Day 3 (6th October 2024 – Sunday) started with a spark of excitement as we woke up early, packed our bags, and loaded Safdar Mamu’s trusty Prado. The good news? Faizan was feeling much better after a restful night, and we were all set for another day of adventure. Initially, the plan was to grab breakfast in Naran, but as it happens on all road trips, plans shifted, and we decided to head back to Kaghan instead.
The Spruce Resort (formerly Arcadian): English Breakfast vs. Desi Cravings
On our way back, we stumbled upon a beautiful riverside resort called The Spruce. Located in the mountains with lush green lawns and cozy chairs, the place looked like a dream. It was the perfect spot to sit back and enjoy a quiet breakfast by the river. However, things took a humorous turn when we took one look at the English menu, and Salman Khan’s face dropped faster than a missed penalty. “Where are the channay and alloo bhujia?” he cried, backed by the rest of us who were in the mood for a desi feast. Faizan, however, decided to stay and enjoy his English breakfast while the rest of us set off on a mini jungle trek nearby.
The trek was magical, with towering pine trees and fallen cones that I couldn’t resist collecting for my wife, who’s an interior decorator and painter. Instagram shots were a must, of course, and we spent some time capturing the beauty of the place. When we returned, Faizan had just finished his breakfast, grinning from ear to ear. “Best breakfast ever!” he teased, making us, especially Salman Khan, regret our decision to skip it.
Walnuts, Honey, and Silajit – And the Joke of the Day
After leaving The Spruce, we continued our journey back towards Balakot. Along the way, we came across a roadside stall selling walnuts, honey, desi ghee, and the infamous silajit—a local health tonic often touted for its strength-boosting properties. Naturally, we stopped. The man running the stall was a character, explaining the benefits of each product with a level of passion that could beat the doctor talk!
But the real fun began when Salman Khan, with a completely serious face, asked the seller, “Can children eat silajit?” The stall owner looked confused for a second, and then we all burst into laughter. This joke became the running gag of the day, and Salman endured endless teasing from the rest of us.
Rehan’s Sickness and the Famous Daal in Balakot
As we made our way down the winding roads, Rehan started feeling a little unwell—motion sickness had caught up with him. We suggested the classic remedy of lemon water with salt, and thankfully, he recovered by the time we reached Balakot. No Faizan-level sickness here!
In Balakot, hunger was creeping in since we had skipped breakfast. We stopped at a newly opened reataurant and, in a unanimous decision led by Safdar Mamu, ordered daal and roti. There was something comforting about this simple meal after a long day of travel. Of course, Salman Sheikh, always the odd one out, decided to order biryani—because why not?
A Goodbye Hi-Tea and Bullet Coffee at Rehan’s House
Once our appetites were satisfied, we continued on to Rehan’s home in Abbottabad, where his wife had prepared a lovely Hi-Tea for us. Me and Safdar Mamu indulged in some strong, rejuvenating bullet coffee to keep ourselves going for the final stretch of the trip. After a relaxing chat and much-needed rest, we bid farewell to Rehan and thanked his wife for the wonderful hospitality.
Final Goodbyes and the Road Home
From Rehan’s place, we headed back to drop off Salman Khan at his home. The journey was nearing its end, and the mood was bittersweet as we dropped one friend after another. Safdar Mamu’s house in Taxila was our last stop, where Faizan’s car had been patiently waiting for him. My Nissan was there too, so I swapped out the bags, said my goodbyes to everyone, and picked up Salman Sheikh to drop him off in Wah Cantt. With that, my journey finally came to an end, and I made my way home, reflecting on what had been an incredible, laughter-filled adventure with some of my closest friends.
And that wraps up our three days of memories, jokes, and unexpected adventures. Until next time, mountains!
