68 Gujranwala – Lahore – 82 km The ride into Lahore was relatively quick along a flat but uneven road.
As the route passed through numerous busy markets with chaotic
traffic and cakes of buffalo dung drying on the no-man’s-land
adjacent to the highway, the area wasn’t unlike Africa. There were
kids aplenty, all eager to give chase, a chase which usually ended in a
chain or pedal coming off.
Riding into Lahore, the country's second-largest city after Karachi,
was another event considered for “Fear Factor”. Streets were jam-
packed with vehicles, animals and people of all shapes and sizes, and
as far as I could figure, there were no rules at all. Nevertheless,
making as much noise as possible seemed essential, and every 10
metres of safe progress became a major accomplishment.
Lahore
A reasonably priced accommodation in Anarkali market, with its
narrow, winding, and crowded neighbourhood, made it a unique place
to stay. Not only did it take dodging rickshaws and other traffic but
also cricket balls, as cricket was a game played upon each available
pavement, street, or open area.As the country’s cultural capital,
Lahore had plenty to offer. The day was spent wandering the old city,
with its ancient fort and mosque, where a walk up one of the
minarets gave fabulous views of the remnants of old Lahore.
Eating from the ever-present street food vendors at Gawalmandi
(even if still Ramzaan), I’d the best salty lassi ever. But unfortunately,
the air pollution was tangible, and Ernest picked up the dreaded
“Lahore throat”.