Leh, Ladakh.


Julley from Leh!

 

Escaped from Delhi to to the northwestern corner of India in Jammu-Kashmir province. Up in the mountains and highly militarised with the China and Pakistan borders nearby (and remaining contested with occasional incursions). Amazing flight with a beautiful sunrise breaking through the cloud below like lava oozing out. Dramatic landing in a small valley with the plane's wingtips scraping a few peaks on the way down.




It's a different world, so much space, and quiet, and air (although a little low in oxygen). Leh is a decent sized town serving the surrounding rural area and is now also a big tourist centre. Nicely slow-paced atmosphere perfect for chilling out.



First couple of days we just hung out at the guest house under strict instructions to do nothing while waiting to acclimatise. It started to feel like a surgical ward with the new arrivals (day 1 post-op) restricted to transferring from bed to chair in the room and jealously eyeing up the veterans (days 2 to 4 post-op) who were able to wander in the gardens or even (imagine!) walk into town.

Below is the patriarch of our guest house family. He just mostly sits and twirls his prayer wheel.



Caught a polo match that was rounding off a local festival. Small horses, dusty pitch (is that what you play polo on? Or a field?), edge of the playing surface marked by wherever the audience began, quick reflexes required by the audience when the ball came in our direction followed by galloping horses and mallot-wielding players who were not going to let the small matter of supporter welfare stop them scoring. Exciting game!



Still haven't gotten tired of Indian food, Karl's still vegetarian and we found a great restaurant (that shall remain nameless for the protection of the less than innocent) who's speciality is “Special tea – no milk, no sugar”, nod nod wink wink, served in lovely pink jugs and dainty teacups. Because alcohol is “strictly prohibited” according to the menu.



Other than that, lots of hanging out, enjoying the view from the guest house rooftop,


 wandered up to the 16th century palace and the Gompa on the top of the hill (as they inevitably seem to be).



And while there are more prayer flags than you can shake a stick at romance is, sadly, prohibited.
 
As is urinating.


Cows are allowed to defaecate however, as Karl discovered while not watching where he was walking.

We're now back in Leh after our trek (see separate entry) to rest before heading to Nepal. Enjoying beer from very prettily dressed bottles.

 It's the end of the tourist season here and everywhere is closing down. Our hotel closes the day we check out (and I don't think this is coincidence), we may be the only guests at the moment and there is a very high proportion (even for India) of staff standing around not trying to look busy.


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