Incredible India Part 3

Day 3

Early morning after having our breakfast, we continued our journey to the next popular tourists attractions, Sonamarg. Sonamarg located about 84km north east Srinagar and took about 3 hours journey by car. Sonamarg is situated in a valley at the bank of Nallah Sindh and nestled within the imposing Himalayan peaks.  It lies at an altitude of 2800 m above sea level. It is upwards of sixty miles long valley and deep rock-grit gorge to open grassy meadow land and village-dotted slopes. Since it was winter seasons, hence the thick snow covered the grassy land.

Ways to Sonamarg

The route passes through the picturesque town of Ganderbal, Kangan and Gund of the Sindh Valley, before reaching the resort. Spectacular views of the villages including houses's roof covered by snow was really amazing!

The shop houses in the background of mountains

Along the way, we could also saw the frozen rice field, the locals playing around and the snow-clad mountain (again!). Kashmiri also plant rice (they called it as rice not paddy) for their own consumptions since rice is their staple food. The rice normally cultivated at the side valleys and hilly areas. Rice only could be grown during the warmth month which are in the month of July to September with the average temperature of 20 degree. So, they need to reserve enough stocks for their cold seasons!

The frozen paddy field

Morning Market at one of the village. People selling fruits and groceries. We didn't stopped by anyway

A family waited for the bus. To town maybe? 

We stopped by the hilly road to snap some pictures. I could see villages scattered everywhere in the valley, the mixture of house colours, the pines and the snow  contribute to the enthralling and  fascinating view of Sonamarg!

We saw a family standing at the side of the slippery and snowy road, waiting for the bus. We didn't ask where they were going but we asked permissions to  take their photos. I was attracted with their cloth, so I got the name after asking to the driver. The cloths that they wore, both male and females are called as Pheran. Pheran is a traditional wear for Kasmiri. During summer, they will wear the Pheran which is made of cotton whilst in winter, the Pheran is made from wool which make them warm enough to move around and perform routines.

Since the road is slippery and very narrow, we just stopped for few minutes, got into the car and continue the journey.

The enthralling valley view! 

Some more! 

The car stopped suddenly at the road side. I could see few Kashmiris with their ponies and horses. I just wonder why we stopped there. Basically, that's the destination that we should arrived. We need to ride a pony/horses there to proceed the journey to the river as the car won't reach there. Hehe. Actually we can walk down the road for 2km to reach the Sindh River 🤣🤣. After bargaining with the touts, we managed to get a horse ride for 1hour return for Rs1,000 per person. There was not other activities here except for pony/horse riding. If it is summer or spring, at least you can trek here. So, i can say, i want to comeback here for trekking only Insyaallah. 

What about lunch here? We didn't take since we still full with heavy breakfast this morning. No restaurant here but they have mini market if you need something light. 

During the hour of horses rode, we passed by the mosques, the villager's house, the pines, the mini markets and finally the entrance of the Sindh River. So now i understand why people called Kashmir as mini Switzerland! 

From my reading to the Internet source, the most popular attractions here is Thajiwas Glacier, but we didn't go there. I didn't ask since i only performed my research after came back from India.. Hehehehe.. It's ok. Till next visits. 

The boy and the pony 

This is Sonamarg! 

The locals shovelling the snows to clear the road

The mosque

Me, in the background of Sindh River, pines, snow clad mountain and the blue sky

Sindh River. This river is a major tributary of the Jehlum River and is 108 kilometres in lenght.

Gipsy's house. They will live here during summer and nomad to Srinagar during winter

The touts, horse guider and us

After spending almost 2 hours here, we made a move back to Srinagar.

We went to Dal Lake. The Dal Lake is located at Srinagar. Not clear but cloudy and gloomy weather. However, we still can see the shadow of the mountains reflected in the lake. I love this view!

Dal Lake

Nearby Dal Lake. Kids played around. So cute and i felt like to pinch their cheek

Next to Dal Lake, you can found Hazratbal Mosque, Dal Lake, Srinagar. Locals called it as Shrine rather than a Mosque. Per understanding from locals, the Shrine contains a relic, which believed by many Muslims of Kashmir to be a hair of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad. This relic displayed to the public on every Friday prayers.

