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Wifey interested in this tour- what do you charge please and what does the price include?
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Been worried about where you have got to since there have been no updates on your blog since Sept 8th.
CARRY ON! |
How to Join Me Next Year
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Price - I'm really not sure, but the details are on the HC Travel website as they are the guys who do all the logistics. I do know that the price includes accommodation and full-board, bike hire, support vehicle and what is an unbelievably fantastic riding experience. Next year we are due to do the run in August. here is the run down - though this is from 2014's tour, they are about to update it for 2015. Ladakh Ladies I look forward to riding with her :) Best wishes |
Where Am I?
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Thank you for the concern, and my apologies for the lack of input on my website blog - as I explained in the other thread, I got caught up in more travels before I had finished this Ride Tale, so things got a bit behind and then I started having problems updating my own blog, some sort of bug in the system I think. I am alive and well and have just recently been riding in Rapa Nui http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O...P1020087-M.jpg which has been amazing - but that will be a Ride Tale of its own :mchappy: |
Still up the Mountain
We're up on the top of the mountain pass and we met this very nice man
http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0532-M.jpg Never accept sweets off strangers, but when you're this far from the rest of the world, it doesn't matter He's also a guide and we enjoyed looking at our reflection in his sunglasses http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0533-M.jpg The local dogs trotted past, not interested in us and obviously on their way somewhere - though we were miles and miles from any settlement. http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0534-M.jpg A check over for one of the bikes http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0555-M.jpg We lingered for a while, which gave me the opportunity to take my boots off and demonstrate just how wet my feet still were http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0538-M.jpg then back on the bikes it's time to head down http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/L...0%282%29-M.jpg |
Herding Cats...
......in an attempt to get a picture that would truly reflect the staggering amount of snow around us and the beauty iof it all, I tried to organise my excited riders, as they say, there are some things in life that are easier than herding cats and this may have been one of them
http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/L...0%282%29-M.jpg I´ve ridden ahead and am now trying to direct http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/L...0%282%29-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0556-M.jpg Almost there http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/L...DSC_0188-M.jpg And finally I get a nice picture of the team in the snow http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...MG_0559-XL.jpg |
Mountain Life
Just to prove that you get the warts and all story
http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0567-M.jpg This was the sight of my bike after I had kicked the side stand down and run to help one of my riders who was on the verge of dropping her bike in some water. I pushed away too hard and fast, leaving my bike toppling over the side as I ran back to my sttricken rider. No harm done and some helping hands to get her upright again. soon back on our way again http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/L...0%282%29-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/L...IMG_2700-M.jpg we were getting tired and feet are going down a bit more than they should do http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0569-M.jpg when the welcome sight of the chai tents appeared http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/L...IMG_2730-M.jpg we pull up and go inside the blue tinted shelters http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0575-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0576-M.jpg Mugs of hot chai all round, and then we go in search of a loo... http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0570-M.jpg and for a closer look at what it's like http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0571-M.jpg This was the neighbour one http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0572-M.jpg it was around this time that I seriously considered doing a FaceBook page entitled "Loos of Ladakh" this is how the family keep their toothbrushes http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0574-M.jpg |
The Road to Leh
Early morning, and we're awoken by a snuffling outside of the tent
http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0616-M.jpg A marmot has come over to see who we are http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0615-M.jpg We didn't feel too ready to get up yet, and were suffering fromt he aches and pains of yesterday, but the stunning surroundings soon made us forget any sore spots The view from our tent http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0621-M.jpg Loading up the bikes for a big day http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0629-M.jpg we're riding through to Leh today and it's going to be a long day http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0634-M.jpg not even the lorries put us off http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0636-L.jpg a couple of summits to reach, with the first one being pleasantly free from snow http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0639-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0640-M.jpg and on to what looks like Monument Valley or thereabouts http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0642-M.jpg |
Pang
Pang
http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/L...2_074032-M.jpg And the Home of momo heaven (Tibetan-style dump0lings), here is my friend Padma making them for us http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0646-M.jpg I have a copy of the In-flight magazine with me, it has an article about Cornwall (home nation) and I share it with Padma and her family - http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/L...IMG_2775-M.jpg it's quite interesting to read about Cornwall from an Indian point of view, the magazine also has pictures of my village - they are amazed at the sight of the ocean pictures. An Army truck goes past while we're eating http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0647-M.jpg It's starting to cloud over when we set off again http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/L...IMG_2905-M.jpg Luckily there are some very straight stretches of road as we have reached the high plateau (this means we can cover some ground quite quickly) http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0649-L.jpg This is nomad country and their yurts are scattered around http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0652-M.jpg another summithttp://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0660-M.jpg but it's actually quite cold here http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0658-M.jpg we want to get a photo of us all together, and spot another bike traveller, I go over to ask him if he'll take a picture for us and he greets me with a smile and says "Hello Tiffany" http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0659-M.jpg I'm somewhat surprised - after all we are at one of the remotest and highest points in the world, it turns out he's a FaceBook friend of mine and recognised me - despite all layers of clothing I'm bundled up in. we get the photo [IMG]http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0655-M.jpg[/IMG] |
