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brouhaha
Talker
Joined: Mar 21, 2006
Posts: 76
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 Posted:
July 24, 2008 - 03:48 PM |
 
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| Post subject: Hiking Pakistan |
I’ve got about 15 days to hike somewhere in Pakistan. I am not so into cultural places but only interested in the mountains and great landscape in there. I am totally clueless about traveling in Pakistan and mostly likely I would go there on my own. It would be greatly appreciated if someone could offer me some tips of travel based on his/her personal experiences. |
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BoShiDunRedSox
Seeker
Joined: July 07, 2008
Posts: 64
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July 24, 2008 - 04:05 PM |
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You should pick up a Lonely Planet at the bookstore in the basement of Times Square on Huaihai Road. I think that would be the best resource for places off the beaten track...
Not sure where you can go to pick up a Kevlar vest and helmet though...  |
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brouhaha
Talker
Joined: Mar 21, 2006
Posts: 76
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July 24, 2008 - 04:22 PM |
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I've got myself a petzl helmet but never hv expected I'd need a Kevlar vest, haha. So u r telling me it's not safe there for the time being? |
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CK1
Raver
Joined: June 07, 2007
Posts: 498
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July 24, 2008 - 04:28 PM |
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Karakoram Highway, think its called the Hindu Kush.
I have friends that have been and say its incredible. They travelled from Lahore to Kashgar.
Buy the Pakistan Lonely Planet, it goes into great detail about the place.
They also hired a armed guard to take them to the Afghan border, good times! |
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BoShiDunRedSox
Seeker
Joined: July 07, 2008
Posts: 64
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July 24, 2008 - 04:32 PM |
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brouhaha, it's just my uninformed opinion. I think there are probably safe areas with plenty of beautiful scenery, but personally, I would avoid the country for the forseeable future. Not sure of your nationality, but I think there can be some regions with strong anti-Western sentiment. With you head in a Lonely Planet book, you might accidently stumble into one of those areas. |
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brouhaha
Talker
Joined: Mar 21, 2006
Posts: 76
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July 24, 2008 - 04:35 PM |
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Thx you two. Will go get a Lonely Planet this weekend.
I am not so into any armed body or thing though. Allergic to guns. |
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brouhaha
Talker
Joined: Mar 21, 2006
Posts: 76
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July 24, 2008 - 04:43 PM |
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Ok Bo, I see. I certainly wouldn't like to stumble myself into any danger, though I've been once told that they are somewhat amiable to Chinese. Thank you for the advice. |
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CK1
Raver
Joined: June 07, 2007
Posts: 498
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July 24, 2008 - 04:52 PM |
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Ask around, go on the Lonely Planet Thorntree website and ask about the current situation for travelers.
My two cents; I've been told the locals are the nicest bunch of people you can meet, and my friends just scoffed at me when I asked if it was dangerous.
Enjoy wherever you end up hiking, i'm very jealous! |
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BoShiDunRedSox
Seeker
Joined: July 07, 2008
Posts: 64
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July 24, 2008 - 05:01 PM |
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I'm also jealous!
Wish you a good trip...  |
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brouhaha
Talker
Joined: Mar 21, 2006
Posts: 76
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July 24, 2008 - 05:13 PM |
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I've just placed an order from amazon.cn to buy the book Pakistan and the Karakoram. I'll carefully do the homework before I go.
Hehe, jealous eh? Be my company or let me be yours.
Thanks CK and Bo ! |
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CK1
Raver
Joined: June 07, 2007
Posts: 498
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July 24, 2008 - 05:53 PM |
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Don't tempt me! First I need to convince my boss that I need a 'career break'...
*waits as hell freezes over*
Keep us updated! |
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andyfff
Rocker
Joined: July 03, 2005
Posts: 680
Status: Offline
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July 24, 2008 - 06:19 PM |
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It sounds amazing. Where will you sleep? No five star hotels in the hills of Pakistan, are there? How much is the flight? Let us know what you find out please. |
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Beartrap
Barker
Joined: Jan 28, 2008
Posts: 152
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July 24, 2008 - 06:58 PM |
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99% chance you will have a great time and 1% chance of something happening. I have been so you play the odds. |
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www.barbecue-king.com Sizzling Hot BBQ Grills! |
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Andreas
Board Royalty
Joined: Feb 27, 2004
Posts: 6315
Location: 31 N 121 E
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July 24, 2008 - 07:41 PM |
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Yeah, I heard the border area with Afghanistan is quite interesting  |
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If it has tits, tires, or a transom, there's gonna be issues! |
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hammerforlife
Fire-eater
Joined: May 24, 2004
Posts: 2701
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July 24, 2008 - 08:00 PM |
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Andreas
Board Royalty
Joined: Feb 27, 2004
Posts: 6315
Location: 31 N 121 E
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July 24, 2008 - 09:03 PM |
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And don't go to weddings... |
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maimai83
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Joined: July 11, 2008
Posts: 106
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July 24, 2008 - 11:23 PM |
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| Andreas wrote: |
| And don't go to weddings... |
Damn straight on that, if you want to avoid accidental bombings by US forces, it's best to stick to where it's safe. Like terrorist training camps. |
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Andreas
Board Royalty
Joined: Feb 27, 2004
Posts: 6315
Location: 31 N 121 E
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July 24, 2008 - 11:25 PM |
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| maimai83 wrote: |
| Andreas wrote: |
| And don't go to weddings... |
Damn straight on that, if you want to avoid accidental bombings by US forces, it's best to stick to where it's safe. Like terrorist training camps. |
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If it has tits, tires, or a transom, there's gonna be issues! |
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Milhy
Talker
Joined: Nov 21, 2006
Posts: 90
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July 25, 2008 - 01:00 PM |
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Read Three Cups fo tea from Greg Mortenson, he is involved in Karakoram for many years as he is building schools in Baltistan(North Pakistan). great book which give you a lot of insite about the security situation and normal life! |
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tomnoddy_uk
Fire-eater
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2902
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July 25, 2008 - 01:18 PM |
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I was there in 2004 or there abouts so may now be outdated – eg, I don’t know the lasting damage caused by the earthquake etc.
