Re: A Couple on Two Different Motorcycles Riding to the Magical Mountains - Leh & Ladakh

Apologies Guys for keeping you all waiting for so long actually had a minor accident.. iam recovering and will be ok soon....anyways allow me to tell you what happened in "Day 9...." HERE WE GO




Day9 (Saturday) - 21/06/2015

39.6 km leh to khardungla


We had our delicious breakfast and a short chat with the family < we were stunned after hearing them speak each and every word in fluent English> hugged them & waving them bye <not good bye, we would like to meet them over again> and we proceeded for our next destination...

Enroute Leh city..Always got scared to see these rocks hanging above us




Read it carefully



Yo yo Kiran Singhaaaa



I can see this pic for hoursss !! BELIVE ME !!




Nahi bhai, bohot hawa chal rahi ha, helmet nahi nikal sakte baba <No bro too much breeze, Cant unlock our helmets>



Different colors water/ river meeting each other(We were always bad in Geography)




Our heart posing between lovely wadiyan <mountains I mean>




Yaha sussu Jasakte ha..Koi nahi ayega <I think we can go for loo here nobody will show up...lol>




Painting Again




Loving the place....Lovely mountains....


Ascending Khardung la- Go Pro shot!

A proud Moment for us!!




Thanking Almighty !! WUHUUU WE DID IT !!




Raincots, sweaters, tshirt, thermal clothes, kuch bhi pehno, lagni confirm ha...

IT was not at all good idea to ride in the night...




Truly said "Life is a Journey !! COMPLETE IT !!

Re: A Couple on Two Different Motorcycles Riding to the Magical Mountains - Leh &amp; Ladakh

Great .... hope you are all good and no serious injury about the accident. Waiting for Day 10 eagerly!!!!

Re: A Couple on Two Different Motorcycles Riding to the Magical Mountains - Leh &amp; Ladakh

Wow !!! Such a nice feeling to be on top of the world. Excitement and the spirit of accomplishment setting in the mind. Waiting for more.

Bad to hear about the accident. Hope you are doing good. Wishing for a speedy recovery.

Re: A Couple on Two Different Motorcycles Riding to the Magical Mountains - Leh &amp; Ladakh

beautiful Log and looks like you two had beautiful experience.....me and my wife are planning for Leh now for 1 Months, Hoping for the best

Re: A Couple on Two Different Motorcycles Riding to the Magical Mountains - Leh &amp; Ladakh

Road ripping ride trip till now you guys have had.
N u r one lucky lady blessed with a cool as a cucumber husband.
Pics are all beautiful!

Re: A Couple on Two Different Motorcycles Riding to the Magical Mountains - Leh &amp; Ladakh

Lovely log, nice pics and congrats to both of you......and hats off specially to you for a girl riding a bike and going to leh is rare....

Re: A Couple on Two Different Motorcycles Riding to the Magical Mountains - Leh &amp; Ladakh

Wonderful to read this t-log. Hope you recover soon from the recent mishap. Waiting for the next episode.

Re: A Couple on Two Different Motorcycles Riding to the Magical Mountains - Leh &amp; Ladakh

CHAPTER 10 - “DAY 10”

“Dry Day”

Day10 (Monday) - 23/06/2015

Route – Leh City

Kms – ‘o’ kms

I was incapacitated, no strength at all to even open my eyes, somehow located the watch ….it was 9.30 in the morning. I was happy that we survived the night but every part of my body was asking for food for some energy. I asked him to get something to eat <Our hotel did not served anything “Bullshit”> Sachin was on the similar stage however poor my man had no option to drag his body out and get some fuel he went downstairs and got some chapatti and omlette from nearby hotel

Without even brushing our teeth both of us were fueling up ourselves like a hungry dogs. Frankly saying I dint even had the energy to chew my food <the worst part was we did not even had the afternoon lunch the day before>

We saw each other with worry in our eyes and asked “Are we good”?

