Going to Pakistan with American Wife: Ongoing Updates

[Meengla]

Hey guys,
[This can be an ongoing thread about our experiences in Pakistan, especially with regard to the tourism potentials of Pakistan and the fabulous Pakistani hospitality. So please don't remove this from the Tourism forum if you don't mind.]

Finally, after a long gap, wife and I are going to Karachi (and perhaps to Islamabad) starting in just a few days. Excited and nervous. Not nervous because of security but can't pinpoint the reasons. Maybe because how to cram so many possibilities in a 2-week trip. Maybe because how to balance meeting the family with the need to mingle and promote local bloggers.

Pakistan based members', especially from Karachi's, input is most welcome and appreciated.

First question:
1) Has anyone tried Google FI in Pakistan? I have just switched to Google FI and am hoping I will have a seamless experience?
Here is a link:
https://support.google.com/fi/answer/6157794?hl=en&ref_topic=6181106

Thank you!

 

[Clutch]

Hey guys,
[This can be an ongoing thread about our experiences in Pakistan, especially with regard to the tourism potentials of Pakistan and the fabulous Pakistani hospitality. So please don't remove this from the Tourism forum if you don't mind.]

Finally, after a long gap, wife and I are going to Karachi (and perhaps to Islamabad) starting in just a few days. Excited and nervous. Not nervous because of security but can't pinpoint the reasons. Maybe because how to cram so many possibilities in a 2-week trip. Maybe because how to balance meeting the family with the need to mingle and promote local bloggers.

Pakistan based members', especially from Karachi's, input is most welcome and appreciated.

First question:
1) Has anyone tried Google FI in Pakistan? I have just switched to Google FI and am hoping I will have a seamless experience?
Here is a link:
https://support.google.com/fi/answer/6157794?hl=en&ref_topic=6181106

Thank you!

Karachi is horrible. I would focus on Lahore and North.

Just my advice.

 

[TNT]

Well its winter and there will be snow and road blocakages in the north, still u can go till naran, swat.

 

[Imran Khan]

better land in islamabad and let her enjoy isloo beauty

 

[Lincoln]

Personally, whenever someone asks me about tourism in Pakistan. I always give advice of visiting Islamabad, Murree, and the Northern Areas.

Murree really has that very cultural, local and great cool vibe to it. Islamabad is just a beautiful capital, and Northern Areas are the real deal.

But the urban cities like Karachi, Lahore, they just don't appeal to me. I don't understand why anyone would want to visit them. They have their nice places but they really aren't all that different and every city has it.

 

[Valar.]

Personally, whenever someone asks me about tourism in Pakistan. I always give advice of visiting Islamabad, Murree, and the Northern Areas.

Murree really has that very cultural, local and great cool vibe to it. Islamabad is just a beautiful capital, and Northern Areas are the real deal.

But the urban cities like Karachi, Lahore, they just don't appeal to me. I don't understand why anyone would want to visit them. They have their nice places but they really aren't all that different and every city has it.

You know there is something called SAD (seasonal affective disorder) in which a person feels gloomy in some particular season mostly in winter. Remedy for them is the opposite season.

Then there are people who like mountains, greenry, may be cold, snow and even skiing. But there are also people who like beaches, hot weather, deserts.

Then there are people who like bustling cities compared to smaller towns and vice versa.

My point, what is likeable for you might not be likeable for others.
What interests others, might not interest you.
To each his own.

 

[Crystal-Clear]

Karachi is horrible. I would focus on Lahore and North.

Just my advice.

lahore is heavily polluted .

 

[Rafi]

Hey guys,
[This can be an ongoing thread about our experiences in Pakistan, especially with regard to the tourism potentials of Pakistan and the fabulous Pakistani hospitality. So please don't remove this from the Tourism forum if you don't mind.]

Finally, after a long gap, wife and I are going to Karachi (and perhaps to Islamabad) starting in just a few days. Excited and nervous. Not nervous because of security but can't pinpoint the reasons. Maybe because how to cram so many possibilities in a 2-week trip. Maybe because how to balance meeting the family with the need to mingle and promote local bloggers.

Pakistan based members', especially from Karachi's, input is most welcome and appreciated.

First question:
1) Has anyone tried Google FI in Pakistan? I have just switched to Google FI and am hoping I will have a seamless experience?
Here is a link:
https://support.google.com/fi/answer/6157794?hl=en&ref_topic=6181106

Thank you!

All the best, have a great trip.

 

[Meengla]

Guys,
Thank you for the inputs.
Though Karachi is a city of my birth and formative years, I have not been a fan of that city; I just don't care for cities much, even in America. I have a theory that city people are always restless!

But Karachi has the relatives, including an ageing mother. So must spend considerable time there. But wife's visit is being keenly watched by our American friends and relatives--with some apprehensions for her. A successful trip is a good PR for Pakistan. I will try to get away from Karachi by taking wife to ISB using the Green Line or some other luxury train...

