Trip to Islamabad

We--Ian, Craig, Aaron, Jenni, Korine, Sophie, and myself-- left Denver, CO for Pakistan on April 7th. After about 32 hours of traveling, we finally landed in Islamabad. All our personal bags except for 2 action packers (which arrived about a month later) were on the luggage belt waiting for us to get through customs--which we did without any problems. We stayed at the Regal hotel for a day before leaving for the Northern Areas. We were also able to see a few sights while in Islamabad. This was a great surprise since I was told we wouldn't be able to go see the Faisal Mosque due to the unrest in the area. The sightseeing would have been a bit more enjoyable if I hadn't been so tired from jet lag. We had to stay awake all day no matter how tired we were in hopes that we could get accustomed to Pakistani time.

I was in the Northern Areas of Pakistan, north of Islamabad

On the plane...it was still early in the trip.

Qatar Airlines had the BEST airplane food I've tasted...wonderful chicken curry!

Welcome to Pakistan!!! We finally made it to Islamabad after 32 hours...I'm giving the thumbs up after finally getting settled into the 'Regal' hotel.

View from my hotel window

Sophie, Korine, Me, and Jenni wearing our borrowed shalwar kameez...it was strange wearing the traditional outfit for the first time! However, by the time we left, we felt strange wearing our 'western' clothes again!

There was so much traffic in Islamabad, with cars driving anywhere and everywhere they pleased. I was SO glad I wasn't driving in it...it was VERY stressful. I thought for sure that we were going to be in an accident numerous times within the first minute, BUT we weren't! Jenni and I grabbed hands and held on for dear life...after 10 minutes of riding we relaxed and enjoyed the sights around us. We had an amazing, very experienced driver who was quite used to the way they drive over there...we trusted him with our lives...literally!!

Jenni and I scared half to death by the way the people were driving...

Faisal Mosque...the second largest mosque in the world.

Me, Sophie, Jenni, Korine, and Aaron standing in front of the Faisal Mosque

Police

The National Monument of Pakistan

Gardens at the National Monument

Beautiful stonework was displayed on each wall.

Sophie, Jenni, Me, and Korine at the National Monument with the city of Islamabad behind us.

Sunset

After spending a day in Islamabad we headed up the Karakoram Highway (KKH), also known as the Old Silk Route, to Gilgit in the Northern Areas of Pakistan...one of the most beautiful and amazing drives of my life...