“Headache” we both said together. Sachin handed me a tablet of saridon after having the tablets we discussed and decided our further plan Sachin said “let’s drop the plan for today and see Leh city and leave for Pangong Tso tomorrow”

Saridon effect!! We felt asleep yet again!!!

Waking up <this time it wasn’t a painful wake. It was light, more relaxed one, no heaviness, no hurt in stomach> aaaahhh we were feeling good. We survived the night !! Wuhuuu !! It’s a REST DAY <Hi five>

We had lunch <WITHOUT ANY DOUBT> and soon after that Sachin left to trace some mechanic and get his bull spark plug cleaned. I was happy to embrace bed for some more time.

After some big fat 4 hours Sachin showed up and asked me to get ready <Its tym to Explore the Leh City>

We headed to Shanti Stupa first and………..Is it required to say that the place was mesmerizing? Every Corner of this place called Leh & Ladakh is marvelous and all the adjectives that you can add up here.

Shanti Stupa is a white-domed stupa. We prayed for our safe journey ahead and thanked him for the safe journey so far


Touching sky







Aunties spoiled the pic




Beautiful Carvings




















The panoramic view of the surrounding landscape is so attractive that you can fix your eyes on it and keep watching it for hours and hours.

Can you see that amazing shadow of clouds over mountains..




My bat man :-)















I was in love with these dogs...they look soooooo cute <3






Watching Sunset with your love and sipping hot coffee in chilly wheather <Insan ko life mein aur kya chayiye> <What else a human being need in his life ?>

I was lost in the beautiness



The person behind us is happy posing



Delicious breakfast it was




It was already bit darker when we left for Leh palace…I anyways wasn’t interested to see any palace but Sachin was keen for everything so we made up there, posed and left



Some funny poses are worth giving specially when your body has survived so much torture



Night lights




We wanted to purchase prayer flags and a magnet so we were loafing around in Leh Market. Purchasing tees with a tag line as “How I got to Leh’D” with a bike image was unexpected and good.

Market was so colourful and happening, loitering there was fun



Trying out some Momos there was not even a question. Our dinner ends with some chicken Clear Soup, Chicken Momo, Chicken Fried Rice, and leh ka local Beer

Ending our day with lots of food <Seems like we were compensating for yesterday’s food: D> we felt asleep since we had another big day and 70 degree ascend tomorrow…


CHEERRZZZZZZZZ !!!




Yes we have got this straight and clear that FOOD is one important spice in your life :-)




Remember I said before “<Unexpected things are part of life. You can’t slash out that limb> wait and watch what the next tragedy was?

Re: A Couple on Two Different Motorcycles Riding to the Magical Mountains - Leh &amp; Ladakh

Amazing travelog there Beautiful captures and wonderful write up ...Tussi chhaa agyi ji

One lucky guy is ur hubby I must say

It must be so amazing to tour together as a couple on two different bikes

Re: A Couple on Two Different Motorcycles Riding to the Magical Mountains - Leh &amp; Ladakh

[MENTION=28012]bobisbacktorock[/MENTION],

Yes, you are absolutely correct, it is so amazing to tour together, and about the Lucky part we both feel that, but we have had so much hard times on the road too, be it this ride or rides before this one.

But in the end all that matters is you come home safe !!

Re: A Couple on Two Different Motorcycles Riding to the Magical Mountains - Leh &amp; Ladakh

Awesome, Mesmerizing, Breathtaking, Heart warming and Rejuvenating trip.
Reading the narration and taking in the beautiful pics... Procrastinating my work at office was never so easy. Time flew by as I was lost with you guys.
I must say Sachin sir is one lucky guy to have you as life partner.
As somebody said in one of the previous pages that bachelor guys will start asking girls if they ride or are interested in riding - This is so gonna be true in my case.
And although I'm just a kid at the very start of my career I really hope to meet someone who shares the same passion and can do something as amazing as you guys.

