Category Archives: travel diaries

– Things you need to do in Karachi

So I had a short trip to Karachi a few days ago, and this is what I’d suggest to anyone traveling there.

SPA

I absolutely love pampering myself and taking time for a slow, relaxing self care day, whether it’s a soothing massage, a fresh manicure and pedicure, or a good blow dry. I recently had an amazing scalp and shoulder massage at SOHO Salon in Karachi that lasted about 15 to 20 minutes, and they really knew the right pressure points, finishing with hot stones and a warm towel, which was so relaxing I nearly fell asleep. My mani pedi was just as good, with a great range of nail colors and properly sterilized tools opened in front of me. The blow dry was average since the curls didn’t last long, possibly due to Karachi’s humidity, and overall salon services here are noticeably more expensive than in Lahore.

CHAAYE CULTURE

When I say Karachi has the best chaaye spots, I truly mean it. I love my tea and I know exactly how it should taste, and Chaye Wala in Bukhari is hands down the best I’ve ever had. Just get it in a disposable cup for the perfect experience. I used to get Doodhpati but in karak form with Cardamom. So it was a blend of three different chaaye they were serving.

Cafes and restaurants which aren’t in Lahore or your city.

You should definitely try cafes which aren’t available in the city or place you live. I absolutely love espresso, but they shut their branches off in Lahore. So when I went to karachi I went there thrice. Their spicy chicken panini sandwich, mushroom soup and the brick oven pizza was an absolute delight.

96NM for those frappes and coffee cravings. They had opened a pop up in Lahore a couple of months ago and they literally know how to make the perfect balance and blend of a frappe and a coffee. Their Signature (cold) NM special frappe and matcha is definitely what I’d recommend.

Cafe Flo was too bland and tasteless for me. Probably won’t be going there again. However Chef’s table was really good. We took an 11 course meal and we chose the items we’d want to be individually served to us. The desserts I didn’t like, it was too desi for my taste “Paan Gelato”. I liked their Rice Pudding though. From the main I’d recommend the smashed beef in paratha. Amazing. The same paratha smash which got hyped in Dubai. Oh and I liked their Matka Biryani as well.

Seafood from Oyster Bay.

You need to try the seafood boil at Oyster Bay because it’s an experience in itself. It takes some effort as you crack open the crab carefully, trying not to hurt yourself in the process, and while they only had local crabs, I feel king crab would have been better since it’s meatier and easier to handle. The Cajun sauce wasn’t as spicy as I expected, especially compared to Boiling Crab where you can choose different spice levels, so my expectations were a bit high, but it was still enjoyable. The shrimps were similar but in a milder sauce, and overall it’s a fun, messy experience best enjoyed with friends or family where you go full desi and eat with your hands, and they even provide bibs and gloves to make it easier.

Good Luck ❤️

– The Journeys That Became Memories.

What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite?

My favorite holidays aren’t defined by one place or one trip. When I think about them, I think about my father, my Aba, and the way he made travel feel like so much more than just going somewhere new. He didn’t just take us on vacations, he made us a part of something he truly loved. From sitting by the window on the Pacific Coast Amtrak train watching the ocean stretch endlessly beside us, to long drives from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe filled with conversations and quiet moments, every journey felt complete simply because we were together.

Some memories still feel almost unreal, like climbing over a thousand steps to reach Mount Saint Michel in France, exhausted but happy, or traveling across Europe from Paris to Zurich and Amsterdam, experiencing new places while holding onto that same sense of closeness. Aba always said his trips would feel empty without us, and now I understand what he meant. It was never about the destination for him, it was about sharing those moments with family, about making sure we were there with him in everything he experienced.

Now when I look back, those memories mean everything to me, but they are also bittersweet. I sometimes think about going back to the same cafés and places just to feel close to him again, even though I know it won’t ever be the same. And maybe that is okay. What stays with me is not the places, but the feeling he created, the warmth, the togetherness, and the quiet happiness of being there as a family. I have already lived my favorite holidays and most of my wish list. I was 29 when I lost my father. He is a big part of me and will always be. I dream of him often and find comfort in that.

