Srinagar

Kashmir is the jewel of India - but when we went there...it was freakin HOT HOT HOT! We were stunned - that was the last thing we were expecting. When we asked what on earth was happening, it was apparently a period of forty days when the sun really beats down and makes the glaciers melt and this provides water for the rivers and cultivation and whatnot. Everyone was very pleased about it - except us, who were melting along with the glaciers.
The beautiful Dal lake
A flower seller on his boat - the whole economy of the lake is on boats and boaty guys keep floating around selling all kinds of stuff - flowers, foods, spices, clothes, touristy knickknacks etc
Our houseboat
We decided to do a boat trip around Srinagar...all the water bodies are apparently connected and we can do a nice circuit on a boat. But we were a bit startled when this honeymoon type boat showed up. 
with a mildly demented-looking boatman
Tourists getting their photos taken in local costumes
The famous Shalimar gardens
Dillu wilting in the heat
The famous Hazratbal mosque

Pahalgam

We finally got to see the beauty of Kashmir when we left Srinagar and went to Pahalgam. What a beautiful place! 
The lovely Lidder river
Glorious green Himalayas of Kashmir valley
Dillu was overjoyed to be finally seeing some beauties of Kashmir that he had heard so much about
And so was I! 

Sonamarg

Dillu went back to Delhi, and I set out for Leh - by road! I had done the Manali Leh road on public transport with Bharathi - now I would be doing Srinagar Leh road on public transport - by myself. 
I had a pitstop at Sonamarg, where I met a couple of firang backpackers and we went for a small trek up the nearby mountainside. I huffed and puffed while going up, but it was so beautiful up there! 
What an incredible vista
There was a group of nomadic shepherds up there and we stopped to meet them
They were so happy to see their images in that guys digital camera! Digital cameras were still very rare then (and before the time of smartphones) so it was a great novelty for them
The locals tried their hand at photography too!
My fellow backpackers ... a canadian and a east European
Me - posing for a cool shot! 

Srinagar to leh

I was experimenting with black and white photography at this time... if you would like to see colour shots of the same road, check out the 'Three Men on Motorcycles' page
Break time or breakdown time? 
The amazing Himalayan desert! So different from the valley
Lamayuru gompa amidst the 'moonland' 
Some shots at Shanti Stupa at Leh
These girls insisted on having their picture taken!