https://anmolbhuinya.com/precious-music daily 0.75 2024-03-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491605481605-MLK7ZBR1LWOEC3A2PGXT/inspiration-set-3-22.jpg.image.1140.610.medium.jpg Precious Music (Top 10) https://anmolbhuinya.com/precious-gem-1 daily 1.0 2024-08-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1475770586032-DY1XSKUNDBUADKCOMMJ9/IMG_0378_2.jpg Precious Gem https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1475771471483-WMRJEE3482KQJY5O0FWJ/IMG_0415.jpg Precious Gem https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1475771986914-SVOQQUPX1TUVE38374YL/IMG_0756.jpg Precious Gem https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1475772210471-C8TM0E5PDUJHL01W1QS1/IMG_0954.jpg Precious Gem https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1475785403315-TJZLD8O8Y3JQEZ9QI4HJ/IMG_0409.jpg Precious Gem https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1475785517500-O3U4D8OU4YOQA7387O9V/IMG_0505.jpg Precious Gem https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1683999861685-VRDQG0Z0LTCGMYIJQFID/Gardener.jpg Precious Gem https://anmolbhuinya.com/precious-videos daily 0.75 2017-04-21 https://anmolbhuinya.com/life-is-beautiful daily 0.75 2017-07-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498155461982-A9PQR52ZEN9F2BWATTGE/1.JPG Life is Beautiful - Magnetic Charm Of Sea... The magnetic charm of sea always attracts me...something is hidden in its vast territory...I want to explore...I want to discover... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498155486931-LBT6ENP5GM5XSNQNWVRZ/2.JPG Life is Beautiful - Mystery of Ocean... I get into the ocean...completely unaware of the danger...People tell me not to go into sea...It has mysteries... it has hidden monstrous creatures...Life taking disasters could happen.... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498155503760-UDS89CCQ6JOO8DHH7U37/3.JPG Life is Beautiful - Deep Breathe... I feel thrilled...a chunk of fear makes space in my heart...but I am determined...Though there is danger...I know enthralling adventure is awaiting me...I have to unlock hidden secrets of ocean....I ignore people's advice....I take a deep breath... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498155515693-9OBLW12OE7UGJVXKYKAM/4.JPG Life is Beautiful - A New World... I dive deep in ocean...I see coral reefs...I see blue fish, orange fish, pink fish...It's amazing...It's beautiful...big fish eating small fish...It's dangerous...I am in a new world...in a completely different world... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498155540340-NWWVWUY66070BTILJ0LY/5.JPG Life is Beautiful - Limitless Ocean... I meet a big eight legged octopus...I fight and kill it...I lose my oxygen cylinder...I move to surface of sea...I continuously swim for several days and nights...cross several miles...the blue ocean seems to be limitless...testing my patience, my strength, my determination... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498155561462-T26911JAM7PVZS655YXK/6.JPG Life is Beautiful - An Island... Finally...I see an island to take rest... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498155625041-4FQAQ7C0QAXA0YD1JVB9/7.JPG Life is Beautiful - A Cute Girl... A cute girl looks at me... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498155856288-O2QYTEN7JUUV5YYK748L/8.JPG Life is Beautiful - Catwalk... She moves forward... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498155909555-7KYY15SBSPXKHGYEH7YV/9.JPG Life is Beautiful - A Confident Smile... She confidently smiles as if she knows me... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498155957904-SYMAS6CQ3MM5MMQGG52K/10.JPG Life is Beautiful - A Warm Welcome... She stands infront of me as if she is welcoming me...I want to ask her name...but I know she won't understand my language... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498156204676-LAWAUX3PZBI7IXP0OMBK/11.JPG Life is Beautiful - A Flying Kiss...   She tries to tell me something with her gestures...I fail to comprehend...She blows a flying kiss...A smile appears on my face...She points to seashore...I turn my head with curiosity to see what she wants to show... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498156228091-6F9359G9AH9OVD3QNFOT/12.JPG Life is Beautiful - Mermaid...   I see a lady watching sunset...I stealthly move towards her...She hears my foot steps...she turns her face for a moment...she immedietly stands up and runs towards sea...I speed up but it's too late...She turns into mermaid and disappears into the vast ocean... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498156338397-6LG3AHH27C9I0BUP3I4N/13.JPG Life is Beautiful - Footprint On Sand...   Gasping for breath...I hold back...I control my breath...She's gone...Disappointed I look down....I see her footprint on sand...Ruthless sea waves advance to destroy this last piece of evidence... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498156376096-9MQ5MYAJG9F2BL5UK17K/14.JPG Life is Beautiful - A Precious Gift... Sea waves return back...leaving no trace of footprint...I carefully scan the wet sand and I see a seashell...perhaps this is a gift from mermaid...I pick up the seashell and gently put it in my bag... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498156394122-74R6JLBJBYNPIOWSEQN9/15.JPG Life is Beautiful - Romantic Sunset... I climb up a cliff...I watch the sea engulfing the sun from there...Glimpse of mermaid flashes in my mind...A smile appears on my face...I have her gift with me...To meet her...I'll be back... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498180352503-OGLXBR2O4WBXBB85TJ6M/4.JPG Life is Beautiful https://anmolbhuinya.com/ride-of-my-life daily 0.75 2024-11-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491646813706-UTY5OF77V0QIVO4PAYR9/10.jpg Ride Of My Life - Bikers' Paradise- Ladakh If one is not an atheist, it would be quite easy for anyone to relate to this...For the explorer, motorcycle riding is a religion...Amongst many gods, Royal Enfield is one of its avatar...and then comes the pilgrimage destination...the holy grail for the Enfield follower...“Ladakh”... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491647256953-IQEP8OI5Q4I2JA4JEMPN/20.jpg Ride Of My Life - Gaurav Jani Over a decade ago, Gaurav from Mumbai discovered the traveller within him when he encountered the marvels of the Indian countryside on his motorcycle. What followed was 300,000 miles of motorcycle travel and experiences that made his passion even stronger. Gaurav with his friend later formed 60kph – Motorcycle Travel Club, India, a non-profit organization, to share their experiences and encourage more people to take up motorcycle travel...To fulfill my dream of riding bike from Manali to Srinagar, I met Gaurav Jani in Vashist, Manali where he agreed to help me to achieve my dream...He guided me to get the Royal Enfield... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491647403560-4W7T0QDDMY1M2B85GBFZ/30.jpg Ride Of My Life - Royal Enfield I followed the instructions of Gaurav and finally located the Royal Enfield surrounded by apple and peach forest of Manali...My eyes got widen as I looked at the beautiful machine which was built to cruise the highways, see the countryside and go to the mountains...The beast was standing like an untamed wild stallion...Perhaps it was waiting for its rider and to fulfill the purpose for which it was made for... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491648813427-RGHJRCZ2FUB6VPP9RDV8/40.jpg Ride Of My Life - Royal Rider ...And the perfect biker, who could it be...yes, your guess is correct...It's me...A true devotee of the sacred religion of biking...A Royal Rider...Even having years of experience of riding bike over potholes and crowded road of Bangalore I knew this sacred pilgrimage would not be easy...Every year hundreds of devotees participate in this challenging pilgrimage...many gets successfull and many return back without completing it... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491648884443-EJIX8G0LBSL3E5DRHGHZ/50.jpg Ride Of My Life - A Long-standing Dream I came here to accomplish my dream which I had been planning for years...Mountains of Manali wished me good luck...Passes of Ladakh were preparing challenge for me...Valleys of Srinagar were grooming to their best to celebrate my arrival...I wanted to cruise through the challenging passes...I wanted to capture the beauty of the valley...I wanted to take home enthralling experiences of the journey... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491649023123-CXB5RHXK1IGPHU5H3RSG/60.jpg Ride Of My Life - Pirates of Arabian I met Kirat, Surinder and Deepak...who share the same dream of riding enfield in Ladakh...Kirat and Deepak who spent their entire life in ocean dragged Surinder to Manali for bike trip...Surinder on this "Kahan fas gaya yaar"...The bike trip was their unique way to meet up and to refresh the golden memories of their college days... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491654000217-3PYEZAA0AYOWCV54Q1PJ/80.jpg Ride Of My Life - Dawn's First Blush After few hours of practice ride in Manali I went early to bed as I needed to get up early in the morning to start the journey...I woke up at sharp 4 O' clock morning for Rohtang Pass...Series of Royal Enfield with their headlamp on, rolling on the road on the dawn'sfirst blush like an army of ant proceeding to their destination.... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491654093326-I6G9KLKIQA16DKL8DQNJ/82.jpg Ride Of My Life - Rohtang Pass It was 3rd day of the trip and I was standing at Rohtang Pass, my first milestone...Rohtang, which actually means --Pile of Dead Bodies!!!. It got its name as hundreds of lives lost due to bad weather while crossing this pass...It is famous worldwide for it’s unexpected bad weather tantrums... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491654156781-XENH3RFGS1YC5G4KM8AX/85.jpg Ride Of My Life - Robocop After having bread omelette, I had a cup of tea at an elevation of 3979m in midst of snow...As soon as hot tea reached my stomach, I clearly felt the structure of my digestive system and it was very much similar to the picture I had seen in my Biology class books during school days...As I was looking at my breath vapor disappearing in the mountains, I saw an uncontrolled Yak troubling the people around...Iput my helmet on, rode snowmobile towards furios Yak... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491654659412-I92WHLQSSJ35S8NPWUPR/90.jpg Ride Of My Life - Taming the Furious Yak I went behind Yak silently...I hold on to the Yak's tail...next moment I was shaken off and I fell violently on the hard snow...My protective helmet dropped off...On the very next moment I was back on the feet...Yak turned around...We both stared at each other...eyes unblinked...This time, I hold on to the Yak's horns and the next moment I was on his back...The fury of Yak vanished instantaneously and he was in my control... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491654854119-JOBOK0W6X0RF1KDUHD4T/105.jpg Ride Of My Life - On the way to Sissu People of Rohtang thanked me...I proceeded for Sissu...The bike trip was not a 100 meter sprint rather it was a marathon...I got tired and was looking for a place to take rest...I saw a beautiful place...A Green carpet, embroidered with yellow and purple flowers, covered by blue blanket of sky...I just sat down there and flirted with nature for a while and again continued my journey... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491655347993-FI0K5MILU9SNGGCRIBSI/125.jpg Ride Of My Life - Camping @ Sissu On the banks of river Chandra in Sissu, Goldrop campsite is nestled between the Palden Lhamo Dhar and a most propitiated Gyephang Peak, at an altitude of 3400m...As soon as sun went down I entered the Royal Swiss tent and jumped into cozy bed...The warm bedding of tent and melodious murmur of the river Chandra lulled me to sleep... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491655423136-5U1644TH4IV88ALYNT7Z/127.jpg Ride Of My Life - Morning at Sissu I woke up with the morning's first light...Sunrays falling on the green layer over mountain were soothing to eyes...Greenery never looked more sweet and simple...I was feeling completely energized for the long journey to Sarchu... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491655588630-QSGBCE1W2VTPOPAJGWPP/130.jpg Ride Of My Life - Deepak Tal The greeneries started diminishing after Keylong...On the way, I saw man made lake at Patseo called as Deepak Tal...Glacier water accumulates in Deepak Tal and makes it perfect spot to have snapshot from each angle... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491655788741-IE9SP6AIWZ2UR17T99N8/135.jpg Ride Of My Life - Way to ZingZingBar From Patseo, suddenly the terrain changed its characteristics. It turned to the dry arid Ladakh styled look with a blink of an eye. It was majestic. Barren land all around and leading to tall snow capped peaks in the backdrop... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491656177734-BCV23V42FIEQCISLY3Y0/140.jpg Ride Of My Life - Suraj Tal Suraj Tal, third highest lake of India is the source of Bhaga river which joins Chandra river downstream to form Chandrabhaga river which is known as Chenab in J&K. Legend has it that Chandra was the beloved daughter of the Moon and Bhaga was the only son of Suryadev, the Sun god. Both of them once ran into each other at the Baralacha La and it was love at first sight however their love was not approved by their parents and they were not allowed to marry each other. Sun god wanted to entrust his son the task of bringing light to the world in the form of days while Moon god wanted to assign the job of lighting the nights in the world to his daughter Chandra... