Trip to Srilanka February 3--10 , 2022.

February 2-3 2022

Trip to Srilanka was announced in December by Major Tariq Hayat and I decided to take this opportunity and join them. His organizational abilities are no doubt superb. With launching "amazing Lanka " WhatsApp group ,information and questions were poured in. 

In the meantime I visited Karachi for two weeks and caught some cold flu from there. On my arrival I tested negative however with fever,body aches and upset stomach ,it was considered Omicron. It was a sheer good luck that I got recovered two weeks earlier.

During this Covid period travel requirements and protocol has changed a lot, yet unpredictable if one turned out positive .

It happened with our group members . Two of them turned positive in Pakistan and two in Srilanka . It caused them a lot of hassle and stress. 

After recovery started preparation for the trip. At the same time travel to Lahore from Islamabad to catch the early morning flight was under consideration . Many members opted to reach Lahore by themselves .I and Shaheen were assured by Tariq and Basar that we would travel along them. 

Finally it was decided to travel by train or Railcar to Lahore. Major Farrukh had booked the seats. The train was leaving at 6pm from Rawalpindi. I started from home at F-10 Islamabad at 4:30 . Got stucked in a standstill traffic and the driver took another long route with anxious moments and calls from Tariq and Basar, the train was missed. Reaching Chaklala station was impossible, he advised to take the 7pm Daewoo bus. Luckily got the bus five minutes earlier. It was Reaching Lahore at 11:30 pm. My brother Farooq arranged for my pickup from Thokar Niaz Beg to the airport. On my way when Nabil asked me, " are you going back to America?" He was surprised with my answer. 

"نہیں میں سری لنکا گھومنے پھرنے جارہی ہوں "

He looked at me cautiously. 

After reaching the airport got connected with the group. All is well that ends well 

Now I repent for not taking a flight to Lahore and all that hassle could be avoided . I have sufficient PIA'S award miles in my account. 

The flight left at 4:30 am. The flight crew was nice, wearing exotic uniforms. 

Found empty seats in the middle row and lied down for a couple of hours.

Srilankan time is 1/2 an hour ahead of us.

Arrived at Colombo at 8:30 . Went through immigration and all the requirements, Two buses , two guides Jaan one and Jaan two received us with garlands of beautiful,sweet smelling addendum flowers. 

It was quite hot and humid here.Took off all our wollies but couldn't get a chance to change. 

Our first night stop over was at " Cinnamon village resort hotel Habarana"

Anuradhapur province. It was a six hours drive from here. After some time we stopped for a nice Srilankan breakfast of eggs, parathas, daal etc. More like Pakistani taste. 

On our way then stopped at Pannawala elephants refuge. It was quite interesting .After watching all the elephants enjoying water at the river ,at the shelter and hospital, it was quite a fun. Bought yellow coconut, had the water with a straw. Then asked the seller to take out fruit from the shell. It was amazing .

Brought one for Shaheen however she didn't like it. 

Coconuts are in abundance and coconut milk is used in cooking 

Srilankan are generally petite and smart people with high literacy rate almost 99,%.

The population is low and the county is clean and organized.

It was almost 5:30 pm that we reached Habarana at the hotel. Dead tired but excited with the greenery, new country, environment and group members. 

The dinner was sumptuous with vast options. 

We had to leave at 9:30 while another small group of youngsters were supposed to climb Sigria Lions Rock at 7:30

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just arrived at Nuwara Eliya a hill station of British era like Murree and the same elevation. On our rout had a trip of Botanical Garden Paradinea, Kandy. Amazing huge and thousand years old trees. Saw exotic trees and plants.

