On Day-5 we left Karimabad, Hunza for Gilgit in a hired NCP Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 1995. Left at 9am and reached there around 1pm. Checked into PTDC Chinar Inn, which was a huge disappointment after Serena.
To begin with, there was no such thing as room service except for tea service. The choices for lunch and dinner were always limited to 2-3 fixed dishes even though they had a whole menu card printed. The dishes were chicken karahi (cooked like aloo gosht), meethi sabzi (Gajar Aloo) and Daal, we were told that there is also another dish, Aloo Palak, but we didn't try that. Laundry service was actualy a Dhobi (washer man) who came after 1pm everyday because he worked somewhere else too
. The room we were staying in was super large. You can easily fit 10-15 ppl in there with mattreses. There was a small 14 inch tv in one corner, but you would relay need a binocular to watch anything on it. The realy funny part was that all the attached bathrooms had their window (no exhasut either) opening in the main corridor leading to the rooms. One could hear some rather amuzing sounds all day long and especialy in the morning
. God only knows what the architect must be thinking when he/she designed that building.
Anyway, the weather in Gilgit was hot and sunny, so spent the rest of the day inside our room. Ordered some tea in the evening. Later, had an early dinner and called it a night.
Next morning (Day-6) packed our stuff and left for the airport 2 hours before the flight, eager to rid ourselves of PTDC. Airport is on the same road as PTDC and is funnily 6-7 mins drive only (you get in the car and get out after 5 mins). Reached the airport to find out that the "gates" of the airport were locked. Yes! they actualy lock the airport. The gates only open when the flight from Islamabad actualy lands. There is no place to wait either, you just stand under the scortching sun on the road. God bless our government and PIA for not erecting atleast a shade or a waiting area. Puzzled, I called a contact in PIA, who after some "negotiations" with the ASF staff took us inside the terminal building, which was realy just 2-3 medium sized rooms. Waited for about 2 hours only to find out that our flight has been canceled due to incliment weather over Chilas. Disappointed, came back to PTDC. Had nothing to do so went for lunch at Gilgit Serena and spent good 2-3 hours there. Later, paid a visit to the famed NLI market which was full with cheap Chinese stuff and even stuff from down country including Pindi, Lahore etc. Unimpressed, came back to PTDC. Had dinner and went to bed around 11pm.
Next morning (Day-7), again went to the airport, this time 1 hour before the flight. Again used the reference to get inside the terminal building. After an hour of anxious wait, we were told that our plane has taken off from Islamabad. Jubilent, got our boarding passes issued, passed the security checks and finaly reached the departure lounge. Finaly the flight landed, albeit 30 mins late. Freedom, we hurried towards the plane and took our seats. 45 turbulent mins later we landed in Islamabad. Home never felt sweeter.
That is all folks. I hope you had enjoyed this journey with us. Untill next time. Allah Hafiz.
Some last day pictures in Gilgit:

CAA Park adjacent to the airport.

Dry mountains around Gilgit.



Gilgit City.

Serena Gilgit.

Lawns of Serena Gilgit.

Shops in the lobby of Serena Gilgit

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