Sep 28, 2009 - Leh - Rawan Hindu Religeous Festival at the Polo Ground

The attached photos show a Hindu religeous festival at the Leh Polo Ground. ... The festival is Rawan, and although I need to do some research you can see from the photos that the large men (and a house) are basically being offered up by fire.The attached photos show a Hindu religeous festival at the Leh Polo Ground. ... The festival is Rawan, and although I need to do some research you can see from the photos that the large men (and a house) are basically being offered up by fire....

Sep 27, 2009 - Manali to Leh

Today I passed through the Himalayas. The route I took today was from Menali to Leh, a distance of 450 kilometers over 16 hours. ... At Taglangla Pass we reached the second highest mountain pass in the world - 17,582 feet or 5,328 meters (the highest pass is close to Leh and I’ll be doing that in a few days). ... At this altitude I had an almost out of body experience – you feel light headed, breathing is more difficult, initially your body shakes a bit like after you’ve had extreme physical exertion.Today I passed through the Himalayas. The route I took today was from Menali to Leh, a distance of 450 kilometers over 16 hours. ... At Taglangla Pass we reached the second highest mountain pass in the world - 17,582 feet or 5,328 meters (the highest pass is close to Leh and I’ll be doing that in a few days). ... At this altitude I had an almost out of body experience – you feel light headed, breathing is more difficult, initially your body shakes a bit like after you’ve had extreme physical exertion....

Aug 19, 2009 - No Power Stinks!

But a nice thing about Leh is how trusting and friendly the people are! The other day I wanted to buy this ring, but didn't have enough money so I told the man to hold it for me and I'd come back later. ... In other news we found out today that the Dalai Lama is in town! He is "delivering teachings in Zanskar and Leh". ... We have been busy touring aroubd Leh and some surrounding towns the past two days. ... Yesterday we hiked to the Leh Palace, which looks exactly like what you'd expect a 17th century mud building to look like. ... We accepted, and ended up spending the rest of the day sight-seeing with them around Leh, and then shared a taxi with Miquel (the one from Spain) today to go visit the neighbouring towns. ...

Aug 17, 2009 - Our Zen Experience

So today was day 3 up here in Leh and I think we're both starting to get acclimatized. ... On the first day we couldn't even do 10 stairs without being winded and today we did over 500 to climb up to this Buddhist peace pagoda thing above town called the Shanti Stupa.So today was day 3 up here in Leh and I think we're both starting to get acclimatized. ... On the first day we couldn't even do 10 stairs without being winded and today we did over 500 to climb up to this Buddhist peace pagoda thing above town called the Shanti Stupa....

Aug 15, 2009 - Happy Indian Independence Day!

Happy Indian Independence Day! We arrived in Leh earlier this morning - and boy the Himalayas are beautiful! We've rented a room in a guesthouse here for 300 Rs (about $3 each per night), and the view is incredible! We can see the mountains right out of our window (pictures to come soon)! Leh is about 12,000 ft. ... Leh is also a tourist/vacation town, so it's really quiet and feels really safe. ... We've finally found other tourists (in Delhi we were beginning to think we were the only tourists here!), so hopefully we'll meet some other interesting travellers.Happy Indian Independence Day! We arrived in Leh earlier this morning - and boy the Himalayas are beautiful! We've rented a room in a guesthouse here for 300 Rs (about $3 each per night), and the view is incredible! We can see the mountains right out of our window (pictures to come soon)! Leh is about 12,000 ft. ... Leh is also a tourist/vacation town, so it's really quiet and feels really safe. ... We've finally found other tourists (in Delhi we were beginning to think we were the only tourists here!), so hopefully we'll meet some other interesting travellers....

Aug 12, 2009 - Day off in Leh

Today is a rest day (from riding) and a chance to explore the winding, narrow streets and famous sites of Leh. ... 'Only' 3,500m altitude here in Leh. ... A protest against the Government in Leh today (Government not going to provide wage increases to Government employees) prevented us getting the permits we need to do the Kardung La ride tomorrow as the government offices were closed. ...

Jul 17, 2009 - Leh

In Leh, Pascal and Sameer went rafting while Jean stayed at the hotel to rest. ... Jean visted the Leh Palace and Gomand Stupa. ...

Jul 16, 2009 - Jeep Safari to Tso Kar Lake

org/wiki/Leh" target="_blank">Leh, albeit via a different route which would take us past Tso Kar Lake. ... org/wiki/Leh-Manali_Highway" target="_blank">Leh-Manali Highway shortly before the Tanglang La pass, and as such, we found ourselves repeating the last several hours of our very memorable journey from Manali to Leh. ... org/wiki/Leh" target="_blank">Leh, we were wiped out from the long arduous drive. ...

Jul 15, 2009 - Jeep Safari to Tsomoriri Lake

Today we shared a chartered jeep with 4 Israeli women fresh out of the Israeli army to Leh, but the drive actually took closer to 7 hours. ... This is by my standards a long way to go just to have a look at a lake.Today we shared a chartered jeep with 4 Israeli women fresh out of the Israeli army to Leh, but the drive actually took closer to 7 hours. ... This is by my standards a long way to go just to have a look at a lake....

Jul 14, 2009 - Whitewater Rafting the Zanskar River

Today I went white water rafting on the Leh to tie up loose ends. ... The stretch of river today included a number of Class III rapids, but as the water was bitter cold, it was cloudy and a fierce wind blew occasionally, me and the other rafters - 30 tourists in all in a number of boats were on the trip run by Splash Ladakh, a local rafting company - spent much of the time on the river cold.Today I went white water rafting on the Leh to tie up loose ends. ... The stretch of river today included a number of Class III rapids, but as the water was bitter cold, it was cloudy and a fierce wind blew occasionally, me and the other rafters - 30 tourists in all in a number of boats were on the trip run by Splash Ladakh, a local rafting company - spent much of the time on the river cold....

Jul 12, 2009 - Hike to Rizong Monastery & Village of Yangthang

Today we went on a long hike, leaving our resort at around 8:45 a. From there we caught a bus back to Leh shortly after 4 p. ... m.Today we went on a long hike, leaving our resort at around 8:45 a. From there we caught a bus back to Leh shortly after 4 p. ... m....

Jul 11, 2009 - Hike to Mangyu Monastery

Today we left the resort in Uletopko and hiked to the village of Mangyu, which is home to a Jump to full entry