Today, I would like to share my experience of Bab-e-Khyber, the monument which I used to see in my school books and on ten rupee currency note. It was in 2016, when we were in Peshawar to attend a community event and my Eldest bro from Sweden joined us there with his family having direct flight to Peshawar without stopping in Karachi. He is a very good planner and once again did it perfectly well.
We booked a hotel in Namak Mandi and whole family were busy in attending the three day event. However, me and my Eldest bro were busy exploring and roaming around in Peshawar. He was on Keto Diet and was not interested in eating outside more often as he used to do but still for me, he did some cheat days and we had a lot of fun together. On second day, he suddenly wants to see Bab-e-Khyber. Honestly, I didn’t know that it was only 20 km away. Also I thought he is joking about it but I was wrong. On our way to the community place, he stopped the taxi and went to hire the car for the trip to Bab-e-Khyber. It all happened so quickly that I didn’t get a chance to talk to my Eldest bro about it and in next hour, we were on our way to Bab-e-Khyber.
I was little scared of that area as I thought it is no go area but our driver told us that it was used to be a dangerous place but not anymore. He showed us the palace on the way which used to be of a Don or can say the head of that area. No one goes against that man, he was so strong and powerful but everyone has the downfall, he was well captured by the Army and the place was cleared and declared safe for travelling. It has a dark history.
I was still a bit nervous on the way till we reach Bab-e-Khyber. WOW finally I have seen this famous and popular monument through my naked eyes. But guess what, I asked twice is this the right place? Because what I have imagined and thought of it was massive and big but it was not that big. It was just looking like a normal monument between a busy place. No doubt, it was looking great but not what I expected it for. Well, we had pictures of it and spent a bit of time, not much and then left to return back to our hotel. I don’t know how much my bro paid for this trip but it was quick and short because we have to attend the community event as well. on our way back to Hotel, we had lunch in one of the restaurants, Chapli kabab, the famous dish from KPK, North of Pakistan. It was a memorable short trip.
All above pictures were taken by my Bro through his cell phone and camera.
