the shOemon chronicles

Jammu Trip summer 2012

So, most of my readers(which is approximately 9.5(to accomodate for the ones that do I ‘cus I bug them otherwise)) already know I spent two weeks in Jammu past month. Why haven’t I written or posted the pics up? ‘Cus I was extremely busy doing nothing. (For more, refer to the previous post)

Here is what is a extra^99 condensed for of the whole itinerary. I will use strangulated sentence formation, and superfluously single words for multiple feelings. Do not complain.

The detailed photo Album is put up on Picasa(public) album 
https://plus.google.com/photos/110704609368101126630/albums/5765106365498612993

Please leave some comments if you may! 

The extremely condensed summary of the tour is below>

Day 1(16th June)>

Jammu-spine boiling heat of 47 c, 6 hours car ride to bhadarwah, the best rajmah chawal ever in Kud, then forest cold night ride, and finally reaching an amazing resort and the best human supper among river and lake. 

Day 2>

Walked around the town, visitted temples, ate local stuff, trekked into a forest, nearly bathed in a freezing blue river, saw pandav foot print, ate alot of walnut. Night roamed around in our ah-mazing resort aroundt he lake and candle light dinner.

Day 3>

Leaving time, travelled to Chattar Gala, Gurri danda, ate at forest edge, interacted with nomads, saw skull, basked in wind swept hills, climbed up meadows, vultures, rajmah chawal and unlimitted wind, dropped late night into a 2BHK plastic igloo at Khelani. 

Day 4> 

Planned to be a relaxing day, but decided to explore the village, climbed down an entire face of a mountain into step farms and rivers. Climbed up through rains, into a local temple and played with kids, ate fish fry, tea and walked in chilling rain. Dumbcharades as the night closed below the stars.

Day 5>

Long car trip to Jai valley via Chinta valley. Trekked through the endless valleys in Jai, and explored wild areas. At camp, badminton, new people, lots of millitant stories, camp fire, antakshari, chicken and zero degrees sleep.

Day 6>

Washing up in the freezing river, tea and the sun, extreme relaxation, long and tiring car trip to Kishtwar city. Evening explored the city and mela and the food and transport. Sleep.

Day 7>

Early car ride 100kms up to the Synthan pass glaciers. ICE-tastic fun and epitome of amazingness. Later, Mughal garden where hundreds of mughal soldiers R.I.P.ed. A hatchery, and a place where Lord Ram donated a cow. And a cave and temple where he wrote something. Also, an amalgamation of 2 different rivers. More stories of the militants. Recent ones.

Day 8>

Kishtwar again, deciding to rest we left for a walk. A nice Saffron merchant offered to take us to the farms and the un-tourist places in Kishtwar. Lots of farms, flowers, local homes, and rain, and chashma, and more jungle. Then his house, kawa, his family. Superbly fun.

Day 9>

Time to leave for Bhadarwah again for the Festival. Reached in time for evening visit to the market, in the rain. Also a Chamunda temple where we sat for hours and meditated in the rain. Amazing food at a local’s house. The people there are the BEST.

Day 10(24th June)> 

Early off to Bhadarwah festival 2012, lots of stalls and finally we shop for people back home. Interesting projects the district has manifested. We watch the cultural program which is a little funny and odd. Later walked to market for the final goodbye. The walnut shop will always be special.
Night 9pm, leave for Jammu by Night (mini)Bus. We spend 6 hours in the ride, 6 hours in the station. And then next day morning train to Bombay.

The entire trip was ravishingly unique in many ways, and made me strike off many things in my bucket list. So, go ahead, travel!

Again, to see the detailed pictures in true HDR and Natgeo-esque landscapes, click here

Anyway, to know more about Bhadarwah, Kishtwar, Khelani, Jai Valley…you can drop a mail or comment on this post.