Day 1.
Somehow you are scared of this place, there is always some fear while coming. here, fear of people hating us Indians, fear also of the place being overrated and not being as good as you dreamt that it is.
Kashmiris are totally opposite of all that you think they would be, ok we are tourists and they are being nice to us, but they certainly don't have to be. They are very very warm and courteous, all the people I have met.
The experience of staying in a houseboat is outrageous , fortunately our houseboat is widely considered to be the best in town and managed by ITC.
Tulip garden is the highlight of the day and plans are made for a great day 2 for a one day dash to Sonmarg. Can't wait.
Day 2
Living in a houseboat where all the markets move around in a shikara, from clothes to Kashmiri saffron to flowers every shop was coming home this is unique.
Our travel to Sonmarg was the highlight as we thought we might get to see some snow and by joe we did. There was snow all over the place on the way and we were lucky as the snow would melt in another 10 days as per locals. Walking in the snow is something else, the feel of the snow was a first for me and the combination with the river Sindhu was out of this world. A day well spent .
My perceptions for these Kashmiri people is getting better and better, these guys are warmer than any place in India easily.
Look forward to the trip to Gulmarg tomorrow. Had lovely Dum Aloo kashmiri for dinner.
Day 3: Gulmarg
Do we even know how beautiful mornings are, more so in a place like Srinagar, witnessed a sunrise in a scenic lake background.
Our lead driver Rashid Bhai is such a nice man, always talks nice and positive about everything . He has driven for 32 years and has seen the best and the worst of the cycle of tourists.
Gulmarg is a pure white paradise full of snow, the gondola was a unique experience and while on top I had a ball with all the snow sports like skiing and ice scooters. Skiing was a first time for me and is forever edged in memory. The terrain up there is beautiful and thats an understatement understatement. I had my customary chai and Maggi up there. What a place an I have suddenly developed this love for skiing that I shall come back again for soon. I am glad that my mother enjoyed it too.
Day 4: Drive to Pahalgam
The roads are beautiful for most parts but the drive from Gulmarg to Pahalgam is not the greatest due to the amount of traffic one witnesses on road. We passed through Anantnag and Srinagar , and there was excess security today. Actually gun men in encounter uniforms is not unusual to watch due to the recent events that have happened in the valley. Anantnag was at the heart of terror infrastructure and it was evident from the rustic look of the town that the town would be full of hard liners who are easy to manipulate. Rashid Bhai says all is well and all Kashmiris broadly want to live in India, I don't think so as I saw one bus with a poster of the Pakistani cricket team. Anyhow Pahalgam is a beautiful place with a river Lidder flowing right in front of our hotel Pine and Peak the best hotel in town they say.
Day 5: Chilling in Pahalgam
We were incredibly lucky to have witnessed snowfall on high peaks at Pahalgam , a feeling which can't be described in words. I just feel Pahalgam needs more tourism infrastructure and it has potential to be the hottest tourist spot that there is , the natural beauty is unparalleled , the dip in the river Lidder can be literally a spine chilling experience for most. We needed a day like this and we did. The views in this place took a lot of our camera memory card spaces.
Day 6:
Time to say goodbye to Kashmir has started with a drive back from Pahalgam , Rashid Bhai took us from a different route to Bej Behara that took us through some of the smallest villages in Kashmir meandering through apple and walnut orchards, great drive to come to Srinagar, where we finally took that Shikara ride in the Dal lake. The floating market is is unique and very good. The number of houseboats in Dal Lake can put Nagin lake to shame ten times over. Dal lake is beautiful but commercialized Great day finishes with generous helpings of Alloo Dum courtesy Raees on our houseboat. This one is even better than the earlier one , sleeping early today, can't wait to be home.
On the way back from Pahalgam Rashid Bhai did open up about militancy, azaadi and the opinion youth in Kashmir had on India, quite enlightening to hear from horse's mouth.
Day 7:
En of our week long trip with a tough drive to the airport where you shall be checked at least five times. Certainly one of the best holiday I have ever had, my advice go in the winter months, snow is fun