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491656312063-Q4HM3D4FPJ53JPB2O608/150.jpg Ride Of My Life - Baralach La I was standing at Barlach La...My shoes were completely wet while crossing stream of water on the way...this was the mistake which I had done...In such cold I was afraid to get frost bite...The legend of Chandra and Bhaga continues...The disapproval of their parents broke the hearts of the two young lovers but they were not so easily defeated. Together they both decided to elope, meet at Baralacha Pass again where they had first met and perform their eternal marriage themselves without their parent’s approval. They both came down to the agreed spot but Chandra reached a little ahead of time than Bhaga. When she didn’t find Bhaga at Baralacha La, she wandered off in search for him towards Kunzum Pass and then started to circle back to Baralacha La again. Just when she reached Tandi, she saw Bhaga coming down from the opposite direction looking for her. They both consequently met and the celestial marriage was performed... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491656461069-QBIAJLXARU11EEJNQXRT/160.jpg Ride Of My Life - Snowman My shoes were completely wet...My feets were getting cold...I untied my shoes and put it upside down so that water seeps out from it...I was worried...entire road was full of slush...I should have brought waterproof shoes...Suddenly I saw melting snowman...He gave me two polythene and advised me to put on over shoes...I did the same...thanked him and continued my journey... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491656635574-Q0G08G42GVBRO8KUBZ92/180.jpg Ride Of My Life - South Star Kanaka Raju, the Hyderabadi Nawab, had a dream to leave his mark on this land...After having ginger lemon honey tea which was prevalent in trip...he was contemplating to overtake some rider... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491656820768-TLD3M1DUINRS1NW1H41G/200.jpg Ride Of My Life - Sleepless in Sarchu By evening I reached Sarchu...Sarchu was approximately in middle of Manali and Leh and was perhaps the coldest place in the journey...After having dinner I went inside tent to sleep...In the middle of night I woke up...I was unable to breathe...My nose was clogged...Somehow the night passed and I was alive... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491657589999-HYHAI72Q3IW557UELNEY/210.jpg Ride Of My Life - Outlanders Ziga and Denis from Europe and Joseph from Singapore travelled all the way to have the adventorous bike trip...Ziga, the man of few words, always looked like an astronaut on his riding gears...He was travelling around the world along with Denis to get the challenging roads where he could ride bike mercilessly...On the other hand, for Joseph it was a way to explore Himalayas... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491657780683-4VAH5LAF0C2HGIK2C6P0/215.jpg Ride Of My Life - Gata Loops I reached Gata Loops...Gata Loops is series of 21 hairpin bend that takes you to the top of high altitude pass Nakeela, at a height of nearly 16,000 ft. It is the 3rd high altitude pass out of 5 on the Manali-Leh highway...Localites are afraid of this place, not of its height or cold but something else. Even they warn people not to halt at this place...They believe a Ghost live there in the road...As per the popular legend, sometime around a decade back, engine of the truck died down while passing through the bend. As this happened, a light snow began falling simultaneously. The truck driver, leaving cleaner behind, jumped out of the truck and started moving towards the nearby village to seek help, which was situated at a distance of about 40 km... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491657853982-WJK387E6SU9TPQ9JGJ0Q/220.jpg Ride Of My Life - The Ghost of Gata Loops When the driver returned, the cleaner had passed away by then, due to hunger and severe cold. Grieved by the death of the accomplice, the driver arranged his last rites. The corpse was cremated at that place...As years passed, people passing through the same destination complained about hearing uncanny noises. Some even said that they saw a young man at this place who requested them to lend him something to eat and drink. And if they didn’t oblige to his wishes, something eerie happened with them. Whenever people offered him a water bottle, it used to slip out of his hand. Many mishaps followed and the place earned an unnatural reputation all across the state. In order to silent the evil spirit, various ‘havans’ were organized here... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491658486082-0TBDYNUPVEMIDMQ4F2M6/226.jpg Ride Of My Life - Escape route It was a scary place...but I was trying to be brave...Iparked my bike and started roaming around...Suddenly the Ghost of Gata Loops appeared in front of me...The Ghost tried to chase me...I threw my water bottle to pacify the thirsty ghost...but probably the ghost wanted human blood...I ran towards my bike...I quickly started my bike and accelerated it fully...I escaped the ghost and the haunted place...I was about to reach Pang... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491658602149-7Y8L7699FBUBDEZW9EMM/231.jpg Ride Of My Life - Royal Road captain Abhishek Tosaria...founder of Motorcycle Diaries India...figurehead who gives inspirational speeches and rally the group of riders, has covered more than 270,000 km and conquered the Himalayas...To cover such a long distance, physical and mental fitness is required...His holistic approach to fitness is indeed commendable...He takes turmeric milk before the start of trip to boost his immune system...After reaching Pang, he started counting the riders who reached there alive... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491658711873-GTZMB48XLS58EL2LHZJ9/251.jpg Ride Of My Life - Royal Gang 16 riders from 6 different countries gathered together near Pang Gorge to have a memorable snapshot...Keeping our lives in danger, ready to face death we continued our journey, leaving trail of fire on the entire road ...On the way, every vehicle, no matter how big...gave way to us...Every girl, no matter how hot...turned her head and gave us a smile... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491659202008-15JXXGT6JF69EGIYSECU/260.jpg Ride Of My Life - Morey Plains We left Pang and were riding on Morey Plains....A 40 km of straight spectacular stretch...It was clear sky...smooth road...Fed up of riding 30-40kmph for the past two days, I accelerated my bike fully and speedometer was touching 100kmph...I continued to accelarate...but bike was not picking up speed...I was in high altitude...Density of oxygen was less...Enfield was not able to breathe properly...neither was I... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491659215012-K8RD211OZ1CGL03XL3HW/310.jpg Ride Of My Life - Wrong Turn Altitude changes attitude...I kept on accelerating...Perhaps, I wanted to speed up to 160kmph...Perhaps, I wanted to cross the limit...Perhaps, I wanted to leave behind the riders who were ahead of me...A slight turn, a slight bump came...I applied break...I tried to control the heavy beast...but it was too late...bike was off the road and was running on the gravel...It was out of my control...Handle bent completely on the left and bike slipped on the gravel... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491659227274-BFBLW0ZXQGSTWDBRIAVE/320.jpg Ride Of My Life - Epic Crash Construction for drainage system beside the road was in progress...Bike continued to get friction against gravel and went inside the drain...Next moment I was flying in the air...Bike started spinning against the drain horizontally and I started rotating in air vertically...My senses stopped working...Everything seemed washed out... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491660602181-4RGMWK49XG7507AKRXRF/330.jpg Ride Of My Life - Royal Coffin After a few seconds of flight, Mother Earth pulled me down with her love of gravity...My body found its coffin...I fell down on my back and I was perfectly fitted inside drain. Dust was settling over my body...Perhaps my spinal cord broke down...No...I was alive...Perhaps blood was dripping out of my body to fill the dry drain...No...I stood up...I came out of drain heroically...I was covered with thick layer of dust...I looked at my crashed bike, its engine was stopped...I scrutinized my body....no blood...minor bruises on left leg and on right hand...I was damn lucky, my riding gear saved my life...Sight was still appearing like a washed out image...My heartbeat was overriding the sound of surroundings...I was not able to hear anything else...I was standing on the deadly road with my thumbs down, a signal for help to my fellow riders who were behind me... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491660652934-PHH1LKCP6ZYQIMLWUNL9/371.jpg Ride Of My Life - India's Little Tibbet Leh...Finally I reached the Land of Lamas in Backup Van...I sighed in relief...I dragged my injured body to hotel room....I wanted to take rest...I took painkiller, dropped my body on bed and closed my eyes...I was not able to turn my body whole night...Night passed slowly...Morning light hit through my window and I woke up...It was rest day and the day for sightseeing...I saw Leh palace from distance and wanted to visit the palace...Somehow I was able to walk...I reached Leh palace...Leh palace is being restored by Archaelogical Survey of India...It is nine storeys high and is open to the public...I went up to the roof...The roof offers panoramic views of Leh and surrounding areas...The mountain of Stok Kangri in the Zanskar mountain range was visible across the Indus valley to the south, with the Ladakh mountain range rising behind the palace to the north... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491660791614-463Q5TOP908XCH2P354M/380.jpg Ride Of My Life - Mission Impossible It was 7th day of trip and it was the day most bikers were waiting for...The mission was to ride bike upto the the highest motorable pass of the world..."Khardung La"...I didn't want to take risk...but I didn't want to leave the challenge for which I came for so far...I put on my riding gear for safety...I got another Royal Enfield to accomplish my mission...Few inital kilometers from Leh, road was smooth and I was able to ride comfortably...Then came the rough road to test my will...At each bump it felt like someone inserted thousand needles in my backbone at once...I slowed down to 5kmph and started taking help of both foot to balance... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491660986692-N2V0U4UC2COL1KUAYNAL/390.jpg Ride Of My Life - Khardung La I was the last one in my group to reach Khardung La...I saw the board in which it was written Khardung La Top...Mission accomplished...My vision was becoming blurry again...Again it was feeling like a dream...I parked my Royal Enfield and went inside tea stall situated on the Khardung La top...I had a cup of ginger lemon tea at an altitude of 18,380 ft...I came back to my senses...I decided to travel in backup van till I feel well... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491661082726-5ZQS112GDS8UIWTORP0N/400.jpg Ride Of My Life - Maggi Smuggler I came back to backup van...Isha was playing with snowball...For some people Leh was Land of Lamas, for some it was Moonland but for Isha it was MaggiLand...Maggi was banned all over India...However the stock was available in remote places of Leh...Knowing this fact, she packed her backpack and came for bike trip...In entire trip, Maggi was her Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner...Also, she smuggled Maggie as much as she can to her city... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491661217411-SPNB9I10X56DP34JANUH/405.jpg Ride Of My Life - Orchard of Ladakh We reached Nubra valley after crossing the awe-inspiring Khardung La...Winding channels of the Shyok and Nubra Rivers crisscross the wide and flat Nubra valley...From a distance, the valley seems parched and dry. However, the valley mainly consists of prime farm land... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491661946193-85TGRBBJ5DZAMX9S0NC1/410.jpg Ride Of My Life - The Lost Wanderer In Hunder, I was restless...I was doubting whether I'll be able to ride bike again or not...I stepped outside of my room...Lost in my thought, I walked long way over ocean of sand...When I came back to my senses, I looked around...It was empty desert...I felt like I was caged in sand dune surrounded by mountains from where I can never escape... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491662048605-W5EMR5I5A16GYLDX97F6/430.jpg Ride Of My Life - Bactrian camel I looked at my footsteps but they were washed away by wind...I found footsteps of camels which were intact inspite of the wind...I followed the footsteps and reached to the herd of camels...I was surprised to see that unlike other camels they had double humps...I was suspicious about them but in the middle of desert they were the only hope...I asked them the way to my hotel room...It seemed like they ignored my question...But after sometime, one of them slowly raised his neck and showed me the way to mountains... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491662181962-2SGD68CIZF6NTSLHWNO3/440.jpg Ride Of My Life - Diskit Monastery I had no choice but to follow the direction showed by the double humped camels...I got closer to mounains...I saw a Buddhist Monastery...It was Diskit Gompa, the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery in the Nubra Valley...It belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism...It was founded by Changzem Tserab Zangpo, a disciple of Tsong Khapa, founder of Gelugpa, in the 14th century...Diskit Monastery is connected to Mongol mythology in that the monastery is believed to be the place where an evil anti-Buddhist Mongol demon once lived and was killed near the monastery grounds but is said to have been resurrected several times...Today, the wrinkled head and hand of the demon are believed to lie inside a temple in the monastery... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491662788132-VNFJDM1GIZW59IVZOOVV/450.jpg Ride Of My Life - Maitreya Buddha Near Diskit Monastery there is 32 metre statue of Maitreya Buddha, facing down the Shyok River towards Pakistan...Maitreya, in Buddhist tradition, the future Buddha, presently a bodhisattva residing in the Tushita heaven, who will descend to earth to preach a new dharma when the teachings of Gautama Buddha have completely decayed. Maitreya is the earliest bodhisattva around whom a cult developed and is mentioned in scriptures from the 3rd century CE. He was accepted by all schools of Buddhism and is still the only bodhisattva generally honoured by the Theravada tradition... