The three-strong flotilla had been due to sail on Friday from ports in Turkey with more than 5,000 tonnes of aid on board
world12 hours ago
Ladakh. Just the name conjures up images of snow-capped mountains, vast open indigo skies, crispy cold air, barren yet beautiful valleys and the gentle-faced people who live in this ‘last Shangri-la’. Come summer (which is during the months of June to September), and you will find hordes of tourists and keen trekkers who pour in to experience this land of extremes — extremely high peaks, extremely stunning landscapes and of course, extremely cold climate. I was warned about the cliché of being breathless in Ladakh, but experienced it firsthand only upon reaching there. At first, it is the overwhelming beauty of the land, and then it is the low level of atmospheric oxygen, which together can literally leave you breathless.
It is advisable to start your day by tanking up on some delicious Ladakhi treats. Our breakfast consisted of piping hot momos and thukpa served with steaming ‘gudgud’ tea. The ever-smiling chef also served us the trademark Ladakhi warmth. Ladakhi people are known for their hospitality, always greeting tourists enthusiastically with “Juley” (meaning, hello), “Haanjanab” (yes sir!) and “Bilkul” (absolutely!). Their eyes smile when they speak and their cheeks are a shade of beetroot red due to the cold weather.
The drive towards Nimu, which is that spot where the Indus and Zanskar rivers converge is memorable. The Indus is smaller and brownish in colour, while the Zanskar looks like a shimmering grey cascade.
We also went to Kardung-la Pass, one of the highest motorable ways in the world. Nubra river in Nubra Valley, a tributary of the Shyok River, flows parallel to the Indus. Since the valley is at lower elevation, it has a mild climate. This climatic condition has created lush vegetation in the valley and the valley is, therefore, called the “Orchard of Ladakh”. There stands the Buddhist monastery of Ladakh, Diskit Gompa, home to the enormous 110 ft statue of Maitreya Buddha. The statue’s construction was started in April 2006 and it was consecrated by the Dalai Lama in 2010. The statue was built, it is said, to protect Diskit Village, prevent further war with Pakistan, and to promote world peace.
Pangong Tso is not entirely easy to access: it is a five-hour drive from Leh, mostly through rough dramatic mountain roads, which are insanely designed to awe and inspire.
Being enveloped by such majestic beauty compels you to put your focus on the basics of life — to remember to breathe wholeheartedly, to enjoy the ‘now’ and to blend harmoniously with our surroundings.
Whether it was the high altitude or the heavenly ambience that left me breathless, I still wonder…
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