Hi, I'm a male student from London, just stumbled across this site and thought i'd give it a go, hap...
Hi, I'm a male student from London, just stumbled across this site and thought i'd give it a go, happy to chat
Member since:19.09.2005
Reviews:11
I try to visit Lahore about once a year, we have family there but I really don't like staying with them - I always feel like a burden. This year I thought about staying at one of the fine hotels in the city, including the Avari, Pearl Continental ot Holiday Inn. I was quite surpised at the prices for these hotels, I mean sinlge would be costing me upwards of 50pounds a night, I know people there who don't earn that in a month! Needless to say, i stayed with the family. I'm basically going to focus on shopping and eating, with some tips
The odd thing about the hoels was the cost of food, this was more my cup of tea, i mean a luch buffet for 300ruppees (£3.20) i could happliy do with and this wasn't no cheap crusty expired food buffet but a proper international standard one....lovely Apart from the hotels food, i regularly went to (not 100% sure on the name) the Gulberg food street, which had many restaurants serving all sorts of international foods - oh and there was even a Nandos! I did also venture out to the 'legendary' food street, this was basically an open food court with mainly Pakistani foods, the prices were very reasonable - a few pound for me and my collegue, but to be on the safe side i don't thing i'd go there again, not personal safety more of the hygine site, it was open and there were cats and flies everywhere. Great if you want to experience local cuisine and the atmosphere and are really brave! So overall the food was never an issue - its a great city for any kind of eating regardless of your buget.
near to where i was staying was the Fortress Stadium, this was like a stadium with shops circurling it (I was told inside the staduim there were events through the yr - i'd missed it) here they sold everything from clothes, food, to copied DVD's (more on that later) Its a relatively secure area with a visible police presence and a Mcdonalds. I did almost all the shopping there and the prices, very resonable - dvd's 1pound, asian suits 5-10pounds (can be more) musiccds 80p. Haggle hard coz they know a tourist from a mile away
So overall food - excellent, shopping - excellent
All I'd say is try to avoid it in Ramadan and Muharram (Dec & Feb this yr) and the summer months can be a bit rough with mosquitos and very high temps - AC is not standard everywhere. Also in the winter it can get very nippy, i thing it was down to single figures this year
The worst part of the trip is always cusoms at Lahores new airport, the guys there are jerks and will ask for money to allow CD's and DVD's though, they go through your bags - keep small expensive items on your person or in hand baggage where u can see them. I mean I've had to pay about 20pounds this last trip for my 'stash' which isnt' too bad but it still annoyes me.
Lahore is an awsome city for shopping, culture and food - I know i didn't mention culture but i didn't get a chance to see much this year, I will follow this review up after my next trip there.
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Good review, been to Pakistan many times. but haven't yet been to Lahore.
dblock 29.06.2006 18:09
Good review, look forward to going to Lahore sometime soon maybe.
omar360 05.03.2006 13:50
I wish it was that simple that i could just make a scene and be dun with it, these guys (unfortunatly) know they have some power and can well essentially take your stuff, i'd rather give em sum money and get my dirt cheap dvd's home! I've got some old french francs lying about somewhere, i may try them next time....
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