Keep it up, stay adventurous, stay blessed and ride safe.
May you have many many happy and safe miles together.

Eagerly waiting for updates.

Re: A Couple on Two Different Motorcycles Riding to the Magical Mountains - Leh &amp; Ladakh

[MENTION=69523]Ankey[/MENTION] - Indeed Sachin is lucky ;-) haha but iam lucky too that he taught me riding motorcycle...and yes Thank you for all the beautiful words..:-)

Re: A Couple on Two Different Motorcycles Riding to the Magical Mountains - Leh &amp; Ladakh

CHAPTER 11 - “DAY 11”

“In the direction of Lonely Planet”

Day11 (Tuesday) - 23/06/2015

Route – Leh -- Chang la pass -- Pangong Tso

Kms – 170 kms

We left around 8.00 for our next mission. I had a mixed feeling (Tensed for the pass and excited to see pangong - jo srf filmo aur google images mein hi deka ha, aaj usse rubaroo hone ka waqt ahya ha) <The place which was just seen in movies. It was time to see them from your very own naked eyes>

|| Hey Trouble – So We Meet Again?...||

Somehow troubles weren’t ready to spare us. Throughout the journey there was not a single day where our mind was on peace. It’s not always the heart. Sometimes your mind breaks as well and something similar happened, when we were all set to leave for our next destination “Pangong Tso” and next pass “Chang la”

We were so positive to reach Chang La in an afternoon and spend the evening sitting besides the lake having our time where least we knew that Saffy would give up on us..AGAIN !!

We were on a normal pace when Saffy got stuck in middle of road refusing to move even an inch ahead, in spite of giving a full accelerator the wheels were motionless.
<Sweat started accumulating on my forehead> “Start up Saffy we need to go – I don’t want to leave you”

<< Don’t know why but from the day I started my trip I had this negative thought in my mind and I even used to get a nightmare about it that my saffy is stuck in middle of snow clad mountain, no mechanic, no help and finally we see a truck and ask him for help, my saffy getting loaded into the truck, iam getting loaded and my dream of riding in some pass is busted >>

Sachin voice made me jump out of my thought….

He said immediately “There is a mechanic nearby I came here yesterday for my bull work, Don’t Worry we will get her fixed” Saying this he left to get a mechanic

After some 15 mints he got a person with him who was on his scooter. He slacked up some screw from the front wheel and asked us to follow him till his shop.

Without Disc break it’s tough to even ride a km and halt it just on a rear break. The person said that he is already involved in some other bike so it would take sometime to start up with Saffy somehow I requested him to be quick since we required to reach Pangong before sunset

The mechanic checked Saffy for a while and said “pump jam ho gya ha” he said that the oil wasn’t able to pass through the pump into disc break, which eventually jammed the wheels; long story short front disc brake was in a problem…

He took some fat 2 hours to change few things. Meanwhile Sachin got some breakfast since we did not wanted to repeat “Khardungla” episode.

The person who was repairing Saffy took 5 hrs to replace pump and pass oil through it of course he did some temporary setup to make disc work because the disc brake was not as stiff as it was previously.

Still we had to manage with it because we had no other solution and moreover the mechanic did not had the spares parts for replacing the calliper and Master Cylinder(The box which has break oil in it which did not passed it through).

Leaving from the spot it was time to conquer “Chang la” which was the steepest pass which we were about to face. Remembering all the heavenly power we left for our next destination <Yes we were damn late >

Thought to get some water from this handpump and save some penny ...but i was restless for next 15 mins..haha...and then I almost drank 2 bottles of water...






Enroute Chang LA pass



Always live for your today..




Beautiful Nazara








The snaky route ..




Moving on a decent speed we faced a steep ascend which made us realize that now it’s time to conquer Chang la.

