Comments for Kunzum - The Travel Blog http://kunzum.com Sun, 07 Sep 2008 19:30:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 Comment on Hotel Review: BirdHouse in Dehradun by Bhawna http://kunzum.com/2008/03/27/hotel-review-birdhouse-in-dehradun/#comment-2061 Bhawna Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:22:53 +0000 http://kunzum.com/2008/03/27/hotel-review-birdhouse-in-dehradun/#comment-2061 Ajay...we visited Bird house this weeked....And I agree with you that this is a feel-good place....Service is perfect and the view is amazing....Its a retreat from the hustle bustle of the city....However, the food is way too expensive.....I think thats the only draw back.....One should better go to the dehradun market and eat....however, we were too lazy to get out for lunch and dinner and ended up paying hefty amount for the food....otherwise...thanks for the review.... Ajay…we visited Bird house this weeked….And I agree with you that this is a feel-good place….Service is perfect and the view is amazing….Its a retreat from the hustle bustle of the city….However, the food is way too expensive…..I think thats the only draw back…..One should better go to the dehradun market and eat….however, we were too lazy to get out for lunch and dinner and ended up paying hefty amount for the food….otherwise…thanks for the review….

]]> Comment on Is Muslim population growth in Ladakh a part of a plan? by Saad Akhtar http://kunzum.com/2008/08/29/is-muslim-population-growth-in-ladakh-a-part-of-a-plan/#comment-1904 Saad Akhtar Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:01:46 +0000 http://kunzum.com/?p=202#comment-1904 Well, if you say it wasn't your intent then it's fine I guess. :) Well, if you say it wasn’t your intent then it’s fine I guess. :)

]]> Comment on Is Muslim population growth in Ladakh a part of a plan? by Ajay Jain http://kunzum.com/2008/08/29/is-muslim-population-growth-in-ladakh-a-part-of-a-plan/#comment-1901 Ajay Jain Sat, 30 Aug 2008 08:06:50 +0000 http://kunzum.com/?p=202#comment-1901 Hi Saad, The intent was clearly not to project any biases of my own - in fact, I am have none. I came back feeling more positive than any other time in my life after my interaction with the local population of different communities. Just showed me what a beautiful world and people we have and all wrong can be attributed to mindless politics. However I do take your point about some of it sounding offensive (unintentionally) and I have corrected that. I have also now highlighted that these are from what I was told and not my own take. But you may noticed in the original article that I did write the following to show I have not taken this to be gospel truth. "Of course, it would require more than just anecdotal evidence to establish a trend here. So far this has not been confirmed by the 2001 population census. Irrespective of the true picture, what may be worrying are such sentiments going around, adding further fuel to the already charged up atmosphere of Kashmir." If you still feel the piece is flawed from a journalistic point of view, I am open to further modifications. But I do appreciate your being frank about your feelings on this piece. Regards Ajay Hi Saad,

The intent was clearly not to project any biases of my own - in fact, I am have none. I came back feeling more positive than any other time in my life after my interaction with the local population of different communities. Just showed me what a beautiful world and people we have and all wrong can be attributed to mindless politics.

However I do take your point about some of it sounding offensive (unintentionally) and I have corrected that. I have also now highlighted that these are from what I was told and not my own take.

But you may noticed in the original article that I did write the following to show I have not taken this to be gospel truth.

“Of course, it would require more than just anecdotal evidence to establish a trend here. So far this has not been confirmed by the 2001 population census. Irrespective of the true picture, what may be worrying are such sentiments going around, adding further fuel to the already charged up atmosphere of Kashmir.”

If you still feel the piece is flawed from a journalistic point of view, I am open to further modifications. But I do appreciate your being frank about your feelings on this piece.

Regards

Ajay

]]> Comment on Is Muslim population growth in Ladakh a part of a plan? by Saad Akhtar http://kunzum.com/2008/08/29/is-muslim-population-growth-in-ladakh-a-part-of-a-plan/#comment-1899 Saad Akhtar Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:35:32 +0000 http://kunzum.com/?p=202#comment-1899 Football team sized families? Because of the biased law of allowing polygamy? No surprise that multiple wives bearing multiple children? It's one thing to state what the Buddhist people of Ladakh are feeling, quite another to inject your own words in their mouths... Your views are quite offensive in this article. And if you're just writing what THEY told you, then it's not clearly mentioned. Looks like you are reporting an issue you found there, but your own biases seem to shine through. Seriously... .quite offensive and hurtful. A communal-bias injected travelogue. Football team sized families? Because of the biased law of allowing polygamy? No surprise that multiple wives bearing multiple children?

