Fall Color - Japan Trip

This is my last post in Year 2012 ^^

I went to Japan with my travel and diving buddy, Riena on second week of December. About 6 hours before our departure there was a strong earthquake in Sendai. A bit worry, but my colleague in Tokyo said they were okay in Tokyo and no need to be panic. So I turn off CNN and the trip was on!

We were late for the Koyo season tho, especially in Kyoto and Takayama. It was snowing in Kyoto and heavy snow in Takayama. Still the color at the end of the fall were beautiful!

Journey to the land of high passes...

I travel quite a lot this year and one of the highlight is trip to Ladakh on last August. Am in love with Ladakh, which means 'Land of high passes' before I arrived Leh.

Leh, the capital city of Ladakh, is a nice little town. I was surprised when I arrived Leh after a long journey from Kargil. Leh is very lively! Totally different with Srinagar. Remind me a little bit of Kuta/Seminyak in Bali but less crowded and cleaner! Leh is very environmentally friendly!

Not like Kashmir where we did day trip to Gulmarg and Pahalgram, in Ladakh, we stayed overnight at Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley. This time we stay at the tent ^^

Khardung-La, the highest motorable road in the world - 18,390 ft or 5602 meter. Its about 39km from Leh. Its on the way to Nubra Valley.

Stop by for a cup of hot tea and maggie mie at the highest cafetaria in the world!

Prayer flags @Khardung-La Pass

Stop for awhile before we arrive Nubra Valley

Nubra Valley

Sand dunes - Nubra Valley

View on the way to Pangong Lake

Fist peak of Pangong Lake

Our hotel at Pangong Lake

Pangong Lake

Kids @ Pangong Lake

The famous Pangong Lake

From Kashimr to Ladakh, Amazing!

Trip from Srinagar in Kashmir Valley to Leh, capital city of Ladakh is another amazing experience for me. It was 2D/1N trip by car and about 434-km via Srinagar - Leh 'Highway'. The road generally open from June to mid November only. We stayed overnight in small town name Kargil, remember Kargil War?

Scenery along the way was superb! We can see the transition from greeneries in Kashmir Valley to the rocky mountain or semi desert in Ladakh. Followsing the rivers, passing the villages, up and down the hills, from Muslim to Buddist villages. Amazing Journey!!

coffee shop in Kargil town

apricot seasons

Kargil

with kargil girl