I was leading whereas Sachin was behind me. Concentrating hard and moving upwards I thought to check for Sachin in my rear mirror – I found nobody. I was optimistic and thought he would chase me in a while so let’s keep going…after sometime I peeped back in my rear view as I was not feeling good about the idea of moving alone, I braked Saffy to the extreme left, pulled out the side stand and rested her < least I knew that the extreme left has the loose soil and the side stand would not be able to hold Saffy>

It was too late for me to understand this <Saffy was already lying down>, fuel dripping out of her, I looked around for some help “NOBODY”… “Jai Hanuman ji” was my word when I tried lifting her up and seriously I don’t know how I got so much strength in my arms at that moment <I have a weak hand &I never lifted her alone EVER…SERIOUSLY !!> I thought to seat over her and take her bit ahead at some appropriate place. When I was trying to do so I thought it would fall on opposite side Shit!! I was puffing hard, out of strength literally all due to low oxygen. In some way I managed to seat across tried to start her “SHE REFUSED” Lord what’s wrong now?

I tried applying choke and restarting her but even after many tries I failed. After some 15 mints I could see Sachin from far-off. I was happy seeing him coming up to me when I asked him about what happened “he said Touro was not able to ascend the 70 degree, I thought my clutch plate gave up however few bikers helped me by thrusting up touro and I managed to reach up here, Anyways Lets go !!.” Hearing him patiently I said in soft and low voice “Saffy not getting started”

Making a frustrating face he tried initializing her but she refused again and again. After some 15 mints I tried again and now the engine was in life..uffff !!

We proceeded further the roads ahead were bad <by bad I mean actually the real BAD>.

Fighting with all the problems when we finally reached the spot which said “HIMAK WELCOMES ON WORLDS THIRD HIGHEST PASS – CHANG LA – 17586 Ft. ” it was not less than the feeling of a warrior who never gives up

We were on some 17586 FT, one of the steepest ascends...Finally we were here. We bought some water <the nightmare of khardungla should not get repeated – Sorry iam repeating this Khardungla thing again and over again because that night we actually came out of death well, We will never forget that night >

We visited the temple “MAY CHANG LA BABA BLESS YOU” thanked him for being kind to us and allowing us to stand here safely. We needed to reach pangong ASAP so posed, clicked and left. We did not expend too much time since we would be returning via same route.

People were too curious to ask us about our journey. There were few Mumbaikars who were too happy to find a “MH” tagged bikes


After conquering every pass, the inner feeling was so emotional....Thank you my lord for making us so capable



I was stunned - My inner soul was questioning me that "Lady did you really made up till here in just few months training...How are you feeling ?"




Prayed and thanked Heaven tons tons tons !!



"WE" - Army Gal and Army Buoy




Awesome Chang La table top




Sadde naal Eh ki horiya si !! <Whats happening with us ? Where are we ?> LOL...



Trying to Smile after so much struggle :-)




Some Snow .... no no too much Snow



Sachin often says "Girls eyes looks more beautiful when she is wearing Helmet" heheheh




Since the climate was not that bad our body was supportive. Damn NOW comes the descending part <I HATE IT THE MOST> I can climb up easily but this slant down thing is a nightmare for me. <Rolling my eyes>

I far-sighted and uff it was way too far off for better roads to get nearer.

As soon as the Slant thing was about to conclude there was another challenge for us to face…<Uff this Leh is so unpredictable> WATER CROSSING <Yes my first ever dangerous water crossing> people also call it “PAGAL NALLA” lol…

I asked Sachin to go ahead and yes my man reached the shoreline safely. It was my turn now to show up all my skills of biking, though Sachin asked me if he can do me the favor but I wanted to do it myself so I waved him saying NO and entered the stream making the way through those stubborn pebbles. He was anxiously waiting for me to reach the shore <biting his nails> <He always do this whenever he is gets tensed >

At a point I thought I would fall but I MADE IT, high fived him and WOW I was feeling good Sachin made a small video of mine crossing the stream <sharing it below>
Thanks to our Riding shoes which was water proof with superb grip to stony base. <that was the end moment shopping we did otherwise we were in plan to take gumboots thank god we did not go for it>





We asked few riders on the way about when are we getting the better roads. They said few more kms and the smooth roads are awaiting you..

