[motomaverick]

Whats up the Travelog stuck in Leh, i thought we got all the permits Just egging you guys on..

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by motomaverick

Whats up the Travelog stuck in Leh, i thought we got all the permits Just egging you guys on..

I think Jeep Captain has some photos to share with us from his day in Leh, once he is done, we move on - yes, permits all done

[AlphaKilo]

Fantastic clicks of the airport. Especially, the head-on runway view and the panaroma shots are fantastic. Is the runway being extended?

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by AlphaKilo

Fantastic clicks of the airport. Especially, the head-on runway view and the panaroma shots are fantastic. Is the runway being extended?

Yes, you get the best views of the runway from the Spituk Gompa. Yes, it looked like the section being worked on is a new one, extension of the existing runway.

[hvkumar]

All flights into Leh are in the morning only - for some weather reasons. Those travelling by air have to face up to the following realities:

- The Delhi-Leh flight is early morning, so which means those coming from elsewhere in the country have to stay back in Delhi the previous night

- Flights are normally loaded lightly (once upon a time, I remember that even 737s were never allowed to have more than 40 passengers, not sure enough) because of short-length runway and engine power loss due to rarefied atmosphere in Leh

- All those travelling by air have to take one day's compulsory rest to acclimatise to the higher altitude - unlike those who arrive by road who are "ready-to-go"

[laluks]

While waiting for Jeep Captain, a Momento for the IPHE Team

Team at Khardung La


Left to Right (on Bikes) - KP, KSM-Vtec, AP

Left to Right (Team) - NED, JP, NJ, JC, TS, BolBolero, SSJ, HVK, SS, DB, YP

Left to Right (Vehicles) - Baby Alto, Bolbolero Bolero, HVK Scorpio, Mumbai Roadsters Swifts (AP followed by YP's)

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by laluks

Team at Khardung La
Attachment 854361

Left to Right (on Bikes) - KP, KSM-Vtec, AP

Left to Right (Team) - NED, JP, NJ, JC, TS, BolBolero, SSJ, HVK, SS, DB, YP

Left to Right (Vehicles) - Baby Alto, Bolbolero Bolero, HVK Scorpio, Mumbai Roadsters Swifts (AP followed by YP's)

I think the vote for the most INNOVATIVE thing in this Ladakh trip goes to KSM-vTEC and the other 3 Mumbai Roadsters for their decision to ride mobikes up to Khardung la!

They haggled a lot in the bazaar. Normally, mobikes are engaged and ridden up and returned by the riders themselves. But here were the Mumbai Roadsters demanding "Hertz service" - drop off the bike at Khardung la and going on in their cars. They managed to get 3 guys from the hire shop itself who sat in our cars - while 3 of the Mumbai Roadsters (KSM-vTEC, KP & AP) rode up from Leh to Khardung la and enjoyed the thrill of a biker! The shop guys rode the mobikes back to Leh from K La.

Photo is by TS, and you can see the 3 mobikes leading the way followed closely by my Scorpio. They had the honour of being the first atop K La that day!

[laluks]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

you can see the 3 mobikes leading the way followed closely by my Scorpio. They had the honour of being the first atop K La that day!

Why does it appear to me that a flock of poor sheep is being chased



The Mumbai Roadsters atop Khardung La

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by laluks

Why does it appear to me that a flock of poor sheep is being chased

More theories:

- Prez motorcade with mobike outriders?

- HVK Scorpio being the Police escort for the J Captains & Swift-ies behind?

- 3 Mobikers taunting the poor Scorpio struggling up the slope - look at all that black smoke it is belching?

[AlphaKilo]

Originally Posted by laluks

Why does it appear to me that a flock of poor sheep is being chased

Originally Posted by hvkumar

More theories:

- Prez motorcade with mobike outriders?

- HVK Scorpio being the Police escort for the J Captains & Swift-ies behind?

- 3 Mobikers taunting the poor Scorpio struggling up the slope - look at all that black smoke it is belching?

I see that in a different way! Three pots total: 150+350+150=650cc is not equal to mighty four pot 2000cc scorpio and so are being chased by the monster which is 3.5 times as powerful as the threee together or a target at 12 for the scorpio and for the bikers its a stealth fighter on their 6

[JeepCaptain]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Yes, it is something many people do not take seriously, but the Gompa Loop is one of the best circuits that you can do out of Leh.

We were disappointed to miss out Leh Palace & Santhi Gompa (in the city itself) and particularly the Likir Gompa, which is the farthest of them.

For a full day circuit (ours was half a day), I would suggest the following drive plan:

Leh-Shey-Thikshey-Stakna-Chemrey-Hemis-Matho-Stok-Spituk-Likir-Leh Palace-Santhi Stupa-Leh

Gompa tours need not be for only those with a religious inclination, but all of them are located in spectacular locations, with lots of landscape views and the gorgeous interiors with thangkas and other Buddhist paraphernalia. The only sad thing is that all of them have gone "commercial" and are selling entry tickets. They also open small "museums" and sell tickets for that too, there are no signages and you get to know about entry fee only after you enter and finish seeing them inside. Nevertheless, let that not diminish the experience! Each of the Gompas has so many treasures and for someone who wants to spent more time exploring them, there can be no time limits. Try to be in any of the Gompas during prayer time (2-3 times a day) - it is a great experience and very few will not be swayed by the piousness and grandness of it all.

HVK Sir & Lalu, this is not fair! When you guys said Gompa Loop. I never expected something like this I missed it
And even I wanted to join you. I dont think It was possible because I was in the M&M Garage whole day getting the Bolero serviced and also got a good water wash done.

So which also means I have to add the Leh Gompa Loop to the 2012 Expedition.

[JeepCaptain]

While HVK & Lalu was visiting Gompas. Myself Bol Bolero & baby Alto was trying our best to get our vehicles fixed for the rest of the Expedition and also for the drive back home. For Discovery Bolero its all the way back to Adoor, Kerala. So I did not want to take any chance. Got everything checked and double checked. Then again I went down the ramp to triple check everything. The suspension, leaf springs, brakes, steering linkages and everything possible.

Now sharing some pics from the Garage..

[laluks]

Originally Posted by JeepCaptain

HVK Sir & Lalu, this is not fair! When you guys said Gompa Loop. I never expected something like this I missed it

So which also means I have to add the Leh Gompa Loop to the 2012 Expedition.

You have to thank all my posts for setting you up for 2012

[JeepCaptain]

It took the whole day to get the vehicle fixed and serviced.
But it was worth doing it. Also the whole bill was not that expensive.

















By the time it was done .. It was about 6:00 PM and I had to rush back to the Hotel to reload all the stuff for a early morning start next day!

Next day Drive to Khardung La and Turtok

Over to you Lalu , HVK sir & team for the rest of the story..

[JeepCaptain]

Originally Posted by laluks

You have to thank all my posts for setting you up for 2012

Anytime Lalu Sir. I will do that.

On a serious note. I still don't know how to express my gratitude to you and HVK sir and rest of them team. I learned a lot in this Expedition.It was the best days of my live ever. I was bindass not bothered about work or anything or my personal life. Mainly because of the wonderful company. Everybody took their own individual responsibilities and everything including the toughest challenges were handled with ease.
The team work and co-ordination was the best I have ever experienced.

Kudos to the entire IPHE team and esp the leaders HVK, Lalu, BolBolero, KSM-Vtec and TS.