A stop off at Loralai

admin — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:23:35 +0000

I reach Loralai about an hour before the sun dips fully behind the mountains, but it stays light a little longer. The city was formerly known as Bori, and is now the main city of the Loralai District. Loralai is 4,700 ft above sea level, but driving the mountains is very misleading and you are never quite sure how high or low you are. The area is one of very mixed tribes, including some from Afghanistan. It is also the home of the Paramilitary Frontier Corp, and there are many signs of the military around. Coal is mined here, and most of the houses are mud-construction, as the local soil cannot be used for brick-making, as the bricks tend to be too brittle.

The trucks out this way are incredible.

A short stop off to buy a snack.

The people here are welcoming, but I get the impression that not too many foreign travellers come though often at this time of year. A virtual traveller can be a little oblivious of the weather, or season. The city is well maintained and I pass schools, tennis courts and even a scouts group. Not far through, I pull over into a car park to the side of the Jinnah market. This turns out to be worth it, as the Cant Road leads me straight out in the morning onto the N70 towards Lahore, my next destination.

Local traffic.

Shops and street sellers.

Jim's Junket » street sellers

A stop off at Loralai