I think some 40 kms up till pangong we rode like a WAIT WAIT actually not RODE but we WINGED with our bikes. LOL..

We were enjoying the feeling of reaching the worlds famous SALT LAKE. We were in love with the Twists, turns and roads, mountains, white sand <bikes and sands very bad combination. We saved our A** countless times> I even had a high jump with Saffy <Damn I can’t say how horrifying that was Don’t know how the heaven I was saved…lol>. Thanks to the rear broad tyres..

We wanted to reach before sunset however we knew we would not be able to make it. But being optimistic in those terrains is the only thing that keeps you goingJ. Got some small water crossing on the way and after that the board saying “FIRST VIEW OF PANGONG TSO” we ignored the board and went ahead to see the actual lake and not just the distant view of it..

Nahe Nahe poora Pangong dekna....Chalo agge !! <No No want to see complete view not just the distant one !! Keep moving !!>



It was something around 7.00pm Sun was about to say good buyie and we were there in front of this blue lake admiring it <This is what we call “Optimism”> I slept and rolled on to the sand thanking heaven for giving us this opportunity to be here, to watch this heaven <Tears, Tears, Tears…..>

Iam mad !! Ignore me



Finally we were here !! WUHUUUUUU !!



Least we realized that we have no accommodation for the night:-D. We rushed to inquire into few tents who were quoting the amount too high just for few hours so we decided to find some reasonable place and luckily we found one in just 500 bucks …<not too great not bad though>

Our Palace for the night - Isnt it Romantic ?




Quick decision is so important seriously, delay in our decision and the tent would have gone to some other gang of boys who were even finding out the accommodation for themselves. So not wasting time ;-) we checked in and ordered for some geera rice, dal fry and papad

Concluding the day sitting near Pangong lake and having Jeera rice, dal fry with smile on our face, What else we need? Life fails to be perfect and struggle free but never fails to be beautiful….:-)

Finally it was the most awaited time to shut the day by snoring in that chilly tent. <I woke up couple of times since temperature was something in minus and keeping yourself hydrated & warm was important>
Gurrrrrrrrrrr !!!!!

<Btw I don’t snore that’s one is of Sachin’s !! huhhh !!>


Day 12 coming soon btw it was tragedy free and that's morning view of next day

Re: A Couple on Two Different Motorcycles Riding to the Magical Mountains - Leh &amp; Ladakh

SIMPLY AWESOME GUYS ! SIMPLY AWESOME.. Sorry I meant to write something more but words failed me

Re: A Couple on Two Different Motorcycles Riding to the Magical Mountains - Leh &amp; Ladakh

CHAPTER 12 - “DAY 12”

“Lonely Planet on the Edge – Salt Lake”

Day12 (Wednesday) - 24/06/2015

Route – Pangong Tso - Chang la – Karu – Upshi

Kms – 140 kms


Some midnight conversation between us

******

Me (Kiran) - “Sachin thoda sarak na, mere kamar ke yaha pathar jaisa kuch ha, sone nahe ho raha” <”Sachin Shift a bit, there is some stone like thing beneath, not able to sleep”>

<Without even shifting an inch” like we do while travelling in local train and give space to 4th seater – EXACTLY SOMETHING LIKE THAT? >

Sachin – “Is it ok” <”Snoring Gurrrrrrrrrrrrrr Gurrrrrrrrrrr”>

Kiran – <Dispointed> “Arre yaar stop snoring now and for god sake shift”

Sachin – Gurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Gurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Fuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
*
*
*
2 hours Later……
*
*
*
*
Kiran – “ Sachin Sachin Sachinnnnnn”

Sachin – “Ha kya hua subah ho gayi kya” <jumping out from sleep>

Kiran – “Are you feeling cold?”

