In London on way home - Just

What a trip, on the plane from Delhi was the new Dr. Who Peter Capaldi and in the lounge was Jeremy Clarkson ex of Top Gear.

We also found out that we were doubly lucky to leave Kashmir as on the day after there were huge strikes in Kashmir almost shutting down the country that with the Air India plane blocking and gouging out the runway on the day before we left. Never the less would gladly go back to Kashmir any time, beautiful place and people that we met.

Thanks to all the people who guided and supported us on our "adventurous" and "making a difference vacation".

Breakfast in lounge

Now back in Delhi heading home soon

We were so lucky to get to Delhi an Air India plane landing gear wheels burst and tore up the runway, so lucky no casualties, but all planes that day had to be redirected. We had a worrying night and  morning waiting to know if the airport would open, luckily we left on time, at 4.00pm. At Srinigar airport there were 4 security points, you even had to unload the car before the terminal unload the car and the car was searched and back we went. In the airport we needed some change for a  500 rupee note and a policeman Thomas had befriended helped us. We are back in Delhi had Italian food and then we dropped off Grandma and Grandpa and Peter and picked up Khilendra and Puspa from Kathmandu to get and update on the relief work.

We managed to get a late checkout for the hotel and leave for the aiport at 9.30pm for the 1.50am flight.

Amazing time - see you all soon

Kashmir day 3

An incredible day, went to the Naranag Temple from 8^th century dedicated to Lord Shiva, the drive up the mountains was wonderful and very few if any tourists. We did see a European and she made a “beeline” to us, she was so pleased to talk with someone from the US and UK and she loved Kashmir. In the area the Nomadic peoples were camping, it was very special. On the way back we stopped in a restaurant for our driver Parvez to eat and also had pakoras and French fries and coffee next to a raging river. There was also some theatre as the army were retrieving a drone that had crashed into a pylon, cannot show images now as we were stopped from taking images and best not to post them. The army major was so pleasant and shook all our hands and asked us how we were enjoying Kashmir.

 

Day 2 Kashmir

Had an amazing breakfast of Kashmir tea, omelets and pancakes and home cooked bread and then at 8.00 set off for Gulmarg – our driver Praveen organized a guide for us, which did not seem necessary but was so good for the money 900Rs – as he showed us the lines for the gondola and prebought our tickets, etc as is was crazy busy. There are two gondolas and we dropped off Granma and Grandpa on the first level about 8,500 feet and they had a great time chatting to the locals while we took the next gondola to 13,800 feet. The view was magnificent and we were standing near a sign that said the other side was Pakistan and was not to be passed. We only spent 20 minutes there due to the altitude. We got away from the crowds due to our guide who in the winter worked as a ski guide. We are okay skiers but just looking at the slope was terrifying from the top. Set off down to find the grandparents, who were surrounded by friendly people. Again we were the only non-Indians Kashmiri people. Peter my brother is a farrier (shoes horses) so he chatted with the pony owners who use the horses for tourists.

At the house boat we had tea and “went shopping” or should I say the shop came to us, when a boat selling local products pulled in and set up shop in the front sitting room. Later a large storm came through and we felt so lucky to not be on the mountain. Had an early night, exhausted.