Katra To Srinagar | 260 km

When I open my eyes…. its dark and silent, only snoring sound everywhere. that big family might be come from yatra. I search phone to check time, it was 5.30 am. Ohhh!!! god. I slept more than 12 hrs, not even awake for dinner. I cant believe this….I am truly exhausted that time. but now I’m feeling fresh and energetic, no body pain… thank god!!! Then quickly finished morning deeds, munch some dry fruits I have and ready to leave at about 6.30 am. Went to reception they are still sleeping. I woke up one of them and took my luggage. I had paid up rent at advance at booking time, so I bid him goodbye and leave.

Its just 15 km or so on internal roads, then its connects to Udhampur highway. wide and smooth. as I seen one dhaba on road, I decided to stop for breakfast. because, I didn’t had anything from yesterday lunch. I parked motorcycle and went there. two folks are sipping tea, one young chap and another near forties. I asked him, is anything available for breakfast ? The young chap nodded yes… Aloo Paratha. I ordered two aloo paratha and tea and sat on one of the table. he went inside to prepare. He shout from inside, is any body coming or you are alone. I said alone…. then he shout again that, eat one paratha first then order another. as that another person heard alone he comes to me to chat.

He: Where are you going…?

Me: Leh

HE: Leh !!!  Be careful son this year too much cold in leh, my friend came from there yesterday.

Me: Okk!!!

He: Where are you coming from

ME: Mumbai

He: Ohh!!! that’s great, Happy journey…..

And he vanished nearby shop. for peoples from plains snow is like miracle of god, same with mine. when he told me, too much cold in leh. I felt in joy. that means I can able to see-touch snow at high passes. but locals know the pain, that’s why he was trying to warn me. My aloo parath was ready, it was truly big & thick. He really saved me from waste one. After full up tummy, resume the ride.

Now frequently passing by army trucks. At Udhampur passed by army cantonment. I am riding at moderate speed after Udhampur road was going little curve. and nearing Patnitop hairpin bend was started. Then Ramban ghat where Chenab & its tributary flowing through mountains in artistic way. his some of sharp curves behold me for a while. up to the Qazigund roads are same. Jawahar tunnel was totally dark & freezing cold inside. after Qazigund somewhat plain rods till Srinagar.

As nearing Sringar, Jhelum was flowing closely by road. its narrow but full of muddy water flowing at slow pace…looks scary. now stuck in traffic for a while because of army vehicles passing. about 5.45 pm I’m entered in Srinagar, I am little overcautious. Because, I am solo and the city is famous as heaven is also famous for Riots & curfews. I am just wondering about safe place for night stay on while riding. suddenly two guys from behind on motorcycle called me….

Are you searching for hotel ???

I nodded, yes!!!

Then he signal me to stop aside & said he have a nice houseboat for stay. I thought first, houseboat means expensive mess. I told him that I am on tight budget and I’m searching for cheap hotel. Then he insist me just look first then we talk over money. Now I am in dilemma that can I trust him or not ??? but keeping faith on god I went with him. Who knew, who are searching for hotel is actually hotel is searching for. I went with him from back side of the lake, park motorcycle & luggage near shikara Wharf. his friend stood there to look out my luggage and i’m went with him to see his houseboat. On the way one passing shikara driver asked him, looking at my riding gear n all.

where did you get him….?

He muttered in poetic way “Every grain has written the name of the eater” (दाने दाने पे लिखा है खाने वाले का नाम) I laugh on his reply…..then he too. We reach at his houseboat. His father was there, he introduce me with him and shows me houseboat inside out, it was nice three room houseboat with common area and adjacent to boat is dining area. And not any other guest means whole houseboat is mine, if I stay there. I love the place, secluded from other houseboat. so I decided to stay here. I settled with him over 1500 INR with including Dinner & breakfast. Great deal !!! isn’t it. Then went to took my luggage and parked motorcycle at safe place. he help me to find safe place. Then we return to houseboat. he told me to refresh & ready in 15 min. he is arranging Dal lake tour for me. I nodded ok and went for refresh.

At about 7.00 pm one oldie in Kashmiri pheran come with his shikara. I sat comfortable and started my Dal lake tour. as we entered in main lake it was looking vast at backdrop of Mountains. a view to store in eyes. The oldie was telling me details of places. he show me some biggest houseboats in Dal lake, Mission Kashmir shooting point, Nehru garden, Floating Farming, Market etc. its truly amazing tour, wants to never end. its got dark after Nehru garden, then we saw Floating garden & roam in market. market is full of Kashmir things, i did not bought anything as I’m on tight budget. just roam there and return to our houseboat.

At about 08 pm I’m return to houseboat. sat in common area on houseboat for relaxing.  some time later he come with one another party to show houseboat but deal was not materialize. he wave me & asked, how was your lake tour. I told him superrr. then he went with them to show some hotels. now chilled was felt in air, steam was coming out of my mouth. after some time his father called me for dinner. his father is simple and kind person, near sixty’s. He arranged dinner on dinning table and told me to call if anything needed. Menu is hot Roti, Matar Paneer & Pulav truly sumptuous. Ate that delicious dinner. them hospitality and food remind me home. sat at common are for a while. it was really relaxing place. you can sit there for hours beholding the lake, still you didn’t get bored. called mom and update about my status. she is still angry but she was worried for me. then went for sleep. where at entering in Srinagar i am very cautious and now i am enjoying on houseboat and experienced warmth like home.

I heard somewhere….

That, the Kashmiri peoples are great host…

now I’m experienced it…

God your great!!!

That’s all folks…..