Day 2 was event less except that I saw a new route to reach Udhampur.This new route is called Dhar road and it touches
the Ranjit Sagar Dam area and its reservoir.This road was without any traffic and I enjoyed this route.
Landed in Banihal after few hrs of night riding and found a place to stay in Himalaya hotel near bus stand.
Next day on day 3rd,it was the day to visit Lidder valley,the beautiful valley where Pahalgam,Aru and Betab is.A valley
very dear to film makers of past.Pahalgam was a touch and go,real reason behind Lidder visit was my friend
Jagjit singh ji...
He owns a tented holiday facility in Aru,12 kms from Pahalgam.What a place hidden among green fresh mountains,a place to
rejuvenate to yourself,your soul....real Kashmir is here..
Sunnyji was not aware of our visit and we also did not know his presence at his Resort on that day.I wanted to give him a
surprise.When I reached there I instantly liked the place and its setting....a colurful tented colony on a green meadows,tall
mountains on all side,soothing sunlight and clear sky...a scene directly from a painting.
Lots of visitors were enjoying in his resort and Sunnyji was personally attending to everyone's needs....
As I entered his resorts,I saw him coming towrads me and we hugged one another...what a day it was...???
We chatted for a while over a cup of coffee followed by a very delicious Lunche prepared by his staff.
He insisted us on staying there for night but we had to say good bye as few local freinds were waiting for us in Srinagar.
Aru Eco Resort of Sunnyji was highlight of the day.In my next visit,I am gonna take my family to this awesome place and spend
few days there in the tranquil environ of Aru.

A Photo Series on Aru Eco Resort

In Sringar,we were staying in the same area,same hotel(Green Mountain) where I had stayed during my last 2012 year
solo scooter ride,place is Badami Bagh,a cantonement on the outskirts of Srinagar town.Room rent was 1200 per night
for a triple beds room,basic room.June is an expensive time to visit any hill town.Hoteliers generally make a killing
during summers due to swelling crowds of tourists.

Srinagar stay was good and I found a good opportunity to get familiar with some Kashmiri folks,their opinions,their
lifestyles and other important facts what they think about politics.
Today,on day 4,idea was to leave early so that Zozilla can be crossed without being trapped in traffic.During my earlier
two visits to Srinagar,I have always managed to leave the city at the early hours of the day.
Riding through the empty streets of Srinagar and shore of the lake is pleasant thing for me.

Gandarbal always comes and go in flashes.Only sightings I can recollect about this constitunecy fo Omar Abdullah are its
narrow lanes,Chinar trees and few open shops of Butchers with hanging lambs on hooks.I also remember people of Gandarbal
washing lamb's organs in open river canals thet flows in front of their homes.That is Gandarbal for me,a city adjecent to
Srinagar.

Kangan too is gone in the blink of eye.Last time I purchased engine oil for my scooter here.That shops alos had Diesel
for cabs and Champions tempo etc...An HDFC ATM has also come up recently but it was out of order this year.
After Kangan,a petrol pump appears at your right side.You cant miss this pump.This is the only petrol pump between
Gandarbal and Kargil.

Sonmarg makes its magical apperance soon after this petrol pump..High green mountains,sloped timber houses,meadows and
grazing horses with gigantic snow laden peaks,all makes Sonmarg a perfect place to forget yourself.The yearning of
spending some quite moments at Sonmarg generally lingers in my heart.Sonmarg is alwways teeming with people from
both Kashmir and Ladakh.A confluence of two important ethinic culture of JK.Its very exciting to be there at
Sonmarg.It is also the last place where you can taste some non vegeterian foods before your food ordeal starts in
Ladakh.I ordered a Mutton Rogan Josh here.

Indian Army runs HAWS(High Altitude Warfare School) here and you can see jawans learnig the skills of rock climbing
and rappeling.

You lost your Paradise soon after Sonamrg and you enter the hell made of Gray and Gravel...a place of utmost pain and
dissapointment....This dismal place is Zozila...Gateway to Ladakh from Kashmir valley....Zozila, lost to Pakistan
in 1947-48,so was entire Ladakh.Zozila which was re captured by Indian Tanks brought by Gen Thimmaya.
Zozila,a gift from Genral Thimmaya to all Indian,specially Bikers.