Sila's First Journey Towards Skardu

During the last week of August, Sila and her family were having dinner when her father gave them exciting news: they were going on a trip to Skardu. Everyone at the table became happy. Sila smiled too, but a quiet worry remained inside her. Good days always seemed to pass too quickly. She feared that when a happy moment ended, only a faint memory would remain—and one day, even that memory would fade. For the next two days, the family prepared for the trip. They talked excitedly about the places they would visit. Sila packed her phone charger carefully. She had already decided that she would take pictures of everything. She believed that photographs could save moments from being lost. After a one-hour flight, they reached Skardu. From the plane, Sila saw mountains rising above the clouds. The view was so wide and peaceful that, for a few seconds, she forgot to take a picture. Then she quickly opened her phone and captured the mountains through the window. After reaching Skardu, they visited Soq Valley, where a clear river flowed quietly between high rocky slopes. The family sat beside the water, had tea and fritters, and enjoyed the peaceful view. Sila took more pictures than anyone else. She photographed the river, the mountains, the tea cups, and her family’s smiles, as if the pictures could stop the moment from leaving.The next day, they visited Upper Kachura Lake. Boats floated on the clear water, and the mountains were reflected on its surface. Sila’s family went boating and enjoyed the cool, peaceful atmosphere. Sila took many photographs again. But that night, while everyone slept, she kept looking at the pictures on her phone. They were beautiful, yet they did not make her feel peaceful. A question stayed in her mind: What if these pictures are all that remain? What if they cannot keep the moment alive?The following morning, the family travelled towards Manthokha. As they came closer to Manthokha Waterfall, Sila heard the waterfall before she saw it. The sound became louder with every step—strong, deep, and endless. When they finally reached it, cold drops of water touched her face. The stream crashed over the rocks, and its sound filled the valley. Sila raised her phone. She wanted one more picture. But the sound of the falling water made her hand stop. She looked at the screen, then at the waterfall. The phone suddenly felt small in her hand. For the first time during the whole trip, Sila put her phone down. She closed her eyes and listened. She felt the cool air on her face and heard the laughter of her family behind her. For a few quiet moments, she did not think about the moment ending. She did not worry about what would remain after it was gone. She was simply there.After spending some beautiful moments at Manthokha, they left for Sarfaranga Cold Desert. The wide sand, distant mountains, and open sky made the place look unreal. They enjoyed the adventurous activities and the beautiful views. Sila still took a few pictures, but she did not spend the whole time looking through her phone. That night, after dinner and a walk around the hotel grounds, Sila slept peacefully. For the first time, she did not open her phone before sleeping. The next morning, the sun turned the mountain peaks into golden tops. After breakfast, the family set out to visit Shangrilla Resort, also known as Lower Kachura.When they entered Shangrilla Resort, it felt as if they had stepped into a peaceful piece of nature. The clear lake reflected the pine trees and mountains, while red-roofed huts stood near the water. The whole place looked calm and magical. The family saw a hiking track and climbed to a viewpoint above the lake. As they climbed, Sila noticed the sound of the wind moving through the trees and the changing colours of the mountains. Usually, she would have taken out her phone many times. But that day, she kept it in her pocket. At the top, she stood quietly beside her family and looked down at the lake and the red huts. Her father noticed that her phone was still in her pocket. “No pictures today?” he asked gently. Sila smiled. “I will remember this one differently.” They spent peaceful moments there before returning to the hotel. On their way back, everyone talked about the journey because they had to return home the next day. Although they did not want to leave Skardu, they knew it was time to go.The next morning, they packed their luggage, had breakfast, and left for the airport. On the flight home, Sila looked out of the window until the mountains disappeared beneath the clouds. She felt sad because she did not want to leave the beautiful valleys of Skardu. Later, while sitting quietly in the car on the way home, Sila suddenly understood something. For years, she had feared that happy moments ended too quickly. But the trip had not ended at all. The sound of the waterfall, the clear lake, the cold desert, and the golden mountains were no longer only places in Skardu. They had become a part of her. She looked at her phone and then placed it in her bag. Some moments could be captured in photogher, but the most beautiful ones were carried in the heart. family set out to visit Shangrila Resort, also known as Lower Kachura.

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