We wanted to plan a major outing to Naran and beyond. Due to unavoidable circumstances, we practically called it off. However, in the nick of time, myself, Irshad, a friend Tahir Shah, and our two young Off-Roaders decided to go 'all alone', meaning in one vehicle.
We did not expect the fun that we had.
There was one major expected disappointment, which is very disturbing every year or every time that I visit Naran. NARAN HAS TRANSFORMED INTO ANARKALI.
We went to Balakot, had a cup of tea with fellow off-roader, Zahoor Khan, and started on our journey. Shinno Nala, around midway between Naran and Balakot is a very suitable place for a cup of tea, and some recreational off-roading up the Nala. We tried our newly bought Land Cruiser, HJ81. It was alright, though it reached the limits of its approach and departure angles very easily. I don't believe this is a hard core off-roader. Looks more like a big car, with a powerful engine.
We just cruised past Naran, and reached Baissel, our destination for the night. We pitched our tents on the grounds of a Rest House owned by Qasim Shah, and started a small fire. After dinner, we wanted to enjoy the full moon, but could not stay awake for long, and slept early.
Next morning, the views were really thrilling. However, we started off early, passing on the side of Lulusar lake, and reaching Babusar Top in good time.
All the previous visits had inspired me to track down to the meadows below, but one reason or another had prevented us from doing that. This year we followed our instinct, descended into the meadows below, and visited the POLO GROUND. The views from there were even more majestic.
And we learned something: GITI DASS is not the area that we pass when we are coming towards Babusar, as I had always believed, the main GITI DASS is these meadows with the Polo Ground. This of course tracks down along the road, and transects the road somewhere down.
On our way back, we had the most enjoyable leg of our journey, had a wonderful one-dish Mangoe Party at Jalkhad, right on the river bank, and a most sumptuous Lunch at Palothar. At Palothar, Tahir Shah, and Qamar Ali Shah Saheban hosted the Lunch. Thank you Shah Saheban. In the final leg of our journey, we stopped at Kiwai, had a cup of tea, and called it a day. I slept, and Irshad Miskeen, wonderful driver that he is, brought us back to Abbottabad.
All in all, a softish, yet satisfying outing.



