Épisodes

  • Willow Shade and Road Noise: One Hour by a Side Stream near Naran

    Willow Shade and Road Noise: One Hour by a Side Stream near Naran
    Nov 18 2025
    Most people blast straight through Naran with only big stops in mind—lake trips, viewpoints, hotels. In this episode, I zoom into something smaller: one quiet hour beside a clear side stream just off the main Kaghan road. I’ll take you from that restless feeling in the car—kids fidgeting, neck stiff, everyone half-hungry—to the moment we finally spot a narrow track dipping toward water and a patch of willow shade. You’ll feel the crunch of gravel under the tyres, the shock of cold when we test the stream with our hands, and the calm that arrives when the engine shuts off but distant road noise still hums like background music. I’ll share the exact little checks we made: traffic visibility, ground level, privacy, and how far the kids could wander. By the end, you’ll know how to turn any mid-day stretch between Balakot and Naran into a safe, budget-friendly mini picnic that needs almost no gear—but leaves a big memory.
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    11 min
  • Gravel Banks and Green Tea: One Quiet Stream Break Near Naran

    Gravel Banks and Green Tea: One Quiet Stream Break Near Naran
    Nov 20 2025
    This episode zooms into a tiny, easily missed moment just outside Naran: a short pull-over by a side stream that quietly turned a rushed day into a soft memory. Instead of another hotel lobby break or noisy roadside café, I’ll take you through how we noticed a safe gravel opening off the main Naran road, checked traffic, and walked a few steps down to a shallow, stone-filled stream. You’ll feel the crunch of gravel under your shoes, the cool splash on your hands, and the comfort of pouring green tea from a simple thermos while cars hum faintly above. I’ll share exactly what we kept in one small “pause bag”—warm layer, light snack, sitting cloth, trash bag—and one simple rule we followed to avoid private land and unsafe water edges. By the end, you’ll know how to design your own 10–20 minute, low-cost stream stop anywhere around Naran, Kaghan, or similar valleys, turning ordinary road stretches into gentle, family-friendly pauses instead of just more driving.
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    11 min
  • Steam, Umbrellas, and Mountain Mist: One Rainy Evening in Naran Bazaar

    Steam, Umbrellas, and Mountain Mist: One Rainy Evening in Naran Bazaar
    Nov 21 2025
    Rain can feel like it ruins mountain plans—but in Naran, one wet evening can quietly become the highlight of your trip. In this episode, I take you into a single, story-filled walk through Naran Bazaar just after the rain starts: shop lights reflecting in puddles, umbrellas brushing past, and steam rising from samosas and fresh chapati at roadside hotels. We’ll leave the hotel when most people are scrolling and complaining about clouds, then ease our way along the main street, staying under awnings and ducking into small shops for snacks and simple gear. I’ll share how we chose a chai spot with good ventilation, checked our layers so we stayed warm but not soaked, and picked one low-cost souvenir that actually reminds me of that evening every time I see it. Along the way, you’ll get tiny etiquette tips, safety notes for slippery streets, and ideas for turning any “rained-out” night into a calm, cozy memory instead of a disappointment.
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    13 min
  • A Day Above the Clouds: My First Trek to Katora Lake

    A Day Above the Clouds: My First Trek to Katora Lake
    Nov 22 2025
    In this episode, I take you with me step-by-step on my first trek to the stunning Katora Lake in Kumrat Valley, northern Pakistan. Instead of just saying “it’s beautiful,” I break down the real journey: how we reached Kumrat from the plains, where we stayed, how we arranged a guide and ponies, and what the trail actually feels like under your feet. I share the small moments that tourists always ask about but rarely hear—like what breakfast kept us going, how cold it really gets near the lake, and the one item I regretted not packing. You’ll get practical details for planning your own trip, plus honest reflections on fear, fatigue, and the rush of reaching a high-altitude lake surrounded by snow-clad peaks. In under five minutes, you’ll know if Katora Lake deserves a spot on your next northern Pakistan itinerary—and exactly how to make it happen.
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    9 min