Then a stop over at a Teagarden. Lovely tour , bought some tea.Had an introductory session a while ago.some 8 retd pak army Generals are in our group. 🙂

عصمت صدیقی والدہ عافیہ صدیقی

انا للّٰہ و انا الیہ راجعون ۔ اللہ تعالٰی انکو جنت الفردوس میں اعلی مقام عطا فرمائے ۔ 

انکا مکان کراچی میں میر ے مکان کے نزدیک تھا اور اکثر ملاقات ہو جاتی تھی ۔ وہ بھی درس قرآن کرواتی تھیں اور ہمارے پروگرام میں بھی اکثر شرکت کرتیں ۔ عافیہ اور فوزیہ کو بھی انکے ساتھ دیکھا۔ عافیہ کی وجہ سے ابتلااور آزمائش کی ایک طویل دور سے گزر رہی تھیں ۔ اللہ تعالی غریق رحمت کرے ۔ آمین

اللہ تعالٰی کا اور اسکے بعد سی ڈی اے کا بے حد احسان ہے کہ اسلام آباد میں یہ پارک میسر ہیں ۔میں جب وہاں ہوتی ہوں تو میرے مکان کے نزدیک ایف ٹین ٹو میں ایک معقول پارک ہے جہاں میں چہل قدمی کرتی ہوں اور قدرتی نظاروں سے بھی لطف اندوز ہوتی ہوں ۔۔پارک میں گھریلو پانی کی نکاسی کا ایک نالہ بھی بہتاہے - پانی بہنے کی آواز خوشگوار ہوتی ہے ۔ قریب میں بانس کا ایک جھنڈ ہے جہاں شام کو پرندوں کی چہچہاہٹ سے کان پڑی آواز سنائی نہیں دیتی ہے۔۔۔ یہاں کینیڈا اور امریکہ میں درختوں اور جنگلات کی بہتات ہے لیکن پرندوں کی وہ آبادی غائب ہے اور بہت کم پرندے نظر آتے ہیں ۔۔

A-one World Trade Center!

  On top of the A-one World Trade Center,Now the tallest  structure in North America. It’s rebuilt and opened to public in 2014 and 9/11 memorial in Manhattan,NY

Visiting Spain n Morocco

Visiting Spain and Morocco!

By

Abida Rahmani

I was in Islamabad at the end of 2019 , that my friends living in Los Angeles, CA convinced me to join them for a trip to Spain. It had always been a great passion and desire to visit Spain and see the lost grandeur of almost 600  years Muslims rule in Spain:

After completing all the financial obligations we were supposed to leave on 25th March 2020 for Barcelona. 

Soon after the Covid-19 Pandemic ruled the world and Spain along with USA and rest of the world was badly affected. 

Finally after a wait of two years , curb and control over the pandemic with vaccines , measures and other restrictions we were able to visit Spain. I was the only one that traveled from Toronto to Barcelona, rest of the group arrived from LAX. I was traveling through Aerlingus and had a connection through Dublin because it’s an Irish airline. 

After arrival at Barcelona there was no to receive me. Luckily has got the name of the hotel from our agent and tour operator Yazmin Ahmed. 

After changing the currency figured out that the language problem is quite imminent. However with the help of airport security guard, got the shuttle van to hotel for 20 euros. It was

hotel

Roger de lluria

28, 08010, 

Barcelona, spain

I reached there in the morning while rest of the group arrived in the evening!

After taking rest, had some food went around the block .

After the arrival of rest of the group went to a nearby restaurant for food.

Next day we started touring Barcelona with a guide in the morning!

Catalonia's vibrant capital, Barcelona is a stunning seaside city that flaunts her beauty and sunny lifestyle. Gorgeous scenery, breathtaking architecture, and superb cultural attractions make for an alluring destination. Of course, the balmy Mediterranean climate adds to the charm.

Barcelona has an atmospheric medieval quarter, the Barri Gòtic, with an almost magical old-world ambience, but it's even more famous for its Modernist architecture. Antoni Gaudí left a lasting mark on Barcelona with his avant-garde Surrealist buildings; several are UNESCO listed.

Trip to Spain and Morocco 

Part :2

On way to Madrid:

After a walking tour on March 21st in Barcelona’s narrow but clean organized streets went through Gothic quarter, Jewish quarter, Cathedral and city hall. 

Jews were eliminated from Spain and many Muslim countries rescued them.

At 2:pm we were at the bus to start our journey for Madrid. It was a six hours journey, had a stop over for lunch and restroom. There were miles and miles of Olive trees on both sides of the highway. Spain is a big exporter of Olive oil. Had a lot of fun on our way, songs, jokes, laughs and prayers. Shaheena Mirza took our funny pictures while sleeping. It was almost 9:00 pm that we arrived at hotel. We have to pull our luggage all the way on the street to hotel because the bus had no approach there. 

