[Coooolcat21]

We finally arrived at the roads that lead to Leh. These run almost level except in a few places. This final run, other than the few Kilometers just before Leh where it runs between various Army Camps, is supremely picturesque. The mountains are more stark and colourful.

The Chortens start again, more massive than before and looking definitely more ancient.


The Road. The Mountain. The Chorten. The River.


It is also here you see stone walls after a long time. The Ladakhis have a unique talent of stacking rounded stones one above the other to form a wall. Please note that this is done with a single row of stones one above the other. There is absolutely no cementing of any kind one can see.
We see better workmanship after Pangong Tso.




The Road runs along this small rivulet that tumultuously races downhill crashing over rocks creating the most beautiful white water crests against its blue-grey waters. Its dotted with short stunted trees and flowering bushes along its banks. The light coloured rounded stones that form the river bed and banks are a perfect setting.
A lovely place to stop and take stock.


The Mountain Red. The softer slopes would appear to be the place where snow would settle in winters and flow down melting in Summer. These slopes are made of finer material and are darker in colour.












We stopped here and had a Cup-O-noodle type of meal here along with Coffee. We had carried a large and efficient Thermos Flask, that we filled with hot water at every night-stay, along with ready packets of Instant Coffee, Tea, Powdered Milk, Sugar and snacks enough for a small Army.
The comforts of traveling in a truck. Though it appears to be bright and sunny, it was actually very plesant under the Sun.


The Sky up to its old tricks.


A Temple in the distance.

A Chorten along the road-side. I hope the authorities ensure that these are not touched during the road-widening that is on going.

[Coooolcat21]

On the way we saw this Monastery perched high up in the mountains with surrounding buildings, probably places for the Monks to stay and study the religious texts.
The surrounding mountainsides were decorated with prayer flags and ancient Chortens.




The Gya School Building.


There was this Sign on the road and my source of the above information.


The Roads skirting White Washed Chortens situated near the River.






Road Widening in progress. Wondered how it would look like in a few years.




The Stakna Monastery in the Distance.




This was the last snap of the day. we now had to get in touch with a Travel Agent here in Leh to find us accommodation. Which we did in a nice Hotel and camped there for the next two days.
Since it was a Friday today, we had to get the Fortunner serviced not later than tomorrow. It had completed 10,000 Kms. There was a Service Center in Leh as per the Service Manual of Toyota. We called them up and fixed a appointment for the next day.
We got in touch with the Travel Agent and fixed a Taxi to take us to Hemis, Thiksey and Patther Sahib Gurudwara. We would end the day with having completed these sights and have a serviced Vehicle. Sunday would be rest day and in the evening we would do Shey Palace, Shanti Stupa and collect our Travel Permits towards Hundar and Tso Moriri from the Travel Agent after settling his fee.
We would move out on Monday towards the famous Khardungla.
This, Dear Reader, was a short, concise, synopsis of our Photo-log from Sarchu to Leh.

[Coooolcat21]

After some confusion in getting accommodation through a very whimsical mobile network we finally checked into the Hotel Mansarovar on Fort Road. I think there were a couple of more guests in addition to us. They have comfortable rooms and TV in the rooms with Cartoon Channel to keep my son occupied.
We emptied the vehicle and got it ready for service the next day. Then went to the room and sorted out all our luggage which was in a mess by now.
We had a good dinner and slept well.
The next day was a Saturday. we had a Good Breakfast and waited for our Taxi to arrive.
We left to the Toyota ASC "Shree Toyota' which was situated off the Airport Road to find that it was closed. We thought we might be early. Hoping that some one could be inside we called the number, we had called last night to be told that they were waiting for us to arrive.
This was curious, when informed that we were waiting outside their shuttered facility, so where could they be waiting for us ? it caused further confusion.
After a lot of give and take it was revealed that since the Leh facility was newly opened the number listed in the Service manual was that of Shree Toyota's Srinagar Facility !!

Neither of us had intimated where we were situated when we had spoken for booking the Service. The conversation had gone something like this.

