Top 10: Cupid calling

This Valentine’s Day try not to be poster couple and indulge in fun and adventurous activities for a change.

1. Road trip

Take a special Bonnie and Clyde-ish getaway and trust me the adrenaline rush of driving away from the city will make this a trip to remember. People in Islamabad can drive off to Peer Sohawa or even to hill stations like Nathiagali and Murree, while Karachiites can explore the other side of the highway.

2. Go-karting

Put your ‘young and fun’ hat back on and go for a crazy go-karting experience.

3. Visit an iconic location

As boring as this may sound, an excursion to a monument could be very romantic. Going to Frere Hall in Karachi or Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore and taking crazy photographs can be an amazing experience. 

4. Ice Skating

This is for all those love struck kids who believe in public displays of affection. Treat this as a ‘having an ice cream in winters’ sort of an activity and launch yourself on an ice skating rink. This is one place no will judge you for cosying up, because you know, a lot can happen on slippery ice.

5. Carriage rides for the more romantic

Carriages are a grandiose yet economical way to transport yourself in a completely different epoch altogether and are definitely an innovative way to celebrate February 14.

6. Bake cupcakes together

This idea may not be that flattering for all the Tarzans out there, but this is a great way to impress your lady love, and at the end of it, you’ll have batch of freshly baked cupcakes to enjoy over a cup of coffee — Win-win!

7. Paint together or take a creative class

Look for a common skill you’re both really bad at. Plan in advance and take that particular class together and enjoy making a total fool out of yourselves.

8. Act like tourists

Act like two deranged tourists and go around the city irking people with your incessant questioning and confused arguments. This could be your own live episode of “Candid Camera” while you explore your own city. 

9. Have a foodie adventure

Raid your local food street and try out every possible food item you can within Rs1,000. A budget crunch would make things more thrilling and it will save you from spending too much on expensive delicacies that taste like hay and make your taste buds weep.

 10. Attend an arts and culture event

Investing in a show at a local arts and culture centre is a great way to spend some time together. If the show turns out to be worth your money you can always enjoy a post show discussion over coffee and if it doesn’t,  you have a hall full of people to giggle at.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13^th, 2012.