Leh Ladakh, the city that my friend P'Pun showed me pictures of many years ago. When I first saw the pictures, I exclaimed, "Wow, it's so beautiful!"
The photograph depicts a snow-covered road with mountains in the background.
The bamboo, not very tolerant of the cold, with its allergy-prone, extremely dry skin, and its additional sensitivity to the cold, has always thought that...
"Are we really going to make it here?"
Notes:
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However, the countries that are on the list of destinations that people are destined to visit, they will inevitably end up going there.
Out of the blue, 'พี่มล', the energetic and travel-loving elder sister, typed in the office group chat, "Let's go to Leh! Who's in?"
We immediately messaged P'Pun and decided to start buying plane tickets in February.
As we will be traveling in October, a search for information about Leh in October revealed that it is the autumn season.
The leaves are changing color beautifully, and it's the beginning of the cold season. The weather shouldn't be as cold as April (I think).
In total, there were four of us on this trip:
❆ Phai and Pi Pun, who prepared to bring the camera to go.
❆ Ms. Mal, the manager of this trip, handled everything from booking flights (which required international calls to guests with notoriously difficult accents), negotiating with hotels to arrange tour programs, researching countless details, and even purchasing necessary medications.
Our commissary partner, Ms. Jieb, is a food expert. Feel free to ask her any questions about food. She has tried all the restaurants featured on her Instagram page.
Four people is the perfect number for a bamboo raft. It's easy to maneuver and there's no need to wait for each other. When traveling by car, there's no need to squeeze in.
A video guide on what to bring has been prepared for you. Please refer to the following link for more information.
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Trip expenses
● Our flight tickets were booked with Jet Airways for both Bangkok – Delhi and Delhi – Leh Ladakh at 15,045 baht.
It is highly recommended to book flights with the same airline, as flights to Leh are frequently subject to delays. Different airlines will not assume responsibility for connecting flights in case of delays.
● Accommodation + driver-guided tour in Leh for 15 days at 25,450 baht
If your hotel is located in Leh city, breakfast is included. If your hotel is located outside the city, breakfast and dinner are included.
● Visa fee: 2,764 baht per person.
We applied for a visa online, which was very easy. We received an email approval within one day. It was incredibly fast.
● Pocket money exchanged (including 2 days in India): 10,000 baht
=> The total cost of this trip is 53,259 baht per person.
Due to the length of this trip (15 days!), I will be dividing it into several parts.
This review will begin with a tour of the Leh city center.
Let's go!
Day 1:
Waking up at 5:40 AM to catch a flight. It's not really waking up, more like not sleeping at all. The view from the window that everyone dreams of.
The bamboo didn't see anything because it was asleep! 555 And then the plane arrived in Leh at 7 am, the flight only took an hour and a half.
Upon disembarking from the plane, the breathtaking view of Leh immediately captivated me. A shuttle transported us to the terminal, where...
"Oh, are we here already?"
The provided text is empty. There is nothing to translate.
555, Leh Airport is so small! You don't even need a car to pick you up, you can just walk there.
However, on second thought, it was a good thing. As we got out of the car and walked into the terminal, a mere 10 steps away, we were hit by a cold air of -1°C that numbed our faces. But this was just the beginning. I told you, right? It's the beginning of winter, and the temperature will drop every day we're here. Hehehe.
After collecting our luggage, we walked outside and met the driver arranged by the hotel.
Apart from the stunning views, another impressive aspect of Leh is the people and their services. Once you meet your driver, you can simply let go of your luggage and relax. They will arrange two vehicles to pick you up.
One of them took care of lifting our bags and loading them, while we hopped into another car and took off.
I woke up and looked out the window. The streets and houses were unlike anything I had ever seen before. It was a strange and wonderful sight.
In no time at all, we arrived at our accommodation, the 'Padma Hotel'.
The hotel's design and decor are consistent throughout, with a unique and charming aesthetic.
Upon our arrival, Brickey, the hotel manager with whom my sister Mal had negotiated everything, greeted us.
