We have a buffer full day of rest after our return from legendary adventure of Chadar Trek, without doing anything but just have a good recovery. The next day after it Lobzang arrange a day trip for us exploring few place of interest to the southeast of Leh town.
Firstly our drivers drove us all the way to Hemis Monastery to start the day trip. Hemis Monastery is a Himalayan Buddhist monastery (gompa) of the Drukpa Lineage, in Hemis, Ladakh, India. Situated 45 km from Leh, the monastery was re-established in 1672 by the Ladakhi king Sengge Namgyal. The annual Hemis festival honouring Padmasambhava is held in early June. The monastery was surrounded by mountain range and it feel very peaceful, and the view was quite stunning as well. The thing surprising me the most was the Hemis Museum here, it was funded by a Malaysian!
The view from the car park area.
Team exploring the main temple of Hemis Monastery.
The view towards the mountain from the roof top of the monastery.
The common architecture design here in Ladakh, walk-able roof all over the place.
Common color in most of the monastery, colorful!
Hemis Monastery which sponsored by fellow Malaysian!
Another view towards the main temple.
The main hall just in front of the main temple.
At a random corner.
Mandy at the entrance of Hemis Monastery.
The view of the monastery from the car park area.
Our second stop was the largest gompa in central Ladakh, the Thikse Monastery. Thikse Monastery (also transliterated from Ladakhi as Tiksey, Thiksey or Thiksay) is a gompa (Tibetan-style monastery) affiliated with the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It is located on top of a hill in Thiksey approximately 19 kilometres (12 mi) east of Leh in Ladakh, India. It is noted for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet but in a smaller scale. The monastery was build very high up the area, and the view from the top towards the surrounded was superb!
The temple interior was super beautiful as well, especially the Maitreya Buddha statue of 15 Meters high which cover two stories of the building!
This spot really beautiful with Stakna Gompa and the Indus river, how I wish I have a zoom lens here!
Hybrid at the entrance of Thiksey Monastery main hall.
Princess seem enjoy the visit via Thiksey Monastery very much.
The majestic view from top of Thiksey Monastery!
Another end of the view from same spot.
Seem our princess want to meditate here.
Absolute beautiful Maitreya statue here in Thiksey Monastery!
Time to say good bye again!
Majestic view of Thiksey Monastery, with Stok range on the background.
Another shot from the moving car.
Definitely look like a mini 'Potala Palace'!
Third and final spot for the day trip today, we have a quick stop via Shey Palace which located on a hillock in Shey, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) to the south of Leh in Ladakh, northern India on the Leh-Manali road. The palace, mostly in ruins now, was built first in 1655, near Shey village, by the king of Ladakh, Deldan Namgyal, also known as Lhachen Palgyigon. It was used as a summer retreat by the kings of Ladakh. It was fruitful exploring the interior of the historical palace, but it was the view outside the palace that really caught my attention! It was this beautiful during winter, I strongly think that it will be much move superb during autumn time, hope I have that chance to see it by myself!
Breathtaking view from Shey Palace!
Brave Fabian step on to the big rock to snap photo of this absolute gorgeous view.
I can stay with this view all day long!
The brief introduction to Shey Palace.
Time to explore the the summer palace for kings of Ladakh!
Two good friends looking deeply on each other with breathtaking view on the back.
One of many Stupa inside Shey Palace.
The main Shakyamuni Buddha statue in the monastery standing 12 metres covering three floors of the monastery!
Truly a picturesque spot!
Hybrid looked satisfying just sitting there without walking around that much.
The main entrance to the Shey Palace.
The ducklings with the frozen lake.
Actually there are fence between us with those ducklings.
Beautiful Shey Palace as seen from the road side.
Hey sir, you waiting for a bus?
Southeast of Leh - India
January 2018