It’s one thing to state what the Buddhist people of Ladakh are feeling, quite another to inject your own words in their mouths… Your views are quite offensive in this article. And if you’re just writing what THEY told you, then it’s not clearly mentioned.

Looks like you are reporting an issue you found there, but your own biases seem to shine through. Seriously… .quite offensive and hurtful. A communal-bias injected travelogue.

]]> Comment on Driving from Delhi to Leh, Ladakh by Ajay Jain http://kunzum.com/2008/08/02/driving-from-delhi-to-leh-ladakh/#comment-1636 Ajay Jain Sun, 24 Aug 2008 11:24:16 +0000 http://kunzum.com/?p=146#comment-1636 Here go the answers to your queries: 1. I have a Honda City and Scorpio, but I took the latter. I would personally not take the City. Technically you can make it, but your car could end up in a bad shape. Or even get stuck in some of the sandy stretches or slushy ones. So my recommendation is no. 2. Leh is about 1100 km. If you read this post http://kunzum.com/2008/08/02/driving-from-delhi-to-leh-ladakh/ again, you will get an idea of the distances. Add any other excursions you will do to this. And at nearly Rs. 60 a litre, with the car giving 10 or less kms per liter on that terrain, you can do the calculation. I am not sure of the capacity of the City petrol tank, but you must have enough to do 600 km from Manali to Leh. I would suppose you need to carry an extra jerry can. There is a petrol pump at Tandi, about 100 km from Manali before Keylong, but just in case they are closed or out of fuel, you will be in trouble. If you are planning Tso Moriri on the way to Leh, then you will need even more fuel. And have some spare too just in case you need to take long detours for any reason. But I also believe carrying petrol is more tricky than diesel with the former being highly inflammable. Diesel gives no problems being carried if securely stored. 3. If you fly you will need to budget for local taxis also. It may be a good idea to make some calls and check their rates. Hope the above helps. Feel free to send any other queries my way. Here go the answers to your queries:

1. I have a Honda City and Scorpio, but I took the latter. I would personally not take the City. Technically you can make it, but your car could end up in a bad shape. Or even get stuck in some of the sandy stretches or slushy ones. So my recommendation is no.

2. Leh is about 1100 km. If you read this post http://kunzum.com/2008/08/02/driving-from-delhi-to-leh-ladakh/ again, you will get an idea of the distances. Add any other excursions you will do to this. And at nearly Rs. 60 a litre, with the car giving 10 or less kms per liter on that terrain, you can do the calculation. I am not sure of the capacity of the City petrol tank, but you must have enough to do 600 km from Manali to Leh. I would suppose you need to carry an extra jerry can. There is a petrol pump at Tandi, about 100 km from Manali before Keylong, but just in case they are closed or out of fuel, you will be in trouble. If you are planning Tso Moriri on the way to Leh, then you will need even more fuel. And have some spare too just in case you need to take long detours for any reason. But I also believe carrying petrol is more tricky than diesel with the former being highly inflammable. Diesel gives no problems being carried if securely stored.

3. If you fly you will need to budget for local taxis also. It may be a good idea to make some calls and check their rates.

Hope the above helps. Feel free to send any other queries my way.

]]> Comment on Driving from Delhi to Leh, Ladakh by Shweta Malik http://kunzum.com/2008/08/02/driving-from-delhi-to-leh-ladakh/#comment-1626 Shweta Malik Sun, 24 Aug 2008 05:46:01 +0000 http://kunzum.com/?p=146#comment-1626 Hi Ajay, My husband and I are debating between driving or flying to Ladakh. We normally prefer driving and are also being budget conscious. What are your recommendations: 1. Would you drive a Honda City to Ladakh from Delhi? We know SUVs are preferred. Is it dangerous or even impossible to go in a City? 2. How much do you think it would cost for petrol going there and back? Did you keep any records? If we drive, should we buy a extra tank? How big should this tank be and how much petrol should we store? 3. Any other advice about driving there? Thanks so much. Thanks! Hi Ajay,

My husband and I are debating between driving or flying to Ladakh. We normally prefer driving and are also being budget conscious. What are your recommendations:

1. Would you drive a Honda City to Ladakh from Delhi? We know SUVs are preferred. Is it dangerous or even impossible to go in a City?