We had to take pictures of hotel plaque and entrance for our reminder with weird names.

 Madrid, 

Spain's central capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro. It’s renowned for its rich repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez and other Spanish masters. The heart of old Hapsburg Madrid is the portico-lined Plaza Mayor, and nearby is the baroque Royal Palace and Armory, displaying historic weaponry. 

Madrid was officially made the national capital by Philip III, an entire generation after Philip II took the court to Madrid in 1561. Under the patronage of Philip II and his successors, Madrid developed into a city of curious contrasts, preserving its old, overcrowded centre, around which developed palaces, convents, churches, and public buildings.

The next day in the morning started the walking tour with our young guide. She was 6months pregnant and expecting a boy.In our group the only male was brother Fasahat Syed and she gleefully told us that another male is with her in her tummy.

It was raining now and then all along and we had only two sunny days in our trip. Generally it doesn’t rain that much in Spain. Therefore it was cold and soggy with no signs of spring!

Most of us wanted to have a cultural show. Yazmeen Ahmad booked that , it was an equestrian show with a bit of Flamingo. Because of the rains there wasn’t any Flamingo show on the streets. Flamingo dance is a prominent character of Spanish culture!

The Royal palace has the grandeur of a palace. Since Spain is a Monarchy, this palace is used for large banquets and other ceremonies.

Photography was banned at Equestrian show and the main Palace!

Visiting Spain n Morocco

 Visiting Spain and Morocco!

By

Abida Rahmani

I was in Islamabad at the end of 2019 , that my friends living in Los Angeles, CA convinced me to join them for a trip to Spain. It had always been a great passion and desire to visit Spain and see the lost grandeur of almost 600  years Muslims rule in Spain:

After completing all the financial obligations we were supposed to leave on 25th March 2020 for Barcelona. 

Soon after the Covid-19 Pandemic ruled the world and Spain along with USA and rest of the world was badly affected. 

Finally after a wait of two years , curb and control over the pandemic with vaccines and other restrictions we were able to visit Spain. I was the only one that traveled from Toronto to Barcelona, rest of the group arrived from LAX. I was traveling through Aerlingus and had a connection through Dublin because it’s an Irish airline. 

After arrival at Barcelona there was no to receive me. Luckily has got the name of the hotel from our agent and tour operator Yazmin Ahmed. 

After changing the currency figured out that the language problem is quite apparent. However with the help of airport security guard, got the shuttle van to hotel for 20 euros. It was

hotel

Roger de lluria

28, 08010, 

Barcelona, spain

I reached there in the morning while rest of the group arrived in the evening!

After taking rest, had some food went around the block .

After the arrival of rest of the group went to a nearby restaurant for food.

Next day we started touring Barcelona with a guide in the morning!

Arrived at Barcelona:

Trip to Spain and Morocco 

Rabat , Casablanca,Madrid and back home!

We have to leave our hotel Dar Bensauda early in the morning at 6 am. Our breakfast was nicely arranged by hotel early in the morning. In the meantime we were quite acquainted with hotel’ friendly and courteous staff. 

After breakfast at our hotel, we met our guide and driver and set out to the city of Meknes, where together with our  guide saleem we explored the major highlights in about 3 hours. We start with admiring the grand entrance to the city and as well the most beautiful gates in the world - Bab Mansour.

Rabat was a 2-1/2 hour drive from Meknes. A vast  lush green landscaping , Olive trees and date palms could be seen on sides of the road.

Rabat, Morocco's capital, rests along the shores of the Bouregreg River and the Atlantic Ocean. It's known for landmarks that speak to its Islamic and French-colonial heritage, including the Kasbah of the Udayas. This Berber-era royal fort is surrounded by formal French-designed gardens and overlooks the ocean. The city's iconic Hassan Tower, a 12th-century minaret, soars above the ruins of a mosque. Here some Royal guards were standing on horses with whom we had pictures!

After Roaming around we arrived at our hotel to spend the night:

After early morning breakfast grabbing the luggage we rode our bus with guide and started for Casablanca!

