Mohsin Khawar Photography
Photographer / Architect / Creative Director / Travel Blogger
KALAM VALLEY PAKISTAN
Posted on September 1, 2020
Hello Friends!
I recently visited Kalam Valley which is located in Swat district of Pakistan for the first time and what a visual treat it was. Thankfully there is an expressway to Swat and the new road from Bahrain to Kalam is also built, which makes your travel super easy. But the major highlight on this trip for me was extremely hospitable and friendly people, who will offer you tea, food and free stay. They are extremely helpful in guiding you and will even stop their vehicles for tourists. I was traveling with my family and had no issues whatsoever.
Since tourism is actually booming in Pakistan, i experienced some good hotels in Swat (Mingora) and Kalam. One can stop by at Mingora, a fully developed city, for a break if needed before heading towards Kalam. On your way, do not miss stopping by all river side chai (tea) dhaabas.
You can make a base at Kalam and then take jeep tours to places like Shahi Bagh and Kumrat. I will advise not to take your own car to such places even if its a 4×4 because the tracks are rocky, but worth it. You can easily get jeeps with drivers from Kalam. One important thing is to keep some cash because there is no ATM in Kalam. Last ATM you can get is at Madyen on your way. I hope the government or banks will work on it because i foresee a lot of tourism happening in this region. I would also like to request the authorities to place as many dustbins as they can to keep Kalam clean and ask the restaurants not to litter the rivers.
Over all, what a wonderful experience to explore these scenic places full of kind people, amazing food (don’t miss the river fresh trout) and breathtaking visuals. I hope you will enjoy the photographs that i took!
Long Live Pakistan!
Love,
Mohsin Khawar
Writing from Pakistan (Sept 2020)
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Time
Posted on April 28, 2019
This photograph won me my first national competition in 2009. It was also selected by KP Tourism department and exhibited at Lok Virsa Museum.
I captioned it ‘Time’.
Taken at Nathia Gali, Pakistan.
Pakistan Tourism
Posted on January 28, 2019
Scenic and cultural beauty of Pakistan is no doubt a treat for any tourist!
Visit Pakistan this year to enjoy mountains and plains of Gilgit/Hunza and KPK, ancient civilization and deserts of Sindh, historical culture and food of Punjab and not to forget the virgin beaches of beautiful Gawadar!
- Excellent hotels everywhere for an average USD 100-200 per night
- Base cities can be Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Hunza and Peshawar
- Best food you will get in this region be it Pakistani, Thai, Chinese, Continental or Fast Food
- History includes centuries old Forts, Mosques, Shrines and architecture
- Uber/Careem services all over Pakistan
- Domestic flights operating from Hunza till Gawadar
- Oldest Kalasha tribe in Chitral is a major tourist attraction along with scenic beauty of Hunza/Skardu
- Helpful and courteous locals
- Also welcoming religious tourism for Sikhs, Buddhists and Hindus
- One of the finest cloth and handicrafts markets on cheap rates
- E-Visa and Visa on Arrival for many foreigners
So this summer, choose Pakistan and enjoy nature to the utmost!
Dancing House – Praha
Posted on July 26, 2017
Surrounded by the beautiful architecture of Prague, here is a unique masterpiece designed by one of the legendary architects Frank Gehry.
They call it the Dancing House!
Saint Stephen’s Basilica – Budapest
Posted on July 25, 2017
Apart from the fact that this is a beautiful piece of architecture and a must go place in Budapest, you will also love this square and spending your time here! Even if you go there daily, you won’t get bored!
We are sure you will love the hustle and bustle here! 😉
3 Days in Singapore – A short vacation
Posted on July 22, 2017
Marina Bay Sands
If you are short on days and want to explore a whole country, Singapore is your destination!
Pack your bags with summer clothes, sun screen, sun glasses and a raincoat because you never know when it will start raining cats and dogs. The sun will be out again very soon so don’t worry! Just make an itinerary and follow it.
Here’s our:
Day one:
We were staying at the Orchard road so started with the Botanical Gardens nearby. Perfect for anyone who’s even slightly fond of plants… My little one loves them!
Be ready to walk though and don’t forget to visit the Orchid Garden in it and the children’s play area if you are travelling with kids. All the walking made us hungry so next stop was Arab street for lunch. You’ll get Turkish, Persian and Arabian cuisine on a street right out of Aladdin’s movie.
Wait for the sun set while shopping some really economical gifts and then head to Gardens by the Bay for a light and music show.
