As the time is getting closer, the adventure keeps on getting dangerous! Barely a couple days after Gopi began following her itinerary, quite significant challenges have occurred requiring major itinerary changes:
Tussle between motorcycle unions of Ladakh (Jammu-Kashmir) and Manali (Himachal Pradesh)
Ladakh bikers association are now banning all the HP registered motorcycles from Sarchu (state border) and vice-versa condemning the recent alleged detention of bikes and holding the riders hostage.
My naiveness would have never expected such a heinous act from a “motorcycle” association. Following the unsaid, unspoken brotherhood code of motorcycle-wave in the US, I would have never second-guessed associations in India to act like Sons of Anarchy, the outlaw motorcycle clubs and gangs! Riding should be for freedom, for relaxation, for meditation, for mindfulness – use whatever adjective is the hot trend these days and we experience precisely that when we wind up and down the curvy roads and peaceful hills. Riding should never be thought of as a power tussle – even our 4 year old can ride a motorcycle! Don’t these associations have better things to do than affect the tourism season of barely 5 months in the region?
This crisis was addressed impeccably by ROML (Ride of My Life) team Gaurav Jani and Kanika Shisodia. They came up with a creative option of getting motorcycles from a totally different state (Punjab) trucked to Srinagar and have us change the Point A (Manali) to Point B (Leh) itinerary to instead go from Point C (Srinagar) to Point A (Manali) via Point B (Leh). This is amazing – a blessing-in-disguise dream itinerary that we couldn’t do as Gopi was unable to adjust her work schedule. Crisis like this confirms the crucialness of picking the right touring company – someone who is passionate about the riding experience and want to selflessly make others experience the same exhilarating rides. ROML is graciously absorbing about 40% additional costs for each of us without charging us a dime – thanks Gaurav!
We finally altered our tickets to start the tour from Srinagar (SXR) instead of Manali (KUU). Now, rather than initiating the adventures with paragliding in Manali, we’ll commence with the romanticism of living on houseboats in the Dal lake for a couple days. I’m sure Gopi is thrilled to hear that even after her sudden demotion from staying at the Leela Palace in Bangalore that caters about 40 hot vegetarian spread for breakfast to staying in the make-shift tent hotels where even lunch may be just protein bars!
One crisis was averted and another major one struck on June 13th!
RED ALERT and Curfew – Terrorist attacks in Kashmir!!
Hizbul Mujahideen, the Kashmiri separatist group designated as terrorist organization by India, just conducted 6 different attacks on police forces just about 30 kms south of where our revised itinerary commences from!
These despised attacks put the entire state in Red Alert. The curfew led to imposing of Indian section 144 in the region preventing shops, public transport or any institutions to open causing a complete shutdown!
All the logistical nightmares can be handled, but terrorism is beyond anyone’s control! We’re keeping a very close-eye on the situation and keeping in touch with the ROML contacts in the region while keeping fingers crossed for peace.
We do crazy, fun and adventurous activities, but we don’t do stupid things! Let’s hope that this adventure doesn’t turn out to be stupidity. Rather than having a list of petrol pumps (gas stations) on the way, we’d need a list of police stations and army posts in the region…
We need all your prayers and wishes to continue with this adventure and be safe.
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