Kashmir Khi Khali Finally

There is a Malayalam proverb that says 'ചങ്ങാതി നന്നായാല്‍ കണ്ണാടി വേണ്ട'; literally translated it means The best mirror is an old friend. / There is no better looking glass than an old friend.  Some even quote this as equivalent to 'A friend in need is a friend indeed. This proverb to a great extend can be applicable to travel too. Let me tell you why and how. 

The world is so vast and beautiful, and the same place look different at different period in time. You can never have enough of them in a life time.  We might not be able to visit all the places we want to. But if we have a good friend, who can share with us the live update during travel, it will satisfy our soul.  So can we not call such friends our soul mates? 

Here is the view of Kashmir from our dear Jisha, she booked her travel through Glance. Was looking forward for ladies only trip,  but figured out rest of the group was family so was expecting that involvement would be less. Also Glance was not a branded agency as such so expectation wasn't high.

Though the trip was to start on the Friday 18th October, since the flight was in the morning, had to reach a day before to Kochi from Allapuzha. Flight was via Delhi, which was delayed by an hour. There were only 5+1 person who boarded from Kochi, other 4 members joined in Kashmir completing the Delhi Agra trip.  

Tour began under the eminent guidance of our manager Raja, and guide Muhammed Shamil.

 Day 1 Reached Srinagar

We had a vehicle dedicated for our travel, which picked us up from the airport. 

The first day stay was in a house boat.  Had to take a Shikara to reach there. 

The view was mesmerising. 

Day 2 Pehelgao

The view was worth it. One would feel like taking 1000 pics. There were so many good spots,   wonderful spots with mountains and green background. All went to see the valley in car, and nobody took Pony ride. 

Actually it was chilly wind everyone wore jackets in the cab too except for your faithfully ..😄

Bed was fine for three. Two families were on triple sharing. Good property check in today . Bathroom too was as big as bedroom.

Lovely to see apples on apple trees.  The family who owned it was courteous enough to let pluck one and have a bite. 

Managed to get a full team picture too. 

Foad was buffet...not too many items but good. Rice, rajma, paneer, chicken

Day 3: Sonmarg - Ysthats - Meadow of gold😍

Had to start very early around 4.30 am because of Chief Ministers visit. 

Was fortunate to pay homage to Kargil fighters. 

Collected  Very small 2 pebbles just for memory even from Kargil.

There was shopping  plan too 7-8 but got late in traffic. 

Trip was in cab but that's also 11k feet high. Gondola ride is also 10k first phase and  another 4k if 2nd phase is done

There were news of terror and two killed. 

Day 4 Gulmarg

Blessed to be on the banks of Sindu River

Next day to Gulmarg mountain top in gondola

This is the gondola ride. Cable car to the height of 13500 feet

Shopping availability there are Shawls, dresses and kesari.  Saffron is costly 1 gm 300. Few ppl had got earlier.  Bought honey. 

In food Rogan Josh mutton is famous, Momos, Kashmiri Baigan and Rajma are also good, in drinks butter tea and Kahva.

Had kashmiri mutton pulav  700 rupees. Didn't like . The tour mgr had taken to place to try kashmir famous mutton dishes but  no one wanted . 

Thukpa, a Tibetan noodle soup is famous in Le Ladakh not sure in Kashmir.  In bread Khambir and Sheermal  a saffron-infused dish with Nadir Monji.

Did not buy those kind if shawls... not suited for  Kerala. And people  were bargaining so much at every place that we ended up buying nothing.  The family treated your truly as a kid. 

Highlight of the trip was saw the Dal lake finally. Took shikara ride. Trip to kargill area and war memorial 👌🏻. Saw Sind River. And rode world's 2nd highest gondola ride at gulmarg. 🙏🏼

Day 5 : Local Sight seeing and return

There were multiple places but guide asked not to take pictures in traditional dresses except on the last day at  mughal garden. The teenage girl here wants to do. Don't know about others.

 Went to Shakaracharya temple and then to Pari Mahal. 

@Pari Mahal

The return journey was much more delayed than the onwards. First they announced one hour delay in Kashmir, which went upto two hours, due to which connecting flight from Mumbai had to be changed, which again delayed the arrival time to Kochi. The trip was to get over on the 22nd but got over on the 23rd. 

Few places were really beautiful but didn't get the feel of heaven, as they call Kashmir. Photos do give that feel, but now the full city is crowded and dirty. The old charm is gone. Individually there were couple of wow moments.

Waiting for the next tour live updates.