Story of Paths
June 30, 2009
Let me tell you about an architect who designed and built a ‘campus’ complex. He did not put in any sidewalks, or footpaths between the buildings. He just planted grass and waited with patience. After a few months there were well trodden paths between all of the buildings, which he used as the map for his footpaths and sidewalks.
While this may seem clever, Many of us create our life Paths just this way. We wait to see where others have walked successfully or just wait to see where our partner is going or wherever life takes us rather than directing where we want to go.
Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland once said – "If you don’t know where you are going, any which road will take you there."
Everything is a choice you know. Chose your path wisely and with purpose, dedication and knowledge and it will take you where you want to be.
Taken: Border of Gujrat & Mandi Bhawaldin District, Punjab, Pakistan
Bull’s Eye
June 29, 2009
Dictionary may defines luck as being an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event, good or ill, to result in a person’s life. I tend to disagree with this definition. I define luck as simply being the end result of consistent, persistent effort towards a meaningful goal.
Did not get the point. Let me make the things more clear. Imagine you’re holding a Gun and you’re pointing it at a target 100 yards down range. Unless you’re an expert marksman, there’s only a small statistical probability that you’re going to hit the bulls eye the first time. But if you keep firing and correcting your aim, the law of statistical probability dictates that eventually you must hit the bull’s-eye. Creating luck in your life obeys the same law of statistical probability—if you keep performing actions that lead towards your goal, eventually you are going to reach that goal. So luck in life is guaranteed, you just have to be willing to try enough times.
So let me boil down this into some simple rules.
Identify your target and keep firing & Believe that you are lucky.
Taken: a hundred year old double barreled shotgun of my friend’s grandfather, in hand of my friend and me practicing some Depth of Field.
How it Changed
June 26, 2009
Here i am sitting, thinking hard about life. How it changed from a careless college life to strict professional life?
How tiny pocket money changed to huge salary, but then why it gives less happiness?
How a single plate of samosa changed to a full pizza, but then why there is less hunger?
How a limited prepaid card changed to postpaid package, but then why there are less called and less sms?
How a general class journey changed to flight journey, but then why there are less vacations for enjoyment?
How an old self assembled desktop changed to new branded laptop, but then why there is less time to put it on?
How a small bunch of friends changed to officemates, but then why we always feel lonely and miss those friends?
Here I am sitting, thinking hard about life, How it changed ??
How it all changed??
Taken: A camping spot around Nuri Top, Kaghan Valley/Kashmir, Pakistan.
Text: an SMS received from my wife.
Ahmadabad Glacier
June 25, 2009
As we move forward from Ahmadabad, we came to know the source of the life in this arid zone of Karakorum ranges. Another twist around the steep ridge over the mountain and the Ahmadabad glacier is right before your eyes. Its steep, its a wonder of nature. Originating from the sister peak of Hunza called gurpi peak, this glacier is a source of water for this hamlet. Its amazing how resident of this extreme part of world has managed to irrigate this arid land through water channels. You can see one clearly here which goes to left.
It is very clear here that "Water is Life". above that water channel, there is no green and below it is all there could be.
Taken: Turn over Karakorum Highway in journey to upper Hunza Valley.
Journey Continue…Ahmadabad
June 24, 2009
After visiting Baltit Fort and a nice stay in Karimabad, its time for us to move further into the upper Hunza… The travel starts from The Ganesh Village, which is said to be older than of Baltit. The twists and turns of Karakorum Highway will take you deeper into the heavenly places and one can witness the true essence of human spirit in struggle with the fury of nature.
the first small hamlet that comes across the road is Faizabad, Khoshi in local language. This area is very famous for its variety of people, from Directors to Drivers, from By Birth Artists to Till Death ignorants all belongs to this place. The people of this place are very Friendly and lives like one family.
Moving further would reveal Ahmadabad, the progress made by the people of this small isolated hamlet perching on a massive rock is example of its own. People living in villages around Ahmadabad can emulate the organizational skills adroitly adopted by the inhabitants. It has a good school, football & cricket ground, Stadium and its own power house.
The capture above is Ahmadabad, which is pure example of what human unity can do, situated at what was once and arid rock, has been turned into heaven. Fed by the melting snow water of Ahmadabad Glacier originating from Gurpi Peak which is just beside Famous Ultar Sar.
So, our journey has started from Central Hunza to deep into the upper Hunza valley. One of the most beautiful place on earth with most of the world highest Peaks.
Taken: Standing over the ridge beside KKH opposite to Ahmadabad, Hunza, Northern Areas of Pakistan.
Imagination
June 23, 2009
Imagination is the process of harnessing and utilizing the creative power of the mind. Imagination resides in the boundless realm of the mind where you can travel anywhere at the speed of thought.
