Pakistan

Lahore, Islamabad, Taxila, Peshawar, Rawalpindi

From October 10th to October 16th, 2025

Day 1

Landed at the Lahore airport and were surprised at how colorful the clothing was compared to where we had just come from. At least 5-6 groups of people at the airport came to shake our hands and take pictures with us, welcoming us to Pakistan. Although the language barrier was tough, I believe a few others invited us to come visit them in their homes while in the city.

Our guide, Sajjad, welcomed us with flower necklaces made of marigold and jasmine flowers.

The roads and security getting to our Pearl Continental Hotel was much more pronounced than we imagined, and it turns out that a few members of the Saudi government (Pac-Saudi Business Meetings) as well as the South African cricket team (playing Pakistan) were also in town and staying at our hotel. Because of all of the “VIPs” - this part of the city and our hotel was on a little bit of a security stronghold.

Day 2

Our first day of exploring took us all around Lahore, visiting a number of the Unesco World Heritage sites such as: The Lahore Fort and the Badshahi Mosque. Other places we visited are the Sheesh Mahal Lahore, The Walled City, museums in between the way, and other historical places all within a 10 minute walk of each other. We took a lot of pictures and learned a lot about the history in this area.

We then went and walked through the Shalmi Market where we saw things from chickens in their coop, to doctors practicing medicine in their garage, got followed by young curious minds, stopped for a cup of chai tea, stepped into the Wazir Khan Mosque, walked through the winding streets of the market, drove to see a truck stop (or auto repair neighborhoood) on Timber Market Road (where Hailey got into a truck). Found ourselves back into the Shalmi Market area where we walked by the dentist street, where dentists were practicing dentistry on the street (one dentist had no teeth, himself).

Day 3

Haveli Restaurant for incredible views over the mosque

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8