'Hello Shree Toyota, can I leave my Fortuner for 15,000 Kms Service tomorrow ?'

'Yes Sir, You can, Tomorrow at 10 AM ?"

'That's fine, where are you located?'

'We are very easy to find sir, just ask anyone'

'Right will be there'

So there we were. It was then ascertained that the Leh ASC would open a little late and the 15,000 KMs service could be done in a couple of hours since there were only a couple of vehicles booked for service today.

We decided to leave the locked vehicle within the ASC compound and finish the sight seeing for the day to return back and get our vehicle Serviced.

Additionally in my last post I have mentioned that the service was the 10,000 Kms one wrongly, we had about 14,000 Kms on the ODO and were getting the 15,000 KMS service done here.

That's what we did.

[Coooolcat21]

@Fazal,
Thank you so much for your appreciation and keep watching.
I have worked a bit on the contrasts.
Regards.

[Coooolcat21]

After our Adventures at the Toyota ACS, we buzzed off towards Hemis Monastery.
The Hemis Monastery is the largest, and the wealthiest Monasteries belonging to the 'Kagyug Drupks Red Hat Sect' of Tibetan Buddhism. Built under the Patronage of the King of Ladakh, it was seen as a safe center of learning outside Tibet.
A interesting factoid is that the actual Head Lama of this Monastery was captured by the Chinese during the 'Cultural Revolution' he was than rehabilitated as a Truck Driver !!
This is also the centre of the famous annual 'Hemis Festival'.

The View as we move out of Leh and towards Hemis. In the foreground are a set of Chortens build within a 'Mani Wall'. Most Mani Walls are made up of smooth soft stones with beautifully carved prayers in Tibetan Calligraphy.



This particular Mani Wall was more of a Mani Rectangle.


Looked like a Monk's Quarters on the Hillside, on the way to Hemis. Most of the Monasteries are build for solitude at remote and hard to access places meant for Meditation.
They create distance between the ebb and flow of 'Grihasta' life and that of a medicant by their remoteness.
Frankly am not sure how the daily deluge of modern tourists affect the actual functioning of a Monastery for which they were conceived.


There is a set of Chortens on the road leading up to Hemis. Set against the stark brown, red and grey mountains with sparse greenery they are a amazing sight. One cannot see the Monastery up to the last curve on the Road.


Information Board outside the Monastery. I got most of my above mentioned Details from a small booklet I managed to pick up there.

The three floor outer structure of the Monastery with colourful Balconies.


The construction was of typical stone and mud with bundles of cane type wood tied together and used as roof as also packing near the lintels.


The Monastery is basically a open Quadrilateral. There was a huge amount of repair work going on and we were not allowed into the main prayer hall.
The Central Courtyard.


The Passageways along the inner side of the Quadrilateral facing the Courtyard. It was all build of painted wooden logs.




The Balcony above the Hall that we were allowed to enter.




Decorative religious symbols above the roof. Look closely at the roof construction, its a replication of the Lintel above the window above.




A blue colored Chorten that we spied atop a far away rock. This was a very different coloring than what we had seen so far.






A Religious Fresco.


Looking up at the wooden roof inside the main hall.

[Judemayne]

Dear Coolcat,

I had to tell you this-just back from UK and Europe, we had gone there to celebrate our 30th Wedding anniversary. The wife and i love to take long drives- did three long ones last year covering over ten thousand kms!! But as you grow "younger" these drives seem quite distant. Leh, Manali and all the places you have so wonderful captured both in letter, picture and spirit has ignited the flame in both of us to make the trip-if we don't your pictures and narration is a very wonderful substitute.
Definitely we will keep on driving but with the distance a wee bit shorter-age will never dampen or put out the flame of our love for driving.
Just bring it on and lets do this trip through your pen and pictures.
Thank you soooooo much for a wonderful feast!
Jude

[Coooolcat21]

The following snaps are from the Prayer Hall inside the Monastery.




