A VISIT TO HILL STATION – A PICNIC PARTY

Life is full of good and bad moments. Each day in itself brings various moments in life. Every day we go
through mixed feelings. Sometimes, only we have experienced a pure jovial moment or a pure sad
moment. Everyone also has the special moment in life. It is just a day when someone's dreams are fulfilled.
With the time the memories just get blurred, but stays with us in our mind. Whenever, we remember such
moments we get excited and thrilled.

There are many days in life that bring joy and pleasure but some days are the happiest and remain in our
mind forever. These days are the reminders of the amazing time we have spent. The happiest day of my
life is a visit to a Hill station. The happiness I felt that day has no match with any other day of my life.
Some picnics are a potluck, an entertainment at which each person contributed some dish to a common
table for all to share. When the picnic is not also a cookout, the food eaten is rarely hot, instead taking the
form of deli sandwiches, finger, fresh fruit, salad, cold meats and accompanied by soft drinks.

A picnic to a hill station in summer is a great pleasure. I decided to visit Murree hills. I also invited my
friends and cousins to visit Murree hills. A hill station is a town located at a higher elevation than the
nearby plain or valley. The hill stations in Pakistan includes Abbott bad, Fort Munro, Hunza, Kaghan Valley.

As many of us had not seen the beauty of this place so, we decided that this natural place must be visited.
After making all necessary preparations, we took a train from Karachi to reach Rawalpindi. After a day's
halt, we left for Murree by a bus. The journey up the hills was very enjoyable. The ascent was full of turns
and windings, and altogether, the journey was quite difficult from journey on plains.

"The best part of the beauty is that which no picture can describe"

We reached Murree 3 p.m. on the same day. It was a fine, cool and pleasant day. Cool breeze was blowing.
And at that time, it seemed as if:

"Nature is standing in front of us in all its beauty and grace".

It was very difficult for us to search for hotel. Finally, we found a native who helped us to find a room in
hotel. The scene was most enchanting. The large trees were sealed with segregated precipitation. The
younger birds with feathers of exquisitely magical flag sitting on the trees proud the ear with their
saccharine notes. The butterflies with wings of most lovely hues could be seen flitting from efflorescence
to prime. The numerous varieties of lovely flowers and scenic ferns provided other germ of pleasure to the
eye. The comprehend was so pleasant that I kept on puffy for quite some indication. The beautiful flowers
of eye catching colours were dancing in cool breeze and looking so beautiful, as the poet says;

"See how the flowers as at parade, under colours stand displayed."

We requested that native to act as our coach. He told about Murree, its location and features. He told us
about the history of Murree. He told that Murree is an exurb of Islamabad and the administrative centre of
Murree Tehsil, in the Punjab province in Pakistan. It is in a subdivision of Rawalpindi District and includes
the parts of the Margalla Hills around Islamabad. It is located in the Pir Panjal Range, some 60 km
northeast of Islamabad and Rawalpindi via the Murree Road. Murree was the summer capital of the Punjab
Province of British India until 1864. It is located on the southern slopes of the Western Himalayan foothills
as they ascend northeastwards at an average altitude of 2,291 meters. It experiences pleasant summers
and cold, snowy winters. We are surprised to know that the permanent town of Murree was constructed at
Sunny bank in 1853.

A large number government, semi-government and private departments and institutions maintain
guesthouses in Murree. The Murree region is known for its scenic vistas of pine- and oak-covered
mountains, criss-crossed with springs and rivulets and dotted with lawns and orchards. Tourist attractions
in the area include the Murree Wildlife Park. We visited Patriata (also called New Murree). It is one of the
pivotal attractions of Murree. This place, which is 15 km away from Murree Hills, is famous for its chairlift.
It is also famous for monkey, wild boar, foxes and various species of birds, including the cheer pheasant
and kalij pheasant. We were very pleased to see such a spectacle. It was very interesting sight.

We also saw many historical buildings and many attractive natural places. We were very excited. Our
excitement was increasing day by day. Islam is the main religion of Murree, however Christian churches
from the British era can still be found in Murree and Nathia Gali. There is an Anglican church, built in 1857,
located at the centre of the town, which is still used as a place of worship. Ayubia is also a center of
attraction in Murree, which comprises four hill stations including Khanspur, Ghor Daka, Changla Gali,
Khairagali. Ayubia Chairlift and shops offering cultural shawls, caps and necklaces are the major appeal of
this place. Scenic Nathia Gali, situated in Abbottabad at a distance of 2500 m from Murree, is popular for
its maple, pine, walnut and oak trees. Mall road in Murree is the center of major economic activities.

We were very tired so we settled ourselves comfortably. The next morning we came to see the more of
enchanting Murree. The gigantic trees were covered with snow. It had hard frost during last night. It was
bitter cold. I was impressed with that natural beauty of Murree. I wished that I had a hut there. Everything
was fresh. Birds were chirping. The houses were built in an irregular manner. This entire beautiful scene
had a magical effect on all of us. As it was intense cold, so I drank hot coffee and ate dry fruits. At last, we
came to Kashmir point, a beautiful spot of nature with a very lovely sight. It was a new experience for me
so I watched everything with rapt attention. Then it started raining heavily. We were shivering all over.
Soon it became dark. We went to our hotel. However, we were still shivering with cold. I ordered waiter to
bring a cup of hot tea and some snacks. We enjoyed it a lot. Then at sharp night, we took our dinner. Then
we went for sleep because the next day was going to be very tired as we had to see some more places and
we had to leave for homes. Hellen Keller has said true;

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.
They must be felt with heart."

The next day, the rain had stopped. The sun was shining at its peak. It was a pleasant weather. It was a
bright sunny day. We went for shopping. I bought many gifts for my family and friends. I also bought new
clothes for me. We also took many snapshots. I saved many scenes in my camera. After our lunch, we
went out to see the Samli Sanitorium domino situated in a superfine depression. The full region draped
with wide conifer trees. We saw there a minuscule line of clear rock element cacophonous from sway to
shake and producing an upgrade euphony, which seemed to spread into my psyche.

A impose to the hills fills one with the breath and honor of God. An unacknowledged joy slips into our souls
and we repeat plate filled with meditate and bliss of Nature. The hours seemed to pass like minutes. Soon,
it started to dark. It was our time to return home. We hired a bus and started towards Rawalpindi. Then we
set off for Karachi. I reached home early in the next morning. After travelling a long distance, I was very
tired. However, I was happy.

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever."

The sweet memories were still present in my mind. It was the happiest day of my life. It was the best
picnic I ever had. Thus a memorable day it was. It was indeed the happiest day of my life. It will haunt me
in the years to come. I cannot forget that day. That day, I came to realize the beauty of nature. Nature is
beautiful. Albert Einstein has said;

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”

Albert Einstein