29-Aug (Wed):
|
Leh
|
Leh
|
Stay in Leh (car
service, Get Permits, roam around in LEH, Shopping)
|
The
day dawned bright and sunny. We took our time in getting ready; there was no
hurry as we had planned to spend the day in acclimatizing to high altitude and
getting the permits necessary for our sightseeing.
At
breakfast, we advised ourselves to take things easy that day, recounting
instances where complacent tourists had suffered severely due to non-observance
of the rule “When in the land of the Lama, don’t be a Gama”
We
were retrospecting the challenges that we faced a couple of days back and the impact
that it was creating on the whole trip schedule. We tried to scout for more
information on the quality of the road that leads to Turtok via Khardung La.
Even though we got mixed feedback, it was more inclining towards indicating
that DEZIRe is nor capable of making it on that route. All that we had was 2
goals . Drive safe, Reach Destination by sun set.
As we
contemplated, one our trip acquaintance by name Chanak Doshi contacted DJ to
ask whether he can piggy back us for the trip. However, as we shared him the scouted
information, he had an alternate proposal which quickly caught up with us. We
planned to hire a XYLO to cover these areas that cannot be done on DEZIRe.
Went
to the DC’s office for permits and they returned in time for lunch. They said
that Khardung La and Chang La were allowed but nobody was being permitted to
Chushul. A no-go for Chushul meant that our schedule needed to be changed. So
this is what we planned: A 2 day trip to
Turtok and back, a 2 day trip to Pangong Tso.
Later
handed over the car for a quick service and headlamp replacement as it had
flashed off during our Zanskar leg of the trip. Dinner that evening was at the
Tibetan Rice Bowl, a restaurant we had passed on our way to the main market /
corner of Changspa Road
The
contrast between the attitude of the Kashmiris and the Ladakhis would be thrown
into sharp relief after we entered Ladakh the next day and this impression
would continue till the time we were in Ladakh. I always felt thought the rest
of my journey, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh have nothing in common and would be
infinitely better off as separate states. I recommend a trip through these
lands for the disbelievers.
Today,
we had to get the permits done, Chanak was to fix up the other cab and also
visit the monasteries. We did all of our jobs, but couldn’t visit the
monasteries.
As
most of us exploring the avid shutter-bug in us, we went out to see the streets
of Leh. It was the first break-day, and would be only one till we hit back Bangalore.
Rested
for the day contemplating Avinash’s arrival and garnering the energy to face him
with our unilateral decision.
Will post all Leh pics in my next day's travelogue
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