Why does Leh mean timeout? My phone network, data , wifi nothing worked.So, it was 3 days of break from the world.I had booked Leh air tickets in March as i recalled the long weekends in September.Also, just for 3 days bothered me as one day goes in getting acclimatize to the low oxygen and high altitude of Leh.As per original plan i wanted to cover Nubra valley and Pangong lake in 3 days ,but people were right that a day goes in just relaxing.If you tend to not take it easy ,then you are just spoiling rest of your holiday.The flight from Delhi to Leh was a short one of just about an hour long.It was quite a shock to go from sweltering heat of Delhi to cool air of Leh.
I just wished that it was a slightly longer trip.As day one we just went to Shanti Stupa, Leh palace and local market.Then also went to the famed German bakery which turned out to be nothing exciting to rave about.I just bought a yak wool small stole, i am not particularly excited by pashmina so i didn't really buy one.Though was too tired on day one, dinner was room service.We then booked a taxi for Pangong lake for the next day.
Day two was a serene ride though the Himalayas to the lake.The lake "Pangong Tso" means long enchanted narrow lake.The lake itself is huge with spanning 604KM square.About 60% of it is with Tibet (China).Thus there is always some defense patrolling the lake.The drive itself is a long one of about 5 hours.We also passed through Changla pass on the way, we had tea at the tiny tea house there.The road itself was not great, it was muddy and snowy in bits and pieces.The drive with no access to outside world with mountains for company makes you think of life and its problems and meaningless, also makes you wonder on the fragile nature of life. I also felt proud of the defense personnel who stayed there for months for protecting us,sometimes in inhabitable conditions .The driver had put some soothing Tibetian music , Om mani Padme Hum stayed in my mind and i downloaded it as its very soothing.The Himalayas are there protecting us from the cold winds from Siberia and from China.Almost every household in Leh has someone in the defense.Ladakhis are also very strong and can survive without food for 3 days as per our driver.I could feel the pent up problems in life just vanishing in the cold Himalayan air.The road trip was amazing, i could stop wild horses, Mormon and some chinese donkeys.The view of lake was something which will stay in my mind for quite sometime.Just think of the strong Himalayas, whenever there are problems in life and you will feel better.I had heard from people about the serene nature of mountains and first time experienced it.Maybe i didnot really appreciate it fully as i had an unsettled stomach afterwards on the driveback.I would suggest to avoid eating at cafes if you can't stomach a rough ride, as the road tends to get quite rough on few places.
Third was a true holiday feeling with waking up late and just going around Leh market.The market was almost closed as it was off season.We managed to buy few more shawls for relatives.Though there isn't much choice for male shopping much to my husband's disappointment.I did buy some junk earrings which were made of Tibetian coins as per the seller.I might have bought them as they reminded me of legacy of Tibet where they are still refugees .We had dinner at a place called Chaska Maska which had decent food.Basically you can try various eatouts if you are staying long, else stick to basics.
And the trip ended soon, but i will someday maybe revisit Leh when i have more time.I can understand the attraction the foreign visitors feel that they keep visiting year after year.My hankering with Europe still exists ,but i feel i have still barely skimmed the surface of beautiful India.I think the Himalayan beauty is no less than the Swiss alps.
The soothing music my takeway :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HGcIUEfbIU
I just wished that it was a slightly longer trip.As day one we just went to Shanti Stupa, Leh palace and local market.Then also went to the famed German bakery which turned out to be nothing exciting to rave about.I just bought a yak wool small stole, i am not particularly excited by pashmina so i didn't really buy one.Though was too tired on day one, dinner was room service.We then booked a taxi for Pangong lake for the next day.
Day two was a serene ride though the Himalayas to the lake.The lake "Pangong Tso" means long enchanted narrow lake.The lake itself is huge with spanning 604KM square.About 60% of it is with Tibet (China).Thus there is always some defense patrolling the lake.The drive itself is a long one of about 5 hours.We also passed through Changla pass on the way, we had tea at the tiny tea house there.The road itself was not great, it was muddy and snowy in bits and pieces.The drive with no access to outside world with mountains for company makes you think of life and its problems and meaningless, also makes you wonder on the fragile nature of life. I also felt proud of the defense personnel who stayed there for months for protecting us,sometimes in inhabitable conditions .The driver had put some soothing Tibetian music , Om mani Padme Hum stayed in my mind and i downloaded it as its very soothing.The Himalayas are there protecting us from the cold winds from Siberia and from China.Almost every household in Leh has someone in the defense.Ladakhis are also very strong and can survive without food for 3 days as per our driver.I could feel the pent up problems in life just vanishing in the cold Himalayan air.The road trip was amazing, i could stop wild horses, Mormon and some chinese donkeys.The view of lake was something which will stay in my mind for quite sometime.Just think of the strong Himalayas, whenever there are problems in life and you will feel better.I had heard from people about the serene nature of mountains and first time experienced it.Maybe i didnot really appreciate it fully as i had an unsettled stomach afterwards on the driveback.I would suggest to avoid eating at cafes if you can't stomach a rough ride, as the road tends to get quite rough on few places.
Third was a true holiday feeling with waking up late and just going around Leh market.The market was almost closed as it was off season.We managed to buy few more shawls for relatives.Though there isn't much choice for male shopping much to my husband's disappointment.I did buy some junk earrings which were made of Tibetian coins as per the seller.I might have bought them as they reminded me of legacy of Tibet where they are still refugees .We had dinner at a place called Chaska Maska which had decent food.Basically you can try various eatouts if you are staying long, else stick to basics.
And the trip ended soon, but i will someday maybe revisit Leh when i have more time.I can understand the attraction the foreign visitors feel that they keep visiting year after year.My hankering with Europe still exists ,but i feel i have still barely skimmed the surface of beautiful India.I think the Himalayan beauty is no less than the Swiss alps.
The soothing music my takeway :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HGcIUEfbIU
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