Woke up to someone khaakh-ing their lungs out outside my window (what’s with men retching and spitting early in the mornings?). It was freezing in the night and took me a long while to get to sleep and now warmly cocooned in a tangle of dust-mite infested blanket, my big shawl, my neck shawl, socks which must have come off at some point and a … Continue reading Day 7: Burma to Hindustan
They say nothing special about Kalaymyo. Just another small town on the way. But sometimes it’s the small, unassuming places that stay in your memories forever. The ‘hotel’ was a family owned affair complete with a niece on reception, a cousin in the kitchen, a son who continued the business and a mama grandmother who sat in her chair in the foyer, cleaning vegetables and … Continue reading Day 6: Burma to Hindustan
Location: Monwya Time: 5.45am Target: A cup of tea Threw on my jacket over my pjs and went out on the streets to look for a cup of tea. Didn’t have to venture out too far when I spotted a bustling stall in the dark street. Tea was Indian style with lots of condensed milk minus the spices. ¾ less sugar than what was in … Continue reading Day 5: Burma to Hindustan
My journey towards the border in a way truly begins from today. From this point, I will be venturing off the tourist circuit well into northern Burma. Taxi dropped me off at the bus stop. (stupid hotel called the same guy from yesterday *sigh*). 15 minutes later, a minivan screeches stop smack bang in the middle of the road. They toss my bag on the … Continue reading Day 4: Burma to Hindustan
I knew I couldn’t hack a 14-hour road trip and considering past experience with higher altitudes, it made sense to break the journey with a recommended night stopover in Kargil. However I realized the next day was Eid and it was possible that the dominantly Muslim town would be closed down and I wouldn’t get a jeep driving to Leh and might get stuck there … Continue reading Kashmir to Ladakh: On The Old Central Asia Trade Route
Where is Shyamni? 