Reunited with our bags Marie and I met at 0845 to go to the Pir Wadhai bus terminal on the fringe of Pindi. We had been given the bus number plate so we looked briefly; she found the Natco Bus Company office and was told that the bus had arrived (must have been a much […]

Making my great escape Marie slept for 12 hours last night; from 1800 to 0600, which is quite normal for her after strong heat exposure.  At breakfast she growled at the waiter and called him stupid within his earshot.  I told her off for being so rude and her excuse was that he didn’t understand […]

Discovering a theft We had arrived sans luggage yesterday from Gilgit, due to a weather and weight issue with the flight.  I had locked my money and Marie’s money in my daypack in the evening.  As I was short of pockets to take the key out with us, we decided to hide the key in […]

Flying out successfully There’s only one flight today to Islamabad at 1120 which meant a leisurely morning.  We waited outside the airport gate.  Things look optimistic when the security staff were handed a passenger list (as e-ticket itineraries held by the passengers may show incorrect dates from cancelled flights).  We checked in and waited in […]

Flight and backup flight We woke around 0615 to prepare for our departure by flight from Gilgit to Islamabad at 0825.  The weather in Gilgit looked promising as these mountain flights are highly subject to weather.  We taxied to the airport and waited outside (then in a cafe).  It is a very small airport and […]

We had time for an easy day today which I had allowed for a visit to a 7th Century Buddha carving.  Nasir, a trekking guide with the hotel, suggested that we leave around midday so we can enjoy the cool environment there during the hottest part of the day.  Apparently it is a good area […]

Above:  Waiting for our minivan to depart. The only direct transport from Karimabad to Gilgit runs around 0400 to 0600; there was no need for us to torture ourselves like that.  So we left our guesthouse around 1000 and waited on the road for a Suzuki to Aliabad where we could change for Karimabad. A […]

Breakfast today was a treat!  Muesli, yoghurt, honey topped with fresh mango and cherries, plus stewed apricot. Thereafter, I had a lazy morning followed by working through all sort of domestic matters like bills, bank accounts etc in the afternoon.   At around 1630, we went by jeep to Eagle’s Nest hotel for a cuppa […]