Chuck called from the roof of the Pak Palace Hotel, which is located
outside of the center of Islamabad in a quiet area. The rooms are air
conditioned and everyone slept well. They went into town for lunch in a
five star hotel, the Crown Continental Hotel, in Rawalpindi. Once they
got to the hotel, the security was more intense than American airports
to get into the lobby with armed guards and metal detectors. They had
dinner at the Jahangir restaurant in Islamabad with some Slovenian
climbers working with the same agency, Karakorum Magic Mountains, and
heading to Broad Peak. There were huge protests and peaceful
demonstrations going on all day and night in the city blocking the roads
and making it difficult to get around.
They met with the Ministry of Tourism at their office at the National
Sports Center and got their permit. They are also waiting for two of
Andy's bags to show up, but they are scheduled to arrive this morning.
They are planning to leave Islamabad today and drive part way to Skardu
to a hotel along the Karakorum Highway.
Pak Palace Hotel
Saturday, June 14, 2008
