Shanti StupaShanti Stupa




May Peace Prevail






Parking Lot!


Next stop was the visit of Thikse Monastery:

Thikse Monastery was built by a Tibetan Monk in early 15th century right next to the Indus Valley. In importance, it is second only to Hemis Monastery. Thikse is situated 17kms to the East of Leh on the road to Manali. It is another imposing structure with a very structural riot of colours that one expects to find in these parts. Before visiting the Monastery, we had lunch at the foothill of the climb. This was the first and last time that I had a bad headache. I took an anti-inflammatory tablet to make it subside. It worked!

Went up to visit the wonderful nearly 600 hundred year old monastery.



Prayer Wheels


Inner Courtyard!




Prayer Hall


Steps


Doorway


Dalai Lama


Monk


In Recluse:

This was another very nice day after the day in the houseboat. I really liked Leh. I would like to spend more time here, walking around, seeing the streets, the people, the vendors selling their wares. I had a nice day where I was not stressed to negotiate bad roads. I slept well. We did not ride much. We saw two really beautiful monuments. And I have managed to recover from the strain and fatigue of the Godzilla Pass. What tomorrow brings on the road to Chang La remains to be seen. We will deal with it tomorrow. For the moment I can say that we had a very nice, pleasant, beautiful and satisfying day in Leh with the short rides and the visit of the monuments.

Oh, is it!

I did meet up with Vishvas at K'top and Motorbreath at Changla. And was unaware that you had this ride under your belt, else we could have met up over dinner perhaps, in Leh. Nonetheless, there's always a next time

Yes, Tanglang la was quite a mess. Very muddy to be precise. We crossed it twice in less than 24 hours. Tiring, yes, but fun at the same time with lots of wheel spin and mud slinging All part of the game!

Looking forward to more from you.

Will come to that shortly too... changes that took place about a year back.

Will put in a quick short edit on the bikes and the their mods.

Yes Kurt. He is a great kid!

Besides, I was getting updates about your movements through phone from 3rd parties. Apparently you had got past Tanglang La with quite some difficulty and advised people without proper experience not to attempt it!

Soon you will see what happened to us!

Great log there Ken! I am thoroughly enjoying it. And Mael is one brave kid. Sitting pillion through that terrain, deserves an applause!

Eagerly waiting for more

@Ken.....

Spectacular stuff!!! It must have been a huge relief to come across better roads, after that nightmare at "Godzilla Pass"

I can see a whole lot of mods on your Pulsar 220...among those that I can see are the handle bar, the headlight, and the tyres. Are those ceat tyres? What are the other changes you made to your bike?

And was the Avenger stock or modded? It would be really nice if you shared in brief as to what modifications you did on the Avenger, which made it so very capable at the thin-air, high-altitude roads on this trip.

As always, looking forward to the upcoming updates.

.....Simba

Ken sir, I'm not a big fan of Pulsars; Your Pulsar is looking something very different & very attractive to me; The exhaust looks like 200/220's while the frontal looks like the Gen-1 model with missing 2 scoops, I mean the tacho & speedo. What else is different?

ohhhh do I have words to say for your pics and log..... no. But still I will Ken Da one of the most different way I have seen..and its simply AMAZING... I think some of your pics are simply mind blowing and very much better than others and yes with your vocabulary your log is very different from others too, but more interesting and informative... Great Dada keep it up!!

Though I would like to know, how did Mael feel sitting as a pillion for so long, and also how did Brigitte feel riding to Heavenof India. I am eagerly waiting for more!!!!

I guess that is true!

Hey, that reply is from one of my favourite countries! Way to go Anurag. I did not expect a reply from you coz I have no idea what kind of connection you guys got. Besides you must be busy riding, writing, editing photos, uploading, updating... the works.

A HUGE thanks for your reply!

Thanks Enfro. Have not much interacted with you. It is amazing that you took the pains of choosing photographs out from the Autopictorials and discussing them. Really appreciate that.

I know what you are talking about. But I do try to shoot with a lot of attention. Some come out well, others do not! I try my best. Good to hear criticism. Thanks.

Thanks Aryan!

I liked this photograph the most from the current lot, and the writing is also very engaging.

