There were no plans to visit Kashmir but we were assured that it was safe ( presumably because of the huge army/police presence) by an agent who has family in Srinagar. We ended up in his families houseboat - once sumptuous but in need of care of attention- on the lake in Srinagar. Soon after arrival we were invited to a family function - dont really know why as we were kept on the periphery - and introduced to various family members by the guy who we shared the boat with - a gullible " spiritual & liberal" Californian who insisted on telling people he was Canadian . We had trips to the Mughal gardens and up to the foothills of the Himalayas - never thought I'd be saying that - for a 2 hour walk to a glacier which was incredibly beautiful.
Yesterday we were driven (14 hours as hundreds of the army were on the move on the same road )to Dharamsala through some amazingly rugged territory and arrived late. you know you can only be in India when after coming across your first section of dual carriageway you notice - whilst travelling at 90kph- a car coming in the opposite direction ., then things get really interesting when someone overtakes him !*!* Worth the time as great scenery & conversation with a young Kashmiri and a lovely spot with very friendly Tibetan exiles and relaxed atmosphere.
Yesterday we were driven (14 hours as hundreds of the army were on the move on the same road )to Dharamsala through some amazingly rugged territory and arrived late. you know you can only be in India when after coming across your first section of dual carriageway you notice - whilst travelling at 90kph- a car coming in the opposite direction ., then things get really interesting when someone overtakes him !*!* Worth the time as great scenery & conversation with a young Kashmiri and a lovely spot with very friendly Tibetan exiles and relaxed atmosphere.
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