Back after a refreshing trip from the north. An extremely memorable experience, it was a much deserved break from the nonstop shooting after two years. What made it even more special was that this getaway was with my family :)
Traveling up north was an experience itself. North India wooed me with its special charm and serene brand of beauty. The beautiful valleys, cold weather and breathtaking scenery were the perfect refuge to rejuvenate and spend some time with my mom and brother in solitude.
We stayed at a quaint shikara at the very famous Dal Lake, that was complete with traditional wooden interiors, Kashmiri handicrafts, cozy rooms and of course, picturesque views! I started my mornings with an absolutely stunning view from my bedroom admiring the pure beauty of Kashmir. Every morning was spent just lazing around and in the afternoons and evenings, my family and i set out to play tourists .

We indulged in the regional delicacies, shopped for handicrafts and of course enjoyed the serene boat rides in the lake. The highlight of my trip however was the snowstorm! Just two days before we were to leave and head towards Uttarakhand, it started snowing very heavily. It actually was a blessing in disguise because it gave me even more time to spend time with my loved ones and explore the valley. I shopped a little more for arty stuff, ethnic Kashmiri handicrafts, pashmina shawls, saffron and rugs. I even dressed up like the Kashmiri women in a beautiful red hand-embroidered outfit with lots of pretty jewelry.

On one particular afternoon, me and my family indulged in a snowball fight. Thanks to the thick sweaters and jackets, none of us caught a cold, but had one of the most carefree times ever :) A day later when the the snow subsided, we went ahead on our way to Gulmarg.

At Gulmarg, we stayed at a resort which offered a stunning view of snow-capped mountains. We enjoyed the cable car ride and i fell in love with the view that encompassed the pure, white scenery, like a picture-perfect postcard. After exploring a little more of the local culture, we visited the golf course. After spending another peaceful night at the gorgeous resort of Gulmarg, we set off to Auli.
My stay at the Dal lake and at Gulmarg was soothing and in contrast at Auli it was exciting! While the same snowy scenery of snow-capped mountains and the awesome weather continued, it gave me a chance to set of on adventures. Will be posting more soon …