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I have wanted to travel to Pakistan for a long time but due to a lot of negative comments, I kept postponing my trip. But last December, I plucked some courage and spent some time contacting various agents to plan my trip. I received a lot of deals from the various agents and finally I met the perfect agent, Mr Shahid Merchant from FAS Travels and Adventures who tailored a week-long trip for me according to my requirement at a fraction of the price quoted by the other agents. He also kept me updated about the weather and the political situation in Lahore and Islamabad since these were the places I was going to.
He kept in touch with me every day for about a week prior to my trip. He really made me feel so comfortable and I felt like I have known him for a long time. I was so impressed with the hospitality and love shown by the Pakistanis that I am already planning my second trip there. The people are so humble and helpful and will go all out to make you feel at home. The first time when I was on the Lahore highway, I came across a place called Harbanspura (My name is Harbans) and I was so excited to see my name on billboards. I will definitely be including Harbanspura in my next itinerary so that I can know the famous person whom I am named after.
As usual, our first stop was a Gurudwara in Lahore. It was under renovation and an army personnel took us on our personal tour of our place of worship. Although he was a Muslim, he covered his head and followed us into the Gurudwara. After the Gurudwara we stopped by the mosque which was just beside the Gurudwara. There were many things being sold by roadside peddlers outside the Gurudwara and mosque. You will be spoilt for choice.
The food is not only mouth-watering but it is served in such huge portions that you can share it with your spouse and still, there will be excess. There are so many different types of food there - Chinese, Western, Middle East and others. I also had the chance to catch the breathtaking view at Monal, a well-known restaurant where a live band makes nightly performances. Since I went during winter, it was extremely cold, especially at night and the waiter was so kind as to provide me with a thick blanket to keep me warm. I really felt so important.
My husband and I also had the chance to visit a Pakistani home in Sialkot (thanks to my brother's contact). Even though we met them for the first time, they made us feel at home and were practically 'forcing' us to stay at their lovely mansion instead of spending a night at the hotel. The host kept on putting all the different types of food they have prepared specially for us. I was so taken aback that I could not refuse the wonderful hostess and kept trying small portions of everything that she offered as I have never done that before in my life. Pakistan is truly a wonderful country and I would strongly recommend anyone who wished to go there to get in tough with FAS Travels and Adventures to get the best deal. This will always be one of my most memorable trip.
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