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491662725724-7TJGZH19XFA46RMYQK0U/451.jpg Ride Of My Life - Bullet Baba I felt inner peace...Also, I got the direction of my hotel from a localite....He gifted me a magic cap...As soon as I put it on my head, I realized a secret...According to theancient tradition, the Bullet Baba will appear on Earth in the future, achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure dharma of biking on Bullet... According to scriptures, Bullet Baba will be a successor to the present day Anmol Bhuinya (also known as footpath rider of Bangalore). The prophecy of the arrival of Bullet Baba refers to a time in the future when the dharma of riding bike will have been forgotten by most on the terrestrial world. This prophecy is found in the canonical literature of all major showrooms of Enfield...I was enlightened and I moved back to my hotel room happily... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491662862394-KDAIQXYXBW8RFKHB5AV6/481.jpg Ride Of My Life - Thiksey Camp Next day we moved back to Thiksey village in Leh...After having dinner we built fire camp...We divided ourselves in two groups and started playing Antyakshari...It was fun to memorize songs which we forgot in the busy life of city...Amrish with his melodious voice sang old famous songs...Gossip master Sunny entertained us with his life story...We sang till the last spark of fire...Then we moved to our tents...Some of us had plan to wake up early in morning and offer prayer to Maitreya Buddha in Thiksey Monastery... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491663185618-94XVLLBPCG15KSJGZH0Z/490.jpg Ride Of My Life - Green Valley Next morning, we got ready to cover Pangong Lake...I was travelling in the backup van...On the way I saw last green region before Chang La...I came out of van and I inhaled fresh air as much as I can as we had to cross Chang La...Chang La, third highest motorable road is guarded and maintained by the Indian Army (due its proximity to Chinese border)... It is falsely claimed that the pass is named after the supposed sadhu Changla Baba, a myth propagated by the dedication of a temple at the pass to the supposed Changla Baba...Its colder than Khardung La and density of oxygen is even less...I moved back to back up van where oxygen cylinders were kept ready in case any biker gets dizzy...Don't know about other bikers but I was almost faint when the back up van was crossing Chang La... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491663384041-OJCX8XW49YPHKFTWO8NT/510.jpg Ride Of My Life - A Blue Stretch Finally we reached Pangong lake...a blue unending stretch of water...Riders parked their bikes, kept their belongings in their respective wooden house...It was cold there...I put on my heavy jacket and came out to capture the beauty of Pangong lake... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491663533263-D3VY1FCFK4W84MNL5D9P/520.jpg Ride Of My Life - Pangong Tso I took a picture of Pangong lake when the sun was getting ready to hide in the west...The crystal clear transparent water borrows its blue colour from the sky...Colour of Pangong keeps on changing as per the intensity and direction of Sun Light...It is an endothermic lake in the Himalayas situated at a height of about 4,350 m (14,270 ft). It is 134 km (83 mi) long and extends from India to Tibet. Approximately 60% of the length of the lake lies in Tibet... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491663835121-JWLU4X8OWGZQ1BXVZCX8/540.jpg Ride Of My Life - Dancing waves I moved forward and reached to my group...They gathered together at a place, perhaps to show off their dancing skill...Cameron learnt quickly how to dance in Indian style...I also joined the gang...The ripples in water were forming and deforming as if they were following the music...It seemed as if Pangong was celebrating our arrival and was dancing with joy with us... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491663960250-351SQNU637K569D7YIJR/552.jpg Ride Of My Life - Stacked Stone I moved further...I was walking beside the endless lake...I looked at stacked stones that people had been stacking to make cairns since ages...Earlier they were used as messengers, signs and landmarks in unoccupied lands...Locals suggest that they are also known to bring good luck for travellers...I stacked some pieces of stone...made a wish for my quick recovery, so that I can cover remaining journey on Bike...Next day I moved back to Leh where I took complete rest... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491664081838-KDPRAZA63PHS1HEFMJWP/555.jpg Ride Of My Life - Soul of Mountain It was 11th day...It was drizzling in Leh and I was getting ready to leave Leh...By this time, I was comfortable enough to ride Bike on the smooth road of Leh-Srinagar highway...I refuelled my bike to full tank...With heavy heart I bid adieu to Leh and continued my journey to Srinagar...On the way I saw a mountain...It appeared as if its soul was getting dissolved in the limitless sky...I stopped for a while to look the scenery closely... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491664662612-BCLJMT5MJJ8VK49VWTP5/557.jpg Ride Of My Life - Infinity I looked back to the road...It was endlessly straight, disappearing in moutains smoothly...I came back to my bike, had the last glimpse of evaporating mountain and started my bike... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491665884882-5F67OUQTPC5RWVFLYOW3/560.jpg Ride Of My Life - Endless Ribbon to MoonLand I was rolling down effortlessly....Speedometer was displaying 80 kmph...but I was careful...especially in turns...I reached to a place where moonlike landscapes carved into the Greater Himalayas...It was Lamayuru...The moonland of Ladakh...I spent some time there, had lunch and again continued my journey to Kargil... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491666036644-VM3IF37V5A032N6LNPWW/580.jpg Ride Of My Life - Kargil By evening I reached a small village in Kargil...On reaching Kargil, a slight feel of fear entered my heart...I was feeling uneasy, I had to stay there for entire night...I just imagined me sleeping inside tent...And in the middle of night, Jet planes flying around, dropping bombs...Tanks surrounding the tent...Terrorists pointing machine guns on my head... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491666538104-E7MWDHP10JL1O58KJB9D/610.jpg Ride Of My Life - Quaint Little Village It was getting dark...I saw the snow capped mountains...Behind the mountains was Pakistan...This quaint little village had experienced heavy shelling by the Pakistani army during the Kargil War in 1999, until India recaptured the surrounding peaks and Kargil... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491666652629-QR87IS1YJVOBDKJKUD73/620.jpg Ride Of My Life - Dorji Dorji...Our backup van driver was quite amiable...He was kind of story teller and didn't let the people bored who travelled in his van...Having years of experience of driving on the rough and dangerous roads of Ladakh, our safety was his main concern...He was following us with his back up van to handle the emergency situation...He assured me that the area was safe and Indian army was doing commendable job for the protection of Indian borders... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491666837213-9RMKGOPDRLS893XEMYLK/630.jpg Ride Of My Life - Drass War Memorial Next morning while my journey to Srinagar, I stopped at Drass War Memorial...To commemorate the victory and the Indian Army soldiers who laid their lives during the war, Drass War Memorial was built by the Indian Army here, at the foothills of Tololing Hill where the Battle of Tololing was fought. The memorial, which is also known as 'Vijay Path', has a sandstone wall which has names of all the Indian Army martyrs of Kargil war, a Pak sentry post captured at Tiger hill, a Pak living bunker captured at Tololing, a giant Indian flag at the foot of Tololing, a real fighter jet, a cafeteria and a souvenir shop. We could even see Tiger hill from a distance... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491667168584-A1GYGHQ86ZJG80QLLTQT/650.jpg Ride Of My Life - The Bikers To see the gigantic Indian flag hoisted at the centre of the memorial, I entered the main alley with the biker couple Jyothi and Shishir...Jyothi owns Avenger and Shishir owns Harley and both of them have done lot of bike trips...Once Shishir got an urge to have Banarasi Paan...He travelled all the way to Banaras from Bangalore, enrouting Orissa...In Orissa he was stuck in cyclone...But iron willed Shishir reached Banaras defying Orissa cyclone and grabbed a Banarasi Paan...Shishir's dream is to participate in 'Isle of Man' the World's deadliest Bike race...We came out of Drass war memorial...I looked back at the war memorial...On one of the gates I saw these words...''When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today." These words will remain in my heart forever... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491667311646-LGLXEUTBY3M0834CF6KA/660.jpg Ride Of My Life - Grass of Drass I saluted the Indian Army and continued my journey...I reached dirt road...I slowed down my bike...On both sides of roads, land was covered with green grass...It was Drass...Looking at the greenery, I recalled quote from the movie-King Arthur..."Oceans of grass, horizon to horizon, further than you can ride...The sky, bigger than you can imagine...No boundries...Some people would call that freedom...That's what we fight for-our land, our people"... Drass is widely recognized as "The Gateway to Ladakh" and it is the second coldest inhabited place in the world (-60 degree centigrade), after Siberia...During the summer months the valley completely changes from a snow-bound place to a lush green meadows with colourful fragrant flowers enhancing the beauty of nature... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491667519480-L1MVXC8FUCTWWN0VHEIX/665.jpg Ride Of My Life - Flowers of Mountains In the midst of howl of cold wind, I heard whispers of twin flowers...I went near to them and tried to decipher their secret language...Their unified voice was indicating some sort of danger...They told me about the beautiful but dangerous pass ahead and warned me not to stop there...I gave them a smile, thanked them for their advice and I moved ahead... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491668605623-MDQQSP38CTDWTHCFH3Q8/670.jpg Ride Of My Life - The Road to Heaven Unlike the barren mountains of Ladakh, Kashmir was quite green...The snow patches along with green algae were creeping down till the bottom of mountain...I was feeling as if I was riding bike through a dried up river... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491668761925-1UDFTJ8DTTNFTFVKD97M/690.jpg Ride Of My Life - Zozilla Pass The flora dramatically changed to a less green and more rocky terrain as I reached the famous Zoji La Pass...Roads on either side of the pass was a bit gravelly and slushy in rain....This mountain pass was spread over a surface distance of about 10 kms...Heavy snowfall and avalanches during winter on this stretch cuts off the Ladakh region from rest of the country for more than six months from November to June every year... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491668891062-AM49AMMNI6MSGQN56N5P/700.jpg Ride Of My Life - Fairy Tale Land Though it was the most challenging pass in the whole Leh-Srinagar highway...The scenery of Zozilla was not less than any of fairy tale land...Ignoring the advice of twin flowers, I stopped at Zozilla pass...Within few minutes the road was blocked by heavy trucks...I understood why I was being warned of this place...I quickly started my bike and somehow managed to cross the pass in time...I sighed in relief...I could have stuck for hours there... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491669019580-5JCFR9B2QNZIF5LV57G3/710.jpg Ride Of My Life - Final destination-Srinagar As soon as I came out of Zozilla pass, heavy security by Indian force was visible every few kms...I stopped at Sonamarg and had lunch with Royal Riders...then I continued my journey to Srinagar...I reached Dal Lake where I took a Shikara and entered in a House Boat...It was gettting dark...I looked at the silent and serene evening of Dal Lake...It was mesmerizing...I took a sip of Kahwah (Kashmiri local tea) and again got lost in my deep thoughts... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491730380648-ZUQT0VZ3USPD6R97G0A7/220.jpg Ride Of My Life https://anmolbhuinya.com/frozen-river daily 0.75 2017-07-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491730749912-YJLO4M411OSTZC3RBD7A/IMG_3611.jpg Frozen River - Confluence of Indus and Zanskar river Both river originates in Himalayan region...Indus from Mansarovar Lake and Zanskar river from Zanskar...meets at this place where blue color of Zanskar with white patches of snow merges into green colored Indus river... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491730858070-2V7LPVYY2DGA0HF5KLYL/IMG_3613.jpg Frozen River - Prayer Flags Prayer flags in Himalayan region composed of five colors in specific order...blue, white, red, green and yellow representing five elements...blue for sky and space...white for air and wind...red for fire...green for water and yellow for earth...Just as life moves on and is replaced by new life...Tibetans renew their hopes for the world by continually mounting new flags alongside the old...This act symbolizes a welcoming of life's changes and an acknowledgment that all beings are part of a greater ongoing cycle... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491730992504-C715T7145F017KOGSF2U/IMG_3665.jpg Frozen River - Tilat Sumdo The first camp site of Chadar trek...From Leh it is 3-4 hours of drive, crossing Magnetic Hill and Chilling...First day was for acclimatization in Leh for its cold weather...Next day (day 2) at Tilat Sumdo for acclimatization for Chadar...My first step on Chadar with the help of pole stick... