"Band-E-Amir holds its place among the wonders of the world. The most famous things often fail to move; Band-i-Amir is above matters of taste, it is beauty itself".

From an old guidebook on Afghanistan, the above comment sums up Band-E-Amir lake well. The waters of the lakes are a shockingly unique blue that seem very bizzare. But it's genuine natural freshwater. Our journey took us from Bamiyan town on a long minibus ride to the lakes early in the morning over high plains and rough roads. The depth of the lake was dizzying. From the very edge of the lake, it was a straight down drop into the depths. No gradual increase in depth. Immediate, as the water lapped the edge. Band-E-Amir was a beautiful place to relax and take in the spectacular scenery,eat freshwater fish at lakeside,and drink the pure wate straight from the source while water cascaded over the edge of the lake on on side like an overflowing bath tub. Like the Taj Mahal in India, or the Forbidden City in Beijing, Band-E-Amir appeared to be one of those sites that locals like to go to for their vacations.

Adam Smith - September 2003