Kashmir hasn’t lost its charm yet-Article

My all time favourite destination is the Paradise on Earth, Kashmir. I have visited the valley twice and yet I haven't had enough of its gurgling streams and flower and fruit-laden gardens. The affair dates back to 1991, when I visited Kashmir with my family. We camped at a hotel, with beautiful wooden architecture, on the banks of the Dal Lake. The room we stayed in had a fabulous view the serene waters of the lake. I still remember how we had to cross a small bridge over a river to reach the hotel. The lake almost sustains a village, with locals setting up even telephone booths in some of the houseboats.

Around 53 kilometres from Srinagar is Gulmarg, which boasts of the world's highest golf course. We took a cable car ride at the height of over 2,231 meters. It was scary but an experience of a lifetime. the snow-capped slopes were just perfect for putting on skiing gear and having some fun.

The next stop was Pahelgaon, a mystical place with gardens all around. Last but not the least, Chandan Valley and Rohtang Pass are must-see hot spots. Though eating options are aplenty, I found the ambience at the Oberoi pretty good. Shopping stops include handicraft stores, where our family indulged in picking up gifts and items for home dcor. My mom loves shopping and I remember we bought a lot of handicrafts items like carpets and wall hangings from there.

There's one incident which I remember vividly. One day, my cousin and I went and sat on the rocky bank of a river near our hotel, eating mangoes and chatting casually. We hardly knew how hours flew by. As we had not intimated anybody else about our outing, our family members were worried and were searching for us in every possible place. When my uncle finally caught hold of us he was simply furious. Truly, it was not our fault. The place was so serene that we lost count of time.

I hope the Indian government does more to draw tourists to the valley. Thanks to the peace talks and the current thaw between India and Pakistan, Kashmir is in a position to welcome tourists again. I think it makes one of the best winter destinations in India, if not the world. If you want a peaceful vacation in a picturesque location, Kashmir is the place to go.