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491731076186-0YD8UN3NW3REIMIZVZFN/IMG_3680.jpg Frozen River - Slippery Chadar Without crampons it is difficult to walk on the Chadar...Anytime you might slip and fall, injuring your body... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1491731185439-R52S6HBK4AIHZMXZGZQ6/IMG_3684.jpg Frozen River - Like Minded People Like minded people gathered together not only to accomplish their dream of walking upon Chadar...but to share their past experiences and forthcoming adventures... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497189670902-LW4SXFZPXQ03YRR22OJV/60.jpg Frozen River - Tea stall Tea stall can be found on the bank of frozen river... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497189804016-SV8UH95CRQOZKEOKBU8R/80.jpg Frozen River - Clothing Two layers of thermocot...two layers of full sleeve tshirt...one layer of full sleeve sweater and one jacket over it...three layers of pants...one layer of sock and one layer of woollen socks over it is sufficient to sustain the extremely cold temperature... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497189920762-G7U1JVL59TX47XVVSUCX/90.jpg Frozen River - Trekking Shoes Normal trekking shoes (with Gore-Tex for water resitance) suffice to walk on Chadar...However gum boots needed in case of snowfall or to cross water patches... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497190025547-GTJDM2WYNSL52XID4L31/100.jpg Frozen River - Trekking Pole Trekking pole not only helps to climb on rocky surface on river banks but also to mark your name over snow accumulated over Chadar... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497190173966-CD607OT0CCCQS5OSEU9Q/105.jpg Frozen River - Shahruk Khan Now with crampons I can pose like Shahrukh on the frozen river...However, the risk of thin ice sheet can't be ignored...Generally 2-3 feet thick ice sheet is safe for walking upon it...The river water flows beneath the Chadar... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497190407174-EJ29M1UCGE3RJJKM4MRJ/110.jpg Frozen River - Japanese Girlfriend Shahrukh Khan pose always works ;)...Meet my new Japanese girlfriend...Kiyomi...pure beauty... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497190687155-A676UPRTY57Z1BKLX3FX/120.jpg Frozen River - Tilat Sumdo to Shingra Koma On day 3 we proceeded for Shingra Koma (second camp site)... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497191371972-X8MES5I2Q7DZU8P84351/130.jpg Frozen River - Unpredictable Chadar Chadar is unpredictable...when tempreture decreases ice expands and cracks occur on the surface and water beneath the Chadar finds way to come out... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497191513627-LQTHBSYDQJICCV9KISU9/140.jpg Frozen River - Green Goblin Philip from Philippines came to rescue me...I noticed his shining polarized sunglasses... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497191742572-9H2M98MJWVQLL3XFW1XG/150.jpg Frozen River - Polarized Sunglasses I forgot to mention the importance of Polarized sunglasses on such trek...In case of snowfall or sunny day you need it else snow blindness can happen... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497191854353-A5M2UF986ZP6BJFPYA57/160.jpg Frozen River - Maggi Maggi was the lunch as it can be easily prepared in 2 minutes :P...Survived on maggi for a week without brushing teeth...forget about bath... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497192553609-8VZYFSBST45MCY3RNDSW/170.jpg Frozen River - Juniper Tree Juniper trees grow wild in some locations and are usually considered sacred by Buddhists...And this tree is not dead...after winter season it will be green... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497192677109-1I34Q3UCLZB6KYAQ5V7D/180.jpg Frozen River - River Bank Sometimes it was needed to walk on river bank after removing crampons from shoes...however it was not safe too... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497192863316-FORPCNQEO95P817A0Q5V/190.jpg Frozen River - Shingra Koma 4-5 hours of walk to cover 13-14 km every day...in a week around 80-85 km we had to cover...This is second camp site (day 3)...Shingra Koma...The yellow patches in the bottom of picture is actually tent...looking like ant as picture has been taken from height... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497193200206-759RPAM44T2Q2WGCZDVN/200.jpg Frozen River - Insane People These people are mad...they are coming towards me...Perhaps they do not bother for their life...Perhaps they are adventurers... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497193365437-IO690B29X0MGFB975Z31/210.jpg Frozen River - Light Snowfall Next morning (day 4) we got the glimpse of snowfall in Shingra Koma...Morning by 6 O' clock porter used to wake us up bringing black tea...By 8:30 AM we needed to leave the camp site... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497193514029-WUM3FQZNLT9SXZRCAE8N/220.jpg Frozen River - Frozen Waterfall First frozen waterfall on the way...Parijat (right side) managed to reduce his weight from 115 kg to 70 kg in a year...Thank God...Chadar is not so strong to sustain such weight... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497193859105-R083QF22L6RN0WTR7FP7/230.jpg Frozen River - Ninja   This waterfall is gaurded by a Ninja...This is the buzinezz of the Ninja to protect this holy waterfall... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497193991979-ONO3TGHOD72T5SOCDYZS/240.jpg Frozen River - Fish story One year Neyrak (final destination of trek) ran dry and a holy man went to Kailash to pray for water. He came back with a pot full of water and 2 fishes. The condition was that he does not place the pot anywhere. On the journey back, it so happened that he placed the pot on this spot and two fishes jumped off creating this massive waterfall. The rocks behind seem to have two nostrils. One which is full of water and the other dry. According to legend, this waterfalls has its source at Kailash in Tibet... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497194119602-2MEPPWNJT6HZPZ4BODGF/250.jpg Frozen River - Laddakhi Monk Lama means Guru or teacher of the Dharma in Tibetian Buddhism...We found one... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497195629160-D440YV4GN9TDLOR28WU2/260.jpg Frozen River - Shingra Koma to Tibb Day 4...I'll tell about the culture of Laddakh...Ladakhi culture is heavily influenced by Tibetan culture, in fact it is quite similar. There are more Buddhists than Muslims in certain areas and the ratio changes as we move towards Zanskar valley... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497195783716-WZLS5KL2JVPWU0ABEBYL/270.jpg Frozen River - On the way to Tibb Day 4...I'll now tell about the food habit of Laddakhi...Ladakhi food has much in common with Tibetan food, the most prominent foods being thukpa (noodle soup) and tsampa, known in Ladakhi as ngampe (roasted barley flour)... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497195923437-3IQ1CEOJLJ877ZNIST8M/280.jpg Frozen River - Trek Guide Pasang our trek guide having 20 years of experience on walking on this Chadar leading us safely to Neyrak... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497196553307-XBO7MROZTP8FABGIM0ZB/290.jpg Frozen River - Narrowest passage of Chadar Looking at this narrow pass I imagined goal post of hockey...Ladakhis are very fond of ice hockey which is generally played in the month of January on natural ice. (junglelore) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497196689018-03ZWRI5A2OUF5USF8QG7/300.jpg Frozen River - Cloudy day Sun was not visible on 4th day on the way from Shingra Koma to Tibb... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497196801159-Q8MNYWGWOE5NW53WH6ZE/310.jpg Frozen River - Zanskar river water Post lunch Ateet washing his utensils with the freezing cold water of Zanskar river using his professional soft skill... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497197275386-EB4BSCR9VNJ80T736C91/320.jpg Frozen River - Warm Up Excercise Where was I...Yes I was telling about Laddakh...The architecture in Ladakh draw heavy influences from Tibet and India. The monastic architecture reflects a deeply rooted Buddhist approach. The Buddhist wheel, along with two dragons, is a common feature on almost every gimp, including the likes of Hemis, Thiksey, Alchi etc...( https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497197428360-87ARWP78R1HIOMAVH2X9/330.jpg Frozen River - Hail from GAIL Lav...avid Himalayan trekker sharing his Himalayan trekking experience as well as Gas industry briefings...His mission and vision is to dig the Chadar so deep that oil comes out so that he would become Oil King... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497197521751-3W8AWPPVYOYZHUIB1BQ2/340.jpg Frozen River - Travelling siblings Coming Leh 2nd time...once by road and once by flight...They brought lots of dry fruits and nuts...Trilogy (three brothers) were somewhere...One was adjusting ISO level in his camera... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497198168196-MDLE3LTMGE9AGH9TJUWS/350.jpg Frozen River - Dry Fruits & Nuts In case you don't like Maggi...Alternative source of energy on the Chadar which you need to carry alongwith you... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497198272723-3TR7U5OZ4X09HQB43NU6/360.jpg Frozen River - Frozen spring of water I was talking about sports and games of Laddakh...Archery is a traditional sport and many villages still conduct archery festivals, which also include drinking, dancing and gambling as a medium of celebrating the sport. Polo is another traditional sport of Ladakh... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497198383257-78D3682Q1TV340ELCH3D/370.jpg Frozen River - View on the way to Tibb (Day 4)...I know...I know...You can't take off your eyes from this sight but at the same time you want to know more about Laddakh...I would tell later as we are about to reach Tibb...I am tired and want to take rest in tent... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497199184437-GCQSBJ0WSO259UZ0CF6A/380.jpg Frozen River - Tibb (4th day) The coldest place in the entire trek because of chilly wind...inside tent used two sleeping bags one over other to prevent the cold...Philip has covered Mt. Kiliminjaro, Tanzania in Africa...but experienced such cold climate for the first time...Next time he is planning to trek over active volcano Mt. Batur... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497199292101-2SZQIE6L8RJG346LSILH/390.jpg Frozen River - On the way to Neyrak The river flowing beneath the Chadar...on the way to Neyrak (5th day)... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497199424320-E7CD0KQ12KSPHKUHX5IY/400.jpg Frozen River - Emerald color of Zanskar river Yes looking this shining river I am in now in mood to tell something...Tibetans from the high plateaux to the north-east settled in the Indus Valley around 500-600 BC. At that time they followed the Bon religion. In the 7th century Buddhism was brought to this region of Ladakh by the great Lama Songsten Gampo; its influence soon spread south across Zanskar towards the Kashmir valleys. Due to the isolation of Zanskar the area has remained devoutly Buddhist to this day, whereas the more accessible Kashmir was later converted to Islam....( https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497199632120-OCNRIZ7LIU8PH3HH4J8N/410.jpg Frozen River - Foot print of Snow Leopard Snow Leopard is a very shy creature and rare species...found only in Central Asia, from Mongolia in the north to Afghanistan in the west and China in the south and east....Ladakh is rapidly and proudly establishing itself as the Snow Leopard Capital of the World...(telegraph)...If you can spot snow leopard consider yourself most lucky person on the Earth...Perhaps it is easy to spot a Unicorn... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497199739409-3QHA0XQJQ06MQLEGD2P8/420.jpg Frozen River - Neyrak Waterfall Biggest frozen waterfall on the way to Neyrak (5th day)...It was a Eureka moment for me...I felt so tiny in front of this gigantic frozen waterfall... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497199839969-7GB555JE2F43PSZVRL35/430.jpg Frozen River - Happy Anmol This waterfall in one of the most beautiful place and every body wants have as many pictures with it...Me too... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497200445286-EYWNQLULBHOOBDQNJ6QB/440.jpg Frozen River - Super Duper Happy Anmol Yes I did say...I wanted lot of pictures with this frozen waterfall... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497200544936-4EC0EA6LO58WQFMROQSQ/450.jpg Frozen River - Neyrak Campsite Finally we reached to Neyrak campsite of 5th day...our destination...this place is even more colder than Tibb as it is at more height than Tibb....And snowfall started as we were reaching Neyrak...but we were at ease as we were about to stay in home stay...Neyrak village is nearly 1-1.5 hour of walk above the campsite... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497200652824-NYXMXV7V5QRGN4K7XDBO/460.jpg Frozen River - Zanskar People Zanskar people are too fast...they walk too fast and can cover the distance from Tilat Sumdo to Zanskar (further ahead from Neyrak) in single day from the frozen river route...On summers they have to travel through road halting at Kargil on the way to Leh...They are basically farmers and grow wheat, vegetables and eat Yak and Sheep meat...They don't do fishing as it is against their religious views...To keep the room warm they have cylindrical heater fueled by wood...The chimney exhaust the smoke outside the room... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497203299127-RB2BXYAS4FJWMQ57528S/470.jpg Frozen River - Snowfall at Neyrak On 6th day in morning hours complete Neyrak campsite was covered with knee dip soft snow...I was feeling as if I were in some romantic movie scene...I don't know my Japanese girlfriend got burried somewhere in the snow dune :P... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497203391316-636JFQ3R0M824IXRMAHM/480.jpg Frozen River - Snow flower I couldn't resist myself and went out to see the snow which covered almost everything...Soft snow over shrubs looked like flower...but there were thorns under the snow flowers... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497203442253-Y1Z4MY78W9032YR1OPDV/490.jpg Frozen River - Slippery Slope I climbed with difficulty even with crampons...to see the view from the top... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497203711249-2XQV4MF7Q1KSMLD73LFP/500.jpg Frozen River - Wow Moment It was completely astonishing...blue water of Zanskar in midst of white snow...making no noise...flowing with silence without turbulence...It appeared only two color...dark and light with full contrast...nothing else...for a while I thought I have gone blind...but soon looking yellow color of tent I realized I am OK... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497203874024-PWXGRKIX9ZY438NC4UKU/510.jpg Frozen River - Rightside view from Neyrak campsite Downstream of Zanskar river... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497204036284-FC55G0AJEOETOVO2W6LV/520.jpg Frozen River - Leftside view from Neyrak Campsite Upstream of Zanskar river... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497204432899-XGJW6J57CFN0UUJXQGS5/530.jpg Frozen River - Most adventrous person of group Almost lost in the beauty of Neyrak...disappeared from the campsite :P...Perhaps it's his Sidhant :P... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497204530870-5O7RAZX4JQ4AM9RC3TQK/540.jpg Frozen River - Time to return back (6th day morning) Winning smile...a sense of accomplishment in everyone's face...Wanted to stay back to see the beauty of this place...but extremely cold weather and unpredictable Chadar doesn't allow to make such decisions...We geared up to get back to Leh... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497204614080-04ULKQ0DDYOCLF46X4TY/550.jpg Frozen River - Cease of Snowfall While returning back from Neyrak...Snowfall decreased...Pasang our trek guide told...snowfall is not good for Chadar...as it happens when temprature increases which weakens the Chadar... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497204807133-NL52FF1BKA8NZZSTRGSZ/560.jpg Frozen River - Clear sky (7th day Tibb-Shingra Koma) When snow fall halted we found surprising blue sky adding to the beauty of Zanskar river and snow with multi-colored mountain... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497204933645-98XHCTFUVCZWFBNERQZR/570.jpg Frozen River - Sunlight on Snow This is when I needed my pair of polarized sunglasses to protect my precious eyes...Of course this is one of the beautiful place on the Earth...but I have to see many things in my life... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497205055410-XKF5OWY1KOUUKZWQ2PFM/580.jpg Frozen River - Shingra Koma to Tilat Sumdo (8th day) Sun rays in morning hours fall on mountains making them golden in color...The reflection of golden colored mountain on Zanskar river makes it extremely beautiful... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497205308134-TIXIGOZ06YPVO0IKNKEG/590.jpg Frozen River - Tilat Sumdo to Leh (8th day) Various shades of light over multicolored mountains, white snow and blue water of Zanskar river...The sky was completely clear and giving competition to the blue color of river water...The clouds below the blue sky was confusing me for white snow over Zanskar river water...I was feeling as if I was upside down... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497205432047-69VG71EDMF8PAYVA87HC/600.jpg Frozen River - Adieu to Frozen river Saying good bye to Zanskar river... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497205528879-P3MTH558H4JVPDQ625U3/610.jpg Frozen River - Gurdwara Pathar Sahib Guru Nanak is well respected by Tibetan Buddhists who consider him a saint...The Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Buddhists in Tibet, has confirmed this in his discussions with some Sikh leaders saying that Tibetans revere Guru Nanak as a Buddhist saint under the name of Guru Gompka Maharaj...(wiki)...Have had free food (langer) while returning to Leh in Gurdwara Pathar Sahib situated in Leh-Kargil road... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497207617264-PFKQRSBBN5U5VBHLL7MN/620.jpg Frozen River - Instruction Follow the instruction written over yellow board....else beware of the dog...This dog seems lazy and you might think this dog would be peace loving animal as it is infront of religious place...But even God does eliminate the evils...Don't be evil by taking cigarette or weed...Not sure of alcohol :P...You may try :P... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497207738741-W4M69S08V2OXE77R4OHP/630.jpg Frozen River - Leh Dog Leh dogs have long hairs like fur to fight against the cold of Leh...I am afraid some day their hair would be used to weave wollen socks instead of Yak or bule sheep wool... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1497207836766-XOABLC1WVDIYC6YLN4CU/640.jpg Frozen River - Snow World (9th day) One day was reserved as buffered day incase Chadar breaks...However we didn't need it...We had one day extra...Some went to see monastries...some went to see frozen Pangong lake....Few of us reached Khardung La...40 kms far from Leh...in a hope to see famous Nubra Valley from there but this season is not meant for that...snow covers the beauty of Leh which would be visible in month of July-August...Perhaps one day I would come back on Enfield to visit this place again... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498925680278-IB3X9GO2JQOVDQFI5O9R/105.jpg Frozen River https://anmolbhuinya.com/precious-gallery daily 0.75 2021-05-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516297591847-2I82PNG7R0B9WF47GKCA/26.jpg Precious Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516290697509-WCGX4FAIIESCWSO3YZWX/anmol.jpg Precious Gallery https://anmolbhuinya.com/angels-and-demons daily 0.75 2017-07-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498154904619-0N8NY9ECE1O1RNDG9UHZ/nia1.jpg Angels And Demons - Angel... Ladies and gentlemen...I am Nia...presenting you the best talent show... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498154953686-K5IJHAXGW0OJV2VTTYAJ/nia2.jpg Angels And Demons - Demon... ...and I welcome Mr. Anmol in our show... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498155018537-V8KUV67HQCBIX0OFTJ1H/nia3.jpg Angels And Demons - Melodious Voice... Mr. Anmol I've heard that you are one of the emerging singer in the music industry...our audience would like to listen your melodius voice... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498155064174-DX57OZF1LCVA7DLDIGTU/nia4.jpg Angels And Demons - Sure... Ah...ummm...yeah yeah...jarur jarur... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498155135147-QWROJ76NCW5AHCNQBO1Z/nia5.jpg Angels And Demons - The Song... O huzurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...tera tera sururrrrrrrrrrrr.... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498155180601-DQY6669YXIICTS8MZ5UZ/nia6.jpg Angels And Demons - Golden Tears... Oh my God...such a painful voice...brought tears in my eyes :x... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498155227145-X7A7C1V5SECTUDX2JGS2/nia7.jpg Angels And Demons - Out Of The Show... Guards...guards...where are you all...throw this creature out of my show...:x https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1498926023035-0MGZMKP48S4K4ESHDS2H/nia4.jpg Angels And Demons https://anmolbhuinya.com/swati daily 0.75 2018-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516303003387-8AS2IXPUFNIK4GPDI1QH/19.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516301320278-5FEC0ACW43QAEQ46YQJ3/22.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516302102257-45YMVBYWBBHEOZPPWCUA/26.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516301815621-OEJ60UGRF9H6K6RKBJLQ/24.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516299994064-DDSXYP1GGXDT10HQ7NVH/10.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516301171814-DPMTAJC5H0AQ30BKNQE7/21.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516300075972-HRQ7F4LI837U3LJJG7Y4/11.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516300426770-53SPAOPO834A4BLJDE0C/15.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516300153038-2L7Q2CT4NVXM3W0NLFJ6/12.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516299238618-DS5D5OJG6PQ1H7MSRMQR/4.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516300528365-WVRGLUSPBYFGRJL0EIFB/16.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516300337575-9ILB2K79O5FWU0V17DTR/14.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516299693039-GYSNDNA5S3I2PJK0HHYH/7.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516301934343-IOZT4TK6WYEXPDQTJJHL/25.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516298817883-U52SK2ZKQEGBLVFPGWJ5/2.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516302412587-607EN16FN74NVM4JQ2D1/28.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516302839127-CDMJYH4Y6XDJTGZ3PIB3/18.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516302649005-I9PIOJWZ8PC3H5YW7934/30.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516299145676-URS2I7KC596DCNKS6BK6/3.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516299345802-NRR898VMANBORDSKIDY0/5.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516301708851-JAUXIY4IM6MDT2PBXUNQ/23.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516299552993-0N3DI8FE3ABGM72HLFCZ/6.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516299799325-CVYE8GWKOLI784AXG03F/8.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516299880273-G4AGDFGF2DAF9GT4BT37/9.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516300240361-B5M1GY7JFSDMGNXF202B/13.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516300647364-QAH2W3Y60QT13ZWNSY7V/17.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516302247988-BINFQBFAEM3RPNPK17T6/27.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516298128215-ZS864VLOTZM6TJKY0Q4E/1.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516302541841-U48AF3NEIALD83R002YE/29.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516301036260-G3DUGRG4M5N5XXTN4O07/20.jpg Swati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1516304478443-2E29KVFX3GZYP7D3NF4Q/19.jpg Swati https://anmolbhuinya.com/troll-expeditions daily 0.75 2024-11-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729201781553-UAYKJZMCJYBBP1MYPER6/DSC06878.jpg Tröll Expeditions - The Last Troll Hunter... Trolls in Iceland came out from the Center of the Earth in the last volcanic eruption and causing trouble to the Icelanders…When I came to know about this I landed in the land of fire and ice… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729530894961-LXUWWYX8E4Q3OGK16S4V/2.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Hallgrimskirkja Church... I first explored the city of Reykjavik. I went to Hallgrimskirkja Church. Hallgrimskirkja church was designed by one of Iceland’s most renowned architects, Guðjón Samúelsson, who is said to have sought inspiration for his expressionistic design from elements of Icelandic nature. These include glaciers, mountains, and lava formations, particularly the hexagonal basalt columns that surround the waterfall Svartifoss. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729530947892-36L17XEDZZ3RR7YSYHLP/3.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Sun Voyager (Sólfarið) Next to the Sæbraut road in Reykjavik Sun Voyager (Sólfarið) is located. It is a large steel sculpture of a ship, located on the road Sæbraut, by the seaside of central Reykjavík. The sculpture serves as an ode to the sun where it gracefully faces north across Faxaflói Bay. A popular misconception is that the Sun Voyager represents a Viking Ship. However, that is not quite the case. According to the sculptor’s vision, the piece rather accounts for a vessel of dreams. In his own words, the artist says that the sculpture represents, "the promise of undiscovered territory, a dream of hope, progress and freedom." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729531016869-ZO1EESYRR9OFYS2M8229/4.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Reykjavik... Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland and the northernmost capital of any sovereign state in the world. Ingólfur Arnarson was the first permanent Norse settler in Iceland. According to historical records, Ingólfur Arnarson arrived in Iceland around 874 and established his homestead in the area now known as Reykjavík. He is credited with giving the Reykjavik city its name, which translates to “smoky bay” in English. Also, Ingolfsstræti, a street in Reykjavík, Iceland, is named after him. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1730523020726-AXM0CG9FQ9WWAM6VDC7G/5.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Icelanders... Icelanders are friendly and welcoming in nature. This is particularly notable for English speakers; when a foreigner is engaged in conversation with a group of Icelanders, most of the time Icelanders will swap over to English so that the whole group is able to understand. Ranked for highest in Gender Equality and Safety, Iceland is very sparsely populated (4 people per square km) with total population of ~0.38 million. Population of Icelanders is so sparse that every Icelander knows another Icelander!!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729531062101-KB7S6SDN0SJZ30ARQ2NR/5.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Thingvellir... Next day I went to Golden Circle. The first place was Thingvellir. Thingvellir (or, in Icelandic, Þingvellir) is the only place in the world where you can stand between two continental plates, in a distinctive geological landscape that changes every year. Part of the Golden Circle, Þingvellir is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an important historical location in Iceland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729531134758-X8YDGIH2ACG6G0JM3E73/6.