Brickey escorted us to the dining room first, bypassing our accommodations. He instructed us to enjoy our meal and that he would join us later to discuss the tour itinerary. Our luggage would be delivered to our rooms by the staff.
At the restaurant, we were amazed to find ourselves surrounded by Thai people. It was hard to believe we were actually in Leh!
Yes, Leh is a very popular city for Thai people. Many Thai people visit this place.
This morning's breakfast is a breakfast buffet. Most people here are vegetarian.
Therefore, breakfast here does not include meat. It focuses on eggs and toast. However, what caught our attention was...
This place also serves Thai-style omelets! So, I couldn't help but ask them about it.
Sister Mal: "How did you make an omelet like this?"
Dining Room Captain: "We were taught by a Thai guest."
The provided text is empty. Please provide the text you want me to translate.
I see! So that's how it is. Do you see how many Thai people are here? Even Thai-style omelets are a breakfast menu here!
Another lovely touch was the warm milk tea and cookies served by Captainต้นห้องอาหาร while we were seated.
We felt that the hospitality and service here were genuinely warm and attentive.
After we finished our meal, Brickey approached us to chat. He informed us that we would be resting for the entire first day.
Avoid strenuous activities such as jumping, dancing, or walking around the city immediately upon arrival in Leh due to its high altitude.
The oxygen level here is relatively low. People from the plains like us need to rest and adjust to let our bodies get used to it. Those who come here without resting
This indicates a potential risk of developing 'acrophobia', which is not simply a fear of looking down from high places.
This is a condition where the body is unable to adjust to the low oxygen levels at high altitudes, ultimately leading to illness.
Therefore, if you want to travel happily, trust me, sleep!
The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.
No need to tell me about the bamboo section, I'm going to sleep now! I'm so sleepy! 555
Most people recommend taking Diamox to help acclimatize to the high altitude. You should start taking it two days before arriving in Leh, one tablet in the morning and one in the evening. Our group all took it, but we are not doctors! We recommend consulting a doctor before taking it, as everyone's physical condition is different.
This is the bedroom. The bed may be a bit messy because my older sister has used the blanket to wrap herself up like an egg roll. The lumpy things on the bed are the result of this.
The wooden floor in the room was very cold, so they provided slippers to wear inside. However, the floor was not only cold, but also…
The bathroom floor is very cold. I can't even touch it with my feet. It's made of stone and it feels like it goes right down to my bones.
Note that large heaters in Thailand may not provide the same level of warmth as those in Japan. They primarily serve to alleviate the heat.
True warmth is a heavy blanket on the bed. Crawl in and wait for the heat from your body to spread throughout the blanket.
At that moment, we will never want to leave the comfort of our blankets again. 555
The heater here is on a timer.
Morning: 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Evening: 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
We slept when they told us to, and when we woke up, it was almost 4 pm. P'Mon knocked on our door and invited us to get ready to go to Leh Market. This is the view from the walkway in front of our room. This season is truly beautiful!
Our hotel is located near Leh Market, within walking distance. Please walk slowly to avoid altitude sickness.
Walking fast is not really an option, it's cold!
We spotted a few restaurants along the way, keeping them in mind for a future visit.
There are shops lining both sides of the road as you walk along.
And then we arrived at Leh Market. Wow, it was much better than I expected! It's become a tourist destination, not as local as I thought.
Succulent Skewered Lamb: A Local Delight
This sentence describes a local dish, skewered lamb, that the author highly recommends. They emphasize its deliciousness and affordability, noting its price of only 40 rupees (approximately 20 baht).
The shop sells three items: grilled lamb, grilled chicken, and lamb koobideh. Chicken is more expensive than lamb, at 50 rupees (25 baht) per skewer. It's strange that chicken is more expensive than lamb.
The merchants would call out to people, reciting something that sounded like a memorized chant.
"Mutton Chicken Mutton Chicken Lamb Kebab" repeated quickly and continuously.
