This is my first travel log on PW. I will be posting more (may be some older travels).
Last friday I decided to be a traveller instead of a toursit (How to Be a Traveler and Not a Tourist: 8 Steps (with Pictures)). I planned to visit Banjosa Lake at 11:30 am.
Part - 1: I packed my stuff, one backup pair of clothes and joggers (hardly 1.5 KG of bag and thats all nothing else). Reached Daewoo Lahore terminal by 12:10pm. Luckily got a seat on chance and was on bus to Rawalpindi by 12:30pm.
Part - 2: I reached Daewoo Rawalpindi terminal by 05:15pm (Yes, daewoo can get late, it was 15 minutes late). Started looking for a taxi to Pirwadhai terminal. The first taxi guy asked Rs. 500/- for Pirwadhai. I simply ignored him. I came out on the road and started looking for an FX or Mehran taxi. Found one FX taxi, he asked Rs. 250/- and I agreed. The taxi driver was nice guy I had a little chit chat with him about his taxi, patrol/CNG issues and his family. He was so nice that he parked his taxi and helped me finding bus to Rawalakot. He stopped over multiple places in Pirwadhai and at last found one Hiace which was about to leave. Ticket to Rwalakot was Rs. 250/- only.
Part - 3: It was already about 6:00 pm. It took about 20 minutes and the Hiace was almost full (it was weekend so there were more passengers and lesser transport available). The Hiace left at 6:30pm, moved slowly on expressway because of the traffic. It was definitely not most comfortable journey but it was fun. It stopped over at a restaurant near Azad Pattan at 9:00 pm for 15 minutes and it reached Rawalakot by 10:45pm.
Part - 4: It was too late in Rawalakot. Although there is regular public transport between Rawalakot and Banjosa but at that time no public transport was available. I had to get a taxi. The taxi driver asked 1000/- which was quite reasonable considering the time. There was absolutely no one on the road. Speed of car was not much because of the conditions of the road. Once again, I had a lot of talk with the taxi driver. I reached Banjosa by 12:00 night.
Part - 5: A bit against the traveler's way but I already had a booking at a guesthouse. Checked in there, had a dinner and went to sleep. End of a hectic day.
Part - 6: Saturday morning was quite good. It rained and the weather was awesome. My guesthouse was about 2 kilometers away from the lake. I had a walk to the lake, enjoyed tea there and came back to the guesthouse.
Part - 7: This is the most complex part which most of my friends fail to digest. I came back to Lahore and had a dinner with my family.
So, here are some traveller's practices I tried:
- Act spontaneously, the trip was not properly planned. Everything was on adhoc basis.
- No camera no pictures, enjoyed the nature with my own eyes
- Didn't try to visit a lot of places in short time. Although I could have visited tolipeer, but I didn't.
- The whole trip was spontaneous. 36 hours, Lahore - Banjosa - Lahore.