Luke
Just a quick update here...
We spent last night up in a small village called Phyang in the lovely guesthouse mentioned in our last post. It was really quiet and peaceful - except for the all-night barking dog. The morning views were breathtaking. Christina and Tashi made a delicious dinner and we had fun laughing with the two other Italian guests. Funny guys.
Getting around the last couple days on the motorcycle (a genuine Royal Enfield) has been really great. We're both adjusting the Indian roads and traffic etiquette. Too bad our horn only works over 3000rpm and you really need a horn to pass, turn, stop, you get the idea.
Tomorrow we're headed to Nubra Valley for an overnight trip, and will have tons of stories when we get back. Both from Nubra and the last few days. We have many more photos to post too!
Also, thanks for all the great messages - they're all great (even Obie's)! We'll answer everyone's questions when we get back.
Mindy & Dave: Congratulations! That's so exciting! We're psyched for you guys.
Love to everyone,
L&N
Added later by Nichole:
The Hidden North Guesthouse in Phyang, and the owners, Tashi and Christina are delightful. After getting ourselves giddy about guacamole, Luke and I spent some time before driving out to their place to look for avocados at the veggie and fruit market, but with no luck. We later asked the restaurant where we had them before where they got them; they told us that the owner has them brought up to Leh because he is rather fond of his house specials, a variety of avocado salads. One sounds of the salads sounds rather ghastly tough, its ingredients are listed as a tuna fiskh, avocado, mayonnaise salad. Luke took some amazing photos of the moon riding that night that he is going to put up soon. On our way back into Leh, we stopped again at Spituk Monastery for another showing of a chaam dance that was part of the Ladahki Festival. It had rained last time we attended, but today it was bright and sunny. We were so glad too, because there was so much more to dance that we missed out on last time. There was an English speaking announcer who would tell us some the details of the various costumes and spiritual significance of each of the dances, but the those details went out the window for me once those masked and costumed monks came down the stairs, and the horns started blowing and the drums were banged on. It was mesmerizing and gorgeous to see the costumes so closely, within feet of where we were seated. Luke was looking all pro with our new camera and got the attention of a journalist from Shrinegar. They interviewed us as tourist enjoying the Festival and took a totally posed picture of us looking at the dancers and with Luke snapping a photo---it was great! After the dance, we got to go upstairs in the gohkang and see all the monks with their costumes all around them. It was amazing to see it all together at once. The monks were also gathering together for lunch inside this room and were chanting their prayers before eating. It was really lovely.
Where are we now
Where have we been
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2008
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67
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September
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24
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- Landing in Kathmandu
- Cue Bob Seger Because We're Going to Kathmandu
- Last few days in Leh
- Pangong Tso
- Wandering the valley
- We are Off to Pangong Lake Tomorrow
- Waiting out the rain
- Our friend arrives in Leh and so does the Karmapa
- Over the Indus River and into the villages of Stok...
- Back to Leh after Nubra Valley
- Over the Khardung La to Nubra Valley
- Of Monks and Motos
- The Best Day So Far
- Beautiful Weather
- Catching up on photos
- Getting Into the Groove
- The Bag Cometh
- No Bad News
- The traveling pants
- India: Day 3
- Off to the Camel Safari
- Leh is Magical
- Delhi
- Munich to Delhi
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September
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24
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4 Messages, Share the Love and Leave one Yourself:
At last. Sounds like you two have officially gotten thru the obligatory awkward transition phase. So glad to hear that you're hitting your stride now and truly enjoying yourselves!
All this talk of snow capped peaks, warm Tibetan smiles and Royal Enfield rides is making me swoon.
You're making good use of that camera as well I see! The scenics are looking good! Don't forget to snap some portraits of the locals when you see a good opportunity. People shots are so important. I've found that most locals are agreeable to having their pictures taken if you smile and ask respectfully.
Everything is well and fine up at your cabin. Andrea and I camped in our tent up there the other night. It was a fun getaway. Not sure why the cabin key doesn't work, but we're enjoying the property regardless. It's so incredibly nice up there! And yes, Morocco's is a terrific breakfast stop (still out of green chili tho). It's funny that you can get wi-fi at 11,5000 ft. in Leh, but there's not so much as a dial up modem to be found in Ward!
Keep up the great blog posts. We're all right there with ya!
Happy travels,
Seth
Awesome!
I sense a bike in your future and then we can ride! I can't wait to tell Craig. The scenery looks incredible. I can't imagine a more appropriate place for you two. I live vicariously through you.
Elizabeth
Hey we got into this sight. we used the link off my e-mail. It sounds like you are doing some very interesting things. The pictures are great. thanks for takint time to put them on. sorry to hear about you not feeling well Nichole. I hope it goes away and you feel better. Rhonda is expereince a stomach ach also. I think it is a combination of being away from home so long. The motor cycle sounds great. They use them here also but not like they did in france. You only see a few here. People are really encouraged to use the train and bus. Singapore is trying to be green like boulder. Less cars the better. They have a great road system but not much traffic.
Well all for now. Love to you both
One question I just thought of. I read i n the paper of some bombings are you any where near them? Please be careful
MOM
Hey Seth--it is pretty swoony stuff up here. We have been getting better with the camera; there is just so much to snap a shot of. Thank you again for the lessons and good point on the people shots and we are trying to get some. We are bit shy ourselves, but just need to ask more often because people always say OK, especially if you show them the photo afterward. It is a nice little friendship maker. I am tickled that you and Andrea are using the cabin and enjoying up there. I am sorry about the key and I'll send you an email as to where we keep the spare.
Elizabeth--Your post was so perfectly timed. You are stinker and now Luke won't let up!! All kidding aside, I am enjoying the motorbike though and the freedom of it here. I would like to take driving lessons this summer so I can drive too. Did Luke tell you that we caught the Long Way Down movie before we left; it was great.
Hey Momma,
I am so glad that you are enjoying Singapore. We had wanted to fly over to surprise you since the tickets from Delhi were so cheap, but we were just getting settled ourselves and Luke's bag had just arrived. No worries about us being safe, we are being safe and using care. We also keep our prayers current to Saint Christopher, Jizo Bodhisattva and our ever-watchful Guardian Angels. We are well covered between those prayers, other's good wishes and prayers for our safe travels and Midra's Jupiter watching down on us. I love you so much and enjoy the rest of your trip!
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