For some strange reason, the best things in life are generally the least known. And Phulwari Rest House on the Sakesar hill is one such place. The road coming up from Khushab winds around the villages of Naushehra and Uchhali and begins the climb up to the peak of Sakesar. Here, a little before Sakesar is reached, by the side of the road and hidden from view is the tiny little rest house of Phulwari. The only indication that something lies in the trees to the left is the little gateway and short drive leading to the building.
Complete with a pitched roof and a verandah with timber pillars, this rest house with its two rooms is an incredible place. Here are views to the west looking out beyond the Sakesar hills to Namal Lake or east to the Uchhali Lake and the Soon Valley. And here are great walks among stands of pine and phulahi (Acacia modesta) live with the song of magpie robins and tree-pies.
The crockery side-board, incidentally, holds several pieces of ancient white china marked with a blue crest that says 'Shahpur District'. This is a reminder of those far off times when there was no Sargodha of Khushab district. That was time when the district headquarter was Shahpur whose sorry remains can be seen by the roadside in Shahpur town. Though I spent some time in this rest house years ago, damned if I can remember which department manages it.
