Gulmarg and Dal Lake

Dal Lake, Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir, October 19, 2005

Yesterday: drove to Gulmarg, high in the Kashmir valley. Once a mountain retreat for the occupying British it is now being developed by an apparently very effective local organization into a superb alpine resort, featuring India's best skiing and the world's highest golf course. Engaged a very good local guide who, at 67 remembers Independence and who has been in his current profession for the last 53 years. And - by an absolutely amazing coincidence, ran into my Thai guide from my adventure holiday in Mai Sod, Thailand, earlier this year. (He was here guiding Thai tourists.) This is probably one of my best 'small world' events.

Today's program was a four-hour paddle around the Dal Lake propelled by one very hard-working boatman. Took lots of photos but few seem pleasing. Couldn't get close enough to the soaring eagles and always seemed to be on the wrongly-lit side of the interesting boats.

No plan set for tomorrow - despite the promises made by my travel agent in Delhi, the last proposed day-trip involves extra cost...