Marie had not been well in the night so we had an easy morning and checked out at noon. We headed for the bus station to catch a bus to Karimabad, which is our most remote point planned for in Pakistan. It didn’t take too long for the big bus to fill and we set off at 1330.
The journey should have taken about 3h30 but it took 6 hours. We stopped often to collect and drop off people; some were traders with goods and required loading and unloading. As we had expected a shorter journey, the stunning view couldn’t make up for the frustration. There were some road works in progress; the roading crew are locals but headed by Chinese supervisors. This seems familiar; we’ve seen this in Africa and Yemen. China is powering the technology and infrastructure in the poorest of the developing countries, it seems.
Text continues after this gallery.
-
- With our host at Gilgit before departure.
-
- With our host at Gilgit before departure.
-
- I wasn’t going to make it with lifting my luggage to the man on the roof today. Fortunately they realised I wouldn’t be the only one that’s not tall enough and brought a ladder.
-
- On board the bus to Karimabad.
-
- Another Pakistani work of art on wheels.
-
- View on the way from Gilgit to Karimabad.
-
- Another Pakistani work of art on wheels.
-
- Another Pakistani work of art on wheels.
-
- Our bus on a rest-stop.
-
- Rest-stop on the way from Gilgit to Karimabad.
-
- Snacks on rest-stop on the way from Gilgit to Karimabad.
-
- Snack on our rest-stop.
-
- Our rest-stop.
-
- Fellow-passengers on our bus.
-
- Our fellow passenger pondering.
When we got to Aliabad, they tried shoving us into a van due to low passenger count. Some of the city-folk who understood the situation protested as the bus company wasn’t going to pay for the van. So we finally made it to our destination in the bus around 1930.
As we planned to stay four nights we had it in our mind to stay at the Hunza Embassy, a nicer property (around PKR2500 per night). But near the drop-off point we inspected the Old Hunza Inn which had simple but perfectly acceptable rooms with private facilities for only PKR500. It had a gorgeous view of the snowy peaks so we took it.
Attempting to shower before bed was interesting. The cold water was rather strong shimmery grey in colour while the hot was better. We ran it for a while than gave up.
-
- At Aliabad where we were nearly abandoned by the bus.
-
- The area is surrounded by so many peaks I lose track of their names. I think this one is Rakaposhi.
-
- Our glacial-fed tap water is very grey. We treat it as a spa experience when we shower. The water is rich in mica and in the right light, it is cloudy pearlescent.
-
- Drinking water in the cafe.