This is something we searched for out of curiosity, in case anyone else is wondering the same thing as us.
Mutton refers to the meat of adult sheep, while Lamb refers to the meat of young sheep.
After grilling, they spread the meat on the flatbread for a long time and then add dipping sauces. As I mentioned before, the grilled meat is incredibly delicious.
The sauce is a matter of personal preference. It has a slightly sour taste to cut through the richness of the dish. Some people find it delicious, but I prefer to eat the lamb on its own.
Here is the pre-meal ritual for the oath-sworn grilled lamb. We only bought one skewer to try it out first. Haha.
After finishing our meal, we continued walking. Along the way, we encountered numerous dogs curled up sleeping. Leh is renowned for its abundance of canines.
The dogs here are enormous and fluffy, and none of them seem aggressive. Perhaps they're simply too cold to move in this weather. 555
The first day here, everything is so exciting. I take pictures of everything I see.
Capture any unique or unusual-looking snacks you come across.
At Leh Market, many grandmothers spread mats to sell vegetables and fruits by the roadside.
The market today is quite lively.
It was time for dinner, and we decided to try a random restaurant. We turned left and right, and finally settled on a place called Pasa. It was a green restaurant on the second floor. The interior was lovely, and the staff greeted us with a smile.
The restaurant's menu is not extensive, but for a first-time visit, it offers a sufficient variety to try new dishes. We ordered three items: two fried rice dishes and Chicken Tikka. The flavors were excellent!
Day 2:
This afternoon, we have a tour planned. Brickey arranged for us to meet the driver at two in the afternoon. This morning was free time for us. At eight o'clock this morning, P'Mon invited us to have breakfast together at the hotel. Today's menu was the same as yesterday, rice porridge and vegetarian food. However, the Thai omelet was replaced with boiled eggs.
This is the beautiful morning view from the hotel's dining area.
After breakfast, everyone dispersed to prepare their belongings. This morning, we set out to explore the city of Leh. P'Pun was the first one ready, so she went down to take pictures in front of the hotel. This is a mini vegetable garden that the hotel has planted. It's a cute little garden.
This is another view taken from the walkway in front of the bamboo room.
Let's go! Today we're trying a different street that we didn't walk down yesterday.
We are unsure whether the beauty of this city stems from our unfamiliarity with its sights or its genuine aesthetic appeal.
Child: "Hey, ice cream! That shop sells ice cream."
One might wonder what is so surprising about an ice cream shop. Well, I wouldn't be surprised either if the weather wasn't so cold!
The current temperature is unknown, but it is definitely below zero degrees Celsius.
We opted to explore a narrow, steeply sloping side street today. The street was dotted with a few shops, including numerous cashmere stores where vendors persistently beckoned us to enter. Leh is renowned for its abundance of closely clustered cashmere shops.
Nearly every shop has a shopkeeper who calls out to us in front of their store, saying things like "Cashmere, good quality," and "Please come inside."
And many shops greeted, "Hello," "You are beautiful."
Do you believe how many Thais are here? 555
This road is not as busy as the one at Leh Market. There are also scattered houses along the way.
This person seems to be a leather repairer. In addition to cashmere, they also offer repairs for outdoor jackets, leather jackets, and almost all kinds of winter gear, including woolen hats, gloves, socks, and face masks!
For those who think their winter clothes are not warm enough, don't worry, you can buy them here at affordable prices.
We continued our descent for a considerable distance until we collectively agreed that there was likely nothing further ahead. We decided to turn back, as while the descent had been manageable, the return journey uphill would likely be more challenging.
Another item commonly sold here is Tibetan stones, jewelry, and keychains.
As we walked back to the market area, they were setting up shop.
Looking at the main street of the market
Child: "What are they gathering around for?"
P'Pun: "I don't know."
Everyone rushed in to see what was happening. It seemed like they were filming something for television.
We noticed several cameras set up, suggesting the presence of important figures (possibly dignitaries) at the event.
A group of students were sitting in rows in front of the courtyard. At first, I hesitated whether I could take a picture, but that's it.
