Daily Times

The construction of the road has made it a hot spot for tourists. Bahrain is known for its riverside tourist resorts, local handicrafts and its view of the merging of the Daral and Swat Rivers.

It also serves as a base camp for the trail that leads to the Daral & Saidgai lakes.

As soon as you get closer to this place, the weather changes. In Mingora the climate is moderate but here you will feel the cool breeze and pleasant weather with drizzling. On your way to Bahrain you will see the fruit trees and children pluck the fruits from the trees and stand on roadside to sell them to the tourists. Peaches, plums, apples and apricots are in abundance there. You will also find the best and real honey from Bahrain.

I entered the fantastic town and I was surrounded by sky high mountains and the sounds of the rivers echoing in the air. It was already raining when I reached and another surprise was the large number of tourists there. Bahrain is a small town and the main bazaar is also only a kilometre long. On the same strip you will have the hotels, restaurants and the shops of local and handmade stuff also the clothes with Swati embroidery on them.

I was able to find a room in one of the best hotels of Bahrain and from the balcony of the room I could watch the dancing river and the huge mountain.

I entered the fantastic town and was surrounded by sky high mountains and the sounds of the rivers echoing in the air. It was already raining when I reached and another surprise was the large number of tourists there. Bahrain is a small town and the main bazaar is also only a kilometre long

The locals said that there were two natural springs there which were famous for curing any kind of disease with their water. I couldn’t go there but next time I visit Bahrain I plan to.

The best thing to eat there is Kabuli Pulao, Chapli Kebab, Lamb Shinwari and mixed vegetables. The bazaar is opened all day and night just like Muree or Nathia Gali Mall roads. There is a life in this town and it never sleeps.

The owner of the hotel where I was staying at in Bahrain told me a strange thing. He said that people there had either some spiritual strength or were Jins and that one of the room attendants was also a jin. I wonder that to what extent is this true and I will surely visit again to experience this.

Another local of Bahrain who was selling milk in a shop told me that the entire town was cleaned out because of a flood. This man also told me a strange story and said that the water sprung out of the ground and rocks and took away the entire town. This town of Bahrain is called as the New Bahrain by the locals there. The people are so modest and god fearing that they take every calamity or natural disaster as a result of their sins.

Yes one thing I would like to inform all my readers and especially those who plan to visit Swat that don’t go close to the river. The river has a flashy speed and while I was there two people a father and a daughter had drowned in the river. So be careful and keep away from the splashing water of the river.

Let me claim that the people of these areas are also very sweet, humble and down to Earth. They welcome all tourists and make them comfortable. Let us clear the misconceptions about these areas and the people so that tourism picks up more in these areas and the people explore this side of Pakistan too. This was the story of my land Pakistan which I adore and cherish. I think we all are lucky to be Pakistanis as we own such a beautiful land. g

The writer can be reached at taniashahab2016@gmail.com