Road Trip 2011 - kn_khipk

Travel N Tours

Road Trips / Vacations / Hiking / Trekking

kn_khipk (kn_khipk) 2011-12-06 01:39:30 +0500 #121

kn_khipk (kn_khipk) 2011-12-06 01:40:48 +0500 #122

Entering Abbottabad.

kn_khipk (kn_khipk) 2011-12-06 01:43:06 +0500 #123

This house must be atleast 50 years old...maintained.

kn_khipk (kn_khipk) 2011-12-06 01:45:04 +0500 #124

This is the T from where you take a right to head to the mountains.

kn_khipk (kn_khipk) 2011-12-06 01:51:53 +0500 #125

Some random shots of Abbottabad.

kn_khipk (kn_khipk) 2011-12-06 01:55:09 +0500 #126

kn_khipk (kn_khipk) 2011-12-06 01:59:18 +0500 #127

kn_khipk (kn_khipk) 2011-12-06 02:02:31 +0500 #128

The River Kunhar flowing on our right...just cant get over the sight.

kn_khipk (kn_khipk) 2011-12-06 02:06:14 +0500 #129

Heading to Balakot.

Some shopping before we go further.

kn_khipk (kn_khipk) 2011-12-06 02:08:47 +0500 #130

kn_khipk (kn_khipk) 2011-12-06 02:12:45 +0500 #131

And the views start changing as we go on...

A makeshift bridge on the way.

kn_khipk (kn_khipk) 2011-12-06 02:16:09 +0500 #132

kn_khipk (kn_khipk) 2011-12-06 02:20:01 +0500 #133

We then passed Kewai, and Paras but when we reached Malakandi we realized how bad last year’s rains had affected this part of the valley.

The road was gone! From there onwards, I and my other fellow travelers were on the edge of our seats as the driving conditions were really challenging. This part of the road trip would have been a breeze had we been driving 4X4s…but it did give us city slickers the taste of some off-roading. I will let the pictures do the talking.

kn_khipk (kn_khipk) 2011-12-06 02:24:29 +0500 #134

kn_khipk (kn_khipk) 2011-12-06 02:30:29 +0500 #135

and we move on, cautiously...41 more kms to go.

kn_khipk (kn_khipk) 2011-12-06 02:34:23 +0500 #136

Part of the road had been washed away due to last year's rains...and the view from the ridge. Scary sight!

kn_khipk (kn_khipk) 2011-12-06 02:39:05 +0500 #137

Some lovely views along the way...

kn_khipk (kn_khipk) 2011-12-06 02:42:50 +0500 #138

As driving on the broken road wasn’t enough of a nerve wrecker, we had to cross 2-3 streams of water (last year we had experienced live sized deep freezers on this route but unfortunately this year they were gone!) and as soon as I crossed the first one my car started to act strangely. It was as though the power was unable to transfer to the wheels. On stopping and after evaluating the situation I realized what may have happened. The ice cold water of the streams must have affected the hot brakes/disc.

kn_khipk (kn_khipk) 2011-12-06 02:44:59 +0500 #139

We finally managed to reach Naran at Asar and by this time I and my other companion drivers were totally exhausted. I say this without any exaggeration. We had bookings in 2 hotels; Royal and Kunhar View. But we decided against Royal because the rooms we got were on the top floor (though with excellent view) which meant that climbing stairs would be a major chore for the families. So Kunhar View it was at Rs. 4000 per night.

In discussion on which hotel to stay at.

kn_khipk (kn_khipk) 2011-12-06 02:49:17 +0500 #140

The kids having a good time while waiting for dinner. Sorry dont have pictures of the food we ate...we were very hungry and totally exhausted.