"Do not long for a better life. Live the life you have. Wherever you are, be all there. Making the most of our current reality is the best practice for what is to come"
--Jim Elliott
I arrived at the Himalayan kingdom of Leh, after about 4500 plus kilometers and 6 days of riding. I couldn't believe that I had done it, and gotten this far. To be able to look at the board that read "Welcome to Leh" was something that made me ecstatic and awed at the same time. I was here, and I had arrived.
And on to part 4!
Welcome to Leh, and I had finally arrived!
The Indus river is the lifeline of Leh and the Ladakh region. It is a perennial source of water.
The first view of the Indus river from the road that leads to Leh town.
Old town Leh.
Mountains and skies, trees and houses... This is Leh town.
Time for food! Pita bread, omlettes, and a cup of tea to start off with!
I took some time off once I arrived at Leh town. I rested and recuperated. The last few days had been one of covering kilometers and riding without many breaks. 4500km in 6 days, averaging about 750km does take a toll on the body and the bike. To top it off, I had started off in the hot months of summer, and the North was sweltering hot. I was not used to the heat. Once I arrived at the mountains, the temperature became manageable and I could ride more comfortably.
Leh offered me a chance to rest my weary bones, and to look around the town, explore the market and the little alleys. I visited the Shanti Stupa which sits atop a hill that overlooks the town of Leh. It is a peaceful place and is a monument that has been erected to signify world peace.
The Shanti Stupa has carvings that denote the life of the Buddha, and the circle of life.
Inside the prayer hall at the Shanti Stupa
In Leh, there are many shops where you can get your own tshirt made. The tailors embroider designs of your choice on the tshirt. In my case, I got a tshirt made on which a route map was sewn, along with a embroidery of my bike. I still have the tshirt today!
Steaming hot momos were a welcome snack anytime of the day!
And then, I was on my way to the so called Highest motorable road in the world - The KhardungLa!
It was a bright and beautiful morning to ascend the mountains!
And I had arrived!
While KhardungLa is considered (and proclaimed) to be the highest motorable road in the world, it is actually not. There are much higher roads in the region. The altitude of KhardungLa is erroneous. It is closer to 18000 feet, rather than being over 18000 feet.
Modern measuring instruments have shown the altitude to be about 17,600 feet, rather than the proclaimed 18,380 feet!
A board at the highest cafe in the world, describing the Siachen glacier, and the harsh conditions our soldiers have to endure there. A salute to them all.
The mountains far, far away, looked enticing.
Unfortunately, the amount of trash at this altitude was an eyesore.
It is very difficult to imagine how callous and senseless tourists can be. To see so much trash at an altitude of over 17,000 feet, in such a sensitive and fragile region was a sad testimony to how insensitive tourists can be to the places they visit. It is very important that we, as travelers, and tourists alike, learn to be sensitive to the places we visit and the people we meet. Only then, can we be better at travelling and understanding this amazing world we live in.
#Idonottrashmytravel is a running campaign and we must make all attempts to ensure we take away only memories and leave nothing behind except footprints and smiles.
Where do I go from here?
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You can read more stories from my blog via the links below. Thanks for reading this one and cheers! :)
Around India on a Motorcycle - Part 3
Around India on a Motorcycle - Part 2
Around India on a Motorcycle - Part 1