We had an early flight from Delhi to Srinagar so we got up and early and headed for breakfast. The restaurant at the Holiday Inn is located right next to the tarmac and we had pretty neat views from our table. Again we were escorted from the hotel to the security check area by a hotel employee.
The flight into Srinagar has to be the most picturesque flight I have ever taken. The mesmerizing views of mountains covered with snow was spectacular.
Upon reaching Srinagar, we were waiting for Vikas’s family. My mobile did not work as Indian Government does not allow prepaid mobile connections in Kashmir. We waited for an hour and then decided to go out and call Vikas from the drivers phone. To our shock his flight hadn’t taken off yet due to some Republic Day preparations in Delhi. The driver asked us to wait for them but the weather was extremely cold and I did not want to take a chance with Anaya’s health. So I told him to charge us whatever the rate is for airport pick up but drop us and then come back to pick up Vikas’s family.
The hotel we chose in Srinagar (Kabo) was suggested to us by our travel agent and they went out of their way to make us comfortable including offering hot Kashmiri Kawa upon arrival and giving us an early check in. We had a quick lunch at the restaurant and went upto the room for a brief shut eye.
Once Vikas reached, we immediately left for the renowned Dal Lake Shikara ride after the long lost friends Anaya and Nayra had their reunion.
We were warned before hand of all the shikara hawkers pestering us to buy stuff and our boat oarsman trying to upsell a longer ride. But it was way worse and we did not have a single moment of quite us time the entire ride.
Once the shikara ride was done, we were famished. Visited a nearby dhaba for hi tea and then back to the Hotel for some well deserved rest.
My Little Munchkin 