A Silver plated Chorten.


Painted Clay Idols inside the Monastery.


The Photograph at the bottom is that of the Head Lama of Hemis.






This intricately carved wooden enclosure in the shape of a Desk was like the main Altar.






Offerings to the Gods.




That looked very much like the painted depiction of Ma Kali.


The beautifully decorated Prayer Hall with seating for the Lamas


The Roof Above.


The Overpowering Statue of 'Avalokiteshwara' .

[Coooolcat21]

More of the Divine one, The presence was surreal in the hushed silence of the Prayer hall.




The Decorations on the Statue.


These were more mysterious, we found that Tibetan Buddhism was full of such mystic symbolism.


The intricate detail was amazing and beautiful.


We saw the following Idols in an adjacent Prayer Hall






We left after a last look around Hemis towards Thikse Monastery.
Once again could not resist taking a few more snaps of the Chortens on the way out. In some way they were very very attractive. They came in all shapes, sizes and state of maintenance.












The Main Gate to Thikse Monastery.


Beautiful Flower beds along the path leading up to the Main Monastery


The Intricate Golden Domed Arch


A Monk's locked room.


As seen from outside and below.

[Coooolcat21]

This Monastery is one of the most imposing structures in Leh and the Statue of the Maitreya Buddha is one of the most imposing Statues I have ever seen anywhere. Its simply captivating and a piece of Genius.
This Monastery belongs to the Gelugpa Sect. The Monastery overlooks a Green Fertile valley with Villages spread out up to the far away Mountains.
Its a comparatively new structure built in 1970.
Looking up at the Thikse Monastery as we climb. Brilliant White. Deep Red and Golden.


The massive prayer wheel as one enters




The view of the surrounding landscape. Please excuse the mix of inside and outside photographs.








Pilgrims from the surrounding lands


The Holy Idols inside






Lamps of Butter and Lamps of Incandescence.




Simple offerings in a land that offers simplicity as a way of life

[Coooolcat21]

The Main Building is a beautifully structure having a traditional hand made texture all across. It simply does not look as modern as it really is. The method of construction is the same as in the ancient Monastery of Hemis.


the Intricately carved entrance to the main hall with the Maitreya Statue.


Prayer Wheels in the passageways. You go around a Monastery in a clock-wise manner and spin the prayer wheels similarly.


The Colourful facade


The beautifully painted and maintained Frescoes.


The Kaal Chakra.






The stunning Red and Gold


The traditional Building Methods have been copied here.

[Coooolcat21]

The right way to spin a prayer wheel. Only its done with a lot more decorum, respectability, faith, piety and devotion !!! And certainly not to hear the bell ring marking each revolution.
The Tourist once again up to it !


The group of Pilgrims seen earlier.




Maa Tara Devi


More scenes from outside the Monastery.

[rajeevn]

Mr Cooooolcat21,

Sir,

A humble and heartfelt Pranaam to you. You are a man true to your word--you said after my last post that there was lots more coming in the way of pictures and, boy, were you right!! This is amazing stuff... T-Log after T-Log on T-BHP speak out loud and show us Spiti and Ladakh and Lahaul, but you have outdone nearly all of them.

Watching these pictures is like being there ourselves, and the joy you have brought to our lives can never truly be repaid. Hats off to you, Sir. You deserve the Vishisht Seva Medal--for serving all of us so selflessly.

Amazing indeed.

Your son shoots wonderful pictures, Sir, and even at this tender age, has the heart of a lion... But no surprises there--he's your son!

Thanks again.

[AbhishekB86]

Ma'am this is really amazing. I am sitting baffled at how well you capture images. I know I've said this before but this is not just beautiful but truly inspirational.

I say you just get on with photography since you're giving nature photographers a real run for their money.

The little one is giving his mommy a real run for her money. You better watch out Ma'am I'd say the little one is giving you some competiton. Hey he can click better than the 26 year old writing this.

