In 2009, during my month-long journey across Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh with my TravelGuru colleague Dhole Sir and his friends, One particular day etched in my memory as full of adventure, mishaps, and sheer wonder. We left Kargil in the morning, full of energy, planning to reach Leh by evening. But as often happens on road trips, the day had other plans for us. In which, I made one of my costliest phone calls home, at that phone booth I lost my camera which I believe taken by phone booth owner—something I laugh about now but wasn’t funny then. The rugged terrain, mesmerizing sights, and unpaved roads slowed us down more than expected. The green valleys of Kargil had faded behind us, replaced by bare, towering mountains and a crisp, cooler, thinning air that made every step feel heavier. By the time we passed Wakha and Mulbek, surrounded by ancient Buddha carvings and traditional Ladakhi culture, it was clear we wouldn’t make it to Leh that night.
A Night to Remember in Bodhkharboo
By nightfall, we reached Bodhkharboo, a quiet village with no hotels or accommodations in sight. Someone pointed us toward the PWD guest house, but it seemed deserted—probably locked up for the night, as people had retreated home early in the freezing cold. With no other options, we squeezed through the gate and decided to camp outside. However, the pitch-black darkness and biting cold made setting up a tent impossible. Eventually, we settled on the porch, huddling together. As the chill crept deeper into our bones, we took a bold chance and managed to get inside the guest house. It wasn’t much, but it felt like heaven. We cooked Maggi on our stove, shared drinks to keep warm, and talked late into the night, making the best of what we had.
When I look back on that night, it feels like one of the highlights of our trip. It wasn’t just about surviving the cold or finding a place to sleep. It was about learning to adapt, to embrace the unexpected, and to find joy in the little victories. That night at Bodhkharboo taught me something profound—travel isn’t just about the destinations. It’s about the detours, the challenges, and the stories you collect along the way.
#Year2009 #Mulbekh #Bodhkharbu #Wakha #JammuKashmir #Ladakh
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