If they can set up so many cameras for broadcasting, our few cameras should be fine too.
After I raised the camera, no one came to stop me. Okay, I can take pictures. Haha.
The girls in Leh are very cute, but they are also very shy. When we raised our cameras, they would hide their faces.
Whenever we pass each other, she greets us with a friendly "Hello" and a bright smile. This happens most of the time.
Looking away from the activity area, I turned back to take a clear look at Leh Road during the day. Even at the market, there were breathtaking views like this to be seen.
Today, we will not be walking through the main market. Instead, we will explore another market that the locals call the 'Local Market'.
This side of the market is much more crowded than the main market, and the first thing that caught my attention was this.
Rows of freshly butchered sheep carcasses hung prominently, a gruesome display that left no room for ambiguity.
Similarly, the smell...
As the others walked ahead, Phai noticed a small alleyway that seemed strangely intriguing.
Sister Pun: "Go in."
Following this, Phai called out to Phi Mon and Phi Jeab to join them.
This alleyway is lined with tea shops, reminiscent of the 'coffee houses' found in our own country.
Finally, we arrived at the destination and decided to give it a try. We sat at a table with two men and this uncle.
It seemed we would be sitting next to the old man in the remaining seats. At first, the old man looked nervous and was about to get up, so we quickly told him...
"It's alright," she said, and he continued sitting.
We then ordered a hot milk tea each and sat down to sip it to warm ourselves up. As we sat there, P'Pun, who was sitting next to the uncle, started to raise his camera to take a picture of you.
He showed the camera to the old man, who nodded and smiled. Then, Pai did the same. The old man was very cute.
After finishing our tea, we ventured deeper into the alleyway to explore further.
We then came across an intriguing establishment, a naan bread bakery.
Naan bread has become a staple food for both Indians and Ladakhis. It is often served with curry.
For those who have never tried Indian food, naan bread is similar to roti bread, but it is thinner and does not crumble. I have only ever eaten it.
This is the first time I've seen how they make it. In the shop, there are two men. One kneads the dough, and the other packs the finished dough.
After kneading and shaping the dough into sheets, ...
The dough is then applied to the walls of a large, urn-shaped pit, which is likely heated from below by a fire to cook the dough. The cooked dough is then packaged and sold.
The four of us excitedly took photos together. In the end, our kind-hearted friend, Mon, felt bad and bought us freshly baked bread from the oven.
The conclusion is that it was too much to eat, and it was too greasy. She had to hold it for a long time and walk all the way.
May they rest in peace. 5555
As you venture deeper into the alleyway, you'll be amazed by the abundance of traditional tea shops, reminiscent of cozy cafes, lining the streets.
As we walked, a question suddenly popped into our minds.
Daughter: "Is there a hospital around here? I can't seem to find one."
Jieb: "There should be. I think I saw it when I walked past."
No sooner had she spoken than she walked a little further.
Mr. Mon: "Oh, here's the clinic."
Yes, that's right. It's a real clinic...
We decided to try the other side, which was even more crowded with shops and overflowing with goods!
Based on our observations at the local market, we believe that the prices of goods are likely lower compared to the main market.
As we continued our walk, we stumbled upon an object resembling a bell, but with the ability to rotate. These objects, both small and large, were situated along the roadside. Known as Prayer Wheels, or Mani Wheels in Tibetan, these structures are an integral part of daily life for the people of Leh. The wheels are rotated in a clockwise direction as a customary practice.
While walking, we encountered a young Leh girl playing. We asked to take her picture, and she happily posed for us. We enjoy taking pictures. 555
We walked out of the Local Market and were almost at the exit of the city. We had walked a long way.
We continued walking and came across another small market. This one mainly sells blankets.
The fluffy blankets here may not appear as thick as duvets, but they are incredibly warm.
Venturing deep into the market, we are greeted with a breathtaking view from above, where the cityscape is interspersed with towering trees adorned in vibrant autumn hues.