[Manuuj]

Originally Posted by rajeevn

Mr Cooooolcat21,

Sir,

A humble and heartfelt Pranaam to you. You are a man true to your word--you said after my last post that there was lots more coming in the way of pictures and, boy, were you right!! This is amazing stuff... T-Log after T-Log on T-BHP speak out loud and show us Spiti and Ladakh and Lahaul, but you have outdone nearly all of them.

Rajeevn just to clarify..Cooooolcat21 is Lady true to her word.

That said..Hats off to you indeed Cooooolcat21 it has indeed been a mesmerising TL. I really enjoyed seeing the pics of the Fortuner in these surroundings and especially the fact that car was allowed to remain bathed in mud with only the glass area and lights being cleaned.

I also admire those cyclists for their will power and sense of adventure. The lady you met who was teaching in the school in that vast wilderness must be a truly selfless woman.

Your adventure of spending a night in the open and your disappointment at missing the second successive night made for some very interesting reading.

The 15,000 kms Service is actually just a checkup and wash for the Fortuner. Fluid levels are checked and topped, Brakes etc are inspected and the car given a thorough cleaning. It typically costs around 700/- (incl tax) in Delhi. What were the charges in Leh?

Look forward to more from you soon.

[Coooolcat21]

'Dear Coolcat,
I had to tell you this-just back from UK and Europe, we had gone there to celebrate our 30th Wedding anniversary. The wife and i love to take long drives- did three long ones last year covering over ten thousand kms!! But as you grow "younger" these drives seem quite distant. Leh, Manali and all the places you have so wonderful captured both in letter, picture and spirit has ignited the flame in both of us to make the trip-if we don't your pictures and narration is a very wonderful substitute.
Definitely we will keep on driving but with the distance a wee bit shorter-age will never dampen or put out the flame of our love for driving.
Just bring it on and lets do this trip through your pen and pictures.
Thank you soooooo much for a wonderful feast!
Jude'

Hey Jude, Congratulations on your 30th Anniversary!! You say you covered 10,000 Kms just last year so any trip to Leh and surroundings should be very much doable, i am happy if my log has 'ignited the flame' for road travel again. I have to confess that we too were enthused to do this trip by various t-logs on this very forum.Its not as difficult as it seems. Thank you for you encouragement and appreciation. Regards.




Mr Cooooolcat21,

Sir,

A humble and heartfelt Pranaam to you. You are a man true to your word--you said after my last post that there was lots more coming in the way of pictures and, boy, were you right!! This is amazing stuff... T-Log after T-Log on T-BHP speak out loud and show us Spiti and Ladakh and Lahaul, but you have outdone nearly all of them.

Watching these pictures is like being there ourselves, and the joy you have brought to our lives can never truly be repaid. Hats off to you, Sir. You deserve the Vishisht Seva Medal--for serving all of us so selflessly.

Amazing indeed.

Your son shoots wonderful pictures, Sir, and even at this tender age, has the heart of a lion... But no surprises there--he's your son!

Thanks again.

Pranaam to you too Rajeev, Thanks once again for your appreciation of the photos was a joint effort by my Brother and self with a few inputs by my son that I have so proudly posted.
Please take up the issue of VSM with the new President once the elections are over. . Look forward to that.
Finally about my son, you got the relationship wrong, 'Rishte mein hum uske Baap nahin Maa lagte hain', Regards.


Ma'am this is really amazing. I am sitting baffled at how well you capture images. I know I've said this before but this is not just beautiful but truly inspirational.

I say you just get on with photography since you're giving nature photographers a real run for their money.

The little one is giving his mommy a real run for her money. You better watch out Ma'am I'd say the little one is giving you some competiton. Hey he can click better than the 26 year old writing this.


Thank you Abhishek, much appreciated, we had given my son a Old Phone with a Camera as something to occupy him on the long journey, he simple pointed the phone, every time we stopped in the general same direction that we were photographing, however did get a few good results as you have seen. Most of his photographs are taken through one of the rear windows or through the windshield between the front two seats. Regards.