen there especailly Sunday or at the eve of eids etc. There are a lot of activities of fishing and boating all the time. The highest point in the garden offers a panoramic view of the lake, Margalla and Murree hills. There is a private club that provides different facilities like boating, water, skating sailing and diving here.
The place famour for Birds of Islamabad also a resident mammals include the common fox, Pangolin, Porcupine, Jungle cat, Jackal, Wild boar and yellow-throated marten.

KKH to Deosai by Road with Music

2009-08-13T13:44:00.000+05:00

the sweetest thing...: sweet sunday sketch challenge #30

Deosai Plains - The Spectacular

2009-08-02T08:47:00.000+05:00

Whenever I visited Northern Areas I always had a plan to explore Desoai, about 30 from Skardu. a plateaus among high mountains and unique landscape in the world with an average height of 4114 metres above the sea level, covering 3,000 square kilometers. It is snow bound area, surrounded by snowy mountains exceeding 5,000 meters in height and suspended glaciers. However, enjoying real beauty and crystal clear water streams with snow covered peaks in the background covered by a carpet of millions of wild flowers begin to bloom all over the lush green grassland is May-September. Every year local and foreign tourists go to the area. Deosai is at the distance of 30 Kms and accessible with a narrow track from Skardu in the north. There is alternate route through Astore Valley, in the west, which is rather easy route.Gilgit to Astore onwards is a wide jeepable track which winds through beauty valleys.
Deosai Plains make up one of the last frontiers of natural habitat for the Himalayan Brown Bear, a creature that once roamed the mountains freely and multitude of Golden Marmots. There is Deosai National Park, established in 1993 to protect & survival of the bear and its habitat. The Deosai Plains are interlaced with streams, also home to the Himalayan Ibex, Red Fox, Wolf, the Ladakh Urial, the Snow Leopard, and over large number of resident and migratory birds. Birds in the National Park include the Golden Eagle, Lammergeier, Griffon Vulture, Laggar Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel, Indian Sparrowhawk and Snowcock..
The Deosai Plains are also home to the Himalayan Ibex, Red Fox, Golden Marmot, Wolf, the Ladakh Urial, the Snow Leopard, and over 124 resident and migratory birds. Birds in the park include the Golden Eagle, Lammergeier, Griffon Vulture, Laggar Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel, Indian Sparrowhawk and Snowcock.

Khaplu - Chakchun Mosque 700 years old:

2009-07-25T20:09:00.000+05:00

Being busy in sister marriage I could make my posting. Topic was marked on Chakchun Mosque some 700 years old. When I last visited Baltistan, Visiting this beautiful mosque on top of my list. The Chakchun Mosque is Iranian and Tibetan architecture situated in Khaplu.This mosque attributed to Sayyid Ali Hamadni, a noted local saint of the fifteenth century, is a typical example of a rectangular wooden structure. A lot work done by AKRSP. but it original look is always there. Mosques in Baltistan are mainly built in the Tibetan style, though several mosques constructed have wood-finish and decorations of Iranian origin similar available in Ladakh and Kargil. It is fact the people of these areas having very close association and attachment with people other side of the LoC.
On the way to Khaplu one can see different Khanqahs which are a kind of typical training school of Sufis which was introduced by the early Sufi saints arrived in the region.

Season of Trekking and climbing:

2009-07-23T10:58:00.000+05:00

It is really a best season to go and see how Nanga Parbat (the killer mountain), (8125m (26657ft), will behave us. This year a large number of foreign tourists are pouring in. Either one can go via of Skardu-Deosai, Disney Cars. Islamabad-Chilas or Islamabad-Gilgit ( This can be access these routes. It is fun, it is adventure. Try it now.