I always admire music artists who sing almost perfectly in key during their live performances. Bruno Mars is one of them. Am absolutely in love with this song at the moment and its on repeat at the moment.
Out of curiosity, is it Music Artistes or Artists? Interchangeable?
Testing out the slow motion function on my canon P&S, probably should have been taken in proper lighting.
Elzena looks like she is being eaten up by her own hair 
#
http://t.co/XsZwkL9S #To past time in the car, we talk, share ghost stories from our university days, play dai-di, snack, sleep and play CHARADES!
Conclusion: Tobs will never make a penny as a mime.
Time to say goodbye to India. It wasn’t bittersweet, just bitter. Life is so much simpler and basic in India, I wasn’t looking forward to going back to the 9-5 worker bee life in the concrete jungle. It was only 9 days, but we really packed a lot of things into those 9 days.
Top experiences in no particular order:
Flying home on Jet Airways.
And so this was it. En route – Singapore.
Tobs and Sas fly West back to the UK, Me and Elz East to Singapore. Roh... stays in Delhi.
Goodbye India, till next time!
With the amount of commentary, photos, videos and information about India, it sounds like I’m an ambassador for Incredible India! or Jet Airways! I should have been. Otherwise a host for a travel documentary?! For now, my few loyal readers are my audience. Thanks for sticking around. More travel journals coming up on Bali, Sikkim, Laos and Bintan.
Roh wanted to treat us for a good lunch on the last day, but because we weren’t dressed appropriately, we got turned away from the Oberoi in Shimla. Plan B was the Radisson Hotel, where I saw all the Royal Enfields.
Belly full from buffet lunch at the Radisson.
Looks like we are getting closer to the city.
Love looking at the back of these lorries and the colourful artwork on them...or the interesting load they are carrying.
We reached Delhi in the evening. We returned the rented car, bid farewell and tipped Sooki our driver, travelled to our homestay to drop off our bags and then headed to a nearby arcade for dinner.
Last meal before we were on the plane back to Singapore, we all decided to go to a nice Indian restaurant. By India’s standard, this place was considered posh! Our meal only came up to about S$25 per person and we still had A LOT leftover, which we then packed and fed the hungry stray dogs outside
Last supper
We reflected on the amazing time we shared, the highs and the lows. Can’t believe me and Elz were flying off the next morning already!
Elz, Roh and me, night before our flight back home to Singapore.
The mandatory rickshaw ride.
Parked at the lobby of the Radisson Hotel Shimla were close to 50 Royal Enfields. These bikes are like the adventure traveller’s dream! Cross country bike tour on a such a legacy piece of machinery.
Love love love the old models.
Royal Enfield motorcycles had been sold in India from 1949. In 1955, the Indian government looked for a suitable motorcycle for its police and army, for use patrolling the country’s border. The Bullet was chosen as the most suitable bike for the job.
The original english company ceased production in 1970 and the company was dissolved in 1971. But not beforeiIn 1956, Enfield of India started assembling Bullet motorcycles under licence from UK components, and by 1962 were manufacturing complete bikes.
Enfield of India bought the rights to use the Royal Enfield name in 1995. Royal Enfield production, based in Chennai, continues and Royal Enfield is now the oldest motorcycle brand in the world still in production with the Bullet model enjoying the longest motorcycle production run of all time.
Source: Wikipedia
Royal Enfields. LOADS of them parked at the Radisson Hotel carpark.
I would love to travel cross country ala ‘Che’ on his La Poderosa (“The Mighty One”). And the only reasons why I’m not on the next plane out doing a motorcycle tour are:
1. I don’t have a license
2. Motorcycles in general puts you in high risk of getting really hurt in an accident.
3. You need years of experience to handle Himalayan road scenarios
4. My parents would kill me before I can set foot on the plane.
What a beautiful sight!
Mountain biking is as close to it as I can get.
I can dream. Maybe one day.
…you have friends like us! Lesson learnt Roh, never leave your camera unattended 
Your beautiful friends
Most buses look like this. And yes, that is spew on the side of the bus. With the winding mountain road and passes, coupled with drivers acceleration and braking, the chances of you getting car sick is high if you get motion sickness easily.
Most buses look like this.
This is what happens when you spend too long in the car.
Nipple pinch!
It’s time to leave paa-para-paradise.
Packed and ready to head back to reality.
But it's so so so hard to leave this place!
Roh's beauty shot.
Last hour of lounging before the long drive back to Delhi.
I will be back.
Raju the elephant holiday mascot bids his farewells
Last group shot before getting in the van. Tobs and I had faces like that because we were barefoot in the stream which was ICY COLD!
Onwards!
*UPDATE – Embedded a new video at the bottom of this post.
After the morning trek and some well-deserved breakfast, we walked down the road to get the tourism tent. A few plastic chairs, a table and some brochures make up the village “tourism office”. For a small fee, we can get a guide to take us around to the important monuments and sites in Nako.
In the Nako tourist tent getting additional information and taking refuge from the strong UV rays and hot sun outside.
Nako is really like how described it “a green oasis in Spiti’s high altitude desert”. Here’s some nice-to-know facts:
- The potato fields of the village sustains the local population.
- Tourism is becoming their new means of livelihood
- the lone school has plenty of kids but seems to have problems finding teachers willing to work there.
source: India Travel Blog
We were in Nako at a good time, during their short summer season from June-September. Time for cultivation of food grains, livestock for the long winters ahead. Cultivation is difficult due to its harsh conditions, but people have found a way to make it work. Summer is the best time to visit Nako, and the villagers have catered to the influx of tourism by opening up homestays as part of its community-based eco tourism.