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Birthplace of Iceland... Thingvellir is known as the birthplace of Iceland as a nation, and home to the oldest ongoing parliament in the world. In the boundaries of this unique national park, the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates drift away from each other. You can walk in the seismic rift valley that marks the border between the two continents. The plates slowly shift apart by 0.78 in (2 cm) a year, changing the landscape and creating an extraordinary sight. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729531179416-15BGGRM4Y8KBWMGQMWVF/7.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Gullfoss... Gullfoss, which translates to the "Golden Falls," is one of Iceland’s most iconic and beloved waterfalls. It's part of the popular Golden Circle route and is found in the Hvita river canyon in Southwest Iceland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729531186909-PSWDC2CTB1YJXBVNAOGY/8.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Strokkur Geyser... Haukadalur valley boasts a plethora of hot springs and geysers, including the powerful Strokkur. Strokkur is, arguably, the country’s most famous hot spring, shooting vast jets of boiling water from 65 feet (20 meters) up to 130 feet (40 meters) high. The English word Geyser derives from Geysir which is rarely active these days… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729531246585-F4XEL0LV16HICAUXKVXF/9.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Glacier Hike on Sólheimajökull... Sólheimajökull is a beautiful outlet, which is the most accessible glacier from Reykjavík. It is also known for being the Glacier of Fire & Ice, because of all the ashes covering and mixing up with ice from the previous volcanic eruptions…I hiked all over Sólheimajökull but no luck finding a Troll. Probably they got afraid of me!!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729531316836-LLUGM5HSNTQ8392GJBKI/10.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Glacier Toungue... Sólheimajökull is a glacier tongue of Mýrdalsjökull – the 4th largest glacier in Iceland. Greater Mýrdalsjökull is known for being home to several volcanoes that have often attracted attention in Iceland. This is the case of the famous Eyjafjallajökull and the infamously lethal Katla. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729537836130-WKQTI9UDTH824LW6CECU/11.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Morning Sunlight... After spending time in Solheimajokull I came down and walked towards south. After sometime when I got tired, I slept on a foothill. Morning sunrays on next day woke me up. I saw a dark stone on which sun light was falling. Is this stone by any chance a Troll??? Troll, in early Scandinavian folklore are giant and monstrous being. They sometimes posses magic powers. Hostile to men, trolls lived in mountains and haunted the surroundings after dark. If exposed to sunlight they burst or turned to stone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729537869953-TYYBNWTJSSJA0537AJG6/12.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Seljalandsfoss... Seljalandsfoss waterfall, part of the Seljalandsa river, originates underneath the Eyjafjallajokull glacier. The volcano beneath this ice cap famously erupted in 2010 and caused havoc at airports across Europe. The cascade of the Seljalandsfoss waterfall is relatively narrow but falls from a tall cliff that once marked the country's coastline centuries ago. The sea is now located across a stretch of lowlands and is visible from the site. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729537916874-QOPIK1TKR85DPO4W490J/13.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Skógafoss... Skógafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland, with a drop of some 60 meters and a width of 25 meters. You can walk right up to it but be prepared to be drenched. It is overwhelming standing next to it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729537982390-BR36RBLTYISTDG22G8OW/14.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Treasure Hunt... A legend is connected to Skógafoss waterfall; it is believed that behind it you can find a chest filled with gold and treasures. The story goes that Þrasi Þórólfsson, the Viking Settler at Skógar (Eystriskógar) in around 900,hid the chest and it is said that the first man who goes there will find great treasures…I found the chest and kept it with me… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729788287599-AK7KF05EV3J8ZKI7M6YI/14_5.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach... After spending time in Skógafoss waterfall I came to Reynisfjara. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is renowned for its unique geological features, which set it apart from typical beaches. It's an example of a black sand beach, which can be found all around Iceland. They're formed from volcanic lava, creating a dramatic contrast against the powerful waves of the Atlantic Ocean…. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729538068573-11QOK84YHKCVYVWJWY7Q/17.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Reynisdrangar sea stacks... From the beach I had a view of the Reynisdrangar sea stacks which is said to be two trolls frozen in the light of the morning sun as they tried to pull a ship into shore…Finally I found a Troll!!! Not one but two!!! I just crushed them with my bare hands… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729537999216-X1DT6NKPZ2O9ZXJWNU8O/15.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Iceland's Most Dangerous Natural Site Suddenly the dangerous waves from Atlantic Ocean followed me, I climbed upon the Basalt columns. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, while stunning, is also one of Iceland’s most dangerous natural sites due to the presence of unpredictable sneaker waves. These powerful waves can appear suddenly, reaching much farther up the shore than expected… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729538021624-FZK8TLSVCM7JFWXJJC79/16.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Towering Basalt Columns... A standout feature of Reynisfjara beach is the towering basalt columns, located along the cliffs of Reynisfall mountain. These hexagonal rock formations are formed by cooling lava and create an impressive backdrop for the beach… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729538106110-KVC104WIMNS9PRNSB1IX/18.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Yoda Cave... After Reynisfjara I explored Yoda Cave, but I didn’t find any Trolls there. The cave is on the south side of Mount Hjorleifshofdi, facing the sea. Before reaching the cave, I marvelled over the contrasting landscape of black sands and plains of vegetation, from lupines to mosses…Someone kept a chair over black sands for me. I was tired so sat on the chair for a while… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729538166251-UZNX6LLXM440IPTE665H/19.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Vík's church... I reached Vík í Mýrdal- a small village located on the south coast of Iceland. Iceland's southernmost village is renowned for its black sand beaches and dramatic coastal cliffs. In the event of a volcanic eruption in the area, all people are asked to go to Vík's church, located at the top of the hill. Before leaving their homes, everyone is asked to fill out a form and indicate on a window facing the street how many people live there and how many have already evacuated. This will help the police ensure that everyone is out of the houses. My hands was paining since I crushed those Trolls, maybe I need to find another solution, don’t know how many Trolls I would encounter… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729538245472-V71FJQVDLTV5OCGHBD3T/20.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Summoning The God of lightning and son of Odin: The Thor... I went to outskirt of Vik…it was getting dark…I summoned Thor and asked for his Mjolnir to kill Trolls…However Thor told me that he is an active member of Avengers and he needs Mjolnir to protect the Midgard from superpower aliens…However he agreed to give me his lightening power to fight against Trolls… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729539163566-PR8VXHTN0CV8L7ZTZ8OX/21.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Power of Aurora borealis... Galileo Galilei coined the term “Aurora Borealis” in 1619, derived from the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek god of the north wind, Boreas…Aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, is a natural phenomenon that occurs in the night sky at high latitudes. It is a spectacular display of colored light, typically green and pink, but also shades of red, yellow, blue, and violet. The aurora borealis is caused by the interaction between the Earth’s magnetic field and the solar wind, a stream of charged particles emitted by the sun…I felt energetic with the power of Aurora borealis, ready to face Trolls of Iceland… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729539231124-B1J753FN1XI36EC03UCV/24.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon... Next day I kept searching the Trolls in South Coast and reached to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Countless icebergs floating on the lagoon that have broken off the resident glacier, are creating an ever-changing scenery of incredible beauty… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729539282629-K0WEXU0JQRTVHAEKEH4J/25.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Lagoon to Atlantic Ocean... The river Jokulsa connects the lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean, meaning that these icebergs eventually drift out to sea, where they are polished by the waves before floating back to the black sands of Breidamerkursandur. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729539212924-QSTSGSOUTTE9T19G8DYE/23.jpg Tröll Expeditions - The Diamond Beach... The Diamond Beach, also known as Breidamerkursandur, is a beach located on the south coast of Iceland, near Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. The beach is famous for its black sand and icebergs that wash up on the shore, resembling sparkling diamonds… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729539181622-ASZNDFIL8EOTJEFU5GB1/22.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Icebergs on the Diamond Beach... The icebergs on the Diamond Beach come from the nearby Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where chunks of ice break off from the glacier and float out to sea. The icebergs eventually wash up on the shore, where they are sculpted by the waves and tides… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729539420396-P0RWFZI6V49C95J7T3MM/27.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Blue Ice Caves... I was almost lost in the beauty of Diamond beach, however I realised that Trolls still out there and I moved towards Crystal Blue Ice Cave. Crystal Blue Ice Cave in Iceland is an awe-inspiring natural wonder that has captivated visitors worldwide. Located in the Vatnajökull National Park, the cave is formed by the melting of a glacier and is filled with a stunning blue ice. The cave is illuminated by the sunlight that streams in from the entrance, creating a magical atmosphere… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729539347018-QNZUAP26CFBGKRI6GTED/26.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Blue Colour of Glacier Ice... Glacier ice often has this unique soft and clear blue color that reflects from the walls of ice caves and icebergs. The reason lies in the ingredients; it is built from compacted layers of ice-crystals (snow) rather than frozen water like the ice on lakes that has no crystal structure. Then when enough air has been pressed out of the packed snow from the weight of more layers on top, it becomes see-through and reflects blue light… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729539455489-2P29XI228689IUCORZRQ/28.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Vestrahorn mountain... I continued my journey towards EastFjords…I came across Vestrahorn mountain…Vestrahorn mountain is located on the Stokknes Peninsula, close to the town of Höfn. Unlike most of the mountains in Iceland, it is made out of iron- and magnesium-rich gabbro rock, which leads to its dark and jagged appearance… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1730558572136-IE3MT68R5ODM0QGKDBKI/31.jpg Tröll Expeditions - West Mountain... Like most stretches of beach in Iceland, the sands here are black due to the island’s volcanism. Vestrahorn translates to ‘West Mountain’ due to its proximity to the similar Eystrahorn, or ‘East Mountain’. Down towards the sea, it is possible to get perfect reflections in the wet sand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729539745083-HGEYLK33H4KP281FYD64/31.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Stone Collector of Djúpivogur... I met one stone collector at Djúpivogur to get information of Trolls. Djúpivogur is a small coastal village located on the Búlandsnes peninsula, nestled by the picturesque fjord of Hamarsfjörður in East Iceland…Stone collector showed all kinds of stone and then told me that I can get few Trolls in Dimmuborgir and more information I can get from the Humpback Whales of Hauganes…I bid adieu to Stone collector and started to move towards North of Iceland… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729539521858-GC7A44ISGGUNZUG8AXO2/30.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Hoot of an Owl... I heard hoot of an Owl…it was Stone Collector’s Owl…It told me to be cautious of Ymir’s soul on the way to Dimmuborgir and told me to get into VÖK Baths. On completing the ritual I’ll get a Icelandic horse for the way… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729539760653-DCY4ZFP2GCMRKHGS1778/32.