Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Diwali 2016.... a Journey

Another year, another Diwali and another fun celebration!!!!

This is 'My Festival' and year after year, I love having our friends and family over and celebrate this festival of Lights and feel a little bit more at home.

This year was a bonanza, every weekend we were dressing up, be it Navratri, the festival leading upto Diwali, or gathering of friends for Diwali Parties!

As they are getting older, at our house Diwali Party, the kids do an annual Diwali Dance! Until last year, it was just the older girls and this year the tiny toddlers are in the mix

Here is our dance routine for this year

Child 1: Almost 7 year old A: Karr Gayi Chull
Child 2: Almost 9 year old Chatterbox: Cham Cham
Both Older Kids: Pinga Pori, with a surprise element from the adults as well
All Toddlers: Kala Chasshma

And it was one amazing times, the older girls practice on their own,  chances are next year, they will be choreographing on their own!

Luckily I have the little munchkins to 'choreograph' for a few more years.

This year was super special, since my friend and equal dance nut, K encouraged me to join the girls for a dance! And we did, on Pinga... might not be the most elegant, but we had a blast practicing, especially when the girls would see us and say: 'The adults made a mistake, or mummy you forgot this step!'

Yeah, getting corrected by your kids is sometimes fun!

My tradition of having these dance practices is simple:
I am hoping my kids and their friends feel that Diwali is a big deal. I am hoping they continue to love Bollywood with all its fun and frolic and enjoy dancing without a care in the world.

Here are a few Diwali images from over the years

2011... There were 3!!!


2016... And now we are 4!

Monday, October 17, 2016

Day 3: First Excursion: Pangong Tso at Leh & Laddakh

 We started really early since it was a 4 hour drive to Pangong Tso. We had to take a hard decision of leaving my brother and his family back in Leh so my brother could rest and recover from the fever!

This drive is NOT for the faint hearted. Even if you have minor motion sickness, I recommend Dramamine. Eat light and definitely fluid up!!
This drive was probably the worst drive of our entire trip in Leh! For only one reason: It is too 'curvy':
Case in point:



We crossed Chang La Pass (17590 ft. above sea level) and second highest motor able road in the world. Oxygen is really thin, so besides some quick pictures, I don’t recommend stopping here at all. My father got really light headed and we rushed down the hill so he could get more Oxygen.
But I definitely managed to get some pictures for sure!

All of us became pro's at getting 'O2 stats' checked out everywhere. This is the most important stat here. Don't take it lightly. Remember what I said: Acclimatization is a real thing!

The views on this drive are breathtaking, no doubt, but you need a really experienced driver to maneuver these cliffs. Both my daughters slept on the way up and down, since they were feeling very 'woozy'
Here are a few drive pictures.


Of course the minute you see the lake, the Tso, all your travel woes are washed away. It is simply astounding. The reflection of the clouds and the surrounding mountains on the take is like looking in a natural Mirror. The lake gets its color from really high limestone content in the water and hence the lake is also "Salty" We tasted it of course!


The locals claim, this was the original sea before Africa and Asia split (remember Formation of our planets) and hence the high salinity of water!

This lake is 35% in Indian Borders and rest in China. Incursions are common and hence a higher Army Control here. There are patrol boats in the water all the time. Again, since we were with the Indian Army, Sudhirji, the Army Jawan accompanying us and keeping us company helped us to get an exclusive boat ride in the Pangong Lake on Army Patrol Boats. Needless to say, due to security reasons, I cannot take or post any pictures of this. But this was definitely a mesmerizing blue and drive in the boat!!

Here is V pretending to ride one of the 'Dingy' boats!


Getting Maggi at this altitude of 14570 ft. is amazing. 

Knowing that our drive back was equally tiresome, we all took it really easy on lunch. Since 3 Idiots was recently shot here, most of the cafes are themed after this movie. I didn’t want to leave, but I definitely wanted to be off the steep drive in Day time. With a heavy heart we left.



Right outside the Tso, we stopped by and saw the local animals: Goats, Horses  and we had a poser, so of course we took some more pictures.





Sudhir Ji, was recanting stories of how avalanche in these areas is common in winters and hence the roads are closed for all public. But Army needs to do what Army needs to do. We saw 3 Army trucks in the cliff below struck by an avalanche. It was so disheartening, Lives lost!

On the drive back, Little Lady got really motion sick and started throwing up. Sudhirji stopped by an army medical area; we got all our O2 checked. My dad grew weak and needed O2, all taxis/ rental cars are equipped with it. Yeah, I know, it sounds scary, through the trip we realized this is really normal and as long as you are pro-active and take care and take it easy, its fine.

Don’t be macho- listen to your body and really ask for help.

I made the mistake of carrying Little Lady in my arms from the car to the medical station (20 ft. walk only). This did me in really well! I was huffing and puffing and due to lesser oxygen due to 'exertion' I was also a little low for the rest of the drive back.

When we returned back to the guest house, we all just passed out on the bed, exhausted!!! Though I was still dreaming of the lake, my body had no energy left. Trust me, as soon as I returned from Pangong Tso, I had claimed, no more, let’s just stay local!

But after a delicious and light dinner, and loads of Limca later, we sat with our Army hosts and planned the next few days: a 2.5 day trip to Tso Moriri and the India-China Border.

And then I re-looked at this picture and reminded myself No Pain, No Gain:

A good night's rest and ample encouragement from our Army hosts, we agreed and excitedly prepared for our drive!!! Trust me, tonight.. I really felt like why we are torturing our bodies…..



But this picture more than made it for me

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Travel & Stay Fit: Yes you can!

There are two things that I am passionate about, travelling and food!

