I am safe and sound after Srinagar :)

RTodor

First the good news: Srinagar is fantastic!!! No need to go into details for the poet said it long ago: "If there's a paradise on earth: it is here! it is here! it is here!"
Now the bad news: there was constant shooting in the city and around it and even a bomb blast a few miles ahead of our bus while we were leaving Srinagar for Jammu.
Conclusion: none
I am happy that I didn't omitt Srinagar - will remember that stay till the end of my days.
I am in Delhi now and heading for Rajastan in a couple of days.

Dear Sunil, Hotmail was not operating untill quite recently so I wasn't able to say Hello

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rossy

mountaingirl

I am a litle prejudiced to Kashmir - I would never risk it myself! So, if you plan to write a travel blog, please let us all know - I am WAITING to get a first hand info on the same.

snain

Two of my friends have gone to Srinagar sometime back and sent me this email about there trip.

We did go to Kashmir but didn't really get a chance to contact you to get your friend's email. Internet access is very limited (I saw one internet cafe in the whole of Srinigar!!). Everything was fine though cos we met a very nice man from Srinigar who looked after us and showed us round. We stayed on a houseboat and enjoyed the beautiful views and birdlife there. We also camped in Sonnamarg which was a great experience. On reflection, though, I did feel it's not quite ready for tourism yet - it feels safe, but I think that's only because there's armed security stationed about every five yards down every road. I can't imagine what it's like for your friend to work there - things seem very tense.

RTodor

I'd not encourage anybody to go to Srinagar...nor would I discourage anyone.
Thruth is that there's some shooting mostly in the old town. Thruth is that we were always accompanied by someone from the boat - perhaps to save us troubles - I can't say why as we didn't encounter any problems while walking around. We even escaped the guide once and had a marvelous walk all by ourselves.
We visited Pahalgam, Gulmarg outside the city.
Frankly speaking I couldn't figure out why we had to be quarded - most people were friendly and wanted to chat or to help us find our way -this when we escaped the guide
Internet is OK, the connection is a bit slow though much better than in Leh.
...and the lakes with the lighted housebouts, with the shikaras slowly moving like matrons and the little boats hurrying to and fro.....and the birds with their constant noise...I am really sorry that my English is so clumsy

steven_ber

Rossy.

There's nothing wrong with your English, it's probably better than mine, and I am English.

It sounds like a weird experience having a guard with you all the time, we have a similar system in England, we call it Marriage.

It's good news that you are well and you have experienced Srinagar.

Where next?

RTodor

next move is Rajastan - I am holding tight the big basket with the great expectations ...and I hope it'll be true ))

PS I just got my first Delhi belly (?) - terrible experience

indiamike

It sounds the same as when I was there a few years ago. The owner of the boat always went with you. Not that I didn't mind, he was a very nice man and showed me around the town, but your freedom of movement becomes limited and that is a major complaint by some is that they feel trapped on the houseboat and are only allowed around only by guides.


Sitting on a houseboat in Dal Lake and watching the days pass by without a care in the world is an incredible experience, it's a shame the rest of it cannot live up to those expectations.


How were the "call to prayers" in the morning, I betcha they woke you up pretty darn early. Should have warned you about that.

Good luck with the DBelly.

Mike

wonderwomanusa

Hope you are feeling better now, Rossy and on your way to enjoy Rajasthan!

I suspect they are still taking good care of tourists in Srinagar because there was a kidnapping a few years ago...... and it ruined their tourism business!

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The map is not the territory. --Alfred Korzybski

vistet

Befitting for the place, as some traditions has it , was the final resting place for Jesus.
I have fond memories of Srinagar from.. before. It is saddening to remember this and hear of the present backdrop of gunfire and more.
Glad you you found and focused on the good contacts you obviously had.
The English comment is unfair to yourself - you wear the language with same flair as your hats (any nice ones to be found in Srinagar?)

bijapuri

"If there is a paradise on earth . . ."
Isn't that Shah Jehan's quote from the Red Fort in Delhi?

anyway, his dad, Jehangir, liked Kashmir so much he stayed there for years. (Nattering on, sorry)


Mike, who's the guy in your avatar?

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vistet

My favourite (totally un-Jehangir-Kashmir related, my mind wanders erratically as usual.. ) paradise quote :

"God created this as paradise on earth but , since he couldn`t allow anything on earth be truly perfect, he then created the mosquitos"
(Carl von Linne)

MadnoMad

Hey Vistet
in the same spirit as your quote.......heres a story... no offence meant

"Man died and went to heaven.....asked god...all my life I've heard about paradise...and many holy men told me that paradise was not in heaven but on earth itself...I tried hard but still couldnt find it.....where is paradise Mr.God?...

God took him to show the earth...pointed to India and said...see that is paradise...man didnt understand...wanted to know why god called India of all places paradise.....God said...where else can you find the all the beauty of nature in one country....sandy beaches, beautiful snow capped mountains....gushing fresh rivers....calm lush plains...warm hearted and friendly people....the best of all natural resources.....and on and on....man interrupted god and said...but god how can one place on earth be so perfect...in your creation nothing is perfect......god smiled and said...I know...thats why I gave them lousy pakistan for a neighbour...


Cheers

MadnoMad

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One world, One man, One plan....Travel...unfortunately just one life!

Samsara

Or Comrade Citizen Advani for vice-president? (Please let the male chauvinist be voted out of office before he sets the country back a few millenium in time...)

RTodor

Hi Mike,
I had such a wonderful time ...and sleep there that nobody could wake me up before my soul had taken its rest though I once got up at 4 am to visit the early morning vegetable market on the lake fantastic scenery

Hi Vistet
no more beautiful hats I can't find any befitting my personal chick LOL

Hi all
as far as I can see everyone who has visited Srinagar keeps warm memories ... I do hope that soon everybody could visit the place and enjoy its beauty ...or at least I prey this happens soon

Jaipur is too noisy, polluted and tout-ed
In a few days I am heading to Pushkar and then to Jaisalmer - any comments and advice highly appreciated - especially for cheap guest houses as my budget went to hell in Ladakh

steven_ber

The Bus is probibly the fastest way to Jodhpur (a great City), there is a train from Ajmer to Jodhpur, the cat found it for me

Ajmer - Jodhpur

The train gets to Jodhpur in time to have a nice meal and relax before the overnight train to Jaisalmer.

Have fun.