In Praise, In chase, of Ice cream
Pandora`s Box
 Woke up today and just knew it was the perfect day for ice cream. Even the clouds gave a sign
source
So went on my way to my favorite haunt

I heard that The hot spot has opened up a new little branch in Saidpur village. How about we go there today and check it out?

It's not a long drive to saidpur, hardly five minutes from the main Margalla road here in Islamabad.
Beautiful day today...
Do click and zoom in to get the full effect of just how beautiful a day it really is
Saidpur is a village as old as the hills and is famed for it's beautiful old Mandir and Gurdwara that have been standing quietly for decades amdist the shade of old rubber plant trees.
Lets take a closer look


As breathtaking as these are, my nirvana lies in the quest of finding that little ice cream place. So lets go on towards the other side of the village where they have remodeled and all the eateries are located.

 Des Pardes nope...
The Polo lounge, nope...

The local earthenware. Check out the high heels on display. Top shelf near right :) Apparently the village belle prefer these instead of Cinderella's glass slippers...

Those are some beautiful old doors and windows. Wonder if they're for sale. As if I could afford 'em.



Oooh they have the famous Chatkhara of Lahore. They have some mouthwatering treats that they are famous for, but we'll save 'em for another day. We're on a serious ice cream finding mission. We must not let other temptations distract us.

Ohkaaay!! So I'm quite lost. It's not here where most of the restaurants are. A guy tells me we'll have to go back towards the hill where the two temples stand. (sounds like directions straight out of Arabian nights) Are you up for it? O come on! These people churn out the creamiest, most amazing handmade ice cream in town. You won't let a stair or two stand in the way now will you?

Emmm...did I say a stair or two?
Thankfully we don't have to take these.
Instead, we have to follow this path that leads to the maze like stairs that will lead us up the hill.

Up, Up we go...
 Finally.. A signboard telling us we're on the right path.. yes this disturbing signboard really has a skeleton on it. Don't let it bother you, The owners are in love with all things gory.
Let's take a breather shall we? And then we'll be on our way up again. I have a feeling we're quite near.
 I'm so thirsty, I could drink a barrel of water...

lets go, lets go, we're climbing up the last set of stairs I promise. I can see the signboard.

Finally! The pearly  rustic gates of heaven...

Yeah the owners have thing for Horror, cult classics and B class movies. In fact, they promote the old Lollywood style art and sell Tshirts and souvenirs.
 You must have worked up quite an appetite climbing up all those stairs. Hey! don't give me the evil eye. I didn't know okay! It's my first time here too.

Hold on a second!They just told me they only serve the sugar cones at their cafe in the city, and they're not available up here. Are you freaki'n kidding me??? Why couldn't they just put a sign down where the stairs start and write, "we don't have sugar cones here, so save your breath and turn back now". Sadists!! Well.. I know the cones aren't the only thing they're famous for, but I really wanted one. There were ice cream cone clouds up in the morning today for cryi'n out loud.
 Fine fine I'll just order a scoop of oreo mint and... salty butter pecan if it's not too much trouble plz. Mmmm.... delicious!!! So worth the climb.

Lets go find a seat outside...

How about this cozy lil nook hidden behind this bougainvillea?



 If I focus the camera,You can see a bit of Blue Area's skyline from up here...


Next time I'll take you with me to their cafe in the city. No stairs, and no nasty surprises I promise. It's inside a bus!
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20 Responses
  1. Shreya Says:
    16 May 2012 at 08:36

    This place is gorgeous.

    And the menu looks so tempting? Why didn't you have some burgers?


  2. Pandora`s Box Says:
    16 May 2012 at 09:34

    Hi Shreya aka cupcake queen :) I guess I was too hot after that climb to even think about eating char grilled burgers lol. But now I wish I had. They sound really good.


  3. Farhan Jalil Says:
    16 May 2012 at 11:09

    Nice! thanks for the ride :)


  4. Namita Says:
    16 May 2012 at 12:34

    how pretty is this place!!! I have seen many pretty places but ummm this has surpassed them all,,I love to go to places where there is lot of greenery (i am hugely attracted to forests).
    wish buttercup could fly high and see this place asap..

    on a side note,,how was your holidays miss :)

    missed ur posts :D


  5. Pandora`s Box Says:
    16 May 2012 at 18:29

    @Farhan J: Thanks for coming along:)

    @Namita: Yes it's really pretty up there. The good thing is that the villagers still live there and can call it home. A lot of remodeled places have had the locals uprooted and relocated. Mauritius sure is heaven on earth. Breathtaking buttercup. You must fly there too :)


  6. Maham Says:
    17 May 2012 at 08:55

    Omg! this post was so intriguing, infact inspiring. I must go to saidpur village too as I live in Islamabad too. Please write regularly as I love love love your posts..:D


  7. Nayab Says:
    17 May 2012 at 10:30

    you have to try their burgers! they are the best. aaaah my city is soo soo beautiful! LOVED the post :)


  8. Pandora`s Box Says:
    17 May 2012 at 20:49

    @Maham: Thanks hon, and yes! You must plan a visit. It's not even that far. Le me know how it went.

    @Nayabloves: Really? I guess I missed out big time. Will surely try 'em soon. And yes, we are lucky to be living here.


  9. productwhore111 Says:
    19 May 2012 at 08:48

    You're lucky to be living in this beautiful city. Intriguing post. Loved it.


  10. Eesh Says:
    1 June 2012 at 18:53

    Ahaha aww that's a shame they didnt have them ahha. But OMG that place looks AMAZING!! So gorgeous and pretty! I would have been happy just finding such beauty really =D


  11. Heidi Noroozy Says:
    4 June 2012 at 20:20

    What a lovely place! Makes me wish *I* lived in Islamabad. :) And I consider ice cream to be one of the major food groups...


  12. Unknown Says:
    15 June 2012 at 02:08

    AMAZING PLACE!!

    http://estilohedonico.blogspot.pt/

    xoxo


  13. Unknown Says:
    31 July 2012 at 09:58

    Hi! I totally agree. Thanks for stopping by & following. I really enjoyed reading your blogs! It's nice to meet a fellow Pakistani blogger =)


  14. Ayesha. Says:
    11 August 2012 at 22:08

    OMG I am following your blog after just having gone this post alone, i went to Saidpur a few weeks ago and curse my lack of forethought, didn't bring my camera. (I'm from Karachi), do you mind if i post some of these photos up on my tumblr? I promise to link you as the source! PRETTY PLEEEEASE!!!


  15. Pandora`s Box Says:
    12 August 2012 at 00:14

    Hi Ayesha. Welcome to my blog. Sure you can use my pics, do provide me with the link as well. Would love to read your post.


  16. May Says:
    25 August 2012 at 06:20

    Great pictures and I love the first one, which is the ice cream picture..
    Following back and I look forward being part of your blog. Thanks for stopping by..


  17. Unknown Says:
    12 January 2013 at 13:09

    I haven't been to Saidpur village yet - would you believe that?!

    Sarah
    PrettyGloss - makeup, beauty & a lil gibberish


  18. Maila Says:
    8 February 2013 at 15:34

    I enjoyed reading about you lil hunt! Will surely go have a look if ever I get the chance to visit Islamabad!

    Keep updating, your blog is one of the few that I always look forward to reading :D


  19. Kiran Palwasha Says:
    17 May 2013 at 05:50

    Wow that's really a great post. I liked your expression and the photographs no doubt are wonderful :)


  20. Jenna H. Says:
    8 March 2015 at 11:06

    Those photographs are amazing! I love your blog :)
    -Jenna <3
    Trying to get to 300 followers! The Chic Cupcake


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