Hunza mesmerizes Sepideh Vahdad Neccia
Newswire
Islamabad: Sepideh Vahdad Neccia, the wife of Deputy Head of Mission of Italian embassy in Pakistan Roberto Neccia, visited the mesmerizing Hunza valley this week and returned with bags full of memories.
Sepideh Vahdad Neccia told Covert that she had heard about the beauty of Hunza but it proved to be even more picturesque.
“I believe that each city has a specific colour and melody. Hunza has a mixture of the smell of the sweet local apricot and the bitter smell of the organic apricot oil,” she mentioned.
She added: “Breathtaking colorful rainbow is the color of the day and stunning falling star shine is the color of the night. We say when you see a falling star you have to make a wish, and I did. The sound of the wind among the leaves of the Hunza cherry trees is the melody of this city.”
Hunza Valley is a mountainous area in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. Hunza was formerly a princely state, bordering China to the north-east and Pamir to its northwest, which survived until 1974, when it was dissolved by then Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
The state bordered the Gilgit Agency to the south, the former princely state of Nagar to the east. The state capital was the town of Baltit (also known as Karimabad) and its old settlement is Ganish Village.
Hunza was an independent principality for more than 900 years. The British gained control of Hunza and the neighbouring valley of Nagar between 1889 and 1892 followed by a military engagement of severe intensity.
The then Thom (Prince) Mir Safdar Ali Khan of Hunza fled to Kashghar in China and sought what can be called political asylum. The ruling family of Hunza is called Ayeshe (heavenly).
The two states of Hunza and Nagar were formerly one, ruled by a branch of the Shahreis, the ruling family of Gilgit, whose seat of government was Nagar.
The visitors to Hunza are overwhelmed by the rugged charm, the fragrant breeze singing through graceful poplar trees and the velvet-like green carpet of wheat fields, set against the background of snow-covered mountains.
Hunza Valley is situated at an elevation of 2,438 meters. The tourist season is from May to October. The temperature in May is maximum 27°C and minimum 14°C. The October temperatures are: maximum 10°C and minimum 0°C.
Recalling her just concluded visit, Sepideh Vahdad Neccia said the “beautiful souls of the lovely locals and the taste of unique apricot soup and apricot juice” will remain in her memories “forever.” Sadly though, her husband Roberto Neccia, was unable to join the memorable trip for official reasons.
