Srinagar-Ladakh-Delhi Trip: Day 2: Pahalgam

The next day, on the advice of the guest house guy (cant remember his name!), we decided to go to Pahalgam, a neighboring town and hill station. 

The journey took us about 2-3 hours, which was fast due to the bandh. The roads were very beautiful, and since I was sitting on the front seat of the car, I could enjoy the scenic beauty without much effort, though I had to work at tuning out the driver's non-stop commentary on random stuff!

A lovely stretch of road with tall trees on both sides.

On the way to Pahalgam

A beautiful river with blue-green water. The Lidder river I think.

 

We reached Pahalgam and once we got out we got the news that the only way to see anything here was on horse-back! Aunt & Uncle had already gone horse riding when they'd gone to Manali, so the three of us were the only ones who were hesitant to try it out; I, cause I'd vowed never to voluntarily go for any animal ride since a disastrous camel ride last year!

After much discussion & persuasion by the locals (it is their main source of income), Pa decided to go for a trial ride. He didn't like it, but didn't really hate it either, and so it was up-to me whether we'd go or not, since Ma is always ready for anything new! After vehemently refusing the first hundred times, I finally decided to give it a go, thinking it couldn't possible be worse than a camel ride. And I was right. It wasnt all that bad, thought the first few minutes are terrifying on my horse, who was aptly named Awara (He did not like to follow the other horses and would choose his own path!).

 

Anyway, now that everyone was on board we selected the Baisaran package, which cost us Rs. 700 per person. And so with great trepidation, we set out on our horse ride.

The stony path we went by.

The whole journey till the top was terrifying, especially because the horses seemed to be finding the narrowest and steepest paths to walk on! We stopped at certain points along the way for more photos, since we'd taken the services of the professional photographer who accompanied us on foot.

It was a package deal, the photos on the horses and then photos in traditional Kashmiri costume at the top, with the Himalayan backdrop.

When we reached the place called "mini Switzerland", the view was breadth-taking! I've never been to Switzerland, but I'm sure the Alps are just as beautiful. The sprawling natural lawns, the tall pine trees, and finally the majestic snow-capped mountains! Wow!

Mini Switzerland!

Zorbing: we didnt try it.

Descending was a bit trickier, I kept thinking that I'm gonna fall and tumble the rest of the way down; it would've been painful, but quick! But we somehow managed, and reached the base point safely.

After paying them, we went to a nearby dhaba owner by a Punjabi gentleman, and had some tasty food, the paneer was as soft and delicious as before.

 

Gujrati Thali

Punjabi Thali

After lunch, and another quick photo session, we started on our was back to Srinagar. Stopped on the way at some places designated (by our driver) as standard tourist spots for photography, and some apple orchards.

 

Apple Orchards

We stopped on the way to have tea in one of the villages and saw the locals having a yellow colored drink. Its a kind of tea only, but with dry fruits like almonds.

A tea with dry fruits

As we were nearing Srinagar, movement got very very slow due to the traffic. At a certain point in time, when we were stuck at a traffic signal, there was a loud sound, like an explosion just behind us, and a small cloud of dust rose in the air.
First thought: Terrorists!!!
Within seconds of hearing the sound, all the pedestrians lowered their heads and started running helter-skelter! There was a young mother with her daughter right outside our car, who we were observing just before the sound, they disappeared in the time it took us to look behind and back!
Anyway, it was over before we had time to react, apparently a car's tyre had burst, causing the loud explosion-like sound.
I guess this reaction kind of explains the presence of the defense personnel all over the busy streets of Srinagar.

They were present at intervals of a a few meters all all the roads.

As we reached home, it started getting darker, and as soon as we got out of the car at the guest house, it started raining. I was already under the balcony cover, when I realized that the rain was making loud noises as it fell, and on looking closer found that it was hail!! My first hail storm!!

Hail!!

 A good end to an adventurous day!