Casablanca means white palace القصر ابیض

Tour of Casablanca
Welcome to Casablanca - Morocco's largest city and in fact one of the largest and most important hubs in entire Africa! 

We were supposed to go to shopping and Saleem warned us about pickpockets in the area to take care of our belongings! Everyone was  quite alert.On arrival at Casablanca we went to big white mosque besides Atlantic Ocean build by former ruler Hassan II of Morocco. It is the second largest functioning mosque in Africa and is the 7th largest in the world. Its minaret is the world's second tallest minaret at 210 metres. It was a magnificent mosque we went to see, designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau.

Unfortunately there were no arrangements for us to get inside not even allowed to use the washrooms. Therefore we just roamed around, took pictures, strolled down the shores of Atlantic and came back to the van. Most of the group people were eager to do shopping while I was the only one for sightseeing with no success. All got busy in shopping in the plaza, had some juice and ice cream . We were there for 1-1/2 hour before going to airport and take a flight to Madrid:However three persons were untraceable after deadline and it took another 1/2 hour to trace them. Finally when they return we took a sigh of relief and started our journey to airport. Just had a drive through and a glimpse of city that was all we did in Casablanca.

Saleem and driver bid farewell to us at the airport. As we were checking in,Yasmin Ahmed our tour operator and a co passenger Saba faced some problem with booking. Rest of our group left for Madrid while unaware about their fate.

It was utterly irresponsible of Yasmin that she didn’t contact us to give us guidelines about our night stay at Madrid and departure!

After arrival we ran around the airport to do Covid testing for tomorrow morning departure and find some place to have a night stay. There was no news of Yazmin.Finally Zarina was successful to get the hotel name through her daughter contacting Yazmin somehow. We hired Taxis arrived at hotel by midnight while half of the group preferred to stay at the airport. Dead tired and exhausted, slept for a couple of hours and early morning at six we again hired taxis and went for Covid testing at a nearby clinic.The clinic charged us 70 euros per person.

After getting our reports again hired taxis and went back to hotel. My flight was two hours earlier than rest of the group. Hurriedly did my breakfast, grabbed my luggage, called taxi and rushed to the airport ( Yasmin Ahmed still owes  me 40 euros because she had to reimburse me).

I was dropped at terminal two the wrong terminal. The counter was at terminal four.luckily got a ready to go shuttle bus and was helped with luggage by some nice boys.After checking in by skipping the long lines through request had to go through train to gate S. 

The Aerlingus flight was at time. Totally exhausted slept most of the time up to Dublin. From Dublin to Toronto had a meal service luckily.

After arrival at Toronto, standing till the last moment at conveyor built, my luggage didn’t arrive. Looked at the tags , it was booked upto Dublin.At checking in I told the agent that my destination is Toronto and she affirmed it.

Filed the complaint with Aer Lingus agent there. The luggage finally arrived after a week. 

My treatment during Covid

 My treatments during covid days!

Took Tylenol or panadol when the fever went more than 99. Had black and green tea with clove, cinnamon and black cardamom. I used to keep it light or in a big cup. Had a lot of soup.

یخنی مرغ کی ادرک لہسن ، پیاز، سیاہ مرچ، لونگ وغیرہ کے ساتھ کافی  استعمال کی ۔ 

Drank warm water , taking steam with a bit of Vicks is quite relieving.

I think most of you have used these remedies.

I’m okay now alhamdolillah!

Abida Rahmani

Karachi visit in January 2022.

 Karachi’s weather isn’t lagging behind in rains and cold from rest of the country. How to handle the mosquitoes issue is another question!

Had an incredible get together lunch with my old neighbors arranged by my dear friend at block 7 Gulshan-e - Iqbal Karachi. This great get together was cherished beyond words !

Visited for condolence of Dilawar , father of Alamgir PTI and their other family members. They were my next door neighbors for years.