Pakistan, along with Turkey, has the most wonderful people on earth. I went from Karachi to Rawalpundi, then, after getting an Indian Visa, back down to Lahore before crossing the border. It is worth going to see the flag ceremony and Lahore, even if the main trip is for hiking. Watch Michael Palin’s Himalaya to get a sense.
Whilst waiting the visa, I went west to the Swift valley for about 5 days. This included a couple of one day treks – nothing too strenuous. It was picturesque. I cannot wait to go back. Ignore the embassy warnings, this place is heaven on earth.
I never had any trouble, not even a sniff of it, on my time there. In fact, I attended my first ever wedding in Pakistan, an Afghani one at that. However, I met a fellow cyclist who came down through the Karokram (spelling?) highway. He had to get a police escort through for several days and despite this, still got stoned by kids, adults et al. That said, it was his third or fourth time there. It wouldn’t put me off.
If you could get over to Kashmere or in that region, I imagine you would have the trip of a life time.
Make sure you respect the local customs – trousers and long shirt all the time. If you’re female, you should be prepared for a lot of attention. I didn’t see more than four or five in my whole two weeks there. A smile can get you a million miles in that part of the world. Also, brush up on your cricket knowledge as that can earn you friendship with just about anyone and is bound to be the first question you are asked. |
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brouhaha
Talker
Joined: Mar 21, 2006
Posts: 76
Status: Offline
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July 25, 2008 - 02:05 PM |
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| Milhy wrote: |
| Read Three Cups fo tea from Greg Mortenson, he is involved in Karakoram for many years as he is building schools in Baltistan(North Pakistan). great book which give you a lot of insite about the security situation and normal life! |
It's out of sale at amazon.cn. They'll let me know once it's available. Thx. |
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brouhaha
Talker
Joined: Mar 21, 2006
Posts: 76
Status: Offline
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July 25, 2008 - 02:19 PM |
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Thank you, Tomnoddy.
I am a woman, and most likely I am going there on my own. I trust what you have said about the local people in that country since a friend of mine said the same thing, and she worked there for 8 months. Yet as it comes to women and the remote/uncivilized areas, I've just read the link a friend sent to me via email talking about how women are "treated" in Pakistan - I got goose bumps...
Will I be requested to wear local stuff to cover as much my face and body as possible in those areas? Or it could be deemed offensive? |
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tomnoddy_uk
Fire-eater
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2902
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July 25, 2008 - 02:27 PM |
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Maybe have a copy of that if interested. will check this evening.
I knew a French girl who studied in Lahore for a year and had the time of her life without any problems. I wouldn't trust any/every thing you read on the internet. I wore trousers and a long sleeve shirt. You might want to go prepared to cover up head, but I don't know whether you would be expected too or not. Would bring you less hassle I would guess. I don't think it would be deemed offensive.
If you are an American, I would also advise against saying that you are. Saying I was English to people when they assumed I was American always led to better relations. |
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"Eight minutes past the hour here in Belgium - and presumably eight minutes past the hour everywhere in the world." Murray Walker |
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brouhaha
Talker
Joined: Mar 21, 2006
Posts: 76
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
July 25, 2008 - 02:38 PM |
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| Andreas wrote: |
| And don't go to weddings... |
Hehe~ This won't be a problem for me, Andreas, for I am not even a big fan of weddings in China. |
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The early bird gets the worm. The early worm gets eaten. |
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brouhaha
Talker
Joined: Mar 21, 2006
Posts: 76
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
July 25, 2008 - 03:17 PM |
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Ok, Tomnoddy, you are encouraging me. Will do more research and make sure I am believing in the right things.
By the way I am a Chinese. |
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