Kashmir the Disputed territory

Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
edited August 22, 2012 in Journeys
I made a quick trip to Kashmir's Neelum valley. Kashmir is disputed region between India and Pakistan, only Pakistani nationals with ID can enter the region. However, other nationals need permission prior to arrival. Neelum valley is beautiful valley streching 140km along with Neelum river, valley runs parrallel to Kaghan valley, curvey road often comes across indian boarder areas, during bad days it is impossible to travel on this road.
We were able to travel till Taobat, which is last village of Neelum valley and the end of the road. From Taobat, adventure seekers and nomads continue on feet to enter glorious Gilgit Baltistan Region.
Narrow and bumpy road passes through forests enriched with Cedar Deodar trees and beautiful villages with amazing Kashmir style wooden houses, maize fields surround these villages. Each village has its own hydral electricity plant built on small waterfalls, just enough to light up around 50 houses. Ancient Budhist University is located at Sharda which suggest deep connection of region with rich historic background.

Thought we thought to do landscapes at max, but when we reached our destination we were almost out of energy and presence of clouds at night time didnt allow us to experiment star trails :rolleyes

And you know what i got 5dmk2, loved using UWA, 17-40:ivar

1 . Hoteling in the region is on weaker side
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2. We were not sure of place where we stayed, we couldn't hear anything but flowing river and whole hotel trembled when somebody walked
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3. Decided to take a walk in bazaar, limited electricity.
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4
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5. And light graced us next morning, and we continued to our final desitnation, Taobat
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6. Saw some graveyards (different graves style then we see in cities here)
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7. Came accross girls school, so many cute faces but they were very shy
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8.
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9. Small scale electric plant
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10. Saw a nomad, these kids won't pose for camera :)
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11. Kashmiri boy
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12. Nomads on a way to Gilgit Baltistan region, it takes around 25 days on feet from Islamabad

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13. Tired of travelling, we stopped for photo break.

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14. Last village we crossed before entering our destination
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15. View from above
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16. Finally we reached our destination and started shooting next morning
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17.
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18.
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19.
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20.
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21. School time
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22.
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23. And we met this man on our way back!
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24. Kid with hina
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25.
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26. Narrow roads and big trucks, true test of nerves
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27. The Budhist University in Sharda the last pic. We were so tired we couldnt reach our gear in rest of the trip back home. i wish we stayed longer.
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Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

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Comments

  • 1andyw1andyw Registered Users Posts: 67 Big grins
    edited July 30, 2012
    Each of your travel logs is amazing. Thank you, again.

    AndyW
  • karloznzkarloznz Registered Users Posts: 126 Major grins
    edited July 30, 2012
    really makes me want to travel to some exotic location - I have traveled little - thanks for the inspiration
    Carl Lea Wedding and event photographer - Wellington - Web Site
  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited July 31, 2012
    Thanks Andy and Karloznz!
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

    My Gallery
  • aj986saj986s Registered Users Posts: 1,100 Major grins
    edited July 31, 2012
    Stunning.....again! clap.gif

    The little girl in #8 is absolutely captivating. The colors in #3 are very interesting. But #2 is a bit dark to me. Was that intentional? Ghostly, maybe?
    Tony P.
    Canon 50D, 30D and Digital Rebel (plus some old friends - FTB and AE1)
    Long-time amateur.....wishing for more time to play
    Autocross and Track junkie
    tonyp.smugmug.com
  • rwellsrwells Registered Users Posts: 6,084 Major grins
    edited August 2, 2012
    Great images as usual Awais thumb.gif
    Randy
  • schmooschmoo Registered Users Posts: 8,468 Major grins
    edited August 2, 2012
    Incredible as always, Awais. The girl in #10 looks older, beyond her years. What I wouldn't do to tag along on one of your photo trips one day!
  • SamSam Registered Users Posts: 7,419 Major grins
    edited August 2, 2012
    Great stuff. I too would love to tag along on one of your trips, it would be amazing, but I do have concerns about my blue eyes. :D

    Sam
  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited August 3, 2012
    aj986s wrote: »
    Stunning.....again! clap.gif

    The little girl in #8 is absolutely captivating. The colors in #3 are very interesting. But #2 is a bit dark to me. Was that intentional? Ghostly, maybe?

    Thanks AJ, yes i wanted to keep it dark as it was that night. probably i will need to work a little in PS as it is soocthumb.gif
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

    My Gallery
  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited August 3, 2012
    rwells wrote: »
    Great images as usual Awais thumb.gif

    Thanks Randy!:D
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

    My Gallery
  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited August 3, 2012
    schmoo wrote: »
    Incredible as always, Awais. The girl in #10 looks older, beyond her years. What I wouldn't do to tag along on one of your photo trips one day!

    Most welcome that will be awesome!
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

    My Gallery
  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited August 3, 2012
    Sam wrote: »
    Great stuff. I too would love to tag along on one of your trips, it would be amazing, but I do have concerns about my blue eyes. :D

    Sam

    Blue eyes, we have lots of them just come over :D
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

    My Gallery
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited August 3, 2012
    What a fantastic set of images. Really did well. Thanx for sharing.
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,904 moderator
    edited August 4, 2012
    Very beautiful place. It reminds me a lot of the states of Oregon and Washington. Especially the trees.
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • Ed911Ed911 Registered Users Posts: 1,306 Major grins
    edited August 6, 2012
    Once again...very nice...what a great insight into your life and the lives of those around you. Keep going places and posting those wonderful images.

    Thanks for sharing.
    Remember, no one may want you to take pictures, but they all want to see them.
    Educate yourself like you'll live forever and live like you'll die tomorrow.

    Ed
  • sufinedsufined Registered Users Posts: 6 Beginner grinner
    edited August 10, 2012
    some very nice photographs here awais, loved the 5th image the most here :)
  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited August 11, 2012
    Thanks guys. here is one from 1st morning

    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

    My Gallery
  • choudhrysaabchoudhrysaab Registered Users Posts: 249 Major grins
    edited August 14, 2012
    Superb Pix Awais. I've never been to Kashmir but its def. on my list of places to visit.

    InshaAllah ek din Kashmir Banay Ga Pakistan!
  • LiquidityLiquidity Registered Users Posts: 13 Big grins
    edited August 16, 2012
    Awais,

    Wonderful story and pictures.

    BTW, Kashmir is turning into a tourist destination (thanks to your pictures and mainstream stories):

    http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-08-15/kashmir-no-longer-world-s-most-dangerous-place-as-tourism-climbs
    Wil
  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited August 18, 2012
    Thanks Wil and Abi

    I wish to visit Indian side of Kashmir someday.. lets see
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

    My Gallery
  • dave6253dave6253 Registered Users Posts: 229 Major grins
    edited August 19, 2012
    Outstanding work, sir.
  • CloudOnMyTongueCloudOnMyTongue Registered Users Posts: 27 Big grins
    edited August 20, 2012
    Wow these photos are very impressive. I hope to get there one day.
  • EphTwoEightEphTwoEight Registered Users Posts: 552 Major grins
    edited August 20, 2012
    Fantastic! Thanks for sharing that part of the world. Beautiful place and beautiful images!
  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited August 22, 2012
    Thank you friends!
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

    My Gallery
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