đ Rawalpindi is the New Islamabad
Tired of the Lahori summers, many lahoris find shelter in the mountains of the north. But it requires time and freedom. Both of which are very rare and hard to find. Khair, we had to visit Islamabad for âsomeâ work and we tried to make the best of it.
We were trying to escape the Lahori summers only to find out thereâs another version of summer that we donât like. The Isloo summers. While the weather wasnât as bad, it wasnât a very outdoorsy weather. We had to find some indoor activities to make the most of our mini weekend vacation. Indoor activities meant food mostly. Islamabad did have more to offer though.
So we stayed in Bahria Town Phase 7, which is in Rawalpindi but for some reason people donât want to associate anything with Rawalpindi. DHA Islamabad is actually DHA Rawalpindi. Giga Mall is also in Pindi. I was amazed to see how people think of Rawalpindi so lowly. Bahria Town was amazing and so beautiful. Giga Mall was nice too. Lahore has nicer malls though. But Islamabad has a great vibe. Mountains, the cleanliness, and the atmosphere. Thereâs something about this city that makes you want to live here.
We were recommended Tiger Temple by a lot of people. Asian fusion cuisine. It was okayish. Maybe we ordered the wrong stuff but we didnât find it extraordinary. We visited the very crowded Lake View Park, it was huge. Pakistan Monument was nice. There was a museum too that was closed when we went there but we enjoyed good views of the city.
The weather wasnât the best so we had to do something about it. The best thing about Islamabad is that the hilly areas are just an hourâs drive away. And that is what we did. Stayed a night in Bhurban before coming back to Islamabad.
To wrap up the trip, our last adventure was MegaZone in Fatima Jinnah park where I tried âice'-skating for the first time in my life, with my wife. It was fun. Not sure if you guys are bored by all of the above details, so Iâll stop here.
đ¨ Creative Corner
My photography scene has been picking up pace lately and you will be seeing more of my amateur photography skills on my Instagram page. While I will be using a professional camera for most of my posts, please check the following capture I did with my smartphone. I believe it is very creative!! :)
Would love some constructive feedback. Iâd also love to see your images if you are into landscape and street photography, and will definitely share them on my Instagram.
đĽď¸ Recommended Resources
Audible by Amazon If you donât have time to read books, you can listen to them. Audiobooks, Iâve found, is a great replacement to listening to music and wasting time. Also you can listen to them at 2x speed which can save even more time. Get a Free Audible Trial and experience listening to one of the following audio books that I recommend: FREE ATOMIC HABITS
Monal Fusion the Food Mall at Bhera Rest Station is the best place if you have to use the restroom or offer prayers in between your Lahore to Islamabad journey. The food was okayish but the whole facility was outclass.
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If you are in Islamabad for one day only, and you need to try only one place to get high quality Islamabad food, Roasters is the place for you!
It has the best serving quantity, amazing food quality, comfortable seating, and a great experience. Whenever Iâm in Islamabad, I make sure I try something from this place and it has never disappointed me.
Roasters made sure to stuff us to our full capacity!
Oh and a recommendation for those who are living in Islamabad. Levain Cookies. These are some of the best home cooked cookies Iâve ever had in my life.
𦷠Oral Hygiene Advice
Listen to your doctor. Listen to what they have to say about your teeth and your treatment. Donât listen to your family members or friends unless they are qualified to give advice on dental or medical issues. Why is this important? Because a dentist knows more about dental and oral disease than any medical doctor, parent or patient of that disease. They can only share about their experience but not comment on what you should do with your disease.
𧾠Fashion and Style
I recently got this magnetic key holder from Waldor. A Pakistani brand that has successfully copied Bellroy key organiser. The quality is pretty good and the design is great too. I really like the leather finish and the colour. Works great with your car key as well.
There are very minor functional issues but considering that it is at the fraction of the price of Bellroy, and that it is well made, I think this is a great bargain. Also a great gift for men. Will be featuring an amazing sling bag in the next edition of Smile Gazette.
đŁď¸ Community Spotlight
In the community spotlight, we will feature Noon Gunna.
Check the message from the CEO below:
Iâm a business owner and I do clinic part time. My business focuses on a platform that helps people make sustainable choices. It is kind of a thrift store where people sell things that they donât want or use. These things donât necessarily have to be used or worn. Just anything that is lying around and wasting space in your homes.
I donât believe in wasteful spending and in todayâs era with all this marketing we are always tempted by new clothes, new watches and these blingy things.
I believe finding new or old things that others own, when you get them theyâre still new for you.
We chose the noon gunna for a very specific reason. There is a vast variety of Urdu words where noon gunna is used. But no new word starts with noon gunna. Thatâs the concept of our store. Not to create any new waste in our environment. And only reuse and recycle what we own.
This is a women led business and I am proud to be making a good difference in the society, community and the world.
They are running various discounts on their instagram page. Check them out and shop what you like.
Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/noon.gunna
