Thoughts about India

On Wednesday I’m flying to India for a month. I’m going out to work with a BBC documentary team in Rajasthan, photographing for a book that will accompany a new series about India. The series is be presented by actor/comedian Sanjeev Bhaskar (The Kumars at 42) and will be screened in the summer as part of an India season the BBC is putting on, commemorating the 60th anniversary of their independence.

I’m flying to Delhi, staying for one night before catching a flight up to Jodhpur in Rajajsthan for about 5 days. We will be staying in a palace, trekking in the desert and seeing some pretty amazing stuff i’m sure!

I then leave the BBC team and travel back down to Delhi for another 5 days. On the 21st i’m flying up to Srinagar in Kashmir, yes Kashmir!! I must be mad. I’m heading up to Gulmarg, a tiny fledgling ski resort in the Himalayas. Although it has some of the most stunning scenery and best boarding terrain in the world it still only receives about 500 visitors every season!! Crazy! This is mainly to do with the political situation between India and Pakistan – both countries claim Kashmir and were on the brink of nuclear war over it less than five years ago. Gulmarg is only a few miles from the line of control, one of the most hotly disputed border areas in the world. In the last two years the security situation has improved a great deal (although it still not 100% safe, but where is?)

It is thought that this resort will become huge in the coming years, so i’m really looking forward to snowboarding before the crowds. I am going up there for 2 weeks, staying in a tiny lodge hotel and have booked a local guide everyday to go out with exploring the mountain. It’s gonna be powder heaven out there. Here’s an article about the place:

http://travel.guardian.co.uk/article/2006/dec/10/india.skiing.shortbreaks

i’m then staying on one of the famous Dal Lake houseboats before i fly back to Delhi and home.