Sunday, September 18, 2011
Kashmir-Pahalgam
On Day 3, we went to Pahalgam. We stayed at Baisaran. It is not impressive looking but the friendliness of the staff and the quality of food more than make up for that. I enjoyed my stay there. 
By now, I had figured out the third point that distinguishes Kashmir from other places-most people are extremely humble, friendly and extrovert. Ofcourse, they can’t afford to not be so since their earning mostly comes from the tourism industry, still it was such a refreshing feeling to feel welcomed everywhere we went! That’s one thing that you won’t find in Kolkata-everyone here thinks he/she owns the world….rude^infinity!
Once again, we had to go sightseeing on ponies. This time, my ma smartly backed out. I think the pony-helper took us through a shortcut, since the road was so dangerous! Going uphill was relatively simpler but there came a time, when the pony was going downhill, that I had to close my eyes-Just imagine my condition and try to visualize it-I am at the top of the hill, I can clearly see the bottom, the slope is extremely steep, so my pony is practically travelling vertically downwards…one wrong step and the pony will stumble and if it stumbles, I’ll tumble down...so, my life is totally dependent on a pony whose intelligence is undoubtedly lesser than mine. :D. In moments like these, you forget that you ever hated your life. 
The ponies took us to the Baisaran Park and the Valley of Kashmir-both are breathtaking. They made our difficult pony-journey absolutely worthwhile. In Kashmir Valley, we had coffee at one small shop. That particular moment has become my most surreal experience of the whole journey-I really don’t know why..it was just very special.
The pony-guy told us how poorly they are paid , even though their job is so difficult. We felt so bad for both him and the underfed ponies...so, father over-tipped him!This incident made me see how important education is and how lucky we all are.
We missed out many tourist places since we just had one day. Like Gulmarg, you need a lot more time than that to see the entire place..and Pahalgam is worth all the time that you spend seeing it!
Kashmir-Gulmarg
On Day 2, we were taken to Gulmarg-Path of Roses (though we didn’t see that many flowers). We booked a guide, though I felt later on that there wasn’t any need for one. We went to the ropeway-location via ponies. I don’t know if it is true or a story made-up by the guide but he said that vehicles from outside Gulmarg aren’t allowed to enter it...So, if you want to avoid the pony-riding, make sure you stay at Gulmarg. :P.
Ma’s pony-riding was pathetic and it gave my father and me (and the guide, the helpers…and the onlookers) some memorable, hilarious moments to cherish a lifetime. :D. The ropeway took us first to Phase 1 and then to Phase 2-very costly journey..I think, the total expenditure crossed Rs. 2000. Is it worth it? Well, if you go in summer and want to see the snow, then yes, it is. Phase 2 is called Afarvat-you’ll have difficulty in breathing since it is in high altitude (forgot how high, sorry)..my ma was feeling dizzy and nauseatic..so, you must go there, only if you are physically fit. The distance from Phase 2 till the snow was not that great but my ma and baba(father) both backed away from going up. I decided I would go anyway, just because the rope-way journey had been so costly and I didn’t want all of the money to go to waste! So, I went along with the guide (okay, I think you need someone’s help to go upto the snow-covered area…That was one time the guide came in handy). Seeing his precious, vulnerable, “most beautiful” daughter go away alone with the guide (there were tourists ALL around), invoked the over-protective sense in my father and he followed us (yes, you got it right. Living with him IS difficult!).
The snow was the most memorable experience in Gulmarg. It was so slippery! Adventure seekers had the option of skiing…and if you could manage to walk in the snow for a while, you could even see Ladakh (I didn’t do either of those)!
Later on, the ponies took us to some other locations in and around Gulmarg, none of which were that good (though I thoroughly enjoyed the ride). The guide confided to us that one needed a lot more time to see the whole of Gulmarg.
This kind-of summarizes my Gulmarg experience. If you go there in winter, you’ll have a completely different experience…The ropeways aren’t functional then and the winter sports are what attract the tourists (mostly foreigners) then.
Later on, the ponies took us to some other locations in and around Gulmarg, none of which were that good (though I thoroughly enjoyed the ride). The guide confided to us that one needed a lot more time to see the whole of Gulmarg.
Kashmir-Srinagar
We went to Kashmir with SOTC.
On Day 1, we saw a bit of Srinagar and the remaining bit was seen on day 4 and 5. I'll compile them in one post. First, we were taken from the airport to Meena Groups of Housboats.
The first thing that you'll notice when you go to Kashmir is just how good looking the men are. I don't know much about the girls-most of their faces were covered in a burka(the black veiled attire that Muslim females are supposed to wear) and the ones whose faces weren't covered, didn't look that striking to me(maybe guys will have a different view). But the guys-I was practically gaping...atleast 95% of men are goodlooking there...it's almost as if all the handsome men from all over India, decided they wanted to stay in Kashmir. The second thing that you'll become aware of is the security-there are armed soldiers all around-it's kind-of chilling.
