Say what you would. But Ladakh is a destination that played on my mind for a couple of years now. However, unlike many people  I know who would claim so, 3 Idiots had no role to play. In fact it was @Srinistuff‘s love for Himalayas that brought me to the brink of a never ending obsession that eventually made him realize, how critical for me it was to visit the high passes of Himalayas. Not to miss, my mother’s obsession with ‘Kashmir’ as a paradise on earth. Well, Ladakh is not Kashmir, but it is situated in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Suffice to say, it was a reason enough to prove to my mother, that I eventually stepped in the ‘crown state of India.’ Never-mind my  whimsical ideas 🙂

For ages, (kidding, it has been just a few years now), but I used to browse through “Got Leh’d” diaries on Facebook and had to satiate myself with “tell-all” travel stories of some bloggers. It was a yearly ritual and it is safe to say, I came to a conclusion that Ladakh was another centurion light years away from me. And then there is this twin-sister of Ladakh, called ‘Spiti’ which lured me to visit her side-by-side. Confusions and tears abound. But when co-traveler and travel writer Neelima, penned her article , I knew the time had come. And finally @Srinistuff and I made our way through all the possible obstacles and landed at the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee (Leh) airport.

Though, I would have preferred a road trip, @Srinistuff was short on his leaves and all we could pack was a quick air-trip. But what is a journey without an adventure and what is Paradise without tasting some “through from hell” moments. @Srinistuff decided to gift me a bike rider and bestow me with the crown of “A pillion in the Himalayas” tag.

So, lo and behold, here is a quick glimpse from a ‘pillion’ eye-view’, my journey to ‘the roof of the world.’

Tell me what you think about the Shangri- La in comments. Also, what are some of your favourite Ladakh moments? 🙂