If you have been following my blog, know me or even just met me, i could go on and out about these two things. In addition, over the last year, I have been following through with 'My Fitness Pal' Trust me, this is the longest I have stuck to the Getting Fit business and actually seen some positive results

Like my husband says, before we finish a trip, Garima is already thinking of the next one! Sadly work comes in way of 'my travelling adventures'. I am happy to say, the kids have travelling bug and definitely are showing signs of budding foodies.

One of the things that happens with this is: 'Getting Fit' always goes out the window when on a trip.

I want to eat all the local delicacies and my 'calorie meter' tells me I am way over my recommended amount. Of course after a trip, when I stand on the 'Scale of disaster' the truth is revealed. Yes, ignore the jeans fitting tightly, the t shirts being a little snug etc... I ignore it on a trip, until I get home and stand on my 'Scale of Disaster'

Story of my life!

But with this 'Getting Fit' business, I am trying to figure out and learn ways of Staying Fit, Enjoying local cuisines and continue Travelling and exploring.

Here is my simple and doable three point guide , I am hoping to add more 'points' as I travel more and eat more

1. Portion Control:
Eat everything you want, but do manage to have a little portion control. These 'buffets' are very appetizing, I get it, trust me.
May be take more variety and less portions. This way you can thoroughly enjoy the buffet and still not be 'way over the recommended calories'. Start with a salad, always!

2. Water &  Snacks:
Hydrate, any trip you take, be it beautiful Quebec, The friendly Vegas or the serene mountains of Leh, hydrate up. This way, you are snacking lesser during the excursions.
And if you are snack-er like me, carry healthy nuts, cereal bars, apple, banana or a simple sandwich loaded with vegetables.

3. Don't fall in the trap of 'Cheat Day':
Trust me, its hard. Read point 1, manage the portions so you can eat everything you really want. And at the same time skip the extra slice of chocolate cake since its your 'Cheat Day'. Its a slippery slope. I know since 'My Fitness Pal' graph is all over the place since I use this 'Its my Cheat Day' excuse a bit often.

Got You, didn't I: You were expecting me to blabber about use the gym, use the hotel facilities... haha!
In that case, you don't know me. On my vacations, I am lazier than my normal self.
You never know, sometimes just relaxing does wonders to your system! The stress eating goes away and you are eating when you are hungry and not when you are worried

 Enjoy these shows if you are in Vegas, take these beautiful excursions if you are in Vegas, the Sin City, book a hotel and enjoy the spa, the gym can wait, but truly relax!

Check out this amazing Website for Vegas, and I cant wait to book my next trip and explore all their amazing deals, and the only exercise I plan to do, is really thoroughly enjoy the city and follow  simple and doable three point guide: P-S-E (Portion- Snacking-Enjoy)!


But I do believe in really trying to stay fit and not gain the 'travel pounds'. If I come back at the same weight that i left before the trip, I am happy.







Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Day 2: Day stay in Leh: Local Sightseeing


We really wanted to take it easy today especially after the harried day 1. My brother fell ill today and caught Viral Fever, for the rest of the trip, my Sister in law, my nephew and brother just stayed put in Leh. Sadly they really didn’t get to see anything. But they spend time in the Army guest house, recovered from the illness and learned so much about Army. This was pretty much the view for my brother for the rest of the week... not bad eh!!
View from the Army Camp

In the morning, we split up, I stayed back home with Miss V and my brother etc. While my parents, Sumit and Little Lady went on the first local trip:

Choglamsar, Shanti Stupa and getting used to breathing!

This is according to Sumit, The Dalai Lama was visiting Choglamsar on the day and though my parents could not see him, the peace surrounding the Choglamsar Monastery was breathtaking.

According to my mum and Sumit, Shanti Stupa is one of the most serene places to go to. It is a landmark in Leh and definitely worth a visit!

Shanti Stupa: Picture from Internet

In the afternoon after a nap and lots of water, Miss V felt better and wanted to head out. She had done loads of research for Leh and Ladakh. While the rest of the family rested up, the four of us headed out to follow Miss V's recommended itinerary for the evening. 
Hall of Fame- Magnetic Hill- Sangam

Hall of Fame: A must watch. This museum shows history on all the wars of India, the tough training conditions for the Indian Army and above all a history of war that has shaped our country!
The army Jawan 'Sudhirji' accompanying us through the trip was a veteran of the Kargil war and seeing this hall of fame with him was priceless
Miss V: Impressed by the Hall of Fame. Salute!


Pathar Gurudwara:
This is a Gurudwara amidst the hills and the 'Pathar: Stone' has an interesting story to it. Read it here. 
It was so peaceful here. 
Gurudwara: The peace within


After Chai and some langar we headed off to my daughter's highest recommendation: Magnetic Hill
En route for our Langar



Magnetic Hill: Of course it’s touristy.
MIss V: She get credit for this- she designed the itinerary

But your car is turned off in Neutral gear and in between two hills and car is moving in the opposite direction to the slope due to 'Magnetism' It is impressive. I think Miss V wanted to just stay here!

The drive to Magnetic hill is flat and simple, but the views are breathtaking, the brown hills get prettier by every curve.
We are flying.... at Magnetic Hill


We then headed to Sangam: Or meeting of the two rivers: Indus & Zanskar.
Beautiful & Serene

You can see from the pictures that the color of the water is different: It changes they say, Whichever river has more flow of water, has a lighter color since less soil gets mixed it! In our case Sanskar to the right was lighter.
Finally!! A family Picture





Though we wanted to stay longer, we had a long road ahead! we really wanted to 'take it easy' per our hosts recommendations considering no one wanted to fall ill due to acclimatization.

Next Day: Was our first trip: Pangong Tso... the 3 idiots lake... More to Follow