Greetings all.
Well, having not heard an internal combustion engine, mobile phone or car horn for 3 blissful weeks, I am now back in Delhi where life is hard up against the other end of the spectrum! Far from the peace, tranquility and time to comtemplate in Ladakh, Delhi is, today, totally full-on. It took us 45 minutes just to get out of the airport car park. Thought I was going to choke on the fumes. BUT, all is well. I have decided that my exertions deserve a little pampering and so I write this from the business centre at the beautiful Imperial Hotel, in the centre of town.
There is a bit or nervousness around here at the moment, from Saturday's bombings, but in the hotel everything is gentile and tranquil. I have had a splendid day. I booked on a special promotional rate then, on arrival, was promptly upgraded to a suite! I have luxuriated in the deepest, bubbliest bath I have ever had, while watching my Bang & Olufsen TV through a window into the bedroom. I have thoroughly enjoyed an Ayurvedan (spell check doesn't cover that one) massage. I stepped on the bathroom scales - several times to confirm - and it would appear that I have lost in the order of 8kg! And, I have just got back from a fitting for a one-day tailoring service for a suit - better work at keeping the weight off when I get back!
And do you know, for all the pampering, luxury and finery, I wish I was back in my little tent, looking through the flap at huge, cragged peaks soaring above the valley, a herd of ibex silhouetted against the evening sky, where black kites soared and wheeled. I shall make the absolute most of my remaining time in Delhi before flying home tomorrow but it was such a privilege to be out in the most unbelieveable scenery, enjoying such peace and good local hospitality, for 3 weeks solid.
There is much to tell and, much editing to do - Kim (our trek leader) - gave me 2 DVDs of her shots from the trip this morning at 5am when we left the hotel in Leh for the airport. Collectively, the group took over 5000 pictures, many of them (from first viewings on cameras) crackers. Just hope mine live up to expectations when I get them onto the PC at home.
Better go - got some catching up to do with my journal. Oh, and I might just have a gin and tonic before dinner....
Photos to come in a couple of days when ensconsed back at home and time allows. Until then, thanks again for looking in.
This is Greg, for blog.co.uk, in New Delhi, India. Now back to the studio.
