LEH LADAKH

31.08.16 : Our stay in Leh ended today.  It was lovely and the people were really friendly, kind and honest but hardworking.  The place is so barren and brown and every where the valleys were surround by barren mountains, topped with snow.  Everywhere we drove, we saw lots of army barracks and the personnel working hard to defend our nation.  Security was very tight and checking done at all points.  Was feeling bad for our soldiers.  Morning we got up at 5am to pack up leave for the airport.  Our flight was from Leh to Srinagar, Srinagar to Delhi and then from Delhi to Mumbai (full day journey).  The security checks at Leh and Srinagar was too tight, checking all our baggages and hand luggages thoroughly.  Our break journey at Delhi was long but due to rain and flood there, it got longer.  However, our flight was international one and hence it was comfortable,  food was great and good movies too.  Though it got delayed due to rain, it was a pleasant tiring journey, starting at 6am and reaching home at 9pm.  Tiring but lovely Leh holidays.  Meant for youngsters, who were driving up and down with Royal Enfield mobikes.  Luckily for us, we were not affected by lack of oxygen, since we took the suggestion from our driver, to take a small bit of camphor, wrap with tissue paper and pack your one nostril with it and breathe it.  This really helped.  We did not need to take Diamox, suggested by our doctor, if in trouble.  Juley....Juley - Ladaki way of greetings - Hello - Bye - Thank you

LEH LADAKH

 
30.08.16 : We got up to cold water, since no electricity for our hot pot.  We got out to see the sunrise over the mountain and seeing the different hues of blues in the lake due to sunrays.

Pangong Lake, is an endorheic lake in theHimalayas situated at a height of about 4,350 m (14,270 ft). It is 134 km (83 mi) long and extends from India to China. Approximately 60% of the length of the lake lies in China. The lake is 5 km (3.1 mi) wide at its broadest point. During winter the lake freezes completely, despite being saline water

After hot tea in the dining hall, we were given bucket with hot water, with which we washed ourselves and got ready.  We had nice hot breakfast at 8a.m.  The temperature in the morning was warm as there was no rain. Then we walked down to the lake and enjoyed the scenic beauty of the Lake and the surrounding mountains.

At 9am, we started our journey back, admiring the scenes displayed in 3 idiots and other movies, which was filmed over there.  They even displayed the yellow scooter which Kareena drove down in her wedding lengha with helmet.  On return journey we got to see wild animals like Yaks, Marmots, horses, etc. The cold weather did not agree with Philo inspite of 2-3 layers of clothing.  We returned home, dropped Philo and then went to the local market for fruits and vegetables like apples, apricots, big radish and zucchini etc.

On return we visited Thiksey Monastry.  One of the biggest Monasteries in Ladakh.The monastery is located at an altitude of 3,600 metres (11,800 ft) in the Indus Valley. It is a twelve-story complex and houses many items of Buddhist art such as stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings and swords. One of the main points of interest is the Maitreya Temple installed to commemorate the visit of the 14th Dalai Lama to this monastery in 1970; it contains a 15 metres (49 ft) high statue of Maitreya, the largest such statue in Ladakh, covering two stories of the building
 

Returned back to Hotel for farewell dinner prepared by Ivan and the girls.  After the dinner, our hostess, Stanzin, Ponam & Sonam, dressed up in their Tibetan & Ladaki outfits and sang their songs and danced their local dances.  We ended up dancing along with them.  We were in tears when the evening ended up.  

LEH, LADAKH

29.08.16 : Ivan went with Annu to the airport early morning at 5 a.m.  After breakfast, at 8.30 a.m. we are left for Pangong Lake via Changla Pass. Changla Pass  is famous for its high altitude mountain passes.  It is third highest motorable mountain pass in the world, Chang La Pass, situated at an altitude of 5,360 meters above sea level, is named after the Sadhu Changla Baba. It has  scenic and serene natural beauty.  It was coldest place for us with temperature below 0*C.  It was snowing and I did not need to go to the Glacier to see the snow.  By the time we drove to Pangong Lake we were all frozen up, since it started raining too.  Drive down was beautiful  with snow topped mountains around and the lake had different hues of blues depending on the sunrays.  It was beautiful.  Our hotel was on the lake front in tents but facilities there did not have electricity, hot water,  wi-fi or phone connection.  Totally isolated but beautiful place.  Electricity came at 7 pm, through generator which was put off at 11 p.m.  Dinner was at 8pm which was piping hot and lovely vegetarian Punjabi meal.  It was cold that night inspite double clothings.