It's beautiful!
We caught a glimpse of a temple perched high above, but the question remained: "Where is the way up?"
As we were walking, we noticed an alleyway where people were dyeing fabric. It seemed like there was a path leading through it. When we first walked past, there was no one around, so we didn't dare go in for fear of it being private property. However, when we walked back again, we decided to ask the man who was dyeing the fabric.
Child: "Excuse me, could you please tell me how to get to the temple?"
They pointed to a door on the other side where they were dyeing fabric. It seemed like we could walk through their space, but as we walked through the door and climbed up, it looked like a dead end. Then, looking down, we saw two Ladakhi women walk through the door and pull down their skirts to squat next to each other. Wow!
Luuk Phai: "Is this the wrong way? Um... is this where people come to pee?"
P'Mon: "Right?"
Well... peeing in public like this, and even sitting around chatting... Wait a minute!
We then walked back through the path of the dyed cloth.
Following the directions from the fabric vendors, Ms. Mal proceeded to the front.
In reality, it's a proper staircase! You don't have to climb the path where people go to pee! Haha!
The lower corner that you said was beautiful, the upper corner is even more beautiful.
We took photos here until we were satisfied. Looking at the time, it was time for us to go have lunch. We had an appointment with the driver at the hotel at two in the afternoon.
Today, we decided to walk back towards the hotel and have dinner at a nearby restaurant. We wanted to choose a place close by so we could walk back easily, as we didn't have much time before our appointment. We chose to eat at 'Gesmo'.
This restaurant offers a wide and diverse menu, featuring Indian, Chinese, Italian, and Tibetan cuisine.
The bakery also has a whole display case of cakes and cookies!
Upon taking our seats, a handsome young Ladakhi waiter greeted us with a beaming smile and exceptional friendliness.
(Feeling like I'm subtly flirting (maybe I'm just imagining things haha) after I finished ordering food.)
"The staff here are good-looking and friendly."
“Yes, I was watching too,” Jieb quickly replied.
I will continue later after I get home.
Continuing from our lunch at Gesmo Restaurant.
With full bellies, we returned to the hotel to meet our driver and set off on our afternoon adventure.
Today, we will visit three places together. At first, I was wondering if we could really visit three places starting at 2 pm!
However, as we drove, we realized that the distances were not as great as we had imagined. It only took a short van ride to reach our first destination of the day.
- Leh Palace
This palace is located on a hill, offering a panoramic view of Leh city from above. Please note that there is an entrance fee.
For foreigners, 100 rupees (50 baht) and for Indians, 15 rupees (7 baht)
Showing your passport grants you the privilege of paying the local price of 15 rupees.
The interior of the castle is quite intricate, with hidden passages and secret doors leading to various locations.
The ascent is via steep stairs.
The air here is extremely dusty. Bamboo plants, for example, ingest a significant amount of dust due to the strong winds that blow dust into their mouths.
Even after walking out, there's still dust in my mouth that I can crunch on like a snack. 555
If you have a cloth, please bring it to cover your mouth like P'Mon who is always prepared for any situation. This way, you won't have to eat dust like Pai. 555
If I remember correctly, there are a total of 8 floors here. But as I walked around, I realized I was already on the 8th floor. Haha.
On the 8th floor, we can see almost 360 degrees of the view. The other side of the view is very beautiful. It is a yellow tree with a snow mountain. It is very beautiful.
While Pai, P'Pun, and P'Mon were busy finding their own photo spots, I turned around and saw P'Jeab!
Indian tourists flocked to take photos with Ms. Jieb. To be honest, Ms. Jieb has been popular with Indians since she was in Delhi. Wherever she went, Indians would ask to take photos with her, like a celebrity. They say that Indians like people with small faces. "From now on, call me Urassaya," Ms. Jieb said with a laugh.
We swiftly passed the first location, spending only an hour there, and then proceeded to our second destination for the day, which was...
Namgyal Tsemo Monastery
This is a concise translation of the provided text.
