June 26, 2014 Ladakh, Kashmir-Jammu

Thiksey Monastery

Ladakh is bound by mountains with sheer walls of rock and ice. This rugged region is home to one of the last undisturbed Tantric Buddhist populations on earth with smaller communities of Shia and Suni Muslims. It is virtually cut off from the world from November to May and has an almost medieval way of life. Quite a few people speak English, though some only a few words.

Maitreya Buddha, two stories tall!

The centuries old monasteries were amazing! They perch on a hill overlooking the valley and are ornately carved and painted on the interior with bright colors and house statues overlaid with gold leaf.

The museums held a number of ancient texts as well as a surprising grail made from a human skull. There were religious items from the 9th century that were brought over the Himalaya from Tibet when China took over, killing many monks and nuns.

Leh Palace

Leh, the capital of Ladakh, is a tourist town and busy backpacker center, which backs onto ruined palaces in the lee of the Himalaya. The sky is dark blue due to a breathless altitude of 11,500 ft. The Leh Palace that overlooks the town was built in the 17th century by the Buddhist kings. It is very similar to the Potala Palace in Tibet. 

Jama Masjid Mosque, Main Street

Ladakh is truly a must-see if you have the time. It is a wonderland for trekking, hiking, and many other outdoor sports. Unfortunately I broke my foot there and had to return to the U.S. after getting a fuscia color cast at the local hospital. It cut my trip to 2 1/2 months rather than the 6 months I had planned, but one can always go back!

June 23, 2014 Manali-Leh Highway, Himachal Pradesh to Kashmir

Bridge over Beas River

The Manali-Leh Highway is considered the highest in the world.  The highway is dirt, gravel, some pavement, and a few streams to cross as deep as the running board on a jeep!  The bridges that are made up of steel beams with loose sheet metal pieces on top. These bridges criss-cross the Beas River at a 16,797 ft. pass as well. The road is only open from June to October as the passes are snowed in the rest of the year.

Thawing River

The rivers and lakes were thawing as it was turning "summer" in the Himalayas. There is just nothing like being on top of the world and witnessing the magnificence of it all! 

10 foot Snow Banks

If not for the beauty of the setting, it was the 19 hr. ride from hell! Both the driver and front passenger kept their windows rolled down even though several passengers and I asked them to roll them up as it was literally freezing. About half way there, they admitted there was a hole in the floorboard letting in exhaust fumes and "it was better to be cold than suffocate" he said! The large wool shawl I bought in Kullu was great for a cover-up, but was black from the fumes and it took washing 3x to get the soot out!  I  was in bed sick for 36 hrs. after the trip, unable to eat much. Such is the price I had to pay for a trip to Ladakh, but I am so looking forward to getting out and exploring this fabulous valley! 

June 19, 2014 Vashisht, Himachal Pradesh

Hiking the Himakayas

I had a great day hiking today! A young woman from my hotel, Julie from France, invited me to hike to the large waterfall, so off we went.  On the way up the mountain, we passed a small temple, stopped for chai at a makeshift cafe on the path, and as we turned a corner, there was the very tall waterfall we had come to see.

After about 2 1/2 hours Julie and I separated - she went up over the hill and I hiked down the side of the mountain to the highway to return to my hotel.

Upon arriving in Vashisht, I started planning my trip across the south side of the Himalaya to the high mountain valley of Ladakh.