India - Road Trip from Manali to Leh


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#62
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This girl lives in the little village of Spangmik, by the Pangong Tso lake. She was doing her laundry by the stream when we chanced upon her. She must have been photographed quite a number of times before as she knew to pose immediately for us. However her smile looked forced and she was squinting into the sun. I finally managed to get a heartfelt smile from her showing her beautiful gleaming teeth.
 

#63
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The sunrise the next morning at Pangong Tso was very peaceful and calming. We waited for the sun to rise above the mountains over Tibet. Although the sun rises everyday in Singapore, we hardly ever make time for it and it's ironic that we only appreciate sunrises away from home. The experience was made all the more enjoyable when the manager of the tented hotel served us piping hot honey lemon ginger tea.
Cold, crisp air.
Birds singing.
Beautiful sunrise.
Wonderful hot drink.
Friends to enjoy it all with.
I need more experiences like that! :D



#64
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Great moments are so fleeting. Within an hour, thick clouds had rolled in and everything looked grey and gloomy.
 

Excellent pictures!
Stunning scenery!

Thanks for sharing your experience.
 

#64
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Leaving Pangong Tso, we stopped by the monastery at Chemrey. Its main prayer hall contained murals of a thousand Buddhas. Don't miss a chamber on their 4th floor where they enshrine a large golden statue and a photo portrait of their surprisingly modern-looking head of their sect. Ask the monk on duty for the key. On the second floor of the monastery hung two carcasses of what looked like goats. The monks there also surprised us with a flair for French!
 

#65
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Torn and tattered buddhist scriptures in the Chemrey prayer hall.


#66
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Incense smoke wafting through the hall.
 

#67
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Back in Leh after our trip to Pangong Tso, we decided to take advantage of the fading hours of sunlight to visit Leh Palace. This gompa (temple) is a further climb up from Leh Palace. Definitely not recommended for those who just arrived in Leh and want to avoid altitude sickness!
 

#68
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On our way to Hunder, we met an old shepherd.
 

#69
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We were looking forward to the famed sand dunes of Nubra Valley with the double-humped camels. When we arrived, the sheer smallness of it totally underwhelmed us. I've seen beaches with more sand. I would only recommend the camel rides to those who've never seen real life camels. Eee har.
 

#70
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A lonely heater waiting for the arrival of winter to fulfill its purpose.
Diskit Gompa.
 

#71
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Through the looking glass.
Diskit Gompa.
 

#72
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The gompa bell of Diskit Monastery.
We woke up early and rushed from Hunder to this monastery, hoping to catch the early morning prayers. As fate would have it, all the monks had made their way to Hunder early that morning for another ceremony. Save for two monks, the monastery was totally devoid of activity.
 

#73
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Diligent Strong Light Reflecting Camel
 

#43
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Rizong Monastery houses a school which educates young monks. On the way to the monastery, we met a group of young novices who began posing for us. It was difficult to determine who were more excited - the photographers or the subjects.

I see a lot of photographers at the background.

:bsmilie:

Good portrait
 

#62
13_Pangong_Girl.jpg

This girl lives in the little village of Spangmik, by the Pangong Tso lake. She was doing her laundry by the stream when we chanced upon her. She must have been photographed quite a number of times before as she knew to pose immediately for us. However her smile looked forced and she was squinting into the sun. I finally managed to get a heartfelt smile from her showing her beautiful gleaming teeth.

She looks very tanned.
 

Definitely. Pangong Tso is situated about 4250m above sea level. The thinner air at that altitude means the UV rays are more intense.

She looks very tanned.
 

#74
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Murals on the wall of Chemrey Gompa.
 

#59
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The night scene at Pangong Tso, with the tents and the mountains in the background. I regret not taking night pictures of the lake itself.


#60
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We started clowning around and did some painting with torchlights. This picture is totally off-focus, but it was so much fun making it I want to post it :D

Love your night shots. :thumbsup::thumbsup:
 

breath taking pictures you have got :heart::heart::thumbsup::thumbsup:

the locals there seems to be very forthcoming with you taking pictures.

btw... just a question, do you have problems getting your batt recharge in those rural areas?
 

breath taking pictures you have got :heart::heart::thumbsup::thumbsup:

the locals there seems to be very forthcoming with you taking pictures.

btw... just a question, do you have problems getting your batt recharge in those rural areas?

no charging for us at the camp sites in sarchu and spangmik. no problems in other locations, unlike agra always blackout.
 

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