The current situation:

Very long ago there was an idea to go to Srinagar, and then specially the Dal lake, it was idealised at that time as the ultimate travel destination, later the idea faded, caused by bombings and other terrorist activities in that region of India. Last year was finally there to visit the area, I must add that it is now one of the busiest tourist regions in India, and also the most heavily guarded areas, with a lot amounts of military barracks and obvious presence of soldiers with machine guns and other artillery. Roadblocks are also present here and there. Is that a reason to stay away as a Western tourist, no not really at the moment. Life is going its normal course there. Although you should always keep in the back of your mind that there may be another madman there who keeps things alive. Anyway fortunately, everything passes by quietly, and we enjoy the lake and the surrounding mountains.

The first sight: 

With a Shikara picking us up at the houseboat, we do a tour along the narrow channels connecting Dal lake and Nigeen lake. The houseboats alternate with all kinds of boat shops we passed, which sell clothes, leather bags to gold jewellery and carpets are also a favourite item among tourists, scarves made of Pashmina wool are also available at high prices. Then there are souvenirs to be found from toy shikaras to papier maché bowls. An occasional small supermarket can also be visited for a soft drink or a bag of Lays chips. In the late afternoon there are enough shikaras rowing through the channels and the lake. Some are packed with tourists and their luggage. It’s very busy. Sometimes the shikaras has to stop to give access to other boats and shikaras. The trip on these channels of the lake, gives a good impression of how the population works and lives here, between all the house boats, the estimate is currently around 1400 houseboats have been around. Add to that the Shikaras about 3000 pieces, and the flat -bottomed boats that the population uses for their own transport, that gives you an idea of the crowds at times. Remember that the house boats are only accessible by shikara. The house boats and some few real buildings are connected by boardwalks. Slowly we are approaching the lake again, the sun seeks shelter behind the mountains, the light goes out, the night falls into.

The second sight:

This morning we get up very early, 6 am we are already in the boat to go to the floating market, it is still dark when we leave, slowly the light comes on in the distance, paddling quietly we come across a floating tea and coffee vendor trying to sell his wares. We see that the wading birds are also up early, a kingfisher skims over my head, the species we see in multitude are little grebe, moorhen, Indian heron as the little white heron. Also regularly flying above our heads is the black kite, which is common here …. common here. The water is so smooth like a mirror that water plants grow on the surface in some quiet places. Both lotus and vegetables are grown here. Slowly, you can see water mist rising which creates a fairy-tale atmosphere and especially when you see the small boats with vendors passing by from a distance. Not much later, there is a place where a few boats have gathered and vegetables and flowers are being traded, the vendors are engaged in conversations with each other, sharing information of daily activities. slowly, the first Shikara arrive with the first tourists, the calm and serenity disappearing like the sun before the snow. Chaos and rumour prevail, the first vendors slowly sail away from the crowds, the shikaras taking over. We also embark on the return trip to our houseboat for breakfast….

Equipment:

Camera’s: 

OM-1 

EM1-MKIII

Lenses:

MZuiko 8-25mm f/4

MZuiko 12-40mm 

MZuiko 40-150mm f/2.8

Software:

Adobe Lightroom 

Adobe Photoshop