It's so incredible that a region that was isolated, rugged, largely devoid of modern infrastructure, digital connectivity & visited only by highly adventurous people just one or two decades ago, now attracts lakhs of tourists every year. When I recall the impression of Ladakh I had in my school days, it feels like it was just a dream.
But the fact is that I have completed the adventure & shockingly it never felt much of an adventure except the severe headache I had for 2-3 days. I opted not to take the EMS tablets & just tolerated the headache as I wasn't sure that it was due to EMS or due to chilly winds I enjoyed at the airport.
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| Leh Airport |
This was the first time I had been to the Mumbai airport & the domestic terminal felt small compared to Ahmedabad. Also, the tea at the lounge was bad & hence my first order at the Leh hotel was for tea. Leh airport, as expected, was even smaller with no restaurant at all. (I realized about the situation of eateries on my return flight, by the way.) Hopefully, after my visit it will develop for the benefit of lacs of tourists.
Acclimatization is compulsory for first day in Ladakh & anyway I had an overnight journey of two flights so I had no intention to do anything but rest & relax. A briefing of the trip & introduction of travelers was arranged at afternoon tea time in the restaurant. It was advised not to go out on the first day but people get bored too easily on trips & so many went out to have a glimpse of the city in the evening. For me, evening fatigue especially after an inactive day is very routine & I have to go out in such scenario. So I went out for a walk with a hope to visit the famous Leh market. But after a few minutes of walking, I dropped that idea as the market seemed to be farer than estimated & also the fact that the return journey was going to be uphill.
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| Leh Hotel - Youthok Heritage |
I usually skip dinner in the trips but the chilled weather somehow makes you eat on every opportunity you get & hence dinner completed the day.
