We were two people on Honda CG 125 Delux 2013 along with 02 small shoulder bags moving for Kalam from Peshawar.
It was Friday.
Me and my friend MD decided to move just after Friday prayers. This time we had no tools, no necessary equipment. We just bought an extra tyre tube for an emergency from Kohat Road Peshawar.
The route decided was to move from Charsadda to Mardan and then on main road leading to Swat. Till Charsadda it was alright Just after crossing Charsadda towards Mardan the road started deteriorating. Infact the road was under construction and was a difficult and stony track for bikes. Dusty & Bumpy it slowed our speed. But we kept traveling.
The road condition is generally good. But at some points before Mingora or even Batkhela or Sakhakot the small patches become irritating because of big flow of traffic. Thanks Allah that i was on bike. At the exit point of mingora i had to cross a queue of more than a km long consisting all types of vehicles.
Then the second patch of road which is in poor condition is from Bahrain till Kalam. This stretch of road is mainly stones, small rocks and muddy terrain. In fact it was a road but not now. I on the way to kalam from Bahrain saw only Toyota Corrola, 98% of them amongst all vehicles. All types of corrolas which include Prado, TLC, Straight Corrola, rest indus , newer and newer regular corrolas even 5 to 6 Vitz. Not a single Honda. 02 Alto, and 01 cultus. I pity on poor suzukis which went there. I suggest if u want to go till Kalam and have a suzuki any type. Park at Bahrain hire some local Corolla and then move ahead. Or otherwise venture with suzuki and get ur vehicle hissa repair on wapsi.
There are small truck type things which move in the area for luggage and goods transfer. Even the local companies working in that area use it as a means of transportation. They all are rash drivers. I encountered in these hilly areas more than ten of them. koi bhi insaanon ki tarah nahen chalata tha. Be aware of them, especially bikers.
Swat is a big area which have populated towns. Unlike Naran Kaghan, swat is healthier on poulation side. U can find any thing in these towns. I on the way back from Kalam accidently deleted all the pictures. To recover those pics i has to remove the memory card so it is not used again. I required a new memory card for my sony camera and i found one from Khwazakhela for 1100/- Rs. So u can find anything here. In the coming slides i will show how big Mingora town is. just like LAHORE. hustling & bustling with life, u want to eat paye, or qulfi u will get it. U want to use rikshaw u will get it. Daewoo also comes till this city.
People are kind hospitable. they know the worth of tourism. They help you support you and in return u give them business. they know this is their life line.
Last and not the least. Terrorism which once dominated Swat is approximately non existent. I found army at many places while moving there. respect them. They have restored the peace in that area with a lot of sacrifices. I also saw a Cadet college just short of Khwazakhela over there, on the main road leading to Kalam.
And whenever u are to move to off shoots, like Miandem, or Shangla top or else where, do check with local police. At times to enforce law and order, army puts up curfew in remote areas. So dont get stuck up there. Go informed over there. Or remain on the main route. I was told this before moving so i did not venture left right.