We went to check out Salt mines and Chiniot city aka city of wood carving. It takes around 2 hours and 30min to reach Salt mines from Islamabad, and chiniot is around 1 and 1/2 hour drive from Khewra salt range, it is near my home town Faisalabad

Entering the mine






Different types of salt extracted from the mine lit with lights.

Mosque made of salt bricks



Model of Minar-e-Pakistan actually located in Lahore city


Really like this part of mine






Then we moved outside to buy some souvenirs, there are lots of shops making different stuff like Lamps, symbols carved from salt.


My friend had to book large order so we went to manufacturing facility, it was too hot so we were offered chilled 7up.


I saw a guy carving a lamp with machine in the facility.




Then we moved to Chiniot, the city known for its export quality carved furniture, my friend booked order to export to USA !


Hand made and hand painted chair.


Rikshaw driver in speed in narrow street!


Windows of old houses




Then we moved to historic Omer Hayat Palace, which was closed and light was dieing. The palace was built by business man of chiniot for his family, but they all died just after they moved to new home, then palace caught fire and part of it was destroyed, now some parts are in really good condition.



And we were waiting in the street for gate keeper as we requested him to open the palace for us.




Rikshaw drivers were also waiting for passengers right infront of palace!


Finally guy arrived and opened the door for us and allowed us to see the palace from inside, today it serves as library.




Light was almost gone and i had to rely on artificial lights







And light completely died and we moved back to Islamabad

SmugMug gallery

All photos with 7D + 17-40, thanks for looking.

Amazing pictures! (…as usual!)

Nice job, Awais!



Thanks for sharing!

- Wil

BTW - couldn't help thinking about OSHA when looking at some of them…

…also, I've never been in one, but it's my understanding that the atmosphere in a salt-mine is incredibly dry - (comments?)

Thanks Will

No issue with atmosphere, it was well ventilated and cool inside in warm season. There was Asthma clinic in there, it is said Salt mines help curing breathing issues like Asthma allergy etc.

Awesome!

The Salt Mines looks like an awesome place to visit. I love your pictures of the people....simply excellent compositions

excellent! :)

Thank you friends !

Yaqub, the carvings in this image look like they are carved in what I always thouhgt of as a 'soapstone'. I have some. Maybe they are in fact carved from the same as here?

I like this series. Such places are always of interest. And the man made things like shrines in the mines are interesting, too.

Don

Enjoyed this group of photos very much!

Originally Posted by DonRicklin Yaqub, the carvings in this image look like they are carved in what I always thouhgt of as a 'soapstone'. I have some. Maybe they are in fact carved from the same as here? I like this series. Such places are always of interest. And the man made things like shrines in the mines are interesting, too. Don

Thanks Don, try to taste it to see if it is made of salt or soapstone?

Originally Posted by Joie Enjoyed this group of photos very much!

Thank you Joie, glad you enjoyed them.

Originally Posted by Awais Yaqub Thank you Joie, glad you enjoyed them.

Thanks Awais...once again you took me for a nice little walk in your homeland...enjoyed your work...

Thanks for sharing.

Another amazing set of photos from the AWESOME Awais Yaqub

Thanks Ed and Art, i am leaving for similar trip tomorrow.

Fantastic series, Awais, as always. Thanks for sharing!

I absolutely love the third one (looks like a brick wall).

Well done.

Thank you Joe and Marc!

Wow!! Absolutely wonderful shots. I really love your lighting, especially the little tricks you used on the bricks, fantastic lights and wonderful composition!.

Tat

your photos always make me smile...you live in a beautiful country!!

Thank you Tat and Trish, glad you liked them.