Day 5 (25st Oct 04): Gulmarg

Today, we were leaving for Gulmarg. The day was warm, skies blue, and we were all excited to go to what is considered to be the most beautiful place in Kashmir. The only ‘–‘ being the fact that its much closer to Pakistan (lol!) and that we’ll have to go through ‘Baramula’ district to reach there. But all that was just being too paranoid. We reached Gulmarg in like 2 hours, and the people were bloody right about the beauty of the place. This was where Betaab was shot long back (1980). We were given cottages by JKTDC. Was a nice place to stay, with stove and utensils, so we could also cook our food. No plans for that during day obvi. So, we kept our luggage and went to the Gondola (“Cable Car”). It was a great ride, where we had nearly a km’s ascent. Without the Gondola, its usually a 6-7 hr trek upwards. Reached the top, and in fact I was impressed seeing more work going on for the Gondola, as they plan to take it to another km (altitude I mean), from where u can see the POK. The tall towers have already been planted, and they look deadly. Anyways, we moved out of the Gondola stn and could see ice at some distance – half a km or so. This was our destination, and as we reached there we could see people trek up through the ice. N man! it was much more difficult that what it looked, as trekking on half melted ice on mud can challenge the most experienced of trekkers. I was up for the challenge and managed to climb quiet a distance. In in fact I dint realise, and was in fact shocked to see even mom and dad follow me upto some distance with elan, obviously with some assistance, but they look relaxed. But now I’d climbed so high, that was finding it impossible to climb down without slipping/skidding. Finally had a good idea when I saw a cut log at my level slanting down. So I trekked futher to reach that and finally climbed down with composure. But it was tough! Finally came down, had lunch, followed by some shopping, as we were planning to cook our dinner. I was too tired after coming back, and so had a breif nap. The ladies in the mean time were done with their cooking. And Dad n Kapoor uncle had managed to get some Vodka somehow. As I woke up and saw the gentlemen enjoying the drink, I demanded some too. Dad asked me if I was sure, and there I was for the first time drinking with my Dad – proud, really proud wen dad said “ab beta bada ho gaya hai!”. Had dinner and then followed up with a walk under the clear full moon sky in Gulmarg. Twas bsolutely pin-drop silent as the moon-rays poured over the surrounding trees giving the vicinity a dark-green tinge.