Once we reached the Dal Lake, we were transported via a shikara(boat) to our houseboat. I knew it then and there that I was going to enjoy this holiday. Then, when I saw the room in the houseboat, my conviction (of how good the trip was going to be) strengthened. It was soooo beautiful! Add to that the amazing hospitality of the caretaker...If anyone wants to enjoy their stay at Srinagar, they absolutely must stay at the Meena Groups of Houseboats(there are zillions of houseboats but these are the best). The caretaker brought us the unique Kashmiri tea. After resting for a while, we went for a shikara ride.
I think the shikara ride was one of my best experiences in Kashmir.
As our shikara went along, other shikaras came to us to sell a variety of products-Kesar, jewellery, fruits, cold-drinks, Kashmir-style photographs (wherein, they would dress you up in Kashmiri style-without taking off your clothes-and take your pics.) and all sorts of other items. Shopping on water anyone? :D. It was so much fun! Who wants Venice when there is the shikara ride in Dal Lake?!
On Day 4, we went to the Jamal Resorts. My advice-don't stay there. The hotel is of average quality and the food offered by the restaurant is downright below average, yet the cost is appalling (E.g-One naan costs more than 100Rs!).
On Day 5, we were taken to the Shankaracharya Temple and three BEAUTIFUL gardens-Mughal, Shalimar and Chasma-Shahi.
Though Shalimar is like any other beautiful garden, Mughal Garden and Chasma-Shahi shouldn't be missed-they are special. The Chasma-Shahi visit was made memorable by a group of school-kids playing in the water.
P.S- If My photos look haphazardly placed, I can't help it..This is the best I could manage. Plus, just a while ago, there was a mild Earthquake! So, I have to go offline now (incase, I have to run out again...I want to be dressed-up decently the next time. :P).
On Day 1, we saw a bit of Srinagar and the remaining bit was seen on day 4 and 5. I'll compile them in one post. First, we were taken from the airport to Meena Groups of Housboats.
The first thing that you'll notice when you go to Kashmir is just how good looking the men are. I don't know much about the girls-most of their faces were covered in a burka(the black veiled attire that Muslim females are supposed to wear) and the ones whose faces weren't covered, didn't look that striking to me(maybe guys will have a different view). But the guys-I was practically gaping...atleast 95% of men are goodlooking there...it's almost as if all the handsome men from all over India, decided they wanted to stay in Kashmir. The second thing that you'll become aware of is the security-there are armed soldiers all around-it's kind-of chilling.
As our shikara went along, other shikaras came to us to sell a variety of products-Kesar, jewellery, fruits, cold-drinks, Kashmir-style photographs (wherein, they would dress you up in Kashmiri style-without taking off your clothes-and take your pics.) and all sorts of other items. Shopping on water anyone? :D. It was so much fun! Who wants Venice when there is the shikara ride in Dal Lake?!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
INTRO-VINTRO
Ever since I started writing blogs and notes seriously, I’ve observed a wacko change in me. Have you seen that movie “Stranger than Fiction”? The male protagonist constantly hears the voice of someone narrating his story. The same thing happens to me now….the only difference is that the narrator’s voice belongs to me. Not kidding. This, in turn, has kind-of made me more aware of my surroundings.
When I went to Kashmir, there were so many things I wanted to write about. I realized two things-1) if I write my travelling experiences in my other blog, then it would seem like “just another blog entry”, even though the content would be very different from what I usually write about, 2) I have in front of me, a lifetime of travelling experiences to write about(assuming I don’t die young. I know, a risky assumption).So, I decided to create a new blog, wherein I’ll write about all of my travelling experiences.
It doesn’t matter if the place I write about is 5kms or 1000 miles away, as long as it makes an impact on me. I’ll explain about all those places (in detail) that, according to me, are a must-visit…..and about those that you can afford to miss. Shops, restaurants, hotels…anything and everything will be written about, as long as it is good or bad enough.
Bon Voyage! :D
When I went to Kashmir, there were so many things I wanted to write about. I realized two things-1) if I write my travelling experiences in my other blog, then it would seem like “just another blog entry”, even though the content would be very different from what I usually write about, 2) I have in front of me, a lifetime of travelling experiences to write about(assuming I don’t die young. I know, a risky assumption).So, I decided to create a new blog, wherein I’ll write about all of my travelling experiences.
It doesn’t matter if the place I write about is 5kms or 1000 miles away, as long as it makes an impact on me. I’ll explain about all those places (in detail) that, according to me, are a must-visit…..and about those that you can afford to miss. Shops, restaurants, hotels…anything and everything will be written about, as long as it is good or bad enough.
Bon Voyage! :D
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