Leh Tour 2012

---

v:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}o:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}w:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} Normal 0 false false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0pt; mso-para-margin-right:0pt; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0pt; line-height:115%!;(MISSING) mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}

I with my husband and two young girls aged 8 & 6 years respectively could go to Leh in spite of resistance from the family members which could be mostly due to the height and low oxygen pressure of that place, and the fact that I and my elder daughter are asthmatic. Initially it was the scare about the small runway at Kushok Bakula Airport at Leh and sudden change in temperature and oxygen on getting out of the aircraft. To keep myself anxiety free I slept throughout and my eyes opened during landing. The deft handling of the aircraft by the pilots and the breath taking view outside the window and coloured hills made the landing truly memorable. Outside the craft I felt normal, walked slowly to our vehicle

and came to our hotel. The beautiful and very comfortable Thongsa La. Due to odd timing of flight we slept soon after the breakfast & wash. Each of us was feeling lethargic with occasional headache and for this popped in Diamox. For the next two days a certain dreamy and low energy state was felt by all.

The place Leh at all times appeared to be different from other mountain areas and hill stations that we had visited so far. The landscape was barren with little vegetation and far off mountains and rocky plains. Distant hills appearing to be various shades of blue, grey and brown added a mystique charm. On our trip we visited different monasteries; they had all the old time elements in them. Historical statues, old Buddhist testament, coins, arms relics etc. But they were far from the images of monasteries that we find on television or hear about. The line of lamas, strict discipline and the hope of some enlightment, it wasn’t so. The confluence of Zanskar and Indus River was remarkable and made me remember my chapters of Indus valley civilization that I have studied in school. Magnetic hill was amazing and Rancho’s school

brought much excitement amongst children. Pangong Lake was 5 hours drive, for that we had to pass the second highest motor able road in the world, approximately 17,800 feet. All of us experienced heavy breathing but were comfortable. It was snowing on that height and the sky and the ground looked like one white sheet. Passing a rocky terrain we finally reached the place where a sense of divinity being just let loose dawned on us. Kilometers of shimmering colorful water body lay before our eyes. The intense purity of that region made us feel that Gods were residing nearby. Our Last itinerary included Nubra valley which included travel through the highest motor able road in the world which is 18000 feet, The khardungla Pass. We were all very tired and it was raining heavily that day, but nobody wanted to miss this chance. On our trip we met heavy snow fall, it was scary, roads were slippery and hills treacherous. Sheets and sheets of white snow everywhere, temperature outside at sub zero range. But what gave us immense confidence was army base camp right at top with free first aid, free tea & coffee and a makeshift hospital in a tent. After a 6 hour drive we reached our place, it had sand dunes, weather was warm and breathing was easy. It also had more vegetation than Leh. Our bloated chips and kurkure packets from leh were also flattened. The landscape was beautiful and our tiredness vanished when we took our camel ride. A little mishap in the form of lost hotel room key at Nubra was the only dampener in this trip. We came back from Nubra valley the next day and took the flight back home.

---