LEH, LADAKH TRIP

28.08.16 : Annu got up with bad health problem and he wanted to go back home and so we dropped and postponed our trip to Pangong Lake today.  We tried to get flight tickets but being Sunday, we could not manage and hence we booked his ticket to Mumbai for 29th.  We went directly to the Airport to book his ticket.  As soon as ticket was booked, at extra costs of course, he was in good health again.  We went off to the Hall of Fame, where memorials of our different wars from 1947 onwards were displayed.  There was lots of pictures, armaments, guns, tanks and wars mementos displayed.  Here I was not able to see much as one of the visitors (lady) from Pune, fell down the steps and injured her hips and I was nursemaid to her, holding her arms and massaging her left leg, until ambulance arrived and took her away.

From there we went to a Tibetan Restaurant in the city and had a nice lunch of momos, Thupka, sizzlers, we got grilled fish (expensive ofcourse) too. From here we drove up the hill to Shanti Stupa, a beautiful white Domed Stupa  on top of the hill. Shanti Stupa is situated on a hilltop in Chanspa, Leh district, Ladakh, in the north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It was built in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura .The Shanti Stupa holds the relics of the Buddha at its base, enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama himself. Shanti stupa has provides beautiful and panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. This has become a primary reason for Shanti Stupa to become a popular tourist attraction, apart from its religious significance.

Rancho School - this school became famous after the Aamir Khan's movie Three Idiots. The name of this school is Druk Padma Karpo School , this is also known as Druk White Lotus school. The clean and eco friendly structures of the school is designed to withstand seismic disturbances. This school was conferred on of the most beautiful schools in the world by BBC London in the year 2016.

On our way back, we visited the Shey Palace.  Shey monastery and palace is located 15 kilometers from Leh town on the Leh - Manali road. Shey palace and the monastery was built in the sixteenth century AD. The monastery enshrines the Du Khang with an almost 10 meter high gilder copper statue of Lord Buddha. The Shey pal0ace was built by the king Deledan Nagmyal and Shey palace boasts of the largest victory stupa in Leh the top of which is made of pure gold. The Shey palace was the abode of the royal family till 1834 AD when they moved to the Stok palace.  The place is in ruin.

We return back to our hotel but onway we visited the local market where we did shopping of local fruits of Apples and Apricots and also dry fruits.  Had a relaxed evening with Annu getting ready to return to Mumbai early morning.

LEH, LADAKH TRIP

27.08.16 : We got up to cold weather, struggling to wash our face with cold water.  Luckily we had carried Electric Jug, which saved us with hot water for washing and morning tea. We went and had our nice buffet breakfast of alu parathas, omelette and poha.  Later we went around the organic farm with overladen apples and apricots trees, which we could pluck and eat as much as we want. There was vegetables like Red & White cabbage, cauliflowers, zucchini, tomatoes, onion & potatoes etc grown organically, we were allowed to pluck but we didnt since we did not know what to do with it..  We returned back to Leh via Kardongla Pass, again vide rough and winding road, which really played up with Annu, who couldn’t bear and was vomiting.  Our Taka Residency was welcome home and we relaxed with nice piping hot soup and food. We celebrated Stuzing's birthday by cutting cake & singing.  Luckily we had cake with us.

LEH, LADAKH TRIP

26.08.16 : We left early for Nubra Valley via Kardongla Pass. Khardung La  Pass,  located in the Ladakh region of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Siachen Glacier lies part way up the latter valley.  The elevation of Khardung La is 5,359 m (17,582 ft),  it is the world's highest motorable pass. We passed through winding, narrow road but you have to appreciate the drivers, whose traffic sense of helping each other and allowing others first and no honking at all except at curves of mountain to inform that they are approaching.  There is 25kms of bad road in between, which will kill your back, arse and neck. 

