Pakistan 2022

Walking in autumn in the village of Shimshal at 3800meters in the Pamirs, near the Chinese border in Pakistan. This isolated valley is surrounded by 7000m peaks. In winter here it is -40C and frequented by bears, wolves and snow leopards. Wishing you a happy Friday and a cheerful and positive weekend.

Against a wooden Fence in Hunza, Pakistan, is a butcher, selling yak meat. The tail is a fine flourish and identifier. Fortunately with cool temperatures and altitude there were not flies about, so much more hygienic than many I have seen in many markets in the world Yak is basically a variation on beef…lovely long stewed with spices. Hope your Friday is fabulous and your weekend safe and very happy.

Taken from behind the wall/fence as the call to prayer rings out, and crows circle lazily in the warm evening air. A Mughal remain, capable of accommodating 60,000 worshippers in its courtyard. Have a safe and peaceful weekend. Love to all..sorry so busy lately ❤️❤️❤️

Shimshal, at 3800meters in the Pamir Mountains of North Pakistan near the Chinese border. A tiny, extremely remote and hard to access community of subsistence farmers who herd yaks and goats, cut off for 6- 8 months by heavy snow and temperatures down to -40C. The mountain tops you see here are all over 7000meters. Wonderful people, warm and welcoming. Enjoy your Friday and have a magnificent weekend ! Diana ❤️

This fine gentleman is the security guard at the centuries old Baltit Fort, in Hunza in North Pakistan. Ironically he was also such when we travelled there in 2000. A little older now, as are we all, but still with this extraordinary moustache and a friendly smile. He is wearing the traditional Hunza hat with feather cockade.

Far North Pakistan, in the Pamirs. One of the many breathtakingly beautiful valleys in these remote regions. It is very sparsely populated as the land is quite daunting in a zone of frequent seismic activity, landslides and rockfalls, which is also under heavy snow and cut off for much of the year. I am off there again in 10 days time to explore some remote valleys bordering Afghanistan among other things. Have a lovely weekend.

In the minority and remote Kalash region of Pakistan, we met this 80 year old woman who prefers to live in her 350 year old traditional house than with her children in more comfortable accommodation. This is her full total of furniture..a bed, two stools and a stone fireplace/ stove. She has no electricity or running water. Winters here are severe and cold. It is in the mountains right on the Afghan border. The village is still very traditional. On their tour of Pakistan, Prince William and Princess Catherine were helicoptered in to visit the area and open a new community centre. There are only about 4000 remaining Kalash, and they are under pressure to convert to Islam from their animist beliefs. Have a lovely weekend all.

HFF from the omnipresent stone fences of far north Pakistan in the high mountainous landscapes of rocks and jagged peaks. These are the Passu Cones, or Tupopdan to the locals. All above 6000meters in height and marking the beginning of the twisting climb along the Karakoram Highway to the high altitude border post with China. A beautiful and remote place. One of my very favourite. Wishing you a calm and satisfying Friday, and a mild and enjoyable weekend. Bisous, hugs, abraços…..and good wishes. Diana

Pakistan. In the high Pamir, surrounded by 6000m + peaks. The lake has farm fields with stone fences. The mountains cut off the light increasingly early in the afternoons as autumn progresses. I thank you for your visit. Wishing you a peaceful and pleasant Friday, and a weekend with enjoyable weather and activities.