Hazratbal Mosque

This is the shop outside the mosque. I just took the picture from outside. Not entered since not much money left hehe

We went back to our hotel thereafter to rest and have a dinner. The dinner served by the hotel. Tastes good and already included in our package with Lucky Flower. 

Hotel dinner looks like. Sorry for the upside down picture 😁

To be continued... 

Incredible India Part 2

Day 2

As early as 5am, we embarked our journey to the Delhi Airport to depart to Srinagar. Reached airport about 15minutes from the hotel, queuing up and we have been told by the staff at the counter that the flight might be cancelled due to the bad weather. However, nothing confirmed and we need to wait for the subsequent announcement at 6.30am. They told us, all flights to Srinagar has been cancelled since few days ago due to heavy snow.

No choice, but to sit down and wait for any updates. I had a light breakfast at the airport and yeah, continue to sit down at the waiting space while thinking of the back up plan should the flight being cancelled. Maybe we diverted to Jaipur or some other places or revisit those attractions that have been closed yesterday!

Waiting and keep waiting 😢

Around 7am, we heard announcement that the flight being delayed. For how long, not sure. So, at least we knew that the flight not being cancelled, but still, it can be anything which uncertain huhu. We went into the immigrations and continue to the gate for boarding. Arrived at the gate, we heard further announcements that the flight been rescheduled again, until 10.30am, hahah. I could see crowd of people waiting at the gate with patience.

We took off to Srinagar around 10.45am and reached about 12pm. Upon arrival, we need to complete tourist form which is available at the airport. The driver from Lucky Flower already awaited for us outside the airport since early morning. Yeah, what more we can do other than say sorry for waiting even it is not our fault! Since he reached so early, the car has been blocked by other cars and it took sometimes to get out from the parking area. What a day hahah!

Finally, arrived at Srinagar Airport. 

We later, proceeded our journey to Gulmarg. Let see what we can do in the next half day. The journey to Gulmarg took around 1hr 45mins. I took pictures along the road. Very little development I could see in Srinagar. Very humble lifestyle and very peace from my eyes. I could see also the soldiers are everywhere, like every 100m. I would like to snap their photo but their sniper made me scarred hehe.

On our way to Gulmarg

View along the roads

What a cool view! 

Srinagar is the largest city in the Indian State Jammu & Kashmor (J&K). The population is dominated by 95% Muslims. Kashmir is known with the conflicts primarily between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir region. The conflict started after the partition of India in 1947 as a dispute over the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir and escalated into three wars between India and Pakistan and several other armed skirmishes. Today, for Kashmiri, they are still fighting to be independent country from India. They believed that they could survive with the tourism industry as a main source of income since they are so lucky living in such state with awesome and amazing geographical area, the mountains, the rivers which are enough to attracts tourists (especially Malaysian) 😁.
After almost two hours on the road, the driver stopped the car. We rent boots for Rs150. Actually i wore boots on my own, but since they really persuaded us to rent their boots, so we just took it and pay. We, later changed our vehicle. We need to rode on the vehicle with chain since we will go up to the Gulmarg Mountain.
Gulmarg is originally called as ‘Gaurimarg’ by the shepherds, which later changed as Gulmarg in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes emblazoned with wild flowers.

Welcome to the Gulmarg

En route to the top of mountan

Snowy road. Its white! 

Our journey 

After 20mins journey throughout the thick forest and snow-clad mountain, we reached the ski resort. Few locals already awaited for us with their sledge. They told us that they will take us to the Gondola. We rode a sledge. The first time ever experience and even i never played daun upih when i was a kid. Look likes simple but balancing your body with the sledge while moving also important. The old man that pulled my sledge asked for the tips, looks like they are very dependent on tourism to survived so, we agreed to give them some. 😔. 

Me on the sledge

We took Gondola for Rs750 to Phase 1 - Kungdoor. The gondola ended up at Kongdori Mountains' peak ~ Phase 2. Since we reached late, we didn't go to the Phase 2. I could not describe how immensely beautiful the scenery here!

The Gondola ride

The Shepherd's house. They will move to Srinagar during winter

Finally we reached here! 

