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Old 20th September 2012, 23:04   #46
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Re: Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue

Fabulous pictures and crisp log, nothing can be better than a straight from a heart travelogue.

Waiting for the next episode.

Just a simple question, what do you think a basic GC for a car for commoners to do ladakh circuit like yours. And I am not counting experts like you, tsk, adc, hvk, etc.
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Old 20th September 2012, 23:27   #47
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Re: Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hayek View Post
Great start. Amazing that you took a DSG equipped Laura to Ladakh. Do you think the same would be possible in a petrol Superb?
Superb has good GC with added advantage of much stiffer springs, which might not sink with load but a longer wheelbase. I crossed a Delhi registered Blue Honda Jazz(Bad GC+No protection) at Zojila, a brown BMW X1(plastic underbody protection+ RWD+RFT+Harsh Ride) at Leh and a Delhi Registered Skoda Octavia(Bad GC + not sure about protection) at Pangong.

If i had a Superb instead of Laura would i attempt Ladakh trip?
Yes, with no second thoughts, probably not the Manali route.

I am not sure about DSG7, maybe if owned one i would have given you more reliable picture. With DSG6(Superb Diesel & V6) without any second thoughts.
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Old 20th September 2012, 23:51   #48
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Re: Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue

Superb Travelogue & Awesome Pics, looks like you guys had fun
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Old 20th September 2012, 23:56   #49
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Re: Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue

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Originally Posted by Rachit.K.Dogra View Post
Never knew you can do so much with the D5100.
D5100 can do much much better, my pictures are only limited by my skill not by equipment.
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Old 21st September 2012, 00:30   #50
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Re: Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue

To Ladakh in a DSG Skoda on Yoko A-drive and a loaded boot. That's called Trust.

Some great shots and awesome story. Thanks for sharing this excellent thread.

OT: .anshuman, I thought you had a Fortuner as well.
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Old 21st September 2012, 03:02   #51
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Re: Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue

Anshuman, those were some lovely photographs of the route that you've taken. Loved many of them (specially that river/stream at Sonmarg and that Mountain in the evening light with the Moon and the Truck at the bottom are some that really stands out). Ladakh road trip is kind of like getting divine enlightenment for a photographer (and ofcourse for any avid traveler)..
BTW, a small request: it would be great if you put a line or two next to the photographs (i.e. where it was taken etc) then it would be even more informative. People who have already traveled can related to the place with the photos but for people who have never been there, it would be really helpful.
Regards,
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Old 21st September 2012, 07:00   #52
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Quote:
Originally Posted by .anshuman

D5100 can do much much better, my pictures are only limited by my skill not by equipment.
Awesome pictures it's heaven on earth and too inspiring. Was skeptical about skoda Laura with the horror stories now I plan to get it in a few weeks. You have inspired the entire bhp-clan to do "sedan to leh".
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Old 21st September 2012, 10:42   #53
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Re: Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue

Quote:
Originally Posted by kaushik_s View Post
Anshuman, those were some lovely photographs of the route that you've taken.
Thanks for the appreciation, i am glad you liked the pics.

Quote:
Loved many of them (specially that river/stream at Sonmarg and that Mountain in the evening light with the Moon and the Truck at the bottom are some that really stands out). Ladakh road trip is kind of like getting divine enlightenment for a photographer (and ofcourse for any avid traveler)..
BTW, a small request: it would be great if you put a line or two next to the photographs (i.e. where it was taken etc) then it would be even more informative. People who have already traveled can related to the place with the photos but for people who have never been there, it would be really helpful.
Feedback noted I will try my best to mention where the picture was taken in future posts.


Quote:
Originally Posted by docaxe View Post
Was skeptical about skoda Laura with the horror stories now I plan to get it in a few weeks. You have inspired the entire bhp-clan to do "sedan to leh".
Thanks,
BTW,I haven't heard a single Horror story of any CRDI/TSI Laura/Yeti. If you know one exists on the forum, please point it out to me..
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Old 21st September 2012, 11:08   #54
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Re: Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue

Day 4 Continued

We started our drive to Leh by 1100hrs, NH1D was smoothly layed out but dew to some reason whole reason was diverted through an alternate route which was not exactly a good road, narrow road with lots of oncoming traffic from Leh.

Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue-dsc_7950.jpg
^ Just after Lamayuru

Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue-dsc_7953.jpg
^ These loops look good, but road was bad.

Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue-dsc_7956.jpg
^ Hour long delay.

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Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue-dsc_7958.jpg



As soon as we got back to NH1D, we spotted our second Jam, Highway was close for an hour for maintenance. This was a nice scenic place at a riverside but Sun was extremely harsh, i had already acquired a lot of tan. We waited in the car with curtains up and AC on.

Roads after this spot were awesome, some nice clean bends with most of them offering a good visibility. This is where i slowly shifted to S mode, initially rear seat passengers did not notice but in some time they were not loving G forces at some 180 degree bends I kept speed in check, but i have a thing for accelerating in corners, enjoyed lots of loops where there was good visibility of oncoming traffic. I was all charged up again, adrenaline can do wonders to a Petrolhead's mood.

Reached Leh by 1530hrs, with a few breaks at the Plains and Magnetic hill. Applied for Permits and checked in to our accommodation- a nice place with a Awesome view of the Airport.

Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue-dsc_7960.jpg

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^ Fed these cute Dogs at magnetic hills, the breads we were carrying would start rotting in a day.

Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue-dsc_7969.jpg

Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue-dsc_7970.jpg

More to come..

Last edited by .anshuman : 21st September 2012 at 11:12.
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Old 21st September 2012, 11:18   #55
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Re: Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue

Spent rest of the day in the Leh market. I love these roof top restaurants, nice view and great food. Leh has changed quite a lot in 5 years, it's more crowded now but the traffic in market is still well managed, there is still no cunningness typical commercial hill stations and the best part about this place are the people.

Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue-dsc_7978.jpg
^Leh Market
Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue-dsc_7979.jpg

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Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue-dsc_7983.jpg
^ View from roof top restaurant
Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue-dsc_7988.jpg
^ Army memorial on NH1D



End of day 4
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Old 21st September 2012, 11:37   #56
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Re: Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue

Day 5

I woke up earlier than everyone else, my plan was to get car washed before we leave for Thikse Gompa. Auto Market does not open early and the sole washing center in the area had a long queue, had to put car wash plan on hold but the car looked Ugly! I did not look at the car until i got it washed later in the day.

We had breakfast just outside the Thikse Gompa, a nice restaurant run by Thikse Monastry. Enjoy the pics!

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Old 21st September 2012, 12:03   #57
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Re: Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue

Hats off to you for capturing the beauty of Leh-Ladakh so well. I think J&K tourism could use a few of those pics for their campaign.
The pic of the truck with the hill and moon in the background for me was the best of the lot. Your Laura looks stunning too.
Thanks for an awesome travelogue.
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Old 21st September 2012, 12:09   #58
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Re: Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue

More pictures from Thikse-

Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue-dsc_8033.jpg

Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue-dsc_8034.jpg

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Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue-dsc_8056.jpg
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Old 21st September 2012, 12:34   #59
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Re: Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue

Thikse Continued...

Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue-dsc_8060.jpg

Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue-dsc_8061.jpg

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Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue-dsc_8080.jpg

More to come..

Last edited by .anshuman : 21st September 2012 at 12:49.
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Old 21st September 2012, 12:37   #60
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Re: Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue

Thikse continued.. .

Ladakh in my Laura- Travelogue-dsc_8088.jpg

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