Leh Videos

Meow CATS,

I know I am way-way behind posting the memorable videos from our Leh expedition... and trust me... they ARE memorable.. all 80 of them :-)

Since I do not want to hold on to the travelogue, pics and videos of our last Sunday's trek to Nepli, I will add the Leh videos later... breaking my own rule of blogging, just this once!

Enjoy reading and watching our 3rd Nepli-Kansal trek held on 28th of Sept'08,
CAT Supreet

Photo Gallery - Leh (Day 1 - 3)

DAY 1 - The journey begins for The Krazzy 4…

Before the sun broke through and the lark had sung.. Meow

CATS merrily enjoying their first meal of the journey… Tea break at Salappar.. with green bread (read fungii) and green milk (read elaichi)

Nadi kinare – Din dihare… Rocking CATS in the rocking Beas above Kullu

CAT Supreet at Devi Hadimba Temple in Manali.... Legend has it that the lady named Hadimba prayed here after Mahabhartha war ended and came to be known as Devi Hadimba

Awaiting their detention to end at the temple door of Naggar Fort!!

The beautiful cottage where CATS stayed for the night in Manali

DAY 2 - Kothi.. the stunning landscape started just as left Manali towards Rohtang

Krazzy 4 were disappointed at Rohtang Pass (13,000ft), which also happens to be the first mountain pass on way to Leh

First brush with a washed out road… First of many to come

About to enjoy a bite at the Kitchen at Kokhsar, whilst waiting for the puncture to be repaired by our Driver

About to cross Beas on the way to the jeep and hit the road again

Time for the CATS to take a nap at Keylong after a long journey from Manali

DAY 3 – Well fed and all packed and ready to embark on the next leg of the arduous journey to Leh

This pond is called Deepak Taal; where boats are provided but boating is not permitted

Second mountain pass; Baralachla (over 18,000ft) where CATS literally had to hold onto each other to avoid toppling over the edge

CATS in awe of the magnificent views Darcha offered to us…

This was the first glimpse of what was yet to come...

Second view of Darcha with rocky mountains in the backdrop

Would you believe that this snow capped mountain formed the third view of Darcha? …all in the same panoramic view!

Temporary transit camp (shack market) set up during the four months of the year when Leh opens. One could either have a bite or even stay the night in the tents

CAT Ashish finds yet another eatery - Baba Da Dhaba

Magic created by rocks and sand

CATS in a mood to take off upon reaching Sarchu; a magical land where river bed had exquisite patterns made by the receeding waters, where rocky mountains in bewitching colours guarded the wild flowery meadows, where the sun played hide and seek with the clear clouds

....where nature had made beautiful temples in sand on the banks...

Ofcourse, no place could possibly be complete without a Thana and a Theka in close vicinity
We are still speechless… you give an appropriate caption for this serene beauty

We see a castle… what do you see??

CATS can not but acknowledge the work put in by the BRO in the most unfriendliest of terrains and in the most hostile of the weathers… BRO pays homage to each of its employees who die in the process of road making by constructing a permanent memorial at the exact spot of accident, as can be seen at the far end of this photo

Krazzy 4 taking a break whilst traversing the 22 Gata Loops on our way to the Nakeela Pass

View of fascinating mountains from top of the the 22 Gata Loops.. don’t miss the river meandering through which kept us company throughout

Krazzy 4 conquered third mountain pass on the way; Nakeela Pass (15547ft). This is where the high altitude sickness had set in but CATS refused to acknowledge it

Dizzy CATS even refused to acknowledge the call made to come out and have a picture taken at the fourth mountain pass; Lachungla (16616ft)

Live song and dance show presented by our Ladakhi Hostess Sonam and her gang of girls

Good night

- To be continued... Haji CAT Supreet

Photo Gallery - Leh (Day 4 - 6 )

DAY 4 – CATS munching on their breakfast albeit a little gingerly

Thanks for your hospitality Sonam and even more for the boilied sugar candies you gave us as the parting gift

More Plains, also known as the Tibetian Plains; a natural wonder of 45 sq. miles at a height of over 15500 ft. - a place offering mesmerizing views in all directions. If one mountain was snow covered, the other was rocky, third was a mud mound and last one is for you to see

A 270 degree view – another perspective view from the edge of More Plains

‘FAaaanNTaaASTIk’, as CAT Vasu would say :-)

Another view of More Plains – leaves us speechless for description AGAIN

Tanglang-La (17582 ft.) – the highest pass enroute to Leh; the CATS had to be dragged out of the Jeep for the photo shoot. The altitude sickness had still had the better of CATS

Innovative way to refuel the earth movers as designed by the BRO; notice the Diesel drum in the crane raised to fill up the other JCB

Do you see a lady wearing a hat?

The temporary abode of CATS in Leh, found after a five hour hunt, prompting Lucky Bhupinder Singh Kasauli Walle to comment, “Madam, Theek ne?”

Maam Supreet at German Bakery in Leh

A very old bakery style eatery serving excellent continental food with an extremely shameful attitude. Visit for sumptuous meal but beware of the attitude from the owner

Shanti Stupa, constructed by Japanese depicting the major phases of Lord Buddha’s life – a must see land mark of Leh

Krazzy 4 enjoying the bird’s eye view of Leh City from Shanti Stupa

Inside of the Buddhist temple at Shanti Stupa

Fleeting feline flirtation with a perfect canine model; Cocoa ;-)

The ancient Leh Palace built over nine levels, six centuries ago

Interiors of the Leh Palace – dilapidated state speaks volumes about the conservation efforts being done by ASI for this World Heritage site

Krazzy 4 celebrating CAT Vasu’s 16th Birthday at Summer Harvest, with a cake of his choice. The CATS presented him with a candle as a good luck charm

Chanindera, the child who refused to smile, with his swiss mother ….; she had a unique way of carrying him in a stole on her back

Traditionally dressed a charming Tibetian Grandma selling candies and other goodies on our way to Nubra Valley via Khardung-la

Tsemo Castle on our way to Khardung-la

CATS pussy footing their way to Tsemo Castle heights

You could not safely go beyond this level of the Tsemo Castle

A Spider-Man in the making; this brave Israeli child charmed the CATS by refusing to accept the helping hand to climb down the precarious steps of the Tsemo Castle. Notice the terrible graffiti shamelessly defacing the walls of this castle. Will we ever learn?

A Tibetian Yak basking in the sun

A glimpse of an elusive Himalyan Marmot after half an hour of hide-n-seek; prompting our driver to say “Bhaaji, enoo rehen do, eh bimaar jeha lagda hai !!”

How could we miss him all decked up with a red ribbon?!!

VIP parking reserved for the VIP Krazzy 4 in the middle of nowhere (Notice the VIP parking sticker on our car!!)

Finally! Krazzy 4 on top of the world… not really … but surely on top of the highest motorable Pass in the world, Khardung-La (18380 ft.) Disappointingly devoid of any snow but pleasantly with sexy toilets which were locked to keep them sexy forever :-)

Krazzy 4 having a catty tea break at Khardung village on way to Nubra Valley

The CATS were besotted by this shy Ladakhi girl, who played hard ball to get photographed

A charming little Ladakhi girl with a disarming smile who won CAT Vasu’s heart

Ek bechari, kaam ke bhoj kee maari

Camp Snow Leopard at Nubra Valley, CATS’ resting place for night where everything was served drenched in oil with a hearty laugh