19/03/2019
Dear Shahid,
On behalf of the Gawadar team I would like to take the first opportunity to express our heartwarming gratitude for arranging such a pleasurable and memorable trip for us. Our driver Babu and our guide Ameer Ali a native of Gawadar were well selected to take us on the journey. His uncle who accompanied us, was a land mine of historical and geographical information as his forefathers were from Gawadar.
From the commencement to the conclusion of our trip we were left in awe at the beauty of the landscape we passed. The journey commenced from Karachi via the Port trust bridge to the first entry into Balochistan , Hub. We were very impressed by the security arrangements provided by the navy and the army. The blaring music kept the driver and us fully awake. T he songs once again brought fond memories.
One always thinks about Balochistan as unsafe, the checkpoints but the men showing their IDs made it clear that the marines, coast guards and the army meant business; Safety and Security. They were very respectful especially on learning that there were women/ family in the high ace. The road was paved and not as busy as we expected. Mostly loaders and goods trucks.
Most impressive was the roadway ; better than the roads of Karachi, it was the highly spoken about RCD highway we travelled upon. Although, the track was barren with sprawling and sporadic lichen, bracken, and a few shrubs, and a few date palms, strayed donkeys and camels in the endless desert, pools of rainwater had collected to break the barren monotony, a blessing from Allah that turned some areas of the desert, green. The hills were barren with no flora or fauna, but it was so pleasing to our eyes to see that nature had taken its course. We were told that these hills were a thousand years old and the sea had risen higher that the land to seize everything in its grasp, besides the avalanches and earth tremors that had taken care in etching the different shapes In the mountains. The canyon reminded us of the film
Meckenaโs Gold. Several geysers, and ponds with mounds of peat were seen. As per our group it was like discovering the โLost Civilizationโ , one was left to oneโs imagination as to what each hill or mountain resembled and took the shape of.
We crossed Winder our first town and made our first stop at Kund Malir. AmeerAli had carried lunch for us from Karachi โchicken karahiโ with locally baked semi garam rotis. As we moved forward we stopped to see The much heard of โPrincess of Hopeโ which came to sight. Ameer Ali our guide explained that the name was given by Angelina Jolie on her visit as a humanitarian ambassador to Balochistan. We were quick to photograph ourselves in front of the landmark as well as that of the Sphinx that was etched on the next hill. We further stopped to go down the rocky mounds and hills assisting each other to feel the presence of cool seashore at our footsteps.
Soon we were on our way through the Golden Pass onto the Buzzi Pass and entered Gawadar. Amidst the winding remote road on top of the hill we saw the lone beautiful Pearl Continental Hotel. What a magnificent view. The interior of the hotel reflected the grandeur of the rulers, and the decor was clearly done with local materials used such as green marble and laced wooden plant holders. The management was quick to welcome us, the service was at par with the best of 5 Star hotels The restaurant Taipan was open for dinner. It was obvious that the Chinese influence was encaptured here. But we were sad to learn that currently few Rooms were occupied as the Chinese had built their own hotel near the docks and preferred to stay there. We were shown to our luxurious rooms, Rooms with a beautiful view of the Arabian Sea were selected and soon after a rest we were ravenous for a meal. We had two dinners at the PC.
Soon after, We explored the beautiful hotel which was immaculately maintained ,the use of open spaces to view the nite star lit sky was breathtaking. The freshness of the breeze was alluring. We spent Friday and Saturday night here.
During the day we visited Gawadar port. It was huge and breadth taking. No tourist or locals were allowed in the port area. However, the Chinese had built their hotel in the dockyard for its workers. We were told by the local fisherman and our guide that the Chinese were bringing in 5000 laborers from their jails to work at the docks. We were also told that the locals were lazy with may complaints , and that their prime survival and earning came from fishing, smuggling liquor , people, petrol and terrorism. Soon the fishing trawlers and ships would be coming in which they did not look forward to. The Chinese had also made a separate highway for their use leading to the docks as the locals had refused to give their land...this would be in operation soon.
We had a speed boat take us out to sea at the Gorab Pass. We were all provided safety gear. The sea and the sky was absolutely blue and crystal clear, and the coastline was clean in most places , however many spots had garbage dumps. We were informed that the break wall was built by the Chinese. There were boats being built by the locals. It appeared as a ship making industry only it was not officially recognized as one. This too would take the locals from their labor as the ship making was being moved further away.
Next we visited the fish market. Never had we seen such a variety of fish. But we were told that most of this fish goes out to be sold from Gawadar, Hence, fish was very expensive and prawns were unavailable. But our efficient guide had already bought and ordered fish fry for us.
His choice of restaurant in Gawadar and food was excellent. The dal Chawal could not have been better. We also visited the local market.
On our return to the hotel we saw the magnificent Koh I Batil sunset.
The next day we started for our return journey to Karachi much satisfied by our trip. Unfortunately we had a slight accident, no one was hurt but the two vehicles each lost their rear view mirror and frontal driver seat glass shattered. This shook us all up. After lengthy negotiations between the marines and the owners of the cars, however, the matter was settled with apologies and assure ties given from both sides. This wasted 2 hours. On our way back we passed another town Omara. We were provided lunch,Achar chicken and roti, once again prepared by our efficient guide.
Onwards being a long route we stopped to stretch our legs and have tea at a local dhaba.
We reached safely, each of us personally dropped at our houses.
Thankyou so much for such a wonderful and well planned and executed itinerary.
Regards
Nilofar Vazir