High to Low
The temperature had dropped a lot, shivering, we set off, to be faced by a sea of freezing mud- just wet enough to be slick and slippery
http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0661-M.jpg we kept to the edge as we made our way down- the safest place to be where the mud wasn't deep, but bear in mind that we're supposed to be riding on the left! and there is a sheer drop of several hundred feet just to our right http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0662-M.jpg To our relief, the mud was replaced by tarmac after a few miles, the tarmac a bit patchy, and various sections of roadworks. It's a harsh life for the workers, living in tents at the side of the road at altitudes of 4000m. http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0664-M.jpg Some of the workers are women, we stopped for a quick chat with these ladies of Ladakh who had put aside their pick axes for a tea break http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0663-M.jpg I passed on some chocolate and some posh hotel toiletries that I had acquired from our hotel down the valley. To our delight at the bottom of the mountain was a herd of yak http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0670-M.jpg With a photogenic baby one being guarded by its Mum - she charged briefly at another tourist who went too close http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0668-L.jpg Dry landscape with trees ahead http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/L...IMG_2971-M.jpg and time for another chai break http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0672-M.jpg and another picturesque loo http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0671-M.jpg We knew we were in Little Tibet when we saw our fist stupas http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0674-M.jpg and the final stretch of beautiful road leading to Leh http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0676-M.jpg |
Leh
It was a relief to be off the mountain roads, following the river valley with its sweeping curves rather than the torturous hairpin bends of the mountain passes.
http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0677-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0679-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0682-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0684-M.jpg Thikse Monastery http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0688-M.jpg and its tourist monks http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/L...IMG_2807-M.jpg There are a lot of Buddhist monks around as the Dalai Lama is in town, there are various posters welcoming him http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0696-M.jpg The smooth tarmac was a delight to ride on, we finally made our way into Leh http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0694-M.jpg And a welcome cold beer on the steps of our hotel http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0690-L.jpg |
Life in Leh
Monasteries on every mountain side
http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0699-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0700-M.jpg# Animals on every corner, from puppies to donkeys http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0693-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0702-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0695-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0706-M.jpg A friendly shopkeeper http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0691-M.jpg Who needs an electronic till when you can have a cardboard box of money And strange goods being sold in the shops http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0703-M.jpg I think it's sugar http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0704-M.jpg __________________ |
Moving On
We've been sharing a support vehicle with another group, and in that group are two Americans. It's early morning on the 4th of July and with secret preparations underway, we greet John and Gary at breakfast
The Ladies of Ladakh present their Comb Choir rendition of the Star Spangled Banner http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/L...0%282%29-L.jpg Luckily for us we had our secret weapon in the form of Barbara who is a church organist and played her tissue paper comb instrument at perfect pitch with the rest of us struggling to stay in tune, whilst US flags tethered to oranges flew on the table. then back into bike gear and onto the road, we're heading west out of town http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0731-M.jpg Enjoying the stunning scenery http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0709-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0730-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0735-M.jpg and feeling a bit more relaxed in our riding - we know we won't be encountering snow, ice or even high altitude on these sections of riding http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0742-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0746-M.jpg A small town lunch break http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0749-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0748-M.jpg and one more mountain http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0760-M.jpg One of our favourite roads of the trip - the Old Road up to Lamayuru Monastery http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0763-M.jpg |
Lamayuru Monastery
This is the beautiful road we were riding up
http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0765-L.jpg One of my favourite roads in the world, and virtually no other vehicles on it as we rode together. http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0767-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0770-M.jpg The final stretch of road up to Lamayuru Monastery http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/L...IMG_2924-M.jpg And up to the monastery itself http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0806-M.jpg We go in, leaving our shoes outside http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/L...IMG_2936-M.jpg some of the monks we spoke to http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/L...IMG_2838-M.jpg I get in a bit of practice with a prayer wheel http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/I...IMG_0809-M.jpg |
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