Not so many people at Phase 1. They skiing, snow cycling, snowboarding and not forget rode the snow mobile. I choosed to skii. The price is Rs1500 including the boots, poles, and skii lessons. Even it was not a proper skii resort, meaning no place to rent proper suits, google or gloves, they provided basic needs which are skii boots and poles. At first, i felt very uncomfortable  but since the slope is simple, so i think that's enough because we just wanna have a fun. I skiing for about an hour only. Feeling better than Seoul last time. I didnt fall down this time hehe.... 

Skiing again! 

Bhal Puri ~ one of the traditional food in Kashmir for Rs50. I like the tastes! 

Here it is. Simple but the tastes suit me! 

They pulled me down after the skiing. 

After the skiing, we took a break and had a saffron tea at the stall nearby. Actually it took us 10mins walking to the stall. 

The tea.... 

Later, we tried cycle snow. The price is Rs1500 per ride. Erm.. I couldn't imagine how the ride looks like. The route is 7km long. Meaning, you need to ride from Phase 1, down to the hill until Gondola Station. The cycles looks like a piece of metal with a seater, no brake, no pedal but you need to use your leg as your brakes.

So, i started to cycle. Hahahaha.. Its very, very fast, you really need to hold the handle strongly otherwise you will fall down. The most dangerous part is when it comes to the steeper slope, you really need to control your legs to brake or slow down the cycle. And as the first timer, i fell down from the cycle, rolling myself down the hill for few meters after 5km riding. I cannot control my leg to brake the cycle while it glides down the hill. My face became frozen for minutes. I felt blur and tried to wake up. The guide stopped nearby me and asked me.. 'Are you ok?' i answered 'My sights blur'.. He picked up my stuffs which dropped everywhere gegegegege. And the saddest part was, my spectacles broke. Huwaaaa..how could i saw to cycle. It looks everything is white without recognising which area is slope or not. Since i didn't want to fall again, i asked the guide to cycle with me (i don't really dare if is not an emergency case, gulp, uwek!) to reach the end point. Why i didn't asked help from my travel mates? Because they also felt down but luckily non of them wearing spectacles. Its important to have and wear safety helmet while cycling same as when you ride normal bicycle!

Before i felt down

Its getting dark. I, finally reached the end point. The sledgers already awaiting for us, to bring us around the Gulmarg resorts. I cannot remember the name of each point since i still ting tong after the fell down. After half an hour sledging, we pay the tips and sledging price to them and waiting for our vehicle to fetch us. 

We returned our boots and continue our journey back to Srinagar. On the way back, the driver took us to this shop. So, i shopped again, the pashminas for my family. Its quite cheap. Around RM20 per piece and very unique and beautiful.

I asked the driver to get me a glue. Strong glue which can be used to joint up my specs. Before reaching our hotel, he stopped by the mini market in Srinagar to get me a glue. So nice the people here. 

We checked in to the hotel, have a dinner and have a rest. Tomorrow we are going to Sonamarg. I could feel the backpain now. Sigh!

The handsome guy selling the pashmina

The broken spectacles 

The Rs10 glue used to joint the broken part

To be continued.... 

Incredible India Part 1

This was my very recent trip, flew to India and visited Delhi, Agra and Kashmir. This 5 days trip, we spent most of the days at Kashmir whilst the rest are at Delhi and Agra. It was not a very lucky trip, i can say, but of course there was still elements of learning that i could gain through

India 31/1/2019 - 5/2/2019

Day 1

Arrived at KLIA at 7.30am, after checked in, i proceeded my steps to Golden Lounge Regional which is situated at International boarding just next to the euro train station. Well, actually i searched for this Lounge for almost half an hour. The map shown in web is different from the actual location. Maybe web yet to be updated. I have only 30 mins left before boarding, hence i just shown my voucher and took simple breakfast i.e Harsh Brown, Baked Bean, Bread, Scrambled Egg and Ice Lemon Tea (Is these called as simple?? 🤔🤔).

Golden Lounge Regional, International Departure 

Simple breakfast as mentioned above 😁

Boarding at 8.30am, the flight took 5hrs to reach Delhi. We reached Delhi at local time 1pm. Delhi time is 2.5hrs behind Malaysian time. 

Inflight meals by MAS

Delhi from the air. Not so nice photo since i took out my phone late

Our driver, from Lucky Flower already awaited us at the airport. They brought us for lunch at Qutab Restaurant, just nearby Qutub Minar. Before reached the restaurant, of course almost hour on the road for traffic jam! Its normal to face traffic jam in KL but the locals driving manner here was totally out! 