View of Nako village
Our first stop was Nako Lake, a small but beautiful milky green holy lake. The water was still, mirroring the granduer of the mountains behind the village houses. It freezes in winter and ice skating is enjoyed on this lake. With what sort of skates? I have no idea. Nako Lake is a pilgrim destination for Buddhists.
Stillness of the holy Nako Lake
Walking the circumference of Nako Lake, which is surrounded by willow and polar trees.
Reflections of the heavens on Nako Lake
Our guided walk took us to noted sacred sites in the village including little nooks and caves which have been visited by known lamas and saints. Near the lake there is a footprint-like impression ascribed to the saint Padmasambhava. Apparently there is a waterfall nearby which has snow water falling like a river of milk. Legend says that it is a heavenly realm of fairies.
Cave
Our guide shows us how the large prayer wheels are turned using the rope. Least amount of effort when you get the momentum going.
Sacred statues
It was incredibly peaceful walking through the small village. Life was simple and traditional. Gompa’s, donkeys, people working fields. Housing architecture are mostly made out of stone, and some pathways are lined with prayer stones.
Housing materials. Lots of stones and branches. Only thing you can find naturally around here.
Village life.
The Nako Monastery, situated in the village was allegedly founded by Ringchen Zangpo in 996 AD. But in recent years, a new temple was built. Entry is free, donations are appreciated.
Travel Tip: Respect
Always walk clock-wise around temples and chortens, and keep your right side facing them. Don’t touch them with your left hand. Nako doesn’t see much tourist traffic so tread lightly and be discreet and polite.
Source: Wikitravel
Prayer wheels outside the monastery. Always use your right hand and go clockwise around.
Beautiful paintwork in the walls of the monastery but due to its sacredness, age and unfortunately vanadalism, place is now guarded with secrecy. No photos allowed.
The new monastery has been constructed at the edge of the village, easily seen on the way in from the roads.
scriptures/blessings carved on slates/rocks which line the paths.
Zoomed in.
Sky, mountains, village life, in one frame.
Village kids playing on monastery grounds.
Say "Momos!"
It almost didn’t feel like a guided tour, until we were taken to a souvenir shop. But we were fine with it. They don’t get much traffic up here, and it’s their source of livelihood. We had a long chat with the owner pictured below.
Friendly souvenir shop owner who liked his photo taken
Time was then running short. I bought some prayer flags and beads for Mike who I thought would appreciate the gift and its origins. Can’t believe our trip was coming to an end so quickly.
*Update – I’ve added a video at the end of this post. No music. Just raw sound from the footage.
Hello world! Where have I been? I almost forgot my login to the blog! Business resumes, next day in India.
It’s Day 7 and we had long journey back to Delhi. We needed to do massive mileage if we wanted to catch our flight the next morning. We decided not to sleep in for too long and ventured around camp for a morning trek up the mountain/hill.
Start of our morning trek
Right outside our guesthouse/tents were several rocky paths that led upwards towards the peak. Not knowing where it would lead us, we just kept walking with the goal in mind to reach some Chortens (Stupas) we saw from afar.
Roh had woken up way before us and was already at the top waiting for us. Elz wanted to sleep in a bit longer and enjoy the view from the tents. Tobs went solo so that leaves me and Sas to find our way up there. We laced up our boots, packed some water, and started climbing.
No filters here.
It looked a lot easier than it seemed. The first 30mins seemed OK. There was definitely a shortness of breath due to the altitude and thiness of the air. And because the incline was steep, it was not long before we felt a bit giddy. We took a couple of breaks just to make sure we were hydrated and we were OK to carry on. Those breaks gave us a great opportunity to stop and look around and breathe in the crisp morning air.
You will not get anything as clean as this. Unpolluted, fresh Himalayan air.
It is what it is.
Glad my trekking boots were waterproof
Steps of pea shoot fields. Organic at its best.
Pea fields
Water from the snow peak Himalayas. Met locals on the way who were harvesting summer crop.
Finally we reached the Chortens. We swivelled around to look at the view and Oh my gawd, it absolutely took my breath away.
Chortens being restored by locals.
It was one of the most beautiful views I have EVER seen in my life. The pictures below are not filtered at all, and even then, it’s not doing justice to the real thing. If it’s anything, THIS view has made every hurdle, obstacle and setbacks on this trip worth it. I could have shed a tear.
No filters. This is how it feels to be on top of the world. Nearly.
Nature is so so beautiful. Why did it take me so long to reconnect with you! I had a moment then. You can call it spiritual or perhaps a high altitude delirium, but I felt at peace and one with the universe.
Till today, I would sometimes close my eyes and imagine that spot again. It brings me so much peace.
Tobs the natural model.
We stayed there for awhile, in silence. Watched the clouds roll across the range.
Nako Village, a green oasis nestled between the arid Himalayan range.
Plenty of time to reflect. You just don't feel like leaving!
I’ve been going through bouts of depression for the past few years, and it was only that moment that I realised the healing quality of nature, and how it was able to lift all that burden and negative energy away.
The mandatory jump shot!
Great photo. It almost looks professional!
Casualties during the trek. The sole of my boot came off. Thank goodness this happened on the last day of the trip and I still had a pair of chucks for the last leg of the journey. Got these boots about 10yrs ago for a trek to Nepal, holidaying in the UK and now through adventures in India.
Goodbye my friend. You have served me well.
Nature, our place in the universe and the circle of life:
Yea, I am one with all I see,
With wind and wave, with pine and palm;
Their very elements in me
Are fused to make me what I am.
Through me their common life-stream flows,
And when I yield this human breath,
In leaf and blossom, bud and rose,
Live on I will….
There is no Death.
~ Robert Service