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Icelandic Horse Ride... Vök Baths was located on the bank of Urriðavatn lake, only a few minutes from the town of Egilsstaðir…I took bath in Vök Baths and completed the ritual. Outside one Icelandic horse was waiting for me…I continued my journey towards North of Iceland…The Icelandic horse is a unique breed of smallish horses that traveled to Iceland with the first settlers from Norway 1,100 years ago…The Icelandic horse is known for being sure-footed and able to cross rough terrain. It displays two gaits in addition to the typical walk, trot, and canter/gallop commonly displayed by other breeds. The first additional gait is a four-beat lateral ambling gait called tölt…The fifth gait of the Icelandic horse is called flying pace, or "skeið. " Not all horses can pace. Skeið is used in pacing races and is fast and smooth, with some horses reaching up to 50 km/h (30 mph)… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1730623512475-BUUNHJ3TJONJQ5B2KF53/35.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Eastfjords of Iceland... I was riding across the Eastfjords of Iceland. The Eastfjords of Iceland is a 120 kilometre (75 miles) stretch of coastline from Berufjörður, in the south, to the small fishing village of Borgarfjörður Eystri in the north. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729539777131-CEJ2CXWTF0IPICSIGWAB/33.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Wrath of Ymir... Suddenly I faced Ice, frost, wind, rain and heavy cold emanated from North…Probably Ymir was offended…I decided to get down from the Horse and walk further to North… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1730623533074-B2ADJE1YE7V76T4X93LU/37.jpg Tröll Expeditions - A Rainbow... I saw a range of snow peaked mountain ahead…I was pondering how to cross the mountains…Suddenly a rainbow appeared…It was Bifrost…The Rainbow Bridge connecting the Miðgarðr and the Asgard…At the other end of Bifrost Heimdall looked at me and smiled…He then attached the other end of Bifrost to another part of mountain…I waived my hands to Heimdall with a smile and climbed on Bifrost…I landed to other side of mountai and the rainbow disappeared… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729539887752-IF51B4VOTAA8GI1EBWBE/35.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Desert of Möðrudalsöræfi.. Other side was Desert of Möðrudalsöræfi!!! I was clueless which direction to follow, it seemed to be cold desert and no living being or any kind of settlement was visible… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729539825645-P8QKQ4GUILWCMXKHX992/34.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Cairns in Iceland... After walking for long I saw one stone cairn. An old tradition in Iceland of creating stone cairns to show the way. These old stone cairns acted as beacons for people in Iceland, a kind of GPS system of the olden days. The original cairns were made by the Vikings when they went on their explorations of Iceland. They had to be able to find their way back and to lead the way for others through the highlands and across the heaths…I was just following the cairns… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729539946038-JV678F4PKO7G0S9GWIRN/36.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Múlaþing... Wandering in the North-East of Iceland, I was looking for cairns…Probably I got lost…Took some rest for sometime enjoying the viewpoint and again continued my journey… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729714937533-MKPYWV8AVVUG1RBTLPE2/38.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Krafla Geothermal Power Plant... After walking for long I saw some human made structure. It was a Geothermal Plant. While much of Europe suffers from escalating fossil fuel prices and fears of winter power cuts, Iceland – which has taken advantage of its natural resources by tapping into the geothermal heat lying deep underneath its soil and harnessing the power of vast amounts of snowmelt cascading from its interior to the ocean, has enjoyed more stable energy prices. Essentially 100% powered by renewable energy, in recent years its attracted a variety of industries, such as aluminum producers and, more recently, data centers… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729539985656-5Y1XKXTTJTTW5VP5HY0P/37.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Smell of Sulphur... I walked further…I saw another stone cairn…However smoke was coming out of it…I went near to it…The air smelled intensely of sulphur throughout the area, which, while unpleasant, was a constant reminder of the powerful forces at work beneath my feet. The site was dull but its life was coming from the vivid colours that streak through the earth, dyed by the elements brought up with the steam. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1730302929834-EQEIJJN63E16FRRUXA37/39.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Námaskarð Pass... I saw shades of red, orange, yellow and green, particularly concentrated around the springs themselves…It was Námaskarð Pass. Námaskarð Pass is a geothermal area on the mountain Námafjall, in north Iceland, less than half an hour’s drive from Lake Mývatn. Connected to the Krafla volcano system, Námaskarð is home to many hot springs and fumaroles. The whole land is orange due to the presence of sulfur in the area, which gives the landscape its unique color.. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729540087982-O2ESN9DOFQGGQMMN03I4/39.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Mývatn Nature Baths... I then reached to the Mývatn Nature Baths. It was centred around a large lagoon, which had a temperature of about 36 to 40 degrees Celsius (97 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit). The water here is packed with minerals, particularly sulphur, which is said to be good for respiratory and skin problems… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729540574904-INMHVYA5COFT4B8OAI7N/41.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Grjótagjá... Moving further I found a cave Grjótagjá. Grjótagjá is a small lava cave located near lake Mývatn in north Iceland, famous for featuring a beautiful geothermal hot spring in its depths… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729540135744-FBSRGBLAX3UMSQ3RY49K/40.jpg Tröll Expeditions - The tectonic plate fissure above Grjotagja caves... I spent some time in Grjótagjá cave then I came out and climbed over the cave and tried to bring together Eurasian and American tectonic plate. It seemed due to friction volcano would erupt, so I stopped my effort… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729540672446-LF3IKLPBDQ6Q4Z25VMSQ/42.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Dimmuborgir: The Dark Fortress at Mývatn Finally I reached to the Dark Fortress Dimmuborgir!!! Dimmuborgir was formed in an eruption that occurred in the area 2,300 years ago. As lava flowed across the area, it passed over a lake, causing it to boil. This both quickened the cooling of the lava and caused pillars of steam to shatter parts of it. After it solidified, Dimmuborgir area became defined by large stacks of rock and many caves and caverns, caused by bubbles of intense steam… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729540741384-EC1C48TE3WY1NW20921M/43.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Yule Lads: The 13 Santa Clauses from Iceland... 13 Trolls in getup of Santa Claus encircled me. I immediately used the power of Northern Light and all of them disappeared from the site. Those were infamous Icelandic Yule Lads. They had little resemblance to the famous Santa Claus. The Icelandic Yule Lads were descended from trolls and their original role was to strike fear in the hearts of children. The thirteen brothers were the sons of two of the most hideous ogres ever known in Iceland, Grýla and Leppalúði…. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729540801805-573UBHGHHE2I61E2IO9I/44.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Godafoss: The Waterfall of the Gods After getting rid of Yule Lads I took some rest around Godafoss. The name Godafoss means either waterfall of the gods or waterfall of the 'godi,' an old word for a priest or a chieftain. Some say the reason for this name is rooted in a pivotal moment in Iceland's history. When Iceland was first settled in the 9th and 10th Centuries, the vast majority (those who were not slaves, at least) were Norwegians who followed the Old Norse religion, worshipping deities like Thor, Odin, Loki, and Freya. However, after the Commonwealth was established in 930 AD, pressure to convert began to push from Christianising Europe. By 1000 AD, it seemed that Norway would almost certainly invade if the country were to stand by its pagan beliefs. The issue was thus discussed at Thingvellir, where the parliament met once a year. The lawspeaker at the time, the Asatru priest (or godi) Thorgeir Ljosvetningagodi, was given the responsibility of making the decision. It is said that Thorgeir lay under a fur blanket for a day and a night in silence, praying to his Old Gods for the right decision. Eventually, he emerged and said that for the good of the people, Christianity would be the official religion, but pagans could practice their beliefs in private. To symbolize his decision, he returned to his home in north Iceland and discarded idols of the Old Gods into a beautiful waterfall, which would later become known as Godafoss. The history of this defining moment in Iceland's history is engraved in a stained glass window in the church of Akureyrarkirkja. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729540880401-8VO4JBE88QF91IAQP1V0/45.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel is a 7.4 km (4.6 mi) long toll tunnel located in North Iceland, along Route 1, just east of Akureyri…During winter Víkurskarð mountain road used to be impassable due to heavy snowfall and strong winds. Now with Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel mobility between North East Iceland, where natural pearls like Mývatn, Goðafoss waterfall etc. are located and Akureyri (North Iceland) is possible…I used the tunnel to reach Akureyri in short time…I had to handle Grýla and Leppalúði in Akureyri… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729540901750-4SFBSCPCZY9CPL601808/46.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Akureyri: Capital of the North... Akureyri is the capital city of North Iceland and situated in Eyjafjörður fjord and it is the most beautiful city in Iceland. From the Landnámabók, I know that the area’s ‘founding’ settler was an Irish Viking by the name of Helgi Magri Eyvindarson. Helgi is rightfully regarded as Akureyri’s founding father; he is to the north what Ingólfur Arnarson is to Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1730440393750-NTV1465Y8FMPFZBKQHXJ/48.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Helgi: Akureyri’s founding father... Helgi’s story is a fascinating one; born to an Irish mother and a Norse father, Helgi had been sent to live southwest, in foster care as a child. When his parents went to retrieve him, they found the young boy so starved, they could barely recognise him. Thus, his nickname then on was “Helgi the Slim” or “Helgi the Lean”. Helgi Magri Eyvindarson set out to Iceland with his wife, Thorunn Hyrna, in 890 AD, landing within Eyjafjörður. There is no question that Helgi was a devout Christian, but upon taking to sea voyages, he was known to put his faith into Thor, the Norse God of Thunder. In Akureyri I found Grýla and Leppalúði and vaporized them as well… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1730440445739-78MT8P3D7GNS17237YEG/49.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Hauganes... I had to find whales in Hauganes for further information. Hauganes is a village, located within fjord Eyjafjörður in North Iceland with a population of approximately 140 people. Fishing has been the main occupation for the villagers for centuries. The people of Hauganes are mostly descendants of families who have lived there for a long time and many people can trace their roots back for centuries… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729541003960-DV65JKK01NY4E6LZX0MJ/48.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Fishermen of Hauganes... I came across people who came from many generations of fishermen, born and raised in Hauganes and sailed the beautiful seas of Eyjafjörður fjord and around Iceland since in their teens. They greeted me and were ready to take me to middle of Atlantic Ocean where I can find a Whale… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729540950405-1MMZ49J5O6DNJ68RDCB5/47.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Niels Jonsson and Whales... Their boats, Niels Jonsson and Whales are traditional oak ships built in Iceland in the 20th century as fishing boats. As there are no generators on board the engines can be turned off when approaching the whales making the approach as gentle and nonintrusive as possible. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729541079269-23CSDOH4OLFPS7CZT828/49.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Whales EA 200... I embarked on Whales EA-200. Whales EA-200 is a sturdy oak boat built in 1954. At 21,5m, Whales is an extremely comfortably and steady boat, which minimises the chance of becoming seasick in the calm waters of Eyjafjörður fjord… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729541139841-Y9BT3T5PXV2Q51GCS5A2/50.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Searching For Whale!!! Whales are highly mobile and can change their behavior from one moment to the next, it is hard to guarantee where a whale will be. But, as mammals, like us, all whales have to breathe and they have to come to the surface. I was looking for whale exhale (spout). Spout or blow on a good day can be seen from miles away! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729541346950-U3PMXCICXDY4LYGM9OW4/51.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Humpback Whale spotted... Humpbacks are renowned for their gregarious and acrobatic behavior. You could say that humpback whales are the attention-seeking divas of the whale world…Finally a whale surfaced over the Atlantic Ocean… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729541356540-NS249EI1JLD6WN8DM88T/52.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Communication with Whale... I was pondering how to communicate with the whale. Suddenly whale started singing with a mix of whistles and clicks. Fishermen decoded the message and told me that I can find few trolls in Djúpalónssandur and one giant Troll in the Víðgelmir Lava Cave… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729541373936-7J6SBXYIZDWZPFTANAUO/53.