I m in love with Ladakh! The pristine beauty of the moonland will make anyone speak about it for days together... The 12 day trip to Ladakh and Kashmir gave me so many new and unforgettable experiences which cant be even thought of!!!
Yes... Not expected and not even thought off...Listing a few here:
* Enjoyed breathtaking views of the mighty snow capped Himalayas...
*...
more... Survived in a region with lesser oxygen content for almost a week by following Golden rules like Take 24 hours complete rest, dont walk fast, dont talk fast, dont drink much water, etc...
* Experienced the fabulous drive on the World's Highest motorable road at Khardung la (18380 feet) in the midst of acres of snow...
* Experienced the Bactrian Camel ride in the cold desert of Nubra...
* Stayed in a deluxe tent at Hunder camp surrounded by Apple, Almond and Apricot trees...
* Enjoyed a bit of off roading in Mahindra Xylo...
* Stayed at the Sonam Norbu Memorial Govt Hospital at Leh for one night as my mom was admitted cos of oxygen deficiency
* Experienced the true hospitality of the Ladakhi people... Yes, people with the greatest levels of kindness I have ever met... The doctors and nurses at the tourist ward took care of us like our family member. All the people from the Hotel boy, driver to nurse and the doctor were so kind and polite.
* Had to compulsorily do a continuous 18 plus hour ride in Xylo from Leh to Srinagar
* Had lunch at Kargil... Felt wonderful...
* Passed through Drass ( The second coldest inhabited place in the world)
* Strandad at the Zojila pass ( 11000 plus feet) for hours together cos of Avalanches...
* Army rescued and regulated the traffic... Salute to the army for their struggle and efforts... For a moment thought that we would never return to Chennai.
* Enjoyed one of the highest cable car rides at Gulmarg...
* Experienced the horse trek at Pahalgam...
* Visited the saffron fields for the first time in Kashmir...
* Shopped in Shikaras in the middle of Dal Lake at Srinagar! Great bargaining... Great deals!!!
* Experienced a glimpse of Hot Air Balloning at Srinagar...
* Visited Srinager sunday market...
* Travelled in Air India A-320 from Srinagar to Delhi which resembeled worser than a TNSTC bus ( ECR rider)
* Looked at the air hostess and got scared... OMG... scary nightmare...
* Experienced the magnificience of one of the largest airports in the world- The IGI at Delhi...
* Travelled with P. Chidambaram and Governor Rossaiah from Delhi- Chennai onboard Air India A-321... A great flight...
Altogether the trip to Ladakh was awesome.... Everyone must visit atleast once in lifetime... I will visit again!!!
Sharing here a few pictures of my trip from May 15-26 here...
