Why do people go to Padum. The answer lies in its numerous Gompas and monastories. However, we have not interest in those.
So why are we going to padum?
The answer is simple. We are going there for the Durang Durung. I guess many others also go there just for this glacier.
If we were not alone, and it was not so cold, we would have camped here and turned back. But then why not go all the way to Padum?
Nevertheless, its almost dark when we reach the glacier. I am a tad overwhelmed, and a tad dissapointed. We wanted more time here. Definitely. But then, the day after tomorrow is not the end of the world. For now, we sit, and stare, and try to hide from the icy winds
Durang Durung
Closer
The elephant also cools down, and light fades away
You wanted more of the glacier I think. Well so did I, but it will have to wait for our return journey. For now we move ahead.
How far is Padum?
Its far. Thats all I know.
Coming down we encounter a lone taxi, full of locals. Its an illegal taxi. They run at night when the cops start hiding from the cold.
At first the driver is quite scared, but when he realizes its not Daya and prabhu in the car, he helfully says, 4-5 hours, or maybe 3 hours.
Nevertheless we push on.
The road worsens, and I slowly but surely make my way through the dark landscape. And then when we think it cannot get worse, a thick fog descends reducing visibility to near zero.
At times we wonder whether we are on a riverbed or is it the road, but thankfully, we reach the checkpost before Padum, and make the entry. The sleepy policeman is quite amazed that anybody would come here.
And at 9pm we roll into Padum. 4 hours is what it took from Durang Durung to Padum. 6 from Rangdum. So midway point is not really midway I guess!
At Padum, we face another problem. The town has run away.
All of it.
Icy winds blow paper and plastic across the street, the dogs howl, and there is not a single homo sapien in sight.
We have to head to the Marq hotel, recommended by many. It promises nice rooms for 1500 a night. A tad expensive, but then, whats wrong with a little luxury at the end of the trip?
We finally manage to locate it, and are in for a rude shock. The owner lady knows we are late, and most lodges are closed, so she decides to take advantage. 2000 a night, no negotiation.
Well, we won't cave in, even if we have to sleep in the car.
finally we find a room in the JKTDC hotel. Its 200 a night, full of cigerette buts, and the bedsheet is full of ash.
But thats all we can get for now, tomorrow, they will give us a better room.
Dinner is a simple MTR affair.
And we quietly go to sleep.
Tomorrow is our rest day. tomorrow we explore Padum.