I was so excited when I got a call from the PR team handling J&K Tourism. I immediately agreed to go on the trip, I took three days leave as well. For me leaves are really truly precious because I work full time. Anyway, talking about leaves is not too engaging, so back to the Kashmir trip.
We stayed at a house boat at the Dal Lake in Srinagar for the first night. It was a unique experience. The name of the houseboat was Acropolis. It was clean though the bathroom was far from ideal. It was clean but had an antiquated and non-functional tub and to take bath you had to climb in. Other than this minor gripe the experience was quite memorable.
We visited the floating vegetable market at the Dal Lake early in the morning. Originally the market might have been only for the vegetable but now with tourists around flower seller also join in. It was such a pleasure to wake up at the other side of the lake and watch the birds and life generally around the lake. Srinagar is full of Mughal gardens but on this trip I could visit only one.
Pari Mahal is a seven terraced garden built by king Dara Shikoh somewhere in 1600s. It is a beautiful garden but more than that it has stunning view of the city. It is a bit outside the city, with narrow roads leading to it. I could have sat there for the whole day and looked at the view.
No, before you say you envy me, let me tell you I could not take a ride. Kashmir is trying to develop adventure tourism. Paragliding is one of the activities. It is happening on a hillock at the Asthan Marg. For us it was difficult to locate the place. As of now one has to trek 1.5 kilometers to reach the spot. It was fun for me but it would have been even more fun it I could have taken the flight! Anyway, there is always a next time! What a view we got even from the hillock.
What I could do was rafting on the Lidder River at Pahalgam. It was a short stretch of 2KM but that was enough for me. The water was so, so cold that I would yell and scream (no, really I did that) every time I got drenched. I can only shudder when I think what would have happened if I got thrown-in. Thankfully it never happened.
Finally, it is time to talk a bit about food. You are better off if you are a non-vegetarian as there are many local dishes you can try. I can only talk about this excellent lemon cake and coffee at Cafe Log Inn. Read it carefully, it is not login and password, it log as in wood Inn! More on these snapshots in later posts.
Beautiful pictures from a beautiful place. I wish the place was more peaceful.
You are absolutely right about the peaceful part, how I wish the same! It was much better this year though compared to last year.
Indeed one of the most beautiful places on earth, and great pictures.. the Log inn part is really funny as today we all understand only one login
Me too, I initally thought it was login … and thank you!
I do envy you …. but not for your travels but for leaves .
Rafting on the liddar river must be thrilling, enjoy your next trip and keep posting about your exciting tales . Wishing you lots of travel 🙂 🙂
http://thetalesofatraveler.com
Ha ha the leave restrictions will come in as the semester starts 😀
A wonderful teaser!
Thank you Deepak.
wonderful photos and you’ve enjoyed to the fullest….you’re a brave-heart to go for that rafting… 😀
Maniparna 😀 that is one activity that every tourist will do.
off course kasmir remain always among the choice of a traveler and now a days the militants activities are also very rare . great journey producing nice pics . amazing to see another log inn otherwise we all knows only a single login .
Yes Yogi I too read it as login initially. And yes the valley is becoming more peaceful. I hope soon it will be a thing of past to think of it as a troubled region.
Fantastic Mridula 🙂 Great pictures 🙂
Thank you Siddhartha.
amazingggg! the reflection in the lake (in first pic) makes it look like an oil painting! i would love to visit Kashmir for sure! thanks for sharing the lovely pictures 🙂
Thank you so much for your encouraging words.
Heavenly shots! I still envy you Mridula! But, no, I can’t 🙂 Feeling happy that I get to read all your beautiful experiences 🙂 Have a happy time at Pragpur 🙂 🙂
Thank you Sindhu.
Kashmir is the paradise on the earth truely. A must visit place for all Indians and your pictures just adds to this. Thanks for a wonderful post.
Thank you for the kind words Krishna.
Beautiful photos! I have lovely memories of Kashmir from a childhood trip. Enjoy your other trip…
Thank you Chaitali.
What a great trip you had!
Lovely captures.
Thank you Indrani.
Lovely pictures from the heaven on earth.
Lucky you…:)
Thank you Preethi.
Excellent! I had planned to go to Srinagar in the beginning of June, but I had to cancel it due to dearth of train tickets. But I am planning an autumn visit. Thanks for a lovely preview! 🙂
Renuka I am told that the Chinar trees (maple) change colors in autumn so you night get a feast actually!
Beautiful outlines, Mridula:) Waiting for the wonderful insides;)
Thank you Amit.
Looks like you had a lovely time.
Yes indeed Niranjan.
Looks like it is a wonderful trip. Haven’t been to Kashmir for long. Nice post.
I hope you go back sometime soon!
Beautiful post, Great photos, Thanks for your post.
Thank you for stopping by Rupam.
Thank you Kalpana. The Log Inn bit came because I initially thought what a strange name … Login only to realize it was Log Inn!
Thank you Kalpanaa. I have yet to do the paragliding 🙁
Dear Mridula ji,
Long back i used to E mailed u on your Travel writings. However i seek some suggestion from u:-
I(63 yrs) & my wife (59 yrs) does a amount of Travelling. Lastly in March 2014 had been to Shimla-Kasuli & before that in Sept.2013 been to Sikkim for almost 9 days. The suggestion sought for ‘Kashmir Trip’ which we r planing to visit since a long, Can u help me to make an itinerary (via Delhi) suitable to us. i;e;=7-10 days with a budget of 35-40 k.
In 1st week of August we r visiting Gurgaon to stay with our son & from 22 aug going to Mathura-Vrindavan with a group (3 pairs) of like minded relatives for 8-10 days.
With Regards
Dear Madhu,
I am not good at making itineraries but I would say go to Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonmarg. All of these are on the tourist track.
Love the pics..memoriesof summer’s spentin Srinagara long long time ago the pari mahal still looks the same pseudo haunted. ….I want to go back…love your pics and really envy the fact that you can travel so frequently. ..
Shalini, I hope you do go back soon. And I know you don’t envy 😀
You provided a great and awesome information with beautiful pictures of Kashmir.
Wishing you lots of travel 🙂 🙂
Thank you so much, exactly the wish I want to be granted 😀