City journalists (The News, Daily Times, Dawn) are/were of the view that CDA is after a Mini Golf in F-7/3.

Seemingly the old vibes are still here, residents of the area opposed to this construction and now CDA has dropped plans of Mini Golf in Islamabad yet again.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has dropped plans of developing a mini golf course in Sector F-7/3 because the project had turned controversial after residents objected to it. CDA Director (Parks) Malik Abid told Daily Times on Friday that the decision not to go ahead with the course was taken more than one month ago. “We had meetings with the residents and businessmen in the area and they wanted that making only a park there would be more appropriate,” he said.

According to CDA:

The park will be decorated with growing of new fresh green areas, sit outs, walking and jogging tracks and other landscape features.

Wow … I’m already looking forward to it. November’s the plan deadline.

ps: its the park in front of Gelatto Affairs :)

Images courtesy: Dawn

If you are one of those hungry business savvies looking out for appetizing lunch oppurtunities around you … then here’s one treat for you.

Fauzan (our ex-IMB author) forwarded me the details of JASON’s STEAK HOUSE at MARRIOTT, claiming that the results were recently with amazing and sumptuous (I wonder if the food manager of steak house is his friend ;-))

JSH is offering best steaks in town, with exquisite taste and innovative style (I wonder how exactly). Jason’s Steak House is the ultimate in steak craftsmanship.

To get a touch of prices … read on

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Just last week, when the weather became finer and I was out to up in Margallas … Monkeys welcomed us and not one or two monkeys — there were families of them enjoying themselves and probably sun bathing too :>

On our way back, we stopped our car along the path (though unfortunately my cam’s batteries got exhausted after 2-3 pix) so I couldnt take many pix but the monkeys were so cute … and gosh their eyes were so beautiful too .. lolz … really look at the eyes of the ones here below.

And their were so many babies too … they were equally adorable … and while looking at them - I was thinking (loudly) that there’s a certain feel of intellectuality in them … even in their eyes … NO?? They were in playfull mood and were cashing their charms ;-) in form of corns, bananas and what not — oh yah everyone was shooting them too.

BTW, most of them were brown - only one monkey I saw was gray coloured.

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I swear I don’t know but while going up to Pir Sohawa, a wagon, rather a crowded wagon crossed us. And the song that came to my mind ever since (and whenever I see the pic) is one by some singer sung many many years back ….

Aaaja Meri gaari may bheth jaaa

Long drive jayyeien gay

Ful speed jayein gay

Kaheen rukein gay na hum …

Happy Ride Guys … BTW can you see the guy on top posing for the picture - even giving a smile — I was like Dhayaan say bhai, tasveer kay chakar may don’t drop off ….!

This Sunday I made a trip to the “Mandi Maweshia” also known as Bakra Mandi that is being placed in H-11 this year - yes you are right the same ground where last year earthquake affectees were placed.

I don’t know if it’s large place that’s making the number of sacrificial animals lesser than every year or what … but I guess it’s enough to cater the needs of Islooittes.

Just step in the locality and a very familiar “Goaty smell” or as I normally say “the feeling of Bakriat” is what you’ll feel. Don’t worry move on. To be honest, this was the first time after so many years that I actually stepped inside the bakra mandi … face to face with all bakras and dunbas and gayays. So it was interesting too and incidentally I was the only girl in whole Bakra mandi at that time taking portraits of bakras aka goats and stylish “phedoos” aka sheep with utmost tries to stay as far as possible.

Few tips for newbie who may go out to look for animals just for fun with their parents, or maybe friends …. Few terms that are associated with Goats are:

Kheera: It’s the animal that is of 1.5 - 2 years old.

Donda: This animal is of 2+ age and usually have 4 teeth in front.

Choga: This is of around 4 years of age and is considered a bit older with not very good quality meat.

Please correct me if I’m wrong or any additions to this “knowledge-base”

The range of goats (sorry we didn’t asked for Bulls or camel :>) would go from 7K to 20+ for an average to a very good piece. Do take tips on your way to buying a sacrificial animal for differentiating between a healthy and sick animal … and do look thoroughly if the animal is hurt from somewhere.
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Yesterday, 11th December, was the International Mountain ay designated by UN … and I came to knew of it through 9 bajjay wala khabarnama … But people knew and most importantly … colleges and schools knew … Here’s a picture of Girl students of various schools and colleges taking part in hiking competition on Margalla Hills organised by the Alpine Club in connection with International Mountain Day … Bravo Charlies …!

Wondering why this (sculpted) girl is sitting on the floor on a cold evening, a cute child seems to be lost in a reverie at the Lifestyles Expo 2007.

Via Dawn

The youth hostel movement was launched by a German school teacher Mr. Richard Schermann. Once during the visit to the countryside with a group of students, to teach them language by observation, they were caught in a storm and had to suffer due to non-availability of shelter.

This incident lead to the idea of youth hostelling and the first such Youth Hostel was established by Mr. Schermann in Germany in 1909. With the passage of time, the concept earned global recognition and turned into a movement, which boasts of a membership of 60 member Associations, 13 associate Organizations, 23 accredited agencies, a total about 4,000 hostels, over 340,000 beds, over 35 bed nights and active in 85 countries of the world.

For all those young backpackers planning on visiting Islamabad, checkout our youth Hostel. That would be nice place to stay with excellent facilities at the best rates.

Address Adjoining Akhabar Market Aabpata, Shaheed -e-Millat Rd. Sector G-6/4, Islamabad
Website www.pakistanyouthhostel.com
Telephone +92 51 2826899

Oh for almost two days, Its raining cats and dogs - Islamabad is even more chillier now … with fantastic views to witness … clouds hovering not only at the mount tops but it’s an all-sky-cloudy- haven … !

Since, morning I was wishing that be it Saturday I’d have enjoyed fully … but nevertheless at office I started off with Parathas with Tea breakfast from back khokha : ) Apart from abundant oil … it was yummy but it makes you sluggish too - so never eat parathas if you’ve office to go and most importantly work to do ;)

Though, now by Lunch time I want to go to Pir Sohawa to enjoy the feeling of cloudiness with Halwa Purri … Lolz … In the morning as I stepped out of my home - I was in full mood to do some photography (my newest craze) but then in a hurry I forgot the cam … and now I’m wishing and wishing …!

If I sum up … This is the right season and day to enjoy all desi delights as parathas, halwa puurri … blah blah … to hike around (beware of mud) … to enjoy the soul of Islamabad …!

What About You … How’d You Want To Enjoy this Rainy Winters Season … (even if you are in other parts of Pakistan or even far away in world)???

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Mount Happiness or Garani (also called Meditation Point) can be easily reached from the Pir Sohawa road. You can start from the first tea stall (called Chawki) after Daman-e-Koh and walk along the ridge to Mount Happiness (Garani) where you will see unfinished picnic spot. There is a well-maintained trail from the Khayaban-e-Iqbal (”Margalla Road”) in F-6/3 to the hill top with signs erected by CDA (CDA trail 3).
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