Day 6 – 26 August 2015
Nubra Valley → Diskit Monastery: 14.5 km
After yesterday's thrilling journey over Khardung La, we had a more relaxed morning in the beautiful Nubra Valley. We had breakfast at 7:30 am, followed by our morning puja and group briefing by Datuk Seri Dr. Victor Wee at 8:30 am. At 9:10 am, we departed by vehicle for the famous Diskit Monastery, located about 14.5 km from our resort and dramatically perched on a hill overlooking the Nubra Valley.
Diskit Monastery and the Giant Maitreya Buddha
As we approached Diskit, one of the most impressive sights was the enormous Maitreya Buddha statue, which stands majestically on the hillside facing across the Nubra Valley. The statue, together with the ancient monastery and the surrounding rugged mountains, created an unforgettable scene. From the monastery, we were able to enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the valley below.
On our way from the resort, we also made a roadside stop to learn about sea buckthorn, a hardy plant that grows naturally in the harsh Himalayan environment. Its small orange-coloured berries are traditionally valued for their nutritional properties and are used in a variety of local products.
Afternoon in Hunder
We spent the morning exploring Diskit and its surroundings before departing at around 1:30 pm. We returned to the Himalayan Eco-Resort at approximately 2:00 pm for lunch and some rest.
Later in the afternoon, at around 5:30 pm, we went out again to a border bridge area, where we enjoyed the spectacular scenery of the surrounding Nubra Valley landscape. The evening was peaceful, and after returning to the resort, we had dinner at around 8:00 pm. After another enjoyable day surrounded by the mountains of Nubra Valley, we settled down for the night.
Overnight: Himalayan Eco-Resort, Hunder, Nubra Valley, Ladakh. Proprietor: Tsering Lanzes
The beautiful mountain backdrop at Himalayan Eco-Resort, Hunder, Nurba, Ladakh. 
The surrounding was great at Himalayan Eco-Resort, Hunder, Nurba, Ladakh, it was mountains on one side and river was flowing other side. Nice open area to walk. 
Beautiful flower garden at Himalayan Eco-Resort, Hunder, Nurba, Ladakh. 
Beautiful flower garden at Himalayan Eco-Resort, Hunder, Nurba, Ladakh. 
Beautiful flower garden at Himalayan Eco-Resort, Hunder, Nurba, Ladakh. 
Beautiful flower garden at Himalayan Eco-Resort, Hunder, Nurba, Ladakh. 
So much apples and apricots for breakfast at Himalayan Eco-Resort, Hunder, Nurba, Ladakh. 
Mike Khaw had a swing on the hammock at Himalayan Eco-Resort, Hunder, Nurba, Ladakh. 
Along the way from our resort we stopped by the road side to have a look at Seabuckthorn a kind of hardy plant with fruit which is good for health. 
Sea Buckthorn, or hippophae rhamnoides, has been making the news lately for its remarkable health promoting properties. The benefits of Sea Buckthorn include treatments for high blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatism and allergies. 
Nurba valley, Ladakh. 
A view of the giant Maitreya Buddha from the village at Nurba valley, Ladakh. 
Driving up the hill to Disket Monastery at Nurba valley, Ladakh. 
Near Disket Monastery the Maitreya Buddha is regarded as the future Buddha of this world in Buddhist eschatology. In some Buddhist literature, such as the Amitabha Sutra and the Lotus Sutra, he is referred to as Ajita. 
Atop a hill with the giant Maitreya Buddha statue facing Nurba valley, Ladakh. 
Near to the oldest Diskit Monastery of Nubra valley, lies the impressive statue of Maitreya Buddha. Facing the Shyok River, the statue sits tall with a height of 32 meters and was constructed with the help of the natives of the valley. 
The statute sits on a square box and inside it is a shrine with Buddha image and Tibetan monks. 
At Maitreya Buddha of Nurba valley, Ladakh. 
At Maitreya Buddha of Nurba valley, Ladakh. 
The view of the Diskit Monastery from the Maitreya Buddha statue at Nurba valley, Ladakh. 
Diskit Monastery founded in 14th century is the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery in Nubra Valley, Ladakh. 
L-R Car 1: Mike Khaw, Jerry Ong, driver, Datuk Seri Victor Wee, Elaine Low and Ching Neng Bin 
Car 2: Lim Tze Wei, Lim Fui Nee, Jeannie Heng Sok Giang, Catherine Tham Yoke Leng, driver, Gary Lim Soon Kiat 
Car 3: Lau Soew Choo, driver, Seow Key Mei, Ching Bee Geok, Lilian Agumo Estolas, guide Sonam 
Car 4: Teo Chiang Wee, guide Tsewang Tamchos, driver, Ong Siok Leng, Lina Tan, Lynne Bong Mei Yao 
Car 5: Driver, Patrick Phoon Yew Fatt, Simon Looi, Allan Chee Siong Kin, Angie Ho Siew Eng, Khow Kooi Heok
Car 6: Ruby Song, Tai Yoke Lin, driver, Lye Yu Choong and Poh Wee Fah. NB: I do not have car 7 and 8. Can somebody send to me. 
Nurba valley, Ladakh as viewed from Diskit Monastery.
The Diskit Monastery is located beside a large gorge with a running river where water is collected for the monastery as