Hey Ken, Have a great trip.. The blog is super and pictures very good.

Yes, they ARE VERY-FRIENDLY. Thing is that sometimes, they carry important supplies(read arms supplies or some important personnel) on board, when they view everyone with suspicion. The last truck in the trail signals u not to overtake then. We encountered 2 - 3 instances like this. Sometimes they are very friendly and we even managed to dodge between them, overtaking 1 truck at a time.

Yes, hats off. It was indeed challenging for her!

Kashmir is fascinating and beautiful. You MUST do it!

The 1800 with meals was at the houseboat on Nageen Lake.

The trucks were mostly from Indianoil carrying fuel. There were army trucks too but they were largely outnumbered by the fuel trucks!

Really? I do not have such problems overtaking the Army fellas!

Not really. I honk gently, if there is space, they let us pass!

True.

I agree.

On the Kargil-Leh Route






Some patches of green provide contrast to the barren desolate landscape




I made several stops to take pictures, some makeshift videos with my N86 despite the good roads of 4 years ago having been eroded out of existence by thick persistent winter snow. But the road was still less than catastrophic and in portions was even close to being excellent wherein I reveled in trying out some of my antics in leaning not forgetting the fact that often a biker is was and will be chased by maniacally jealous four-wheeled cagers and in our county it was no less than the seemingly bulky but ubiquitous in Ladakh, the Toyoto Innova! But such incidents paled in significance compared to the magnificence of the beauty that enveloped me as I moved along like an insignificant speck of dust in the vastness of this marvelous landscape.

A short stop at Hansikot to note the extreme temperatures recorded in this village. Next stop at Fotu LaThe Extreme temperatures of Hansikot!
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Photostop at Fotu-La










Lamayuru is not far from Fotu La, a mere 13 kms from Fotu La with some nicely laid new tarmac. I was already beginning to visualize my lunch; remember, I had not had a real breakfast. No matter how beautiful the landscape, after a point in time, hunger is primordial and vital.

Lamayuru

After a satisfying lunch, we went on to visit the gompa at Lamayuru standing at 3621 mts. The gompa on the rock at Lamayuru is one millennium old dating from the 11th century making it one of the oldest monasteries and temples in Ladakh and housing 150 resident monks with some more from the surrounding areas making it one of the most active and populous temple-monasteries in Ladakh. The positioning and building structure of the Lamayuru monastery reminded me strongly of the Meteors that I have visited in continental Greece. Both were built with the idea of isolation from the local population and invaders alike for spiritual pursuits. Steeped in legend, this monastery belongs to the Red Hat Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. We went in and took our time taking some pictures. Tibetan Buddhism is not my strong point and I am far from comprehending their rites and customs despite having visited close to a hundred temples of their kind.




The Lamayuru Monastery atop the rock!


Exquisite Paintings at the entrance of the Monastery


Prayer Offerings


Main Prayer Hall


After spending a good hour at Lamayuru, we were back on the saddle riding towards Leh. We were made to stop after Khalse for registration of our papers, passports etc. As we approached Leh, we were getting longer and longer stretches of better roads. It was a delight riding on these roads. Not only did we move fast and gained time, but we could relax a bit, a remark that Brigitte made that I will be presenting shortly.

Some Good Roads!


Stop at the Magnetic Hill Phenomenon!


Brigitte: The Harley Rider from France in Ladakh!LehAmit Kalra, xBhp id Styler, we went to the Oriental Guest House just below the Shanti Stupa. If you want to stay in a truly cosmopolitan atmosphere, I too strongly recommend this guest house which is entirely run by a local family. They have excellent, clean, hygienic rooms from 600 INR to 1000 INR, almost all rooms facing the Zanskar range in front. Buffet dinners are at 85 INR per pax and a good choice of substantial breakfasts at 80INR per pax. I met and talked to people from Canada, the US, Germany, Switzerland, Japs, Swedish from all walks and ages of life. Met a group of 20 francophone students from Quebec, Canada on a Buddhist theological visit for over a month who were staying there. Quite a few of them were fascinated at my riding gear, especially my pants still with those sponsor logos from 4 years ago!

Entry Into Leh!Conclusion at EOD

Very nice. Waiting to read and see the rest of the log.