Khardong La is historically important as it lies on the major caravan route from Leh to Kashgar in Central Asia (old silk route, travelling by horses & donkeys). About 10,000 horses and camels used to take the route annually, and a small population of Bactrian camels can still be seen at Hunder.  We reached Organic Retreat Camp at Nubra Valley.  We had nice Tent accommodation with self contained bathroom toilet.  

After refreshing ourselves with hot tea, we left Nubra Valley where we met the Bactrian Camels (double humped camels).  This place had desert feeling with sand dunes and flat desert to travel,  Both Philo and self took chance to ride the camels, the guys did not want to try. They charged Rs. 350/- for half hour drive but it is fun and worth it. On way back, we were invited to visit the local cultural program, where we got to see the Ladaki ladies dancing with colourful costumes and jewelry.  Dances like Shondol, (Dances of Takshosmas), Mentok (Festival of Flowers) Jabro (Changthang Dance Zangskar Dance and the last dance was Modern dance, in the end they invited us folks to join them in their dance to the song of “Bombay sai aya mera dost”.  We went out and tried out their costumes which was colourful and fun and I assume we are looking quite cute.  Ofcourse our guys were not willing to come near it.

 

 

We returned back to our Resort, where  we relaxed with nice drinks and snacks in the garden.  After we were charged up, we went and had nice buffet dinner.  We then went and sat out in the open, where there was nice bonfire. The weather around was cold and we were all packed up with warm clothes, but manageable.  It was around 10 to 12*C. Our bed was cosy with thick mattress and blankets.

LEH, LADAKH TRIP

25.08.16: After breakfast, our Driver Nazir turned up with his Innova and we left for Sham Valley sightseeing.  On way we saw below winding river of Indus, which further led to Sangam of Indus River and Zangakar River. Both joined into one, and it was nice to see the different colours of water of 3 rivers.

On way we visited Alchi Monastry, an old ancient Monastry,  it is distinct from other monasteries in Ladakh as it is situated on flat ground unlike others which are located on hilltops. It has three main structures known as Dukhang, Sumtsek and the temple of Manjushri. Dukhang, the assembly hall, is the largest and the oldest preserved part of the monastery. Walls of the assembly hall are full of ancient paintings that depict different forms of Buddha and goddesses. On the ground floor there is a Maitreya Buddha along with figure of white Avalokiteshvara and Manjushri. A beautiful old monastery.

Travelled to a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Lamayuru, Leh district, India. It is situated on the Srinagar-Leh highway. Considered to be one of the largest and oldest monasteriesof Ladakh, with a population of around 150 permanent monks resident. The oldest surviving building at Lamayuru is a temple called Seng-ge-sgang, at the southern end of the Lamayuru rock, which is attributed to the famous builder-monk Rinchen Zangpo (958-1055 CE). On our way back we stopped at Magnetic Hill, where we watched our car going back due to Magnetic effect.   

We proceeded to Gurdwara Pathar Sahib, which is situated on the Srinagar-Leh Road, 25kms before the Leh. It is very beautiful and it was created in memory of the founder of Sikh religion and the first guru , Guru Nanak. History : Guru Nanak Dev reached here during the second journey (1515-1518 A.D.) in 1517 A.D. after giving his sermon on summer hills. In the opposite hill, there lived a cruel demon who use to terrify the people and eat them after killing. One day, when Guru ji was immersed deep in the worship of God, the demon took the opportunity and throw a huge stone (Pathar) on Guruji, so that Guruji would die under the huge stone. As the huge stone touched Guruji, it became like wax. You can have a glimpse of the holy stone inside Gurdwara Pather Sahib.  It is maintained and visited by army personnel located around Leh, Jammu & Kashmir.  We returned back to Leh, to piping Ladaki food of Thupka (noodle soup) dinner by our hostess, Stanzin, Ponam & Sonam.