Upon disembarking, the first sight that greets visitors is a vibrant display of five-colored flags fluttering in the wind, their tethers stretching across the opposite peak.
One can't help but wonder how they managed to tie it up while walking!
This is a temple. To be honest, when we went there, there was no one!
As we continued our ascent, we encountered two foreign men. One of them I recognized from Leh Palace (which is memorable because, in truth, each location had relatively few tourists). This time, however, he was accompanied by a friend who greeted Jieb and proceeded to follow her closely. Hold on! Mr. Westerner, please pay attention to the friend who came with you! Haha! Don't take it personally, Jieb isn't just attracted to Indians; she's also attracted to Westerners here!
"I've found my place," said P'Jeab again. 5555
The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.
In reality, P'Jeab kept looking left and right, sending glances to her friend, "Help me get out of here." But the view here was probably too captivating. Over there, P'Mon, P'Jeab's beloved best friend, had her eyes glued to the viewfinder of her camera, happily taking pictures.
Phu Mon: "If my friend wants to be hot, I wouldn't want to stop them."
Is that right? 5555
Today, the top of Namgyal Tsemo was closed, so we walked down and met two young men and their bicycles. Wait! Bicycles! Yes, the boys were cycling uphill. Wow! How did they get here? The boys were very friendly. When they saw us walking, they greeted us with a "Hello" and a smile. We walked over and asked them,
Lukphai: "May I take a picture of the two of us?"
The younger sibling nodded and replied, "Yes."
The girl is very cute. Although she was a little shy, she agreed to be photographed.
And that brings us to the end of our session today.
- Peace Pagoda
The Great White Pagoda, also known as the Peace Pagoda, is a prominent landmark that has been featured in numerous reviews.
However, when we arrive, we won't see the white pagoda yet. We need to walk a little further. But first, we will come across a coffee shop and a small nook where we can hear the voices of Thai people from afar. It's another viewpoint. So, we exchanged cameras and took a group photo at this corner. The person who took the picture for us was very kind and tried to find angles that would give us beautiful views. Thank you! ^^
After taking the photo, we walked to the top and found a large white pagoda. The surrounding area offered panoramic views.
This location was strategically chosen as the final stop and scheduled for the late afternoon because it is a popular spot for sunset photography.
But... please look at our sky today, dear viewers...
Completely closed, not even a sliver of sunlight can penetrate. My Sun Set, haha.
We ended the day by having dinner at Leh Market. Today, we chose to eat at Chef's, which is located in a small alley opposite Pasa's restaurant from yesterday. After dinner, we stood in front of Pasa's restaurant because their internet was very strong. However, the weather today was also very cold, so much so that Jie went into the shop to look at the cashmere clothes under Pasa's. We were able to enjoy the warmth, and Jie ended up buying a set of clothes.
Jeab: "I didn't intend to buy this. If I find a cheaper one elsewhere, the three of you can split the cost and pay me back."
5555
Day 3:
We had arranged to meet at 8 am today for breakfast as usual, but there was no buffet! We were confused and wondered what was going on.
The other Thai people at the table must have seen us looking confused, so they told us, "Today, you have to order from the menu."
The dining room captain then brought us the menu and informed us that there weren't many customers today, so we could order from the menu instead.
The hotel can be crowded on some days, but on days when it's not, it's not because everyone has left. It's just that the tour groups are staying outside the city that day. So today we ordered Thai omelets, boiled eggs, and rice porridge to eat with the food we brought, which was mainly shredded pork. 555
Today, we will visit four palaces and temples located around the city center. However, the highlight of our journey today is not the destinations themselves, but rather the path we take to reach them. Let's explore what awaits us along the way.
Our first stop today is
- Stakna Monastery
The word "Monastery" refers to a temple. Today's weather is slightly warmer than yesterday, perhaps due to the clear skies and the sun shining brightly. It seems that our driver is starting from the farthest location first. Oh, it's already the third day. Our driver's name is Nobu.
