| Even though he's back in the city, Amit Sareen (previously seen as Sahil in Kyunki) can't stop raving about his recent Kashmir holiday.
The actor, along with fiance, Vineesha and a bunch of friends, visited Pahalgam, Srinagar and Gulmarg.
Before embarking on the trip, Amit was told by numerous people about the dangers of terrorism in the area. "Everyone asked me to rethink my plans. But I was keen on going, since this is my first visit, and I had heard so much about Jammu & Kashmir and its people."
Idyllic isolation
After reaching his destination, Amit switched off his mobile and decided to cut himself off from all disturbances. "I wanted to soak in the place, and it took some time to break the habit of not attending to calls and being busy with work."
Sareen noticed the tight security in Srinagar, but life was untouched in other places.
"The people there lead simple lives. They go to bed by 9 pm, and most of the houses don't even have a television.
It's sad to see such an amazing place being in the grip of war, every now and then. I kept asking myself why there was so much bloodshed in one of the most beautiful places in the world."
The actor also praised the houseboats in Dal Lake. "I bought myself some miniature houseboats, as souvenirs. It's a different feeling staying in one, and the owners are very hospitable and treat you like family."
Europe? Forget it!
Asking everyone to visit Kashmir at least once in their lifetime, he says, "We went on a small trek that had the most amazing variety of flora and fauna one can see. And the snowcapped mountains and lush plateaus put many European holiday destinations to shame."
Vineesha, who's travelled the world and loves bagpacking, called her Kashmir trip the best experience of all time.
"She has been to most places in the world, so when she called it one of her favourite holidays, it meant a lot to me," says Sareen. Does he plan to revisit the Valley? "Yes, I will go there next year. I am in love with Kashmir and its people." |
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