http://jang.com.pk/thenews/sep2010-weekly/nos-19-09-2010/foo.htm#3
“Skardu is like an anti-airport”
It is as simple and elegant as the region it is in. No nonsense and as close to nature as you can get
By Saima Mohsin
The most amazing airport I’ve ever been to is right here in Pakistan and that undoubtedly is Skardu. It’s like no other I’ve been to in the world.
As you fly over the Himalayas the view brings ‘every passenger to their feet’, so to speak. Carved out of the majestic mountains that tower over you as you step down onto the tarmac — it’s as though you’ve taken off from Islamabad and arrived in paradise.
I was on board a flight to Skardu in October 2006 as part of a press team covering Prince Charles’ royal tour to Pakistan. It was his first trip here and my first to Skardu. At the time I was a reporter/newsreader for GMTV, a breakfast show in the UK.
It was in Skardu where I discovered parts of Pakistan I never knew existed. It opened my eyes to all that Pakistan has to offer and all that I wish the world could see. When the 20 or so reporters, photographers, cameramen and I landed in Skardu we were overwhelmed. I’ve never seen so many journalists so quiet! Gobsmacked and awe-struck, we took a deep breath of clean crisp air and soaked up the sight. And then click, click, click… the photographers went mad. Photographers are known to dislike photos of themselves, but this was a location they all wanted to be snapped in.
We weren’t in Nepal or Switzerland or New Zealand. This dominating and delicious landscape is right here in Pakistan, I thought. Skardu is like an “anti-airport”. Everything we know, love and hate about airports is missing. There are no long queues to get in or out, no hideous multi-storey car parks, no exhaustive check-ins, no annoying waits in the departure lounge, no wasted money on duty-free goodies — none of which you really want or need.
And the best part… no agonising wait for your luggage. A man comes along, opens the right hatch and hands you your luggage as you stand and wait right next to the aircraft. It is as simple and elegant as the region it is in. No nonsense and as close to nature as you can get.
The people are equally striking. Their weather worn faces are as inviting as they are cold. Their unique features made them unlike any Pakistani I had seen before. Pale faces, red cheeks, light brown hair and sleek almond eyes. It was my first introduction to the idea that Pakistan is as diverse in its geography as its people. There are many, many, faces of Pakistan, many different cultures, roots, religions, historic events and races that have left their mark on this land and enriched it.
But I realised that this is a diversity not many of us think about or absorb. Pakistanis have hardly discovered what is available to them on their own doorstep. This is a land so rich in heritage, ecology and sights. What is even more maddening is that few people around the world have been able to experience or even hear about this most dazzling of destinations.
It made me proud to be Pakistani. I was so pleased to have shared this location with my British colleagues. I learnt so much about this country and was hungry for more. I promised to return to Skardu one day and meet all the people I met on that trip. I did return and move to Pakistan but I’m still waiting for another taste of heaven on earth…
Re: Skardu the anti-airport
Trying to post a unique vid clip about Pakistan but URL does not work here , dunno why ? Hmmmm,
http://www.youtube.com/v/4iPgbrSRfhA? done :hehe:
This is my favourite and probably the best kept secret about Pakistan, Enjoy !
Re: Skardu the anti-airport
Skardu is an amazing place
I havent been there but would go there one day :)