As we sat on the bus, enjoying the scenery, we were met with a breathtaking sight on our third day: a vibrant green bridge adorned with colorful flags, spanning the majestic Indus River, also known as the 'Sindhu'. The river's azure waters shimmered under the sunlight, creating a mesmerizing spectacle that prompted us to exclaim to Nobu, "This is incredible!"
"May we park here for a moment, please?"
Jumping out of the car, we scattered in all directions, each of us running to take photos from our own angles. 555
Adjacent to the large green bridge, there is another small white wooden bridge stretching alongside, adorned with five-colored flags.
While Pai was aiming his camera at the river view below from the bridge, he saw P'Mon and P'Jeab had already climbed down. They waved, "Come down!" What a group of four people who didn't care about the temple and the palace that they were brought to visit. 555
The view from below is truly breathtaking. We've spent more time here than we did at the temple and palace yesterday! (laughs)
Satisfied, we climbed back into the car and headed to our next destination. The monastery was just within reach, and upon arriving at Stakna Monastery, we got out of the car and took some scenic photos!
There is the bridge where we stopped to take pictures earlier.
After taking some scenic photos, let's head to the temple for a change of pace!
Prayer wheels are ubiquitous, much like the five-colored flags.
Today at Stakna, there were no other tourists besides us. Inside the temple, it was very quiet and there was no one, not even any lamas.
Behind the temple, there is still some construction going on. Leh is a city with a lot of construction.
Wherever we go, we see buildings almost everywhere. And most of the temples are under construction almost everywhere.
Furthermore, behind the temple, there is... a view. 555 It's incredibly beautiful again.
Most of the photos from this trip are of people holding cameras and taking pictures of things, rather than focusing on their faces.
Upon exiting the vehicle, we encountered a llama seated nearby. Nobu approached and engaged in conversation.
While we were walking and taking pictures, we were still unsure whether we could film the llamas here. Before leaving, we went to ask Nobu.
Child: "Can we take a picture of the llama?"
Nobu: "Sure."
Child: "But we have to ask you first, right?"
Confused, Nobu replied, "Hmm... yes, some lamas might ask for permission before taking pictures."
Translation:
Note: The original text is empty, so the translation is also empty.
Pai and P'Pun then walked over to the lama and asked to take a picture with him. He smiled and nodded.
We were able to capture this heartwarming image of a llama before we left.
- Matho Monastery
This is our second location for today. As I mentioned, the weather is warmer today than previous days. Upon arriving at our second location…
Pai and Pi Pun left their outer jackets in the car. After walking for a while, the wind blew and it was freezing! 555
Apart from us, there were no other tourists at this temple. This is the view from the path leading up to the temple. October is truly a wonderful time, with the trees turning a vibrant yellow. It's truly breathtaking, especially for someone who has never experienced the beauty of changing leaves before.
The interior of Matho Temple features a spacious courtyard at the center of the temple complex.
Translation:
The temple was accessible, but required removing shoes. Only Pai was too lazy to take off his shoes, so he didn't go inside. The second floor was also accessible, but after seeing the others go up and quickly tiptoe back down, we asked why. It turned out there was a workshop happening upstairs, so they didn't want to disturb them and came back down.
The temple was not very large, so we walked a short distance to take some pictures of the view from behind it.
Upon returning, we encountered two Ladakhi women who engaged us in conversation.
"Is this your first time?" ("มาที่นี่ครั้งแรกเหรอ") is a question we have been asked frequently since arriving here.
From market vendors to children and almost every Ladakhi we spoke with, everyone asked us this question.
In reality, it's like when we meet foreigners in Thailand, we would probably ask everyone, "Have you ever been here?"
The third place of the day has arrived.
- Stok Palace
The Stok Palace is a royal residence where the Leh royal family still occasionally resides. As we were parking, another car pulled up and spoke in Ladakhi. Our driver got out of the car to talk to them. It turned out that the Stok Palace was closed and we were not allowed to enter. I'm not sure if it was closed for the season or if someone was staying there at the time, but we were not allowed to enter. However, there is another place we should visit near the Stok Palace, which is the site of a large Buddha statue.