Life goes on but memories last for ever.😞

عابدہ رحمانی

Traveling through Rail Car

 Long time after 80s, had this railcar journey. The AC compartment was full. Barely got 3 tickets for ac and two for Economy. It was comfortable. Rest of the system is the same 50 years old one ,qulis holding the boxes on their head and climbing through stairs to cross the platform

Amazing Lanka, پاکستان ٹریول فورم کے ساتھی لنکا ڈھائے

 

Abida Rahmani 

February 2-3 2022

Trip to Srilanka was announced in December by Major Tariq Hayat and I decided to take this opportunity and join them. His organizational abilities are no doubt superb. With launching "amazing Lanka " WhatsApp group  ,information and questions were poured in. 

In the meantime I visited Karachi for two weeks and caught some cold flu from there. On my arrival I tested negative however with fever,body aches and upset stomach ,it was considered Omicron. It was a sheer good luck that I got recovered two weeks earlier.

During this Covid period travel requirements and protocol has changed a lot, yet unpredictable if one turned out positive .

It happened with our group members . Two of them turned positive in Pakistan and two in Srilanka . It caused them a lot of hassle and stress. 

After recovery started preparation for the trip. At the same time travel to Lahore from  Islamabad to catch the early morning flight was under consideration . Many members opted to reach Lahore by themselves .I and Shaheen were assured by Tariq and Basar that we would travel along them. 

Finally it was decided to travel by train or Railcar to Lahore.  Major Farrukh had booked the seats. The train was leaving at 6pm from Rawalpindi. I started from home at F-10 Islamabad at 4:30 . Got stucked in a standstill traffic and the driver took another long route with anxious moments and calls from Tariq and Basar, the train was missed. Reaching Chaklala station was impossible, he advised to take the 7pm Daewoo bus. Luckily got the bus five minutes earlier. It was Reaching Lahore at 11:30 pm.  My brother Farooq arranged for my pickup from  Thokar Niaz Beg to the airport.  On my way when Nabil asked me, " are you going back to America?" He was surprised with my answer. 

"نہیں میں سری لنکا گھومنے پھرنے جارہی ہوں "

He looked at  me cautiously. 

After reaching the airport got connected  with the group. All is well that ends well 

Now I repent for not taking a  flight to Lahore and all that hassle could be avoided . I have sufficient PIA'S award miles in my account. 

The flight left at 4:30 am. The flight  crew was nice, wearing exotic uniforms. 

Found empty seats in the middle row and lied down for a couple of hours.

Srilankan time is 1/2 an hour ahead of us.

Arrived at Colombo at 8:30 . Went through immigration and all the requirements, Two buses , two guides Jaan one and Jaan two received us with garlands of beautiful,sweet smelling addendum flowers. 

It was quite hot and humid here.Took off all our wollies but couldn't get a  chance to change. 

Our first night stop over was at  " Cinnamon village resort hotel Habarana"

Anuradhapur province.  It was a  six  hours drive from here.  After some time we stopped for a  nice Srilankan breakfast of eggs, parathas, daal etc. More like Pakistani taste. 

On our way then stopped at Pannawala elephants refuge. It was quite interesting .After watching all the elephants enjoying water at the river ,at the shelter and hospital, it was quite a fun.  Bought yellow coconut, had the water with a  straw. Then asked the seller to take out fruit from the shell. It was amazing .

Brought one for Shaheen however she didn't like it. 

Coconuts are in abundance and coconut milk is used in cooking 

Srilankan are generally petite and smart people with high literacy rate almost 99,%.

The population is low and the county is clean and organized.

It was almost 5:30 pm that we reached Habarana at the  hotel. Dead tired but excited with the  greenery, new country, environment and group members. 

The dinner was sumptuous with vast options. 

We had to  leave at 9:30 while another small group of youngsters were supposed to climb Sigria Lions Rock at 7:30

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نیا سال مبارک

السلام علیکم ، نئے سال کی نئی صبح یہاں پاکستان میں سب کو مبارک ہو ۔ اللہ تعالٰی اپنی خیر و برکات نچھاور کرے ، پاکستان اورامت مسلمہ کے مسائل حل کردے۔ اتحاد و اتفاق ، عقل و شعور،امن اور سلامتی کی تو فیق عطا فرمائے ۔ اس عالمی وبا کا دنیا سے خاتمہ کردے ۔آمین یا رب العٰلمین 

عابدہ رحمانی