iv. 19 May 2022 - Srinagar to Kargil by road.....

 

The driver who was to accompany us on the next leg of the journey - Srinagar to Kargil - had warned that it would be better for us to leave as early as possible. Reason being high possibility of army vehicles movement because of which the routine traffic would be halted, resulting in our journey getting delayed. We therefore met the hotel manager of Grand Habib informed him about our leaving early in the morning by 530 AM and requested him to arrange for some breakfast (which was part of the hotel charges). He was sincere enough to admit that the pantry would open ony by 630/700 & that it would not be possible for the kitchen staff to arrange anything in the morning. However after checking with us whether simple bread butter jam sandwich would suffice our requirement, he informed the kitchen staff to ensure that enough of this stuff is kept ready for us either the same night or next morning by 530 AM. The kitchen staff confirmed that the enough bread butter jam would be ready for us and that it can be picked up from the manager's counter next morning.

However next morning at checkout time around 530 AM we found that another group had picked up the sandwiches meant for us and had already left for Kargil by road. The replacement manager confirmed that the sandwiches were handed over to the party who had to leave for kargil by road at 530 AM that day. On understanding the situation, he apologised and handed over a tetrapack of fresh juice. He assured us that there were several eateries along the way where we could find some delicious breakfast! So we left the Srinagar hotel around 600 AM and before starting the road route informed the driver of our vehicle to stop the vehicle at a suitable vegetarian eatery (popularly called as a dhaba) around 730/800 AM. At around 8 AM we halted at a dhaba, unceremoniously woke the workers there and ordered our breakfast. While the breakfast / tea was getting ready, Sridhar played Sri Rudram in his mobile and all of us sent a silent prayer to Lord Shiva.

After breakfast as we resumed our journey, after reaching the outskirts of the city, I noticed a river flowing parallel to the road. Being seated in the front seat next to the the driver, in my excitement at seeing a crystal clear body of water flowing next to the road, I started clicking fotos on my mobile. The driver said this is something that will be with us for the rest of our journey. Little did I realise that what he meant was till such time our trek (which was to start on 21st and end on the 29th of May) comes to an end, this aspect - river / stream flowing parallel to the road we travel / trek,  would be with us. (By the time we reached our hotel at Kargil later in the day we had the rivers Jhelum, Sind, Indus, and Surv running parallel to the road.)

During our drive further, we did face several army vehicles along the way, but fortunately were not required to halt our journey for long periods. Just a couple of halts, each lasting 10 to 15 minutes. The topography started changing gradually. Mountains were now replaced with snow clad mountains. Several army camps and transit camps were visible. Around 10 AM we crossed a group of 4 youngsters with a banner Kanyakumari to Kashmir, one was cycling and the other 3 were walking! A little later we reached the Zero Point Zojila Pass, which is situated at an height of over 11500 feet. It was at this point that we also met Tamizhan Riders Club a group of bikers traveling from Paramakudi in Tamilnad.

After a short stop at Kargil war memorial, we reached Hotel Rangyule at Kargil by 230/300 PM. Good vegetarian food was available at the hotel itself. After lunch 2 of us decided to visit the Pakistan border & 2 of us waited back at the hotel. 

In chapter i & ii there is specific mention of 5 of us, but now only 4. Howzatt! Dr Narayanswamy had left Mumbai before us and was already in Leh enjoying vacation with his family. He was to join the trek group at Leh later.

 
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