Over 2000 Km by road, in around 10 days. Stunning landscapes, wonderful people. That sums up our Ladakh trip. But how did it actually work? How did we make it happen? Read on to find out! Leh, the capital of Ladakh , is accessible by air and road. Flying into Leh is the easiest, and time-saving option, while the road is the time consuming one, but with the added advantage of driving past some of the most beautiful landscapes in our country. Each option has much to recommend it, and we chose the road for just one reason – altitude sickness. Altitude sickness was one of my biggest concerns, since I suffer from motion-sickness. Yes, I do travel a lot, but that is despite my condition, and, over the years, have learnt how to handle it. I struggled with it when we visited Nathu-La in Sikkim, and wondered if I would be able to manage a week at the even higher altitudes that we would encounter in Ladakh. This was the reason we stuck to a basic plan, of only 9 days in Ladakh, thoug...
After a long time, we visited the Gateway of India. The days I spent in the same area, walking around peacefully, sitting down to have my packed lunch by the sea, seems aeons ago.. The difference between then and now is mainly in the security. I have never seen so many security guards anywhere - no, not even at the airport!!!
The crowds are just the same, except that most of them are now gaping at the Taj - and looking for any left-over vestiges of the terror attack. Most cameras too are focussed, not on the monument which gives the place its name, but on the Taj Mahal Hotel and the Taj Intercontinental!
When I was reading the inscription on the gateway aloud to Samhith, at least a few people turned round to look at the spectator who seemed more interested in ancient rather than recent history!!
Half of the area around the gateway has been cordoned off, and the half that is free is full of those going aboard the boats, and those who have managed to snare places to sit on the parapet... Samhith wanted a closer look at the sea, but we found ourselves unable to go anywhere near the water. I promised him that I would bring him again and take him on the ferry too....Meanwhile, we satisfied ourselves with a distant view of all the boats, ships and yachts at sea................
In the absence of places to sit on the parapet, the small garden where the statue of Shivaji is placed, is full of couples and of course, families from 3 to 15 members occupying every inch of space available..In such a milieu, the statue of the brave Maratha King seems rather incongruous!
Neelambari - the open-deck bus run by the MTDC was waiting nearby, ready to start on its hour-long journey along the by-lanes of Mumbai's heritage precinct. Tickets were, surprisingly available, but unfortunately there was no time.. With a heavy heart, we returned home, promising ourselves a more leisurely trip to the place we love.....
Did you go to the Elephenta caves, Anu?? I was ever so impressed!!
ReplyDeleteLovely post... Brought back memories of my 2008 Summer Vacation... we went to Mumbai and then to Goa for a friends wedding... It was amazing!
This post reminds me a week spent in Mumbai. Sometimes you just feel "closer" when you can see the picture of a place you've been to. I particularly enjoyed the visit to the house where Indhira Gandhi lived while he was in Mumbai (don't recall the road).
ReplyDeleteYou're doing great sharing detailed tips on India on your blog. From a fellow 31DBBB blogger