Holiday activity: Lahoris flock to recreation spots

Around 200,000 people flock to zoo over holidays

LAHORE: Scores of citizens flocked to recreation spots across the city on Sunday following the completion of rituals associated with Eid-ul-Azha.

A large number of families made a beeline for Lahore Zoo, Model Town Park, Gulshan-i-Iqbal Park, Jallo Park, Nawaz Sharif Park, Lawrence Gardens, Lahore Fort, Racecourse Park, Safari Park, amusement parks and play areas in shopping malls across the city. Scores of people were seen flocking to the zoo where monkeys, lions, tigers, an elephant and a giraffe were a hit with children. A long queue snaked all the way to the elephant’s enclosure. The zoo’s play areas, grounds and canteens were also packed with families relishing light snacks and consuming beverages.



A zoo official said around 200,000 people had flocked to the zoo over the course of Eid holidays. He said visitor numbers had remained confined to a trickle on the first day of the festival.

The official said the numbers had surged on the ensuing days with the zoo being swamped with families.

The city’s various eateries did roaring business with scores of people choosing to dine out among family and friends. Others arranged barbeque get-togethers at their residences.



Model Town resident Ali Jibran said throwing a barbeque party at his residence on the third day of the festivities had become a time-honoured tradition. “I believe this is the best way of putting sacrificial meat to good use as it allows one to grill delectable tikkas and kebabs. This makes for a great way of spreading gaiety among friends and family,” he said.

He said his friends and family had managed to collect a great amount of meat on the third day of the festival for the party. Jibran said they had a weakness for traditional favourites such as mutton tikka, chop and beef kebab. He said the dishes were usually marinated a day before the party.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2015.