Sculptures at Botanical Garden
Botanical Garden
National Orchid Garden
Botanical Garden
Central courtyard of National Orchid Garden
Sultan Mosque – Arab Street
Arab Street
Sultan Mosque – Arab Street
Musical Light Show at Marina Bay Sands
Day two:
Started our day late and went to have brunch at Little India. Like its name it really is a mini India with shopping, food, temples that you can roam around if you have time and don’t mind crowded streets. We took the bus from Little India to the River Side, which was very convenient. Got tickets for the River Cruise, but not the full round and got off at Marina Bay Sands.
Saw the famous Merlion fountain and the Singapore cityscape from the guided cruise and had tea at Marina Bay along some shopping.
Enjoyed the Night Carnival and an art installation & exhibition of Lights.
Ended the Day with a Riverside walk enjoying the night time city scape and the mild breeze.
River Cruise
Little India
River side walk
Marina Bay Sands
Merlion
Art installation along the river
Art installation along the river
Day Three:
Take the subway to Sentosa Island and spend the whole day there!
You will love the Universal Studio while you meet Elmo and friends.
Watch the Sesame Street Show 😀 and you will be back in Grade 5!
My Boy was in heaven!! And his joy made our whole trip! 🙂
Enjoy till the sun set when it closes and then you can relax at the Crane Dance at City Center. And don’t forget to dine at brilliant restaurants there before you take a train back!
Sesame Street at the Universal Studios
You can buy all the toys, mugs, accessories and shirts here by Sesame Street
Live Sesame Street show
Shrek’s Palace at Universal Studios
We hope you loved this little visual treat from our end although there are a lot of photos but we could not add all of them here!
Don’t forget to share it with your friends who love traveling! 🙂
Till next one, Good bye!
Tea Lover? How could you miss Mackwoods!
Posted on October 30, 2016
On our Sri Lanka trip, we specially went to Nuwara Elliya to visit the beautiful tea gardens and Mackwoods tea factory. We are huge tea lovers and if we would have missed this, we would have felt very guilty.
So after a nights stay at Kandy, the next morning we drove to the chilly Nuwara Elliya. It’s a fairly beautiful place with small hills adding to its scenic beauty. We reached there around noon and it was cloudy with slight patches of rain. After climbing down the stairs (big risers) we walked through the gardens, took photos and admired this beautiful crop (we have this association with tea 🙂 ). Later, on our request one of the staff members at the museum took us to an introductory visit to the factory inside where they showed us the process and explained how the leaves are picked, crushed, blended, refined and finally packed. The aroma was simply charismatic! (It was dark inside the factory so i am not adding its photos)
From there we went to the cafe where we were served the special Mackwoods tea for tasting (they do not charge for it). As we sat beside a window and sipped our tea, the rain poured down which made our experience even more beautiful. The drops on the window glass, the lush green gardens and the relatively cool weather made our tea taste even better! 🙂
On our way back we bought the signature Mackwoods kettle and some boxes of tea. It was later we figured out that they do not retail it and if you are really lucky you might see it at ODEL (A famous Srilankan store which is almost everywhere).
We have run out of tea boxes and it seems we need to visit Sri Lanka again…but this time we will at least buy a dozen of them! 😉
Sunset lover? Galle (Sri Lanka) is a must visit!
Posted on September 12, 2016
I have travelled to a lot of beaches and capturing seascapes is one of my favourite part in travel photography, but during my stay in Galle fort vicinity in Sri Lanka, i had a chance to view and photograph the sunset at Galle. I was amazed to see the beautiful colors and its hues, while i sat on the fort wall with perfect angle for my shot (I have attached two photographs above).
I recommend this heavenly spot to all the nature lovers, romantics and travel photographers.
Happy viewing guys! 🙂
Colombo, Sri Lanka. – Things To Do
Posted on August 10, 2016
Visit the Town Hall
Visit the Independence Square
Eat & shop at the Old Dutch Hospital
Shop at ODEL
Cricket fans can eat at Cricket Club Cafe
Chutney’s Restaurant – Cinnamon Grand (Brilliant Food)
Jog or go cycling at the Race Course Park
The Coffee Beans & Tea Leaf ( A nice cafe to chill)
Dine at The Gallery Cafe (Dim lights and artistic)
Visit The Arcade
Enjoy the evening tea at the Dilmah Tea Lounge
Visit the Twin Towers
Stay at Cinnamon Grand (Expensive but worth it)
Mohsin Khawar Photography 