City of Angels : Los Angeles

Do you have a favorite place you have visited? Where is it?

Los Angeles during December has a gentle magic to it. The city feels slower, softer, and calmer compared to the constant rush of New York City. The weather is cool but never harsh, and there’s this bright winter light that makes even an ordinary day feel special. Everywhere you go, there’s a quiet sense of warmth in the air, like the city itself is relaxing.

Some of my most peaceful moments were spent by the water. Laguna Beach and Malibu Beach quickly became two of my all-time favorites. No matter the time of day, they carried a calm that settled straight into your chest. Morning waves, golden afternoons, evenings when the sky turned soft, or late nights when the ocean was the only sound around you—each moment felt healing in its own quiet way.

Glendale became the heart of my time in LA. During the holiday season, the whole city feels inviting. The lights, the music drifting through the streets, the cozy crowd at the Americana at Brand, and the decorated corners all around the city created a soft holiday atmosphere that made me feel at home. Glendale is also famous for its vibrant Persian community, and it shows everywhere you look. From the markets to the restaurants, it’s full of life, and the Persian cuisine there is some of the best I’ve ever had. Even simple routines felt comforting, like quick grocery trips to Target/Ralphs or wandering around the mall with Christmas songs playing in the background.

There were also the little details that made the experience unforgettable. The drives along Angeles Crest with mountains opening up around the road. Grabbing In-N-Out almost every day without ever getting tired of it. Stopping for Salt & Straw ice cream. And remembering the Godiva outlet that no longer exists, especially their rich dark chocolate ice cream that became a small tradition for me whenever I passed by.

Even the quiet evenings in Pasadena added to the feeling. Walking along Colorado Boulevard felt safe, lively, and full of gentle energy. The mix of nature, holiday lights, food, small routines, and late-night drives created a season that felt warm and deeply personal. Los Angeles in December became more than just a place to visit. It became a memory that settled in my heart, full of moments that still feel alive when I think about them.

All of this traveling and seeing these places was thanks to my amazing father. He literally showed us the world. He was a very involved, loving, and caring father who made every trip special. Glendale has a personal connection for our family too, because it is where my father went for his further studies in the 1980s. Today, it remains one of the safest neighborhoods in LA, and experiencing it with the memories of my father made it feel even more special. I will forever carry his memory—his favorite restaurant, his favorite cuisine, his recommendations. I just can’t believe he is no longer here with me.

Places you need to visit at least once in your life!

Paris;

I really wanted to visit Paris ever since I was a kid specially because of Disneyland. I am so glad when the first time I went to Paris I was 22 and the memories I have are so clear. Kids don’t remember anything!! The best age to travel is actually when you can remember what you did, where you went and all those amazing strolls down the aesthetically pleasing streets! You need to stay in a good neighbourhood so that you can actually walk and enjoy your trip. Shopping and cafe culture is something you cannot miss out on in Paris. You need to dress a bit formally in Paris; unlike Los Angeles. They have the biggest Sephora in Paris and you can literally find anything! There was even a cute little Sephora next to our hotel as well. I hate how convenient shopping is in Paris and you literally end up buying whatever catches your eye. Which means you end up buying things you don’t need.

Amsterdam;

This is definitely the most safest city after Zurich. Literally everyone is so sweet and kind. I love the tram culture in Amsterdam, you can never get lost in this amazing dutch city. The canals, weather, food and super easy going lifestyle is what attracts people to visit this amazing place over and over again. You need to try seafood here, particularly the famous SeaFood bar. The weather is super pleasant and you might even need a jacket after sunset (that is if there’s no heat wave). Avoid going to Amsterdam in June & July since chances are you might get caught in middle of a heat wave and it might just ruin your trip. Personally for me, I hate summers and I hate hot weathers. The best time to visit Amsterdam is definitely Autumn and spring.

