The trip from Kargil to Leh was a much easier affair,the road was mostly very good and Nazeer took full advantage of it,left Kargil at 07.15 and arrived Leh at 13.45,passed the highest point of the trip Namika La about 14,000ft and then two lower passes,stopped at the Indus-Zanskar river confluence for photos,a beautiful spot, there were still heartstopping moments but not like yesterday.Not far out of Leh we came to the so called gravity defying road stretch called magnetic hill,locals believe, because when you stop and leave the vehicle in neutral the car continues to roll uphill and that is due to magnetic attraction.The spoilsport scientists claim that it is simply an optical illusion.
There is again a massive military presence at a township sized complex outside of town which includes the airport,this force is to protect the nearby border with Tibet which Ladakh is geographically and culturally part of.Nazeer told me 80% of the government budget goes to defence.Leh is a very small town very Tibetan in appearance and surrounded by picture postcard snow covered peaks.It is also very cold once the sun starts to sink ,and the nights are freezing.
Resting up at the moment,acclimatising to the altitude,drinking water,no physical exertion.Feel like shit actually ,I don't feel fit enough to visit Nubra as planned because navigating the highest road pass ,the Khoshung La at 18,500ft is too risky,coming down with AMS there would be very embarrassing.
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