Wandering Through the Quiet Corners of Skardu

the moment i stepped off the bus in skardu, the air felt different-thin, sharp, and somehow heavier with stories. the weather? i just checked and it's a teeth-chattering -5.35°c right now, feels like -9.62°c. if you're into that kind of thing, you'll love it. if not, layer up like you're auditioning for the next arctic expedition. the humidity's at 77%, which makes the cold cling to your bones in the most annoying way possible. but hey, that's part of the charm, right?

i heard from a local vendor that the best way to warm up is with a steaming cup of *kahwa from the old bazaar. apparently, it's not just tea-it's a hug in a cup. and if you're feeling adventurous, someone told me the apricot soup at Cafe De Hunza is legendary. i haven't tried it yet, but the rumors are loud enough to make me curious.

if you get bored, gilgit and hunza are just a short drive away. but honestly, skardu has this way of making you forget about everywhere else. the mountains here don't just sit in the background-they loom, they whisper, they demand your attention. i spent an afternoon just staring at k2 from a distance, and let me tell you, it's the kind of view that makes you question your life choices in the best way possible.

one thing i didn't expect? the deosai plains. someone warned me it's like stepping onto another planet. and they weren't wrong. the vastness, the silence, the way the wind cuts through you-it's humbling. i met a group of backpackers there who swore by the skardu adventure club for organizing trips. worth checking out if you're into that sort of thing.

and then there's the shangrila resort*. i overheard a couple of tourists raving about the lake there, saying it's like something out of a dream. i haven't been yet, but the way they described it-crystal-clear water reflecting the sky-it's definitely on my list.

so, if you're planning a trip here, just know that skardu isn't a place you visit-it's a place that visits you. it sticks to your skin, your thoughts, your dreams. and honestly? i wouldn't have it any other way.

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