German Bakeries and Old Palaces

  Leh, India
Sunday, July 15, 2007

Leh Old Town and Palace

Kevin and Nate had two days remaining in Ladakh. I would be in Ladakh another week, to watch the 800+ Year Drukpa Lineage Celebration, visit Tikse Monastery, walk along the Indus River in search of Ibisbill, and relaxing in Leh town. With two days remaining, we walked around Leh and up to the Leh Palace, with its Chambo Lhakhang and Soma Temple.

Leh

On the second day, we went to a cham dance at a nearby temple (see the next entries for photographs of the Drukpa Celebration, Tikse, and the Cham Dance).

Chambo Lhakhang Maitreya Statue

The Leh Palace, built on a ridge about five hundred years ago, loomed over ecclectic Leh and its narrow streets, small flat-roof earth homes, stupas, mosques, and Hindu temples. Leh is home to Kashmiris, Tibetans, Ladakhis, flatlanders, and westerners. From the top of the palace ridge, we had views of the entire valley and the Stok Range to the southwest. The Palace rooms were empty, but the Lhakhang and Soma Temple were full of murals, ritual masks, statues, and a large image of Maitreya.

Penguin Restaurant

Leh Valley Scene

Quickly, we became regulars at the Penguin Restaurant and German Bakery. I continued to eat there after Kevin and Nate left; "local" restaurants were a long walk away and sparse. Leh is a tourist town, in large part, with the Ladakhis living in surrounding areas. In Leh, you can buy Ladakhi jewelry or clothing, you can eat foods from all over the world, and you can arrange for whitewater rafting, trekking, mountain climbing, or driving wherever you want. "Hello, my friend" issued from many a boutique doorway as we walked along Fort Road, the main tourist drag.

Trekking, Mountain Biking, Anything...

In addition, you could find stores selling purified water, dried fruits and vegetables, and environmental products.

After Nate and Kevin left (see next entry), I continued to roam around Leh, making day trips outside of town; Leh was a good base for these short trips.