We left Batote around five in the morning and drove on
for the rest of the day to reach Delhi by late evening. After the winding roads
of the high Himalayas, the drive through the plains was extremely quiet and uneventful.
In fact, that is what makes it dangerous. The reflexes are dulled and there is
a tendency to doze off due to boredom. We made sure we stayed awake and after
dinner near Karnal, we hit home to end an eventful expedition. We could not
complete what we had set out to do and that was sad. But from a personal
standpoint, I had made my pilgrimage to Ladakh and fulfilled a long cherished
dream of driving down the Chushul road. That was a beautiful drive and I will
remember it for a very long time.
I do not know why but something tells me that my journey
into Ladakh is over and I may not be back again. I hope that is not the case. I
love the region and would like to go back there as often as I can. Maybe not
for extreme events, probably just as a regular tourist. I hope I get back
within the folds of the mountains of Ladakh soon. I am yet to see Zanskar. I
want to go to the Karakoram Pass. I want to spend a winter in Leh. There is so
much to do. Till then … Julay!
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