My first ever Solo Trip - Ladakh Once Again :)

Reason to Smile: Life is all about journeys from the time I realized that I don't want people to control my life. I took one step and decided that I shall stop giving people the power to control my life. This was a couple of years back. Now, things have only become better and wiser. I have only grown and grown for good - more so personally. They say that some unfortunate incidents in your life ideally should only make you better not bitter. I surely saw this and felt this deep down within me when I was informed that my friends 'all' have backed out on the plan (that we long decided) to go to Ladakh !

Nothing moved me. Even when this news broke at the nth hour of my journey to begin. My beginnings dint change. Whether 8 feet or two, I was very adamant or rather determined to attend to my calling - my super favorite destination - Ladakh !:)

This was my second visit but my first ever solo trip to Ladakh ! An exotic location that it is Ladakh will never stop to amaze people who are nature lovers :) My first cold feet at Leh airport, my heads up to a gigantic view of Siachen glaciers and my heart skips a beat ! What a brilliant solo start ;)

Hemis, Thiksey, Shey, Spituk, Lekir, Diskit, Monastries, Stock Palace, Leh Palace, Hall of Fame, Shanti Stupa, Rancho School  originally known as Druk White Lotus School, Hundar, Nubra Valley via Khardungla Pass, Rizong, Basjong, Alchi, Gurudwara Pathir Sahib, Nanak Hills, Ulehtokpo, Zorawar Fort and Museum, Army Exhibition Center, a few short treks, etc. are some of the places I had missed in my previous trip to Ladakh. I covered all of them and some more this time :) Though alone, I must say that the people of Leh are very welcoming, very warm hearted and have a great sense of hospitality.

In my so called short travel journey of 4 yrs and about 100s of tours and trek destinations within Maharashtra and outside, I would always rate Ladakh as my numero uno place of visit for its service & hospitality ! This is exactly why when I realized that I would have no one to accompany me literally, I was sure Ladakh will take care of me and it did without doubt ! The only reason infact I had the courage to still show my back to Mumbai and move ahead with the plan was the fact that I was going to none other than Ladakh. Honestly, had it been any other location, I would have remained unsure of my travel totally.

My special Thanks to Shashank and his wife Shweta who never let me alone and accompanied me wherever they could. They have literally tried their best to attend to me and see to it that I felt comfortable. Indeed this trip only became better and best with time and the loner lable helped me get the best deals with bookings and travel too ;) This can happen only at Ladakh where people don't see a girl alone - they see a girl with their support. There is no one who even thinks of taking an advantage of a lonely girl. As a matter of fact, there would be atleast 10s of them who will reach out to help you. Can it get any better than this to feel safe?!?! :)

Public transport is rarely used there. Its the taxis and the cabs that one has to bank on for tours to Pangong and Nubra Valley and other places around as well. I have had a hard time planning my cheapest tour to a few places whether solo or sharing cabs. Also, the fact that previous bookings were done, cancellations took a toll out of me. People dint bother me but they got hurt is what bothered me. This season is the only time they get to do some business and earn a living. For the rest of the year, its either extreme winters or rains where the locals survive on what they earned in summers :(

While I totally sympathized with their situation, I had to negotiate and lower my financial burden too. I, for sure, felt anxious on the so called 'friends' who didnt even bother about this situation I will get stuck with. Nevertheless, the fact that it was solely my decision not to cancel the trip, made it all worthwhile. I can surely say this was the best ever trip of my life ! :)

I bow down to the people of Ladakh and pray for their well being (from the bottom of my heart) especially after the cloud burst incident that took place a while back !

Love you Ladakh - You have always been awesome to me. May God Bless You ! :)

1300 pictures waiting to flaunt themselves on FB :) Check it out !

Keep Travelling, Keep Smiling :)