Delhi – Srinagar : Day 3 ( 30th May )

Srinagar : Badami Bagh Cantonment
The country of un-counted trucks and Army convoys

Y’day I was bit nervous due to car problem. So when I went last night for fillup the tank, I decided to test drive the car. So I went on Srinagar highway and did around 40 kms and satisfied my self.
Not able to sleep properly,[ hardly slept for 2 hours]so started early, sharp at 5 am for Srinagar. Drove the car easily and as soon as got my confidence back, picked up the speed.
Road conditions till Ramban was excellent. But there was lot of rush on this narrow highway [NH-1A] from Jammu to Srinagar. You will find army placed at both sides of the highway on each 50 mtrs. Bunkers every where, on the road and above the road. Struck many times in army convoys . Its very tough to cross them. They move at very low speeds and each convoy consisting of 20 to 30 trucks, buses and jeeps.
And when there is no convoy.. there are goods carriage trucks… and much more in numbers then army convoys. But anyway.. the beauty of Kashmir is always magnetic. I am doing this route 3rd time, but still excited like a kid.
Road from Ramban to Banihal is bit bumpy but still manageable. And who cares about the road conditions`! Its our style of holidaying. This is first visit of wife and kid to Kashmir, they were enjoying a lot and every thing was new to them. I was explaining every thing to them and when we entered the Jawahar Tunnel [2.5 km long] , my son filmed the entire tunnel.
Took our first long break at “First View of Kashmir Valley” point। Spend almost 45 minutes there. This place is few kilometers before Quazi Gund. Road from here to Srinagar is straight with thick treeline at both sides of the road.

Finally reached Srinagar at 2।30 pm । My loving brother-in-law ( Saala ) was there to receive us. Took us to his place.

We went to Dal Lake ( Chchali Point ) in the evening. It was cloudy and cold out there. Wander here and there like nothing . It was crowded with lot of tourists but being a local guy , my brother-in-law took us to some lovely but solitary places . He promised us to show all the local places & surroundings but still virgin /untouched by tourists.

Ending a day with Master’s Strokes J

For any query about Srinagar, you can contact my brother-in-law, Nitin Gupta on his mobile 09419021705.

Love
Vivek

Distance Covered : 290 Kms
Toll paid : NIL