Sachin – “Arre yar nahe heater mein soya hu mein” <Angrily>

Kiran – “Shutapp, Sleep”

Sachin – “Wahi kar raha hu” <Gurrrrrrrrrrrrr Gurrrrrrrrrrrrrrr>

*******

We woke up something around 8.00 am and the weather appeared to be bit cloudy. We got a tent next to us which had attached rest room actually last night it was given to 5 boys who left early and so I was spared to use the public one <itni khushi by god kabi nahe hui thi >

Quickly we got ready and ordered for some delicious breakfast <Cheese omelette, toast and kadak chai>. It’s an excellent feeling to sip your garma garam chai in chilly weather with a breath-taking view in front of your eyes.

My blue lady and me enjoying the hot tea and blue view.....<Don't see my dirty Riding shoes>




Amazing nasta with Amazing Sight



We were mesmerized by the sheer beauty of the place. It was 360 degrees beautiful and a panoramic spectacle. The crystal clear water, turquoise blue lagoon, cool fresh air, & magnificent landscape were tremendous. It’s very difficult to explain through words that we have witnessed and felt. It’s unimaginable and yes it’s a PARADISE.

Go little ahead of 3 idiots spot on the Pangong lake, and this part of Pangong lake will amaze you




Para Para Paradise ...












Of course posing was without a shred of doubt so we posed we jumped we giggled we hugged and lived the moment with memories that will remain embedded in our heart till eternity.

Superb Place to Work out in low oxygen




Hats off to the Machines who took all the abusing in those treacherous terrain







Some posing Time



Photo grapher gets photographed



Yaak Yaak..very humble animal..




FreeCultr couple




Itni Thand by god kabi nahe lagi




Pangong lake with different shade.




Some different angles of Pangong










Prayers make wonders




Look at Sachin’s expressions and efforts to fly high…lol





Poserni







Again check his Expression ...



Jumping or stretching ? Confused !!? Well even iam...lol




Enjoying the moment..



Victory..half done half remaining..



Did not wanted to leave the heaven but it was the time to say them all goodbye which is always hard.

Taking the same Route we reached the place from where the tough roads were about to start so took a small chai break and what we see “IT WAS SNOWING!!” <I said it before the weather was cloudy> we started to put on our rain jackets and resumed with our traverse.
This time the water crossing was so easily done

It is tough infact very tough to ride when it’s snowing my fingers were numb, I was shivering but moving on was the only option. We reached Changla top visited the temple again and left quickly so that it’s not too late to reach our destination for the day since we planned our return journey via “Leh -Manali” and our next stop was Upshi.

Remember, I said Leh is Unpredictable, few more kms from Chang la top and it was bright sunny day <I was relieved and surprised…>

Successfully striking out another mission from our list we stopped for lunch break.

Refilled our tank in “Karu” and stocked up extra cans and bottles and proceeded to our next mission via Manali

With not so bad roads we reached “Upshi” and planned to stay there for a night.

Quickly we found the accommodation of course with no bathroom attached:-D <what can we expect in mountains at least we got the closed place to stay and not the tent>


Check this out..Our new Tee!!




After taking some rest for some time, we ordered for our dinner; luckily we were getting good food to eat everyday <dal, rice, roti, sabji>

After discussing the route for what are coming our way for tomorrow Sachin said that we need to cross “Tang Lang La - 17582 ft”

I was too over confident after finishing up so many passes successfully <But again I say “Ladakh IS SO UNPREDICTABLE” you will never understand what’s coming up your way>

Sometimes small tiny things are enough to suck up your blood and sometimes big giant thing will become a cake walk for you <Remember these lines, I am gonna use it again>

Without even a needle hint about whats gonna happen with us tomorrow we went for a peaceful sleep hoping for a better tomorrow <which became a Survival & Suffering day of our entire trip>