Crossing Pagla Nala, Pangong Tso Lake

This was the time of tiny cell phones and my fascination for video travel documentaries. What I though would be few simple shots of the river turned out to be a two day adventure.

We started off from Leh city to travel to Pangong Tso Lake, situated at a height of approximately 14000 feet, stretching from Ladakh in the northern most part of India all the way up to Tibet. Though roads leading from the city to the lake are well made, en-route you have to cross a temperamental rivulet called Pagla Nala which is a quite tricky one, what with rubble, ever changing paths and the volume of water descending from melting glaciers further north.

I dint know it then, but this has become one of my most memorable, unexpected, free spirited Ladakh memories. No luxury hotel can give me the view, the magic, the aw I felt and experienced the night we stayed over just inches away from the lake, with a gorgeous starry sky as my companion.

You just have to experience it to believe it.

That's the fun of travel really, when you see the video you'll notice that what was just a fun family video turned out to be a wondrous catalog of an adventure. I hope you experience the magic.  

Dying for a Road Trip

So the thing is, I am almost done with my course, the PGDM in Mass Com, and the first obvious thing that comes to my mind is - I have to go, some where any where, my favourite pace in the word may be - Leh, or a road trip down south may be - right up to the tip - Kanyakumari!

That feeling you get as you step into the Rajdhani knowing its your first step to reach the crisp chill in the hills..

Packing your brand new Woodlands for the trek up north and comfortable in the security of their 'I will never fail you' message.

Wow, I miss taking off! After two years of studying(ok, I admit lots of lukhagiri too)everyone's worried about placements, a good paypackage, etc. etc. But I just wanna go. Continue my travels, photograph, write, and travel some more..

Any Godfather out there willing to sponsor this child's dream?

Seriously.

Ladakh A Kingdom in the Sky

Ladakh

Mystic Land…
At an average altitude of over 11,000 ft Ladakh (literally - "Land of High Passes"), nestling in the Himalayas, is a place like no other. Its raw beauty, unique people and the prevalence of Buddhism in their culture brings many travelers to this mystical land.

Vast mountains studded with whitewashed monasteries, verdant valleys that surprise you with their splash of vivid green, incredibly blue skies, remote monasteries built on hilltops, air so clear you can literally see for miles…are some of the unique gifts bestowed to this land.

The People…The people of Ladakh are the land’s most unique asset. It has a mix of Buddhists and Muslims, with many monasteries and mosques in the region. Their friendly and peace loving nature is reflected in a harmonious lifestyle. A warm Jullay (welcome) is refreshing to the ears and they happily share a slice of their lives, brimming with hospitality and a cup of namkeen chai.

Living in isolation, this arid region opens up to the world for a mere 4 months in the year. Ladakh comes alive during the summer months from June to September. Its festivals in monasteries, during which the people come out with a unique style of dressing, coupled with fun filled archery and polo competitions in open arenas and a wide variety of cultural performances are some of the highlights in summer. During the other months, Ladakh is covered under a blanket of snow. Among the highest inhabited places in the world, life here flows with the seasons.

The Places…Ladakh is known for its monasteries, stupas and gompas along with its quaint but bustling market. The main Leh town is dominated by a nine-storey palace built by King Singge Namgyal, in the grand tradition of Tibetan architecture, which is said to have inspired the famous Potala in Lhasa built about half a century later. The towering Shanti Stupa a little away from the town area is a sight worth seeing. The beautiful monastery of Tiksey is situated about 20 km far from the town of Leh and ranks among the most important monasteries in Ladakh.

There are many more places to explore out of the main town in Leh. Lamayuru, Kargil, Drass and Zanskar are a must see for every visitor. If the highest road pass in the world behind Leh, the Khardung La, is open, one can have the privilege of experiencing its vivid beauty.

Getting There...Flying into Leh airport, which takes two hours from Jammu, the cold desert land, over the magnificent Himalayas is a beautiful and scary experience at once. Even though one can drive to Leh form the Srinagar- Kargil route, it is much too tiring and long (two days) a route and does not give you the exclusive opportunity of an aerial view of Ladakh.

After being immersed in the virgin beauty of Ladakh, it is the toughest thing to bid farewell to this tiny kingdom in the sky. The memories cannot be replaced for eternity.