Blogs from Leh, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, India, Asia - page 5

We had the luxury or sleeping till 7am for the first time since we started this trip on the 26th of may 10 days ago. Got up and arranged for applying for the inline permits and then had breakfast and went to the main bazzar and went to a mechanic to get the JPs bike checked just opposite the SN memorial Hospital. The mechanic there did a few things and told us that was all he could do and at high altitudes the bikes give some small issues like this and it is not a concern. Then went and had lunch at German bakery and came back to the hotel by 4pm. Since the permit had not come cancelled the Khardung la program and then fixed up taxi for Pangong lake and then took a nap ... read more

I had refused to go to Leh as it was an arid desert in a remote corner when there were so many beautiful places to see in India. Incidentally, my manager cancelled my nomination for a training in Hyderabad which I so wanted to attend. Meanwhile, my friend was going to Leh and she invited me.I thought this trip would cheer me up. My leave was also easily sanctioned. Even my sister recommended this place. I decided it was destiny and happily tagged along. I reached Delhi and spent the night with my 2 little nephews aged 3 and 6, trying to gun me down and I pleaded with them to save me! Save me please! The next morning, I was at the Delhi airport with the 20 odd women from 19 to 45 years young! ... read more

(continued from previous blog entry). Doubling back from Phyang village we had time for a visit to Spituk goemba before lunch. Located on the southwest outskirts of Leh, the monastery sits on a hillock just south of the airport runway, meaning it is a place of dual interest to me. On the way up the hill we drove past a few triple-A emplacements, their crews seeking shelter from the noon sunlight under their camo-nets. Parking the car below the goemba we made our way up a few stairs to the temple proper, a path which is typically lined with prayer wheels. The prayer wheel is an ingenious invention, a low-tech automatic prayer machine. At the heart of each cylinder crowds an immense amount of small rectangular paper sheets, each one covered with a written prayer. Spinning ... read more

Last year a group of us, some of us interested in Buddhist practice travelled together on a two-week journey though the magical landscapes of Ladakh and Kashmir. We'll be returning there this summer (August 2011) and there is a blog to give an idea of what one can do, or if you want to join - journey to ladakh 2011 Ladakh is all about space - the sense of openness can be almost overwhelming. And at sunrise and sunset even the mountains seem to lift off and become diaphanous and made of light. We set off to visit Ladakh, its many monasteries, lakes and mountain passes. Ladakh is possibly the most beautiful and peaceful place I have been It touches your heart; the people are very gentle and we had the most amazing and exciting road ... read more

img=http://thinkingparticle.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/Karzok%20Village%20on%20the%20bank%20of%20Tso%20Moriri.jpg Korzok Village with backdrop of Tso Moriri Korzok is a small village situated 3 km from the northwest end of the Tso Moriri Lake. Most of the inhabitants of the Korzok are changpa nomads. At an altitude of 4572 m, Korzok is one of the India’s highest permanent villages. During the summers Changpas camp at various places in their robos (small tents) and look after their flock. Their sheep produce the famous pashmina, one of the costliest varieties of wool. Traditional weavers from Kashmir and Himachal buy this wool. The recent boom in its value has led to their prosperity, though that is not evident in their life-style. Korzok meaning is “Middle of the mountain” and it’s an excellent location to enjoy the lake side. There is a monastery at ko... read more