2. How much do you think it would cost for petrol going there and back? Did you keep any records? If we drive, should we buy a extra tank? How big should this tank be and how much petrol should we store?

3. Any other advice about driving there?

Thanks so much.

Thanks!

]]> Comment on Review: Whispering Willows Hotel at Shey, Leh, Ladakh by jessicachristina http://kunzum.com/2008/08/02/review-whispering-willows-hotel-at-shey-leh-ladakh/#comment-1502 jessicachristina Wed, 20 Aug 2008 06:45:51 +0000 http://kunzum.com/?p=129#comment-1502 Is is really very amazing but I was a bit disappointed initially. It was located in the village of Shey, the ancient capital of Ladakh before it was shifted to Leh, 15 kilometers before Leh when driving from Delhi. I would rather have stayed downtown than drive up and down all the time. there the surroundings,housekeeping, food and the rooms are very good Is is really very amazing but
I was a bit disappointed initially.
It was located in the village of Shey, the ancient capital of Ladakh
before it was shifted to Leh, 15 kilometers before Leh when driving from Delhi.
I would rather have stayed downtown than drive up and down all the time.
there the surroundings,housekeeping, food and the rooms are very good

]]> Comment on Review: Abbott Mount Cottage, Uttarakhand by jessicachristina http://kunzum.com/2008/06/20/review-abbott-mount-cottage-uttarakhand/#comment-1501 jessicachristina Wed, 20 Aug 2008 06:39:37 +0000 http://kunzum.com/?p=110#comment-1501 It looks from the time of the earlier twentieth century when John Abbott ‘discovered’ this place and here there are a beautiful flowers exotic birds and spiders are all included in these like that all the information gave here it is more useful for visiting this surprising place. It looks from the time of the earlier twentieth century
when John Abbott ‘discovered’ this place and here there are a beautiful flowers exotic birds
and spiders are all included in these like that all the information
gave here it is more useful for visiting this surprising place.

]]> Comment on A Sanctuary for Donkeys in Leh, Ladakh by jessicachristina http://kunzum.com/2008/08/04/a-sanctuary-for-donkeys-in-leh-ladakh/#comment-1499 jessicachristina Wed, 20 Aug 2008 06:32:53 +0000 http://kunzum.com/?p=150#comment-1499 The content is good. The content is good.

]]> Comment on Kunzum Picture Gallery goes live by abha iyengar http://kunzum.com/2008/08/13/kunzum-picture-gallery-goes-live/#comment-1364 abha iyengar Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:30:43 +0000 http://kunzum.com/?p=171#comment-1364 Really like this photograph. The expression in this boy's eyes defies expression. Really like this photograph. The expression in this boy’s eyes defies expression.

]]> Comment on A Blog for Funny Road Signs in India by Saad Akhtar http://kunzum.com/2008/08/13/a-blog-for-funny-road-signs-in-india/#comment-1239 Saad Akhtar Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:31:40 +0000 http://kunzum.com/?p=174#comment-1239 Good initiative. Those ladakh road signs are really something... at least someone put some good effort in thinking up the clever lines. Maybe you could start collecting those Public Health Messages by the government. Something like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/saad/23244652 I've been planning to collect these marvels... the illustrations are so hideous, they're actually funny! Good initiative. Those ladakh road signs are really something… at least someone put some good effort in thinking up the clever lines.

Maybe you could start collecting those Public Health Messages by the government. Something like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/saad/23244652

I’ve been planning to collect these marvels… the illustrations are so hideous, they’re actually funny!

