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• Paradise on Earth - Lost?

Inside a houseboat - its grand, outside pretty shabby!

Poets called Kashmir paradise on earth but far from being poetically inclined I can say is that there is much natural beauty and exceptionally good roads to take you around (road signs in Urdu!) but with all the army presence in armoured vests and carrying guns there may be a sense of insecurity. Though I did see western tourists also local people do acknowledge the decline. They seem to be still in a past era and excitedly point out places where old bollywood movies have taken pictures and know exactly what happened in the movie at that point.

(Gulmarg - Pir Panjal Range - just beyond is Pakistan)

Himalayan Ranges and a Riverbed in Tangmarg.

A visit is incomplete without a ride on the 'Shikara' in Dal lake in Srinagar!