Miss not the care, devotion of M. Iqbal Chapri's sons who are famed for making your stay in the Happy Valley memorable, meaningful and mirthful.
Thousands of visitors have come and gone carrying with them permanent impressions about the natural beauty of the enticing Kashmir Valley, with its springs gushing forth from beneath sky-high mountains, the crystal waters of the Dal Lake, the refreshing greenery and the colourful old culture of the land. Yet, there is only one way of making the best of the short visit and that's staying in a houseboat in the midst of the spell-bound scenery of the historic Dal Lake flanked by the Mughal Gardens, the Hazratbal Shrine and lofty hills. And for exhausted brains, tired bodies of the humans, thoughtful comforts and the married couples for bridled romance, the foremost and unavoidable choice should be the HAIFA and HIAWATHA wherein every facility and comfort is readily available and proper guidance offered whenever sought.
The visitors, the tourists and the naturalists, hailing from different regions of the world, counting hundreds, penned down their thoughts reminiscent of their sojourn in the frequented Valley and their stay at M. Iqbal Chapri's HAIFA (and now at HIAWATHA as well). Here are some rich and appealing comments of those who went away from here with fresher minds:
"Everyday Kashmir got more beautiful and we could have spent several months filming in the area. Thank God we did not stay in a hotel. The Haifa was like home and all thanks and good wishes to Iqbal Chapri and his son. Amin...He is one of the few men I know who can say truly—'I DO EVERYTHING!'
Simon Hinkly
Film Director, London 2, England,
'To better relate this aspect of Kashmir, let me describe one trek undertaken by myself and a Kashmiri friend, S/o Iqbal Chapri. Without his guidance, his fluency in local dialects and his knowledge of the mountain cultures, I would have been unable to make the trip."
Dr. D. Zurick,
The Times Herald
"I loved the Haifa, my host Iqbal Chapri and his son. It was a haven to return to after a day of site-seeing: it was indeed my home, all mine for the length of my stay. The Chapris treated me like an honoured guest, preparing meals to my liking, seeing to my comfort, providing hot water when I wanted it, hovering over me like the solicitous hosts they are."
Betty McNear (Travel Editor),
The Morning News, Delaware, USA
"I wish this wonderful family (of Iqbal Chapri) every success and happiness in future. There certainly has been created a bond of strong affiliation and friendship between them and myself. But, undoubtedly, the gain is mine."
Khalid Mahmood Sayyed,
Deptt. of English, KSU, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
"I enjoyed my sojourn in Houseboat HAIFA, even though all in all I spent actually little time in Srinagar. Your help with arrangements is greatly appreciated and I hope that I will be able to come back to Kashmir and enjoy your hospitality once more."
Francois Vullleumier, Ph.D.
The American Museum of Natural History, New York, United States
'Thanks for making living on a houseboat an unusual, interesting and comfortable experience. The Vale of Kashmir lives up to its fabled expectations. Visit us in the U.S.A. sometime."
Wifbert & Dorothy Snyder
Retired Scientist, Colorado, United States
"My wife Teressa and I wish to thank you for a wonderful stay and wonderful hospitality. You, your family and your boat will be in our memories always. We will be back again for a longer time and we hope you will be kind enough to allow us to stay with you."
John Thomas Brown
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
"I had heard so much about the 'Chapri' family from Margaret that I felt I knew them before I arrived. I was not disappointed. Iqbal (Chapri) has a rare wit and delightful sense of humour that kept me marveling at his many experiences from an incarcerated politician to a mountaineering contractor. Now may he and his family enjoy the fruits of their great labours"
T. Bentley Buchles
Beauhen.... England
"My host (M. Iqbal Chapri) is charming and erudite. I was well-fed and well-cared for. I am pleased to have spent my week in Kashmir aboard the HAIFA."
Patrick Farrel, Poet
New Port, Monmouth, U.K.
The HAIFA houseboat was a warm, homelike environment and the evenings on the pirch looking out on Dal Lake were fantastic. Also, the food was superb. We had a marvellous blend of Eastern and Western dishes, all prepared to perfection. For our meals, Chapri was a great host."
Marc A. Gineris New York, N.Y. 10028, U.S.A.
In their comments the Arab visitors to Kashmir have done their utmost in admiring the natural beauty of the Valley and appreciating their stay with M. Iqbal Chapri and his family on board the HAIFA and HIAWATHA. Some of the names are:
Abdullah Shaban Sulaiman
Box 714, Muscat, Oman
Ahmad Saeed Rashed
Box 1166, Dubai, U.A.E.
Fikry Abdul Baqi Ahmad
c/o Gulf Air, Bahrain
Ali Mohammad Ahmad Al-Quraish
Saudi Arabian Airlines
Box 126, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Sultan Abdullah Ali
Dubai, U.A.E.
Alawl M. Al-ldrees
Box 5059, Safwa, Saudi Arabia
Ahmad Muhammad Baouisman,
Box 4817, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Talal Ahmad Tayyab,
Box 190, Makkah Mukarramah KSA
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