]]> Comment on Driving from Delhi to Leh, Ladakh by Mridu Bhandari http://kunzum.com/2008/08/02/driving-from-delhi-to-leh-ladakh/#comment-1038 Mridu Bhandari Sat, 09 Aug 2008 09:44:32 +0000 http://kunzum.com/?p=146#comment-1038 Aah...I did this trip around this time last year...you refreshed my memories...in fact I updated my blog only last week with those year old entries! Yes, going by road is the BEST!! We did: 1. Delhi-Manali 2. Manali-Keylong (with a stopover at Rohtang) 3. Keylong-Pang (with lunch at Sarchu...stayed in tents at Pang) 4. Pang-Leh (3 days there visiting Nimmu, South Pullu, Khardung La, Pangong, biking on Bullets in Leh, shopping, watching the shoot of Tashan by Yashraj Films, climbing some mountain et al!) 5. Leh-Drass (with a stop at Kargil) 6. Drass-Sonamarg (through the Zojilla Pass, river rafting at Sonamarg) 7. Amarnath Yatra as Sonamarg is the base camp 8. Sonamarg-Srinagar (with a stopover at Mata Kheerbhawani Mandir) 9. Srinagar-Pahalgam (after spending first half of the day sightseeing Srinagar) 10. Srinagar-Katra (sudden impulsive decision to do the Vaishno Devi trek) 11. Katra-Delhi Ladakh is truly out of this world...and you just have to be there to experience it all...no amount of articles - how much ever well written and no amount of pictures - even with perfect frames...can give you a true sense of what the place is like. You'll still be overwhelmed by the beauty of nature there! Sigh...I want to go back there now! Aah…I did this trip around this time last year…you refreshed my memories…in fact I updated my blog only last week with those year old entries! Yes, going by road is the BEST!! We did:
1. Delhi-Manali
2. Manali-Keylong (with a stopover at Rohtang)
3. Keylong-Pang (with lunch at Sarchu…stayed in tents at Pang)
4. Pang-Leh (3 days there visiting Nimmu, South Pullu, Khardung La, Pangong, biking on Bullets in Leh, shopping, watching the shoot of Tashan by Yashraj Films, climbing some mountain et al!)
5. Leh-Drass (with a stop at Kargil)
6. Drass-Sonamarg (through the Zojilla Pass, river rafting at Sonamarg)
7. Amarnath Yatra as Sonamarg is the base camp
8. Sonamarg-Srinagar (with a stopover at Mata Kheerbhawani Mandir)
9. Srinagar-Pahalgam (after spending first half of the day sightseeing Srinagar)
10. Srinagar-Katra (sudden impulsive decision to do the Vaishno Devi trek)
11. Katra-Delhi

Ladakh is truly out of this world…and you just have to be there to experience it all…no amount of articles - how much ever well written and no amount of pictures - even with perfect frames…can give you a true sense of what the place is like. You’ll still be overwhelmed by the beauty of nature there!
Sigh…I want to go back there now!

]]> Comment on Review: Whispering Willows Hotel at Shey, Leh, Ladakh by SarahB http://kunzum.com/2008/08/02/review-whispering-willows-hotel-at-shey-leh-ladakh/#comment-950 SarahB Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:35:05 +0000 http://kunzum.com/?p=129#comment-950 I work with Hampton Inn, you should come stay with us next time you need a place to stay, we'd love to have you :-)besides its 10% off right now. http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/promotions/hx_summerpromo08/index.jhtml;jsessionid=SXEZ4FIZDCG4OCSGBJF2VCQ?it=specials,dreams&cid=om,hx,dreams,specials I loved your blog and the photos you took also. It look awesome. You should come and stay in one of our hotels, especially since were have a 10% off promotion currently. We would really love to have you too. http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/promotions/hx_summerpromo08/index.jhtml;jsessionid=SXEZ4FIZDCG4OCSGBJF2VCQ?it=specials,dreams&cid=om,hx,dreams,specials Oh check out this really funny video called "The Ballad of a traveler," he really sums up a travelers experience. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2tgnUsj8NE> I work with Hampton Inn, you should come stay with us next time you need a place to stay, we’d love to have you :-)besides its 10% off right now.
http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/promotions/hx_summerpromo08/index.jhtml;jsessionid=SXEZ4FIZDCG4OCSGBJF2VCQ?it=specials,dreams&cid=om,hx,dreams,specials

I loved your blog and the photos you took also. It look awesome.

You should come and stay in one of our hotels, especially since were have a 10% off promotion currently. We would really love to have you too.

http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/promotions/hx_summerpromo08/index.jhtml;jsessionid=SXEZ4FIZDCG4OCSGBJF2VCQ?it=specials,dreams&cid=om,hx,dreams,specials

Oh check out this really funny video called
“The Ballad of a traveler,” he really sums up a travelers experience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2tgnUsj8NE>

]]> Comment on Driving from Delhi to Leh, Ladakh by Ajay Jain http://kunzum.com/2008/08/02/driving-from-delhi-to-leh-ladakh/#comment-755 Ajay Jain Mon, 04 Aug 2008 08:22:33 +0000 http://kunzum.com/?p=146#comment-755 Hi Saad, You can check out the photos at www.flickr.com/ajayjain. They are all going up currently, and all should be up in the coming days. I have also started provided links on www.kunzum.com also. Do keep me posted when you make any travel plans and have stories/ experiences to share. Cheers... Ajay Hi Saad,

You can check out the photos at http://www.flickr.com/ajayjain. They are all going up currently, and all should be up in the coming days. I have also started provided links on http://www.kunzum.com also.