Norway (Fjords);

I have never visited Norway but this is on my bucket list for the future. Not every trip has to start and end at Champs-Élysées or Rodeo, You need to experience naturally aesthetically pleasing sites too. Fjords are a slice of what heaven would look like. If you don’t know what an amazing piece of land Norway is you need to start looking up (specifically their Fjords). I am grateful to my father to have told me about this amazing piece of land and one day I plan on going there with him and the rest of my family. I’ve always traveled with my entire family and I don’t understand how people can just fly off themselves whilst leaving their families on one side of the world. My father always included us in his plans and I will forever be grateful to him.

Los Angeles;

Flights to LA can be hell tiring and the the jet lag takes at least a week to get over. But is it worth it? HELL YESS!! As soon as you get out of LAX the cool breeze can make you forget about the long flight and how tired you actually are. You just need someone who knows all the places. You need to stay in a safe neighbourhood. I absolutely loved Glendale. The apartment where we stayed was a 5-6 minutes walk from Americana The Brand. I used to walk by myself every single time. People are extremely warm and welcoming. Three things I loved the most was my salt & straw ice cream, In-n-out burgers and Boiling crab. You need to try these things if you’re in Los Angeles(or some other city). I prefer walking when I’m travelling, I hate using any sort of transportation. Absolutely loved Laguna beach and Malibu Beach there, you just need to make sure you don’t slip when a wave comes right at you, just hold your ground. I once had my back towards the ocean, a huge wave just came right at me and I had to make sure I didn’t budge and stand perfectly still( i’m extremely bad at swimming); almost went into the pacific. Sharks are on of my major fears ever since growing up (probably because I watched ever single scary shark movie) I was the only one that close to the water. But oh well I was brave I guess. I just love walking on the beach, soaking my feet in the water and enjoy the sound of the waves. The skies in California are literally out of this world.

Iceland;

This place is yet again on my bucket list. You’ll see geothermal hot springs billowing with white smoke, moss-covered lava fields stretching into the distance, dazzling white glaciers slicked over mountainsides and if you’re lucky you’ll see the Northern lights too.

Nothern lights – Iceland

Peak viewing season for the northern lights is always September through March when the nights are long, during winters darkness can extend for approximately 19 hours. Arrive about five days before a new moon, and you will have a very dark week ahead, perfect for seeing the lights. List of places in Iceland where you can witness Northern lights;

– Hella

– ReykjavĂ­k

– Höfn

– SkĂłgar

– Snaefellsnes

Next attraction is the Blue Lagoon. It’s a a geothermal spa, located in a lava field near Grindavík and in front of Mount Þorbjörn.

Lake Tahoe, Nevade;

I went to Lake Tahoe last year, it was summer the season, the lake had all shades of blue and it was so pretty. South Lake Tahoe is a more touristy spot and but you can definitely spot some secluded places with minimal or no people for your photography. Emerald bay was a bit crowded but definitely worth the views. Tahoe has lakes, Greenery and snow capped mountains at the same time. If you plan on going to The States do add driving to Lake Tahoe, you’d love it.

Yosemite National Park, California;

If you truely want to be awed and experience mother natures true beauty you need to visit Yosemite National Park. It includes peaks, canyons, cliffs, domes, rivers, lakes, immense waterfalls, lush green meadows, wildlife, and forests. If you’re lucky (or unlucky) you can also spot a bear just strolling around you. Just don’t feed them and don’t walk off by yourself since the park is packed with wildlife. I saw the biggest squirrels at Yosemite. Literally huge and fat. You’ll see the worlds tallest sequoia trees here too. You’ll feel like you stepped into a fairytale.

I’ll be adding more places to this amazing list. Stay tuned for more✨

Sehr đź©·

P.s if you’ve ever been to any of these places don’t forget to reach out and share your experience!