A man stares out of the window of the train as it waits to depart from Lahore.

After I left the station, I saw a couple of young guys on a motorbike driving close to me, there was nothing unusual in that , but at the last second, the guy on the back grabbed the camera strap. As I had the camera strap around my neck and also had my hand on my D5, I was pulled down to the ground on top of my camera. I banged my head and as I got up, I could see the motorbike continuing on. I looked down and saw there was blood dripping down on to the ground and all over my sunglasses. Not a good sign! My next thoughts went to my camera! I looked at my D5 which was covered in blood and it looked ok, I tried the lens as well and this again looked ok. I sat down to digest what had just happened. A few of the locals came over and asked if I was ok and although I had quite a bit of blood over me and not wanting a fuss, I said I was. They called a paramedic and within a few minutes I was being treated for my cur on my forehead. I was advised to go to hospital and get stiches but I declined and insisted I was ok.

I thanked the people for their concern and again after testing the camera, I spent the rest of the day continuing to do photography around Lahore.

I have to say that with the exception of those 2 guys on the motorbike, I found everyone in Pakistan to bet very friendly indeed, one of the friendliest countries I have visited.

Now the risk of having your camera stolen is one that is present just about everywhere you go so I don’t single Pakistan as being dangerous because of this, quite the reverse in fact.

This is also a reason I choose the professional Nikon cameras. they are built like tanks and whilst they are not Indestructible, I have yet to be let down by them ever. My D5 encountered 2 knocks in Pakistan, the one described above and also falling on it whilst falling into a hole on a unlit street. My F5 got soaked in Australia and continues to work to this day. they have also encountered many knocks out and about as well.

A portrait of a security guard holding his gun.