Do keep me posted when you make any travel plans and have stories/ experiences to share.

Cheers…

Ajay

]]> Comment on Driving from Delhi to Leh, Ladakh by Saad Akhtar http://kunzum.com/2008/08/02/driving-from-delhi-to-leh-ladakh/#comment-754 Saad Akhtar Mon, 04 Aug 2008 08:04:49 +0000 http://kunzum.com/?p=146#comment-754 Taking notes. When do we see some more photos you took on the way? I'm sure the decision to drive till Leh is better than flying, but let's see some photos :) Taking notes. When do we see some more photos you took on the way? I’m sure the decision to drive till Leh is better than flying, but let’s see some photos :)

]]> Comment on Review: Whispering Willows Hotel at Shey, Leh, Ladakh by kudzu fire http://kunzum.com/2008/08/02/review-whispering-willows-hotel-at-shey-leh-ladakh/#comment-695 kudzu fire Sun, 03 Aug 2008 11:14:03 +0000 http://kunzum.com/?p=129#comment-695 well written review. sounds like a nice place. well written review. sounds like a nice place.

]]> Comment on My trip to Ladakh in July 2008 by Nagendra http://kunzum.com/2008/07/29/my-trip-to-ladakh-in-july-2008/#comment-528 Nagendra Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:54:45 +0000 http://kunzum.com/?p=125#comment-528 Laddakh is out of ths world - ithe place grows on you. We spent a fortnight in the area in 1992. Saw most of the place - a place to visit is Lamayuru Monastery - the drive is simply awsome - spernetine road on high mountains with hair pin bends. Have been meaning to do the Manali - Leh and beyond drive ( we went by air) and this article has put a sense of urgency to the drive plan. Thanks Ajay, for giving the impetus! Laddakh is out of ths world - ithe place grows on you. We spent a fortnight in the area in 1992. Saw most of the place - a place to visit is Lamayuru Monastery - the drive is simply awsome - spernetine road on high mountains with hair pin bends.
Have been meaning to do the Manali - Leh and beyond drive ( we went by air) and this article has put a sense of urgency to the drive plan. Thanks Ajay, for giving the impetus!

]]> Comment on My trip to Ladakh in July 2008 by rajiv http://kunzum.com/2008/07/29/my-trip-to-ladakh-in-july-2008/#comment-520 rajiv Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:24:28 +0000 http://kunzum.com/?p=125#comment-520 Great trip. Looking forward to your blog on the same. Great trip. Looking forward to your blog on the same.

]]> Comment on Triund: Beyond the Seventh Heaven in the Himalayas by Mr. Chris http://kunzum.com/2008/05/02/triund-beyond-the-seventh-heaven-in-the-himalayas/#comment-464 Mr. Chris Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:27:26 +0000 http://kunzum.com/2008/05/02/triund-beyond-the-seventh-heaven-in-the-himalayas/#comment-464 Ah, Triund. Forty years ago, four friends and I made the trek up from Macleod Ganj to spend three days out of the heat and dust of Punjab, where we were serving in the Peace Corps as ag extension agents... Ah, Triund. Forty years ago, four friends and I made the trek up from Macleod Ganj to spend three days out of the heat and dust of Punjab, where we were serving in the Peace Corps as ag extension agents…

]]> Comment on My trip to Ladakh in July 2008 by Ajay Jain http://kunzum.com/2008/07/29/my-trip-to-ladakh-in-july-2008/#comment-453 Ajay Jain Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:08:29 +0000 http://kunzum.com/?p=125#comment-453 Thanks for your comment Saad. You should go as soon as possible. It is a very different world from what we know. All the best - and do share your experiences when you go. Cheers... Ajay Thanks for your comment Saad. You should go as soon as possible. It is a very different world from what we know. All the best - and do share your experiences when you go.

Cheers…

Ajay

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