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Hike or drive - look at the mountains!
Penelope4 Says: You will need the best hiking shoes. Stones, sands, slopes - they make hiking not easy. The sights of Grand Canyon-like mountains make you forget the difficulties.
Penelope4 Says: Afghan people are kind-hearted although they are not wealthy. If you see crowds, don't be scared. Unlike in other countries where they would gather if guys are fighting or is being mobbed, in Afghanistan, they gather together if somebody's playing a musical instrument, if...
Penelope4 Says: The Band-e Amir lakes are totally awesome! Surrounded by mountains which will remind you of Grand Canyons, the lakes are clean, bluer than blue and has so many fish in them!
Penelope4 Says: The Afghans are not allowed to fish in the Band-e Amir lakes and this applies to you as well. But good news - you can swim with the fish which come a plenty! The water is bluer than the sky and you can dip with as much pleasure as you like - in summer where temperatures are...
Many things to see and admire aside from the lakes
Penelope4 Says: While sitting down or walking around the lakes, you will see the following
There are many small eateries at Band-e Amir: Kebabs at Band-e Amir
Penelope4 Says: Don't worry about food when you visit the lakes. There are many eateries there and even small shops for what-have-you. Just bring enough water or juice with you. Do not dare to bring alcohol. You will be in trouble. Kebabs smell so good in the mountains. Enjoy!
Mama Najaf restaurant: the food of afghanistan
hongmingd Says: when it comes to eating, eating in afghanistan could be very boring and unhealthy. there are not too much choices of food, just palao, kabab (grilled meat), and nan.it's better to avoid the kabab, as the meat is very very dirty. we got stomachache after eating it. the palao...
Buddah Bar by Global: The best (and only) bar in Bamiyan
mi5chelle Says: Ok, so let's not get too excited but yes, there is alchol available in Bamiyan -- in the bazaar in the black market (you must use the code names of famous people to identify which liquor you want) and in the recently re-opened Buddah Bar.The first Buddah Bar was operated by...
Bus from Bamiyan to Kabul and Vice Versa
hongmingd Says: Pictured beside is our view from the back of the minibus from Bamiyan back to Kabul. The minibuses always leave very early in the morning, in Afghanistan. I think this one left around 4:30-5:00am or similar. Day buses dont really run. All minibuses get this cramped, and...
Bazaar at the Band-e Amir lakes: Nothing for tourists, but go buy something
Penelope4 Says: The shops are now about three hundred meters away from the lakes. Loitering is strictly prohibited to preserve the nature.The bazaar is mainly for locals. You will find here household stuff like pails, ropes, nuts, some tidbits to eat and a few (just a few) pieces of...
Bamiyan bazaar: bazaar is getting better every month
mi5chelle Says: The bazaar has really grown and expanded in the last year-- you can buy a food and general househould items, clothes, mobile phone, kebab, DVDs, or get a room at cheap hotel. Look in the 'antique' shops for some decent Hazarajat klims. $40-80 depending on size and...
Smiles given is a smile gotten
mi5chelle Says: In addition to shaking hands and then placing your right hand over your heart, smiling is the best way to greet.Universally speaking, if you smile at someone they almost invariably will smile back and that's always a great ice breaker if you don't speak the language.
hongmingd Says: Everybody gettig in on the act. Notice the 3rd guy on the right with the moustache. His eyes are crossed. We noticed this phenomenon all around many of the people in the Band-E-Amir area, and suspected it was a genetic thing being passed on to each generation.
Afghanistan not safe for backpackers yet
mi5chelle Says: As I said in the intro, Afhanistan is still a very unstable and unpredictable country and should not be visited by adventure seekers and backpackers. Will keep the VT family updated if there are any positive changes.
hongmingd Says: This picture is sign of a discovered mine, which has yet to be activated. Rocks are painted red for later de-activation. When the rocks are white, the mine has been cleared. When there is no colour, then watch your step. Teams of mine seekers are in Afghanistan all the time....
At 2,500 meters, its chilly even in Summer
mi5chelle Says: Bamiyan is the heart of the Central Highlands and is surrounded by the Hindu Kush mountains so it can get cold.For day treks bring a sturdy day backpack and a water container. Always have a sweater or a fleece jacket when you come, summer, spring - anytime.In the winter you...
mi5chelle Says: In any village, especially during winter time, you can pass by and ask to see a klim or rug being woven.You can even place orders with women to make a custom rug for you. Its a wonderful experience to sit and talk with the women about their cultural traditions in...
Catch a live performance of music on the go
mi5chelle Says: Ever since the deposition of the Taliban, music is everywhere. Radio Bamiyan plays all the favorites from Pakistan, India and Iran, in additon to Afgan music.It is easy and cheap to rent a band, too. For about $25/night five musicians and a singer will come to your guest...
mi5chelle Says: Well, Buzkhashi is the national sport of Afghanistan and is a sight to behold.Two teams run around, on horseback, fighting one another for the possession of the carcass of a dead goat, because they want to carry it to the goal line.It can be very exciting to watch and the...
Plan a Bamiyan vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Bamiyan locals
coming soon. i've to do research on the site. I know that very recently, there's supposed to be a 300-m long Buddha underneath the site.
Q: Hi all, I'm weighing my options for getting to Bamiyan from Kabul. Any one have any tips/suggestions about vehicle/aircraft...
A: http://wikitravel.org/en/Bamiyan is quite enlightening.
Read 3 Replies
1
Afghanistan is known for its Band-e Amir Lakes. There are 7 lakes which come one after the other. You'll see one in here.
2
Bamiyan is pretty safe, but the rest is not
There is a great article in the website of The Washington Post about Bamiyan, written by Pamela Constable on 24 Aug 2004, called 'Out of Ruins, Afghan Group Builds Anew' Its about the Hazara people......
3
Afghans like to drink tea, definitely. this is an open chaikhana or tea-house, where people gather together, chat, and of course drink tea. this is the best place to meet locals and make friendship......
4
I've got some interesting experiences in Bamiyan. I'd love to share with you the 0 tips I've written, the 1 photo uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created.
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