Travels with Mel

Travels with Mel Let's explore the world and go off the beaten path. Travel with me to destinations near and far

The travels with Mel trip came to an end as the intrepid travelers flew back to Delhi from Leh. Mel on the other hand co...
05/25/2026

The travels with Mel trip came to an end as the intrepid travelers flew back to Delhi from Leh. Mel on the other hand continues on with a trip back to Kashmir by car to celebrate Eid with the Khan family. But first there were beautiful drives and unique traffic jams on the way back to Srinagar.

Hard to get pics as we ascended to over 17000 feet as it was a winding road and after we passed 14000 feet it began to s...
05/24/2026

Hard to get pics as we ascended to over 17000 feet as it was a winding road and after we passed 14000 feet it began to snow. By the time we reached the top the view was non existent but the goal was accomplished. Finished off the birthday with a selection of my favorite desserts. Where Melissa P found tiramisu in Leh I will never know. A great day and a memorable birthday.
And a lovely exclamation to the trip! And this ends another travel with Mel adventure

After a morning at the palace we went to Thicksey Monastery before having dinner with a local Ladakhi Buddhist family. A...
05/23/2026

After a morning at the palace we went to Thicksey Monastery before having dinner with a local Ladakhi Buddhist family. A day of unique experiences one after another.

An afternoon in the Tibetan Market and then a visit to Leh Palace
05/22/2026

An afternoon in the Tibetan Market and then a visit to Leh Palace

After Pahalgam we made our way back to Srinagar for a night on a houseboat on Negeen Lake. Then we made the 5 hour trek ...
05/20/2026

After Pahalgam we made our way back to Srinagar for a night on a houseboat on Negeen Lake. Then we made the 5 hour trek to Leh, via the Zoji Pass, which was the longest 7 hours of my life. My kidneys survived but I’m not sure about the suspension on the car. Breathtaking views made it worth it. We are now just shy of 12,000 feet. The altitude meds are working but the fatigue is real. The last pic sums it up though

After Pahalgam we made our way back to Srinagar for a night on a houseboat on Negeen Lake. Then we made the 5 hour trek ...
05/20/2026

After Pahalgam we made our way back to Srinagar for a night on a houseboat on Negeen Lake. Then we made the 5 hour trek to Leh, via the Zoji Pass, which was the longest 7 hours of my life. My kidneys survived but I’m not sure about the suspension on the car. Breathtaking views made it worth it. We are now just of. 12,000 feet. The altitude meds are working but the fatigue is real. The last pic sums it up though

A stop at Aishmuqam Shrine and Cave ( reachable by 270 stairs) on our way to Pahalgam
05/17/2026

A stop at Aishmuqam Shrine and Cave ( reachable by 270 stairs) on our way to Pahalgam

A welcome wazwan. Checking into the houseboat. Obligatory shopping from the floating shops and vendors that come by.
05/16/2026

A welcome wazwan. Checking into the houseboat. Obligatory shopping from the floating shops and vendors that come by.

Yesterday was a change of location day. We made our way south to Pahalgam, a small village in the foothills with rushing...
05/16/2026

Yesterday was a change of location day. We made our way south to Pahalgam, a small village in the foothills with rushing streams and hills covered in trees. We stopped at Aishmuqam Shrine and Cave. The prayer room is deep in a cave you access after ascending279 stairs. Now we have a day of leisure to hike the mountains or sit in a cafe in town to journal. A day of rest for travel weary bodies.

The last two days have been a whirlwind of visits to masjids, mosques and shrines. We visited the old city and when to t...
05/15/2026

The last two days have been a whirlwind of visits to masjids, mosques and shrines. We visited the old city and when to the pickle shop where you can find everything picked except cucumbers. Then to a rose water shop that’s been around 500 years. We visited walnut carvers and silk shops. Took a shikara ride across the lake to Hazrat Bol shrine (one of the most sacred around) with a stop on a garden island for a picnic breakfast en route. We then took in the floating market before ending the day with a family dinner at home with my Kashmiri family. Other than brutal traffic it’s been a perfect two days. Now we head for Aishmuqam shrine and cave on our way to Pahalagm ( one of my favorite areas of Kashmir)

Began the day by being awoken with the azaan, the morning call to prayer. Made my way to the front porch of the houseboa...
05/13/2026

Began the day by being awoken with the azaan, the morning call to prayer. Made my way to the front porch of the houseboat to listen and watch the sunrise over the lake while enjoying masala chai. The kites and gulls were diving for fish as the market boats made their rounds. The houseboat man bought eggs and fresh bread and then the flower boat was irresistible so two of us stocked up on bulbs and seeds in an attempt to bring Kashmir home with us. The wonderful flower man, Mr Bashira, is pictured

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