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Tail Slapping... I was still pondering how the whales communicate, the fishermen explained that Sound travels far and fast in the ocean, it can travel about a 1000 times farther than light underwater, and more than four times faster in water than in air. Marine mammals use sound to communicate and hunt for food. The whale then slapped the surface of the water with its fluke, repeatedly and then disappeared in the ocean. Fishermen told me that we need to quickly get back to land as it is not safe in the ocean anymore… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729541475611-2UUK0LQUVNW9EXTLBKU4/54.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Grábrók Crater... I reached to a place which didn’t belong to Earth…It looked like Moon Crater…It was Grábrók crater. Grábrók crater is a volcanic crater east of Lake Hreðavatn in the fjord of Borgarfjörður in West Iceland…The fissure is only about 7 kilometres (4,3 miles) in length with the average thickness of 20 metres (66 feet)… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729541536420-7K2BZ1VR4NCKC3T0JFWV/55.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Grábrókarhraun Lava... As the last eruption happened, the lava dammed the river Norðurá and pushed it east up the valley. The lava, known as Grábrókarhraun, also dammed the valley which is now known as Lake Hreðavatn. .. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729541617670-C7R11REJFSLS08HZX9YF/57.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Gerðuberg Cliff: Symmetrical Basalt Columns On travelling further West I saw hexagonal basalt column cluster named Gerðuberg. Gerðuberg is a unique geological formation in Iceland that is made up of over 600 basalt columns. It is located in the West part of Iceland… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729541682102-QQV729RJRWG0Z2XVNM2M/58.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Formation of Gerðuberg Cliff... The columns are arranged in a stepped pattern and are believed to have been formed by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago. The columns are made of basalt, a type of igneous rock, and are up to 12 meters high… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729541690233-PCP97G398VCCI9IFJP3O/59.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Seals @ Ytri Tunga I walked further and reached Ytri Tunga…Ytri Tunga is a beach by a farm of the same name on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Unlike many of the beaches in Iceland, Ytri Tunga has golden sand, rather than black. There one Seal looked at me and waved its tiny flippers…I also waved my hands. Seals and Icelanders have had an interesting relationship over the past millennium. Seals, of course, were vital to their survival, due to their meaty bodies, fat for oil, and their waterproof hides, but also appeared in folklore as mysterious and beautiful selkies. Most other Nordic countries depicted Selkies as evil, but not Iceland. I moved further… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729541734854-3YOYDLO6WYAN77ZVLCUR/60.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Arnarstapi... I reached Arnarstapi…Arnarstapi is a village on the southern side of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, once a fishing hub and now a place to refuel before entering Snæfellsjökull National Park… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729541906145-Q6CSJTXKOARUACIQDBB7/61.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Walking on the Arnarstapi Natural Stone Bridge... I crossed the natural bridge Gatklettur. The stone arch of Gatklettur is a naturally formed landmark, sculptured by the waves across millennia…I crossed another Arnarstapi’s famous bridge, Eystrigjá… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729541974706-4473DKHUEC2AP15OEW2I/62.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Barður Snæfellsás... I met a troll Bárður Snæfellsás in Arnarstrapi, the mythical protector of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in West-Iceland. Bárður Snæfellsnes was the one who gave a name to the Snæfellsnes peninsula. He was the descendant of a human mother and half-giant (risi), half-troll creature recalled as Dumbur. He was raised by Dofri, a mountain dweller of Dovrefjell mountain range…I spared him as he was harmless for humans… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729542039117-TGUUDVTM0HR0E3E5MPSJ/63.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Londrangar Basalt Cliffs... I reached Lóndrangar of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The Lóndrangar columns are steeped in Icelandic folklore and mythology. According to local legends, these majestic sea stacks were once trolls who attempted to drag a ship ashore. However, they were caught by the sunlight and turned to stone…I flashed my power and the trolls vaporized… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729542205044-NFWG0969L8PFEUNE5GQI/65.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Djúpalónssandur: A Majestic Black Pebble Beach... I kept walking and reached Djúpalónssandur. Djúpalónssandur is an arched-shaped bay of dark cliffs and black sand, located on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Western Iceland. Fascinating remnants of this period are found in the form of four ancient lifting stones that still occupy the beach. The stones range in weight from 23 kg (50 lbs) to 155 kg (342 lbs) and were used to test the strength of fishermen. Their names are Amlóði (useless), Hálfdrættingur (weakling), Hálfsterkur (half-strong) and Fullsterkur (full-strong). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729542112122-M30TQW2VH8GQXDZVOFFA/64.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Kerling at Djúpalónssandur... There are more strangely formed lava rocks on Djúpalónssandur. It is called Kerling or the Troll woman, and where there is a Kerling there is a Karl or the male Troll… Kerling is carrying a bundle of fish on her back, Karlis located a bit further east and cannot be seen from Djúpalónssandur. I freed them from this world as well… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729542287459-HD7MX2M4EMYGUTSEXJS0/66.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Djúpalónssandur... The suction of the sea in Djúpalónssandur tried to pull me but I backed off…Three to four big waves usually come in a row and the last waves come much further onto the shore than the first ones…I put a warning sign there - Do not wade into the sea - it is better to be safe than sorry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729931543783-XZK12R5BV7BKZGI7HZMI/67.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Söngklettur - The Singing Rock While returning back I heard loud music and singing coming from Söngklettur - the Singing Rock, a distinctive huge lava rock on the beach. The rock is reddish in colour and so majestic looking - it is said to be the Church of the Elves! I just silently moved away from the place without disturbing Elves… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729542364762-SGJ9KO0YNQAGEPOI6H0V/67.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Church at Ingjaldshóll... On the way I came across Ingjaldshóll. There was one church there…The church served neighbouring villages Hellisandurand Rif and it is the oldest concrete church in the world! Behind the church, a beautiful monument of the noted Eggert Ólafsson (1726-1768) and his wife Ingibjörg Guðmundsdóttir, made by the sculptor Páll Guðmundsson from Húsafell can be seen… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729542416013-Y4UZL5IXMBCOIL8008IM/68.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Kirkjufell: Church Mountain I kept walking and reached Kirkjufell, or 'Church Mountain'. It is a distinctly shaped peak found on the north shore of Iceland’s Snæfellsnes Peninsula, only a short distance away from the town of Grundarfjörður. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729542463228-WCK5FS7DQ6M0XUKX6NNN/69.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Kirkjufellsfoss: Church Mountain Falls Within walking distance from Kirkjufell is the serene and perfectly located waterfall Kirkjufellsfoss, or 'Church Mountain Falls'. At the base of the mountain, it is easy to find a lake; on calm and clear days, this lake reflects a perfect mirror image of Kirkjufell. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729542532352-G3YMIZSKFND1ZMDLQGL5/70.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Deildartunguhver... I crossed Deildartunguhver…Deildartunguhver is the most powerful hot spring in Europe. It covers the central heating for the nearby towns and villages… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729542743227-AX20EOIHTVXL64AQWAFY/71.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Barnafoss: The Children’s Falls I reached to Children’s fall…Back in Iceland’s early days, it was said that a family with two boys lived at the nearby farm of Hraunsás. The parents left home for church one morning, ordering the young ones to remain at home, but with nothing to entertain them, the children soon decided to follow. They knew a shortcut to the church: a stone bridge, arching over the nearby rapid waterfall, that back then would have had a different name. They started to cross it, but found the heights and surging water below dizzying. In a tragic turn of events, neither boy made it across the bridge, and both fell to their deaths. Though both parents were grief-stricken, the mother veered towards insanity. Some versions of the tale end with her demanding the bridge be torn down. Others say she turned to witchcraft, placing a rune on the bridge that made any who crossed it plummet to their deaths just like her beloved sons… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729542863249-8IFQMBFF6TOERZRT6IIY/72.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Hraunfossar: Lava Falls... Nearyby was Hraunfossar. Hraunfossar is a series of beautiful waterfalls formed by rivulets streaming out of the Hallmundarhraun lava field… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729542940459-YI9NRA76OTI6T1ESG5ZE/73.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Víðgelmir Lava Cave... Finally I reached to Víðgelmir Lava Cave…The longest lava cave in the country, trailing for 1,595 metres (5,200 feet) beneath the surface of the earth… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729542984216-LRP2ZRRMGB2GVWO6UDKC/74.jpg Tröll Expeditions - The Víðgelmir Lava Cave troll... According to Icelandic folklore, the Víðgelmir Lava Cave is said to be inhabited by a mysterious troll. The cave’s vast, eerie tunnels and strange rock formations have sparked tales of a mythical creature that roams the depths of the cave… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729543044058-N95T9VDLI6YUO6V9SOM4/75.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Searching The Cave Troll... I started searching the Cave Troll…I witnessed strange occurrences, unexplained noises, flickering lights, and even fleeting glimpses of a shadowy figure lurking in the depths of the cave…Probably Cave Troll sensed my presence… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729543145205-SMQ4LNNRB1W128DXL1KR/76.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Encounter with The Cave Troll... I felt an intense, primal energy emanating from something, as if it was watching me with an unblinking gaze…Suddenly a giant Troll appeared in front of me and pushed me hard. I fell down and Troll hid behind a rock. Troll started throwing stones on me hiding behind the rock…I also started throwing stone on it…After hours of hide and seek game and stone pelting when Troll got tired, I came outside and went near to Troll. I whirled my right hand and I punched it hard and pushed it down to the cave. I flashed my Lightning power, Troll rolled down in the underworld. I came out of the cave and closed the cave mouth with a big rock… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729543213597-XCSWP9K2RRRI5VOHZYPA/77.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Red and Green streaks of light... It was dark outside…I breathed a sigh of relief and I sat down outside of cave. Suddenly I saw entire sky filled with red and green streaks of light hanging apparently motionless and bright stars seemed to be sprinkled over the sky… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729543332555-ITKYJ8XRZ8OEFSF1AIWV/78.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Ethereal Vocal Timbre... I heard the pretty choral sounding falsetto over the multicolored sky. Suddenly a tall, slightly hunched figure wearing a blue hooded cloak, appeared in front of me and spoke in airy and ghostly voice. Odin personally came to visit me in his Grimnir appearance!!!Odin invited me to come to Valhalla!!! However, I told Odin that I would be staying back as big troubles would be coming to Midgard…I need to save the human race…I returned the Thor’s Lightning power to him… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729543438515-0H7DI1QPGO9DWTQHYHQY/79.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Blue Lagoon... Odin was little bit upset on my decision, but he was understanding…He then gifted me a geothermal spa with remarkable healing qualities of the azure waters and then he disappeared. Blue Lagoon was rich with Silica and Sulphur and the temperature was set to 37-39 degree centigrade for my comfort in the chilly country… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729543558072-JT7FKX4RU6QSIJNU0641/80.jpg Tröll Expeditions - Last glimpse of Iceland... I got myself soaked in the milky blue lagoon for hours. After getting relaxed and refreshed in lagoon I came out and saw the beauty of the Iceland for the last time as my next adventure awaits me… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57e9823d1b631bc185e00976/1729201178735-FV8CKDIUVIF7UEH6H68Z/DSC06878.jpg Tröll Expeditions