Fall colors of Kashmir - 5 Days in Heaven

And this was my escape from Diwali and Delhi.
Now I think it was the best decision I have made lately.
I took a early morning flight so my day doesn't get wasted in traveling. So excited I was and also to see the local life by own eyes. I anyway do not believe all the things shown in media but my Parents were pretty worried and excited at the same time. They were giving a hell lot of advices about traveling solo to kashmir. Whoever I told about my trip was equally terrified and excited.
Tip 1- take a window seat while flying to srinagar for great Himalayan view.

We heard Captain announcing we have landed in Srinagar and it is 6°c outside, my inner child got really happy. And my first step outside plain and the thin air hit me like anything. For a minute, I started breathing heavily. After few minutes, it was like I am breathing in real oxygen. I decided not to take cab directly to hotel, instead I took a bus to TRC and then went to Old Srinagar. It was cost effective too, as cab charges were INR 980/- where as I spent only 300 and changed two cabs in between.
What else be better to have some local delicacy first thing in city. Went to Creme and had some amazingly tasty pastries and Mutton puff.
After strolling in old Srinagar lane, I left for my place to stay (Zostel, Srinagar). Reached there around 3 pm, had kahwa to start with. Host Suhail gave a showround of property and given my room. I chose to stay at hotel's lawn to soak in some sun. Went to Zostel's terrace, for a beautiful view.
It was going to be sunset, I walked down till Dal Lake and believe me I was mesmerized by colors the lake and sky had to offer. It was beautiful, felt like I have time travelled to Moughal era and everything seemed too perfect. I left when it was dark as people advise  not to roam around at night alone. I decided to go back to hostel, at hostel we celebrated a subtle diwali by sitting around bonfire and singing some songs.
Here Zostel helps us organize trip next day, We made a trip to Manasbal Lake and Kheer bhawani, Wullar lake with few hostellers.
Day ended with having Aloo Dum and Kashmiri pulao at Zostel cafe.

Day started at 9 as we left for Manasbal Lake, Wullar Lake, and kheer bhawani by paying only 500 each. We were 4 people in a car, However we couldn't go to Wullar Lake as there were some tension going on and driver advised us not to visit that place. First place we went to was Kheer bhawani temple, it is a sacred hindu temple amidst chinaar trees. Place was beautiful and Serene, not crowded at all. We were only 4 people inside the temple, we prayed and sat there for sometime just to soak us in that calmness and left for other place.
And then we left for Manasbal Lake, somehow I didn't like it much. Lake was dirty and small in comparison with Dal. There were Shikara, Jetscooter available for you to enjoy. I didn't go for any of these. I took a long walk around the lake, it was refreshing.
I had amazing barbeque mutton just outside the lake in just 30 bucks.
Day ended watching sunset by Dal lake.

Day started early at 5, left to see Floating Market by 5:30. We reached just in time, and vegetable vendor started coming in. And few more shikaras with tourists sitting inside. We watched them trading vegetables, fruits, flowers from one boat to another. We had some fresh carrot, and damn it was so juicy and sweet. There was a wooden plank going towards a village located on bank of Dal lake. Walked down till than tiny village, I saw people doing their household chores, talked to a few to get insight of their life. They live a simple life yet leading very content life. One of the local family was having their routine morning Kahwa and called me to have it with them. Little kids of their kids got really excited when I shared my chocolate with them. On barter I got Saunth (kind of savoury bread) and homemade kahwa. Women of that family were cheerful and shy towards camera.
I had an amazing time at Floating market, didn't even feel sleepy that I woke up so early.
Came back to market only to pitched by an uncle to buy some flower seeds. He was so passionate about his job and was wondering how in world he has so much knowledge about each and every flower species. I had to buy some seeds from him, and gladly gave whatever he asked. I was so flattered by his selling skills (of that 70 year old) that I didn't even negotiate.
Witnessed a beautiful sunrise from there and came back to hostel by 9. We had some breakfast and left for city tour. Covered most of the gardens, and old Srinagar lanes, had dinner at Ahdoos (quite famous being the first fine dining restaurant in city and it is 100 year old) apparently they are very famous among locals and tourists however I did not like their services or food. Food was too salty for my taste, however next day I had tried wazwan, and trust me this place should only be known for their wazwan. If I would have known it earlier, never would have wasted money on buying those snacks the other day.

It was Winter heaven for us. Snowy town.