Mavis Whitfield

We have just come back from Kashmir. We went with a certain amount of fear and trembling - both as a result of troubles having flared up and the Foreign Office's advice.

We very much enjoyed our stay there in spite of all the problems that blew up just as we went and a 24-hour curfew that was issued a day after our arrival.

Yasin had organized an excellent trip. It was a disappointment that we were unable to have a trip on the River Jhelum, a visit to Dachigam National Park and to visit Gulmarg. However, there were benefits, we went to walks meeting the extremely friendly and pleasant villagers; my husband learned to paddle a shikara. We were extremely well looked after, felt completely safe and it was paradise there - an excellent place for a relaxing holiday.

We were in an excellently appointed house boat on the Dal Lake, away from Shrinagar, with a beautiful vista - ever-changing mountains, a hill topped with the Fort and in front of us lotus 'fields' with wonderful bird life - and the sun shone.

Let us hope for the sake of the suffering Kashmiri people that their problems will be over soon and they will be able to work, earn their living and enjoy leisure time and Indus will be able to organize more holidays in this paradise.

Thanks for this glimpse of Kashmir. - Mavis

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