So no one has Google FI experience in Pakistan?!! I was just on a cruise in Nassau, Bahamas and people were enjoying phone calls and data on Google FI while I had to go to a restaurant, blow away some money on food, so that they would give me WIFI. After that cruise, i decided to switch to Google FI and so far coverage in America has been pretty decent, though I have yet to try real rural areas and Interstate Highways...

 

[YeBeWarned]

Guys,
Thank you for the inputs.
Though Karachi is a city of my birth and formative years, I have not been a fan of that city; I just don't care for cities much, even in America. I have a theory that city people are always restless!

But Karachi has the relatives, including an ageing mother. So must spend considerable time there. But wife's visit is being keenly watched by our American friends and relatives--with some apprehensions for her. A successful trip is a good PR for Pakistan. I will try to get away from Karachi by taking wife to ISB using the Green Line or some other luxury train...

So no one has Google FI experience in Pakistan?!! I was just on a cruise in Nassau, Bahamas and people were enjoying phone calls and data on Google FI while I had to go to a restaurant, blow away some money on food, so that they would give me WIFI. After that cruise, i decided to switch to Google FI and so far coverage in America has been pretty decent, though I have yet to try real rural areas and Interstate Highways...

I'll advice against Green Line, their 2 person compartments are hard to get ,the other 6 person compartments are horrible , Bathroom sucks and often delayed on stations .. talking from Personal experience from last December , Try Jinnah Express a little bit expensive but worth a try .

Avoid places in Karachi as they are dirty and turn into big Garbage dumping spot ..

Johar -
Nazimabad -
FB Area
Liyari
Orangi

North Nazimabad is getting clean , Gulshan is relatively cleaner , Defense , DHA , Tariq Road/Bahadura bad ...
For good Pakistani Food try Hussaina Bad , Tariq Road , bath Island and Zero Point ..
For Fun Activities , Arena ( Shahra-e-Faisal ) , Lucky One Mall , Zero Point , Hyperstar/Ocean Mall , for beaches try Hox bay , Manora Island , Turtle beach , Charna Island and finally Kund Malir .

For Shopping if you have no problem with Sound and people pollution than Sadar .
For security, avoid late night drive away's , keep least cash and old phones with you all the time, Do not resist with Robbers , Avoid Storing Clean water in home ( Ref to Dengue ) .

To meet me , you can contact my Personal assistant Just kidding .. Enjoy your time in Karachi/Pakistan

 

[Clutch]

lahore is heavily polluted .

That is also true... Just go Northern area... The only spec of Pakistan not yet ruined!!

 

[Lincoln]

Guys,
Thank you for the inputs.
Though Karachi is a city of my birth and formative years, I have not been a fan of that city; I just don't care for cities much, even in America. I have a theory that city people are always restless!

But Karachi has the relatives, including an ageing mother. So must spend considerable time there. But wife's visit is being keenly watched by our American friends and relatives--with some apprehensions for her. A successful trip is a good PR for Pakistan. I will try to get away from Karachi by taking wife to ISB using the Green Line or some other luxury train...

So no one has Google FI experience in Pakistan?!! I was just on a cruise in Nassau, Bahamas and people were enjoying phone calls and data on Google FI while I had to go to a restaurant, blow away some money on food, so that they would give me WIFI. After that cruise, i decided to switch to Google FI and so far coverage in America has been pretty decent, though I have yet to try real rural areas and Interstate Highways...

Don't make it a PR trip. Simply enjoy it and go where you want to go. Trying a bit of everything will be a lot, travelling is already a very burnout experience at times.

 

[JonAsad]

lahore is heavily polluted .

jinay lahore nai vekhiya oo jamia e nai - thats why -

 

[-blitzkrieg-]

Hey guys,
[This can be an ongoing thread about our experiences in Pakistan, especially with regard to the tourism potentials of Pakistan and the fabulous Pakistani hospitality. So please don't remove this from the Tourism forum if you don't mind.]

Finally, after a long gap, wife and I are going to Karachi (and perhaps to Islamabad) starting in just a few days. Excited and nervous. Not nervous because of security but can't pinpoint the reasons. Maybe because how to cram so many possibilities in a 2-week trip. Maybe because how to balance meeting the family with the need to mingle and promote local bloggers.

Pakistan based members', especially from Karachi's, input is most welcome and appreciated.

First question:
1) Has anyone tried Google FI in Pakistan? I have just switched to Google FI and am hoping I will have a seamless experience?
Here is a link:
https://support.google.com/fi/answer/6157794?hl=en&ref_topic=6181106

Thank you!

Just stick to Islamabad and north for now.

 

[Men in Green]

Just stay away from Karachi and Lahore and you will be good. Karachi bcz of garbage and peoples plus city has nothing to offer, And Lahore only cuz of fog and air quality.
Iam karachtie.