Drive to Sonamarg along the river and snow clad peaks was a mind blowing experience.. Decent roads without much traffic. Reached Sonamarg, but decided to drive ahead as passes were open. Our plan was to go till Zojilla, but got stuck in traffic in Sonamarg town for more than an hour. It was getting late and decided to turn back at Baltal. Back at Sonamarg we had lunch. Went to Tajaswi glacier on pony. They charged 500 per horse. As we went up, scores of guides, ponywalas and photographers pestered us... It was tough to keep them away...Had to talk hard..Still took a sledge ride..It's not worth it.. Better avoid.
Spent some time in the snow.. and came down on horses. This also can be done by a walk...May be a bit tedious compared to Gulmarg, but can be done.
Back at Srinagar, visited nishant garden and went back to houseboat.
Sledge! This is something we didn't really enjoy. But still took it just for the sake of it... just for making the sledge guys happy... it was such a pain to shoo them away...
Guys who accompanied us to Thajiwas Glacier. One of them was saying: "... even graduates in kashmir are working as poneywalas and tour guides...high rate of unemployment... and we get work only 5-6 months a year... life here is tough sir..." That's the reality of this place. Large number of unemployed youth, tough terrain, unforgiving weather! But they were very good, genuinely wanted to make the travellers happy. Across the valley, we came across people in the service industry who were very very friendly and warm. We will remember these people for long.
Spent some time in the snow.. and came down on horses. This also can be done by a walk...May be a bit tedious compared to Gulmarg, but can be done.
Back at Srinagar, visited nishant garden and went back to houseboat.
Sledge! This is something we didn't really enjoy. But still took it just for the sake of it... just for making the sledge guys happy... it was such a pain to shoo them away...
Guys who accompanied us to Thajiwas Glacier. One of them was saying: "... even graduates in kashmir are working as poneywalas and tour guides...high rate of unemployment... and we get work only 5-6 months a year... life here is tough sir..." That's the reality of this place. Large number of unemployed youth, tough terrain, unforgiving weather! But they were very good, genuinely wanted to make the travellers happy. Across the valley, we came across people in the service industry who were very very friendly and warm. We will remember these people for long.
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