[Swipe ⬅️ for the beauties and a waterfall]
Thursday, 29th of June
I know that this is going to be an eventful day and that it is going to be full of cultural immersion. We get up early-ish because the Qurbani, the traditional slaughtering that is the main part of Eid Al-Adha takes its time. The Yak is beautiful and huge and seeing it being slaughtered is a very intense experience. It takes minutes after the first cut before the animal breathes its last breath. I feel it’s pain. The meat gets distributed in 3 parts: one for the owner of the animal. One for their extended family and close friends and one for the people who can not afford their own sacrifice. (See bonus video)
Friday, 30th of June
After our second ride of the day makes a suggestion, our plan changes: Instead of visiting a waterfall we go to the desert. Not just any desert: Katpana is one of the highest deserts in the world at 2226 metres above sea level. Visiting the sanddunes is „mad“ according to some British embassy representatives that we meet. But we decide against it because of budget reasons. Instead we go to Shigar, a closeby town, and visit the fort there where we randomly meet @rahimalikhan again who promptly invites us for a BBQ on the riverside. (See Bonus Picture) Another chapter in the endless book of hospitality in Pakistan.
Saturday, 1st of July
We have a goal for today. To get up from Hussainabad towards Marsur Rock, the Pakistani equivalent of the famous Trolltunga Rock in Norway. Of course we spend way to much time at a waterfall (See Bonus Picture) and pretty soon realise it we have to split the trip in two parts. And pretty soon stumble into another Qeshmoment when we get invited for tea at a newly opened luxury hotel. I decide this is a great place to enjoy a delayed birthday dinner and end up having an amazing burger with an amazing view. Just to top it up: the hotel employee invites us to stay with his family for the night AND finds us a guide for the next day.
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#hitchhiking#dove#backpacking#adventure#pakistan#skardu#qurbani