We planned to visit Qutub Minar after the lunch but, yeah, just after having our lunch, we have been told by the driver that the attraction has been closed due to system down (so unable to issue the tickets). As simple as that! 🙄. Well, its a just beginning... 

I recommeded for you to eat here. Can considered as clean

Briyani Ayam. One serving can be shared by two peoples. 

Delhi Haat ~ Clothing, accessories and decorations sold here

Our driver divert our way to this shop, since we told him that we want to buy sarees, kurtis and anarkalees. Since this was the only shop/bazaar that we went, of course i could not compare the quality, price and designs. I think if you walk around Chandni Chowk or stalls along the road you can get cheaper price. We spent more than hour here. I bought a piece of anarkalee with short sleeves. So, i have requested the tailor to extent the sleeves to become a long sleeves and they agreed to sew it with no charges. Apart, i also bought a saree. Its 6 meters long so i can have 3 pieces of cloth and skirts 😁. Dont forget to bargain. Even not much discount given, but i managed to get free pashmina from the purchase...😏

Thousands of selections ~ pashminas, sarees, anarkalees, kurtis and many more.  

Too early to shop. Its around 4.30pm and we left Delhi Haat for Red Fort. Again, need to went through this bad traffic. The best thing here was, when we were on the road, lots of sellers came and knocked your windows offering you to buy various kind of foods, toys, and whatever they were selling. They striving for life, of course. 

People selling peeled coconut 🤔🤔

Arrival to the Red Fort...the driver dropped us at the road side just few meters from the Fort. Herm... I could see a lot of yellow barriers (written as Delhi Police) in front of Fort's entrance. Just wonder what was happening. After asked around, yes, as expected, the Fort was closed. Reason being, there was a cultural performance happening at the field next to the Fort. As simple as that. Since we could not enter into the Fort, even no chances to snap photo at the entrance, we just walked around and snapped photo outside the wall. At least something than nothing. So frustrated since there is no alert or information from the driver or Lucky Flower on this closure. 😒 Maybe they also dont know, i guessed.

    

The yellow barriers

                         The cultural performer marched to the field. Not sure from which ethnic   

And the same goes to this one 

This was the best shoot that we could get. The wall fence only. Sigh. Maybe this is one the reasons i should repeat India 😁

While  waiting for the driver to fetch us, we observed around the Fort. Here was what we found out:

 Golden Mosque, situated at outside the southwestern corner of Delhi Gate of the Red Fort

 

The trishaw, Delhi version

 Chai, the milk tea which popular in India. One cup for only Rs20 only. Tastes good and not give harm to my stomach. They sold it at the roadside 😅

So, after got few findings nearby the Fort, the driver fetched us. We told them that we wish to go to Jama Masjid to take pictures and perform prayers there. Yes, he brought us there but there were very bad traffic nearby the mosque. You could see how bad it was by looking at the picture below. Everybody refused to move and to give and take, ended up, it caused very long queue and bad traffic. They just dont bother other people behind them waiting so long in the traffic. What a stubborn people 🙄! Our driver gave up after almost half hour there we were still not moving, hence he decided to make a u turn and proceeded the journey to India Gate as the day getting dark. We just followed his plan with a broken heart. 😢

Stucked and nobody would like to give and take to move 

 End up, this was the best photo that we could snap from the moving car 😭

We reached India Gate later on. The driver dropped us at the road side and we walked down for 5mins to the Gate. India Gate is located within Delhi Town, few kilometres away from Jama Masjid. India Gate is a memorial to 70,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who died in the period 1914–21 in the First World War, in France, Flanders, Mesopotamia, Persia, East Africa, Gallipoli and elsewhere in the Near and the Far East, and the Third Anglo-Afghan War (Wikipedia).  The height is about 138 feet or 42 metres.

There were huge crowds of foreigners and locals hanging around there, buying and selling, taking pictures and its like celebrating a fiesta. Since its getting dark, we just take few photos, got into the car and went to the hotel to check in, afterwhich we had our dinner and rests. 

Our flight to Srinagar was at 7am the next morning, so we need to have enough rest to ensure we wake up very early in the morning. 

                       India Gate at night 

People selling various kind of foods nearby the Gate 

To be continued...