This location features a solitary Buddha statue. The surrounding area offers stunning panoramic views, accompanied by strong winds and frigid temperatures.
We swiftly moved on to the fourth location, which was considerably farther away from the third. It felt like we were traveling to a different city. On our way, we encountered yet another bridge crossing a river!
As they disembarked from the vehicle, they witnessed a large herd of cattle being guided across the road. The onlookers eagerly captured the scene with their cameras.
The bamboo section, busy with the task of lowering another Polaroid camera, the cow had already crossed, the photo was taken just in time... Hello.
While the cows may not be cooperating, the trees are putting on a spectacular show! This spot boasts a stunning display of colorful foliage, making you feel like you're in Korea. Have you ever been to Korea, Pai? No, but I've seen plenty of pictures!
The sides are lined with a wooden bridge packed with five-colored flags.
The group then found holes to climb through and clung to the bridge to take pictures of the view. It's worth noting that the wind on the bridge was extremely strong and it was incredibly cold. This was the first time that I realized how incredibly cold it can be near water. It was both the air and the wind that was cold. I started to wonder if we would be able to survive the night sleeping by the lake.
On the other side of the bridge, there is a forest with colorful trees. It's so beautiful! Now I'm starting to wonder which country we're in.
Translation:
The sky was overcast, casting a gloomy shadow over the bridge. During our three days in Leh, we noticed a distinct pattern in the weather. The mornings were frigid, but by 10:30 am, the sun emerged, warming the air. However, as soon as afternoon arrived, the sun vanished, and the sky became overcast, threatening rain that never materialized. We jokingly wondered if it ever rained in Leh, or if precipitation only fell as snow.
And then, Brother Mon walked over and chased Pai to get into the car. This is my younger brother, not a cow!
We continued our journey on the bumpy road until we encountered a road closure due to ongoing construction.
Wait! You've come a long way, what do you mean?
Nobu quickly got out of the car and approached the villagers. She then lifted the road barrier and skillfully maneuvered the car around the unpaved section, demonstrating her exceptional driving skills.
Spituk
This is a proper noun, likely referring to a specific place. Without further context, it is impossible to determine the exact meaning or translation.
Here are some possibilities:
- Spituk Monastery: A prominent Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in Ladakh, India.
- Spituk Village: A village in Ladakh, India, near the Spituk Monastery.
- Spituk Gompa: Another name for the Spituk Monastery.
- Spituk Palace: A former royal palace in Ladakh, India, located near the Spituk Monastery.
If you could provide more context, such as a sentence or paragraph where "Spituk" appears, I could provide a more accurate translation.
We have finally arrived at our last stop for the day, a temple perched on a hilltop overlooking the airport.
Today, the mountains visible from the temple gave the impression of Mordor in 'The Lord of the Rings', with a heavy and oppressive atmosphere.
Is Sauron summoning his forces to search for the Ring in Lehe?
This temple requires a continuous uphill climb. In my opinion, the temple is quite small and offers very little to see.
This temple is where P'Mon and P'Jeab had their first experience with the "orange pit." They both said it wasn't bad, but you have to try not to bring anything with you because if you drop it, your life is over.
Translation:
Initially, Nobita invited us to have lunch here, but it seems that there is only a minimart and the tea shop that we were so eager to visit to sip on to warm ourselves up.
However, we were ambushed by the rising star, Ice Cream! Everyone rushed to the ice cream stand, and Pai was like...
"It's so cold, how can you eat ice cream?"
The speaker describes an ice cream flavor as "chocolate something, brownie or something, the name sounds delicious." They then mention that they took a bite from their sibling's ice cream and found it to be "super delicious, cold, and creamy."
Crazy...edible...
Translation:
Stay tuned for the next episode! We'll be venturing outside the city soon. If you have any questions, feel free to join the discussion here: https://www.facebook.com/wherewegopage/
Where We Go
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 10:24 PM