Imagination keeps you relive your triumphs and successes – when you did something you weren’t sure you could do. Who says the great moments have to be once-in-a-lifetime events? You can replay and relive them as often as you like, just as you enjoy repeatedly listening to your favorite music or watching your favorite movies or eating your favorite foods. Relive the joy of the vacation, the promotion, the baby’s first steps in your imagination and you will attract even more good times to cherish.
As you charge your imagination with emotion, your mental picture will attract its physical equivalent. Vividly think about what you want and then see it clearly in your imagination. The power of imagination speeds up the process from desire to manifestation. As you experience in your imagination what you wish to experience in your life, you will soon be living the life of your dreams.
So, Whats in your imagination now?
Taken: Overlooking at Kach Gali, toward Ansu Lake, from the back of Legendary Lake Saif Ul Maluk.
The most interesting thing is: The elder people of the area who narrate medieval story of Prince Saif ul Maluk in a very catching way to the visitors who listen to them intently.
Family Vacations
June 22, 2009
Family vacations have evolved over the years. There have never been more choices, more variety and more options available for family vacations. It is a time to get away from it all. Away from work, the phone calls, and the daily to do list. This is a great opportunity to spend time as a family and get to know each other, go for a hike, get some rest and recharge. There is more time to talk and spend time together without the daily distractions.
A small lake in Poonch district of Azad Kashmir is a beautiful spot for family vacations.
A Fairy Tale
June 20, 2009
Last night after having a traditional dinner at Hidden Paradise in Hunza, I feel asleep. Even thou I planned to get a full moon night over the Hunza valley, but I was too tired to carry on with my plans to get a shot of Baltit Fort with lights off under the moonlight and legendary Rakaposhi Peak with moon over her snowcapped peak. I just had a glimpse of Baltit Fort with his flood lights on and then I don’t remember nothing.
But as everything happens for a reason, this early to bed event awaken me early in the morning with sun has yet to arrive over this heaven. I grabbed my gear & juice, left my wife asleep and went to the spot from where I can get some good frames… that happens to be the rooftop of Darbaar Hotel at zero point, Karimabad.
Clouds were kissing the mountains. One can hear the sound of river flow far below in the valley. I started exposing my sensor when a light rain hit me, made me to be in the shade. As I was mesmerized by the true beauty of the place suddenly the rain stopped and clouds from the east scattered to reveal what all this thing is about; A Fairy Tale. I saw the unexpected, The rainbow with sunrise… Sun rays hit the bow of colors and scattered those spectrum over the mountains, my mount was wide open. I forgot my gear and indulged myself into the land of Fairies.
Suddenly I remember that I have to share it with all the people I know. and I grabbed the cam, switched it on and saw through the lens, there was so many things happening around… I just did not know what to capture.. and just randomly I locked the region of the color shade over the horizon… Click..
Have a nice weekend fellows. Love you all.
Peace Now
June 19, 2009
Starting from these words of wisdom.
"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten
that we belong to each other."
-Mother Teresa-
You don’t have to travel to some remote mountain retreat in order to experience peace & don’t have to convince all the other people in your life to be peaceful in order to experience peace.
You don’t need to resolve every conflict before you can experience a deep and abiding sense of peace or don’t have to solve every problem in your life before you can enjoy being at peace.
Peace is always there, ready for you whenever you choose to let it be a part of your life.
Choose often to fill your moments with peace and the positive power will resonate throughout your whole life. Peace requires no special preparations or conditions. Peace asks only that you allow yourself to fully know and experience it.
The more you experience peace, the more you’ll want to express and to spread it in all that you do. Let peace continue to fill you, and it will soon overflow into the world in which you live.
Large is Magical
Taken: En-route Mukshpuri Top, Dungagali, Galyat, Hazara, NWFP.
Rush Pari Peak
June 18, 2009
In the Karakorum mountain ranges, where it is called "Roof of the World" lies Rush Pari Peak. While not a high peak by local standards, it is noteworthy as a remote trekking destination. It can be reached via Nagar Valley through Hoper Village, Hoper Glacier & Barpu Glacier. It is relatively easy to climb in the summer months and ascends have been made by amateur climbers without any mountaineering gear.
The top of the peak provides stunning views of Miar Peak, Miar Glacier & on a clear day one can look east to see some of the world;s highest mountains, including K2 & Broadpeak. At the mountain base lies one of the world’s highest alpine lakes, Rush Lake.
The first time visitors to trekking in Pakistan the Rush Lake trek in the heart of the Hunza valley, presents the best option. The treks takes you into some of most amazing mountains beauties on earth. Crossing glaciers, meadows and terraced fields of Karakoram mountains you come across Rush Lake.
Interesting: The Trek starts across the valley and the Hunza river at a place called Hoper. This is where the snout of the famous Barpu glacier meets another glacier called Bualter. Hunzakuts (people from Hunza) believe that glaciers are either male or female. Each glacier exudes its own gender qualities and when a male and female glacier meet they give birth to a baby glacier!
