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Uletokopo - West Ladakh Resort Camp
Not quite glamping .. not quite a resort ..
Ready for an early start for our trek but stretch time India meant it was later than planned ... and the hot water is still coming ...
Beautiful 6km walk through a winding road than ran alongside a creek. Starting at 3130 meters and climbing to 3570 meters - so uphill most of the way!
We crossed a suspension bridge over the Indus River (in so much better condition than my Nepal trekking days)!!
The scenery was spectacular as we wound around the mountain mostly on the road but there were a few off road short cuts to the Mangyu village. The promise of spotting Ibex and blue sheep was a promise that evaporated like the hot water!!! Our local guide a called Serring (maybe ... we are having trouble with her name) said she knew someone in the village and galloped ahead to find her. We managed to puff our way up to the monastery. At the top and as we enjoyed the view Serring magically appeared again and said she had found the mother of her friend and we 'should be waiting here' and she would return. Waiting, waiting and I was thinking they were probably hiding the ironing and dirty dishes as you do when uninvited guests drop in ...!!
Finally she returned and took us to the house where we met the mother. Both escorted us into the multi purpose room ... dining.. sleeping ... etc .., Bed rolls in the corner .. all immaculate ... and as we sat cross legged on the mats the best cups came out of the box they were bought in, black tea arrived and .... freshly baked doughnut/croissant bread was brought down from the kitchen!!! She wasn't cleaning up she was making us bread!! Bless her!! Then we tried her local beer .. ugh.. I would never be a big drinker in that village!! Finally the mother appeared again as we were leaving and all I could offer her for her hospitality was a koala which I pinned to her tunic - her smile was priceless!!
Onward to the Ridzong Monastery which nestles high in the mountains. By now the actual temples and Buddhist bits are making my eyes glaze over ... but monastery's are beautiful and the Lamas still enchant me!! Here there were 4 Lamas in a 4WD ... that's gotta be lucky right?!!
Sunday 13/8
Hot water ... in buckets arrive at our tent early ... best bucket wash ever!!!
We head off to Lamayuru on India's No. 1 highway .... full of holes you can disappear in ... Missing bits where the road has fallen into the river hundred of metres below ... don't be silly .. there's no guard rails .. they have already fallen in ... blind corners where the drivers just beep and you hope the oncoming ones don't have the Bollywood tunes cranked up too high :(( then add convoy after convoy of army trucks ... I begin to wonder if war has been declared ... and how would we know?!!!
Finally the monastery - wow the oldest in Central Ladakh. We are escorted around by a self appointed guide - a delightful old gentleman who was a picture just waiting to be taken ... he took us to a private part of the monastery that was built in about the 10th century!!!
Once again ... a little koala brought a huge smile to his face and I'm guessing not a lot of Aussies travel here!!
As we are leaving some mini Lamas came up to us while we were at the big prayer drum. Their English was good - they were 10 & 16 but looked much younger .. harsh climate and basic food I guess.... we laughed a lot Shari gave them some pencils and of course I found two more koalas ... lol!!
Long drive back to our hotel in Leh ... straight to lunch at a kashmir restaurant Jassa had been telling us about ... fantastic ... but 6 hours later as I'm sitting on the loo reading my kindle ... because its not worth moving ... I'm thinking ..... they didn't really wash the salad in bottled water .... :(( ... Finally when i can move ... another cold shower :((((
- comments
The Big Man, SWMBO & David Keep the reports comming Jill. Just like your loo visits. All sounds a bit tough for us but you Oz guys can handle it. How is the POM (Rosie) stacking up?. Love to Jassa and the rest of the party. Hope you all make it back safely
Jeff Barnes And to think you thought I might like to join you on this trip. A recommendation from your good self will be reviewed before any decisions are made. I travelled for six weks in India and kept it all together whereas you have spent good money to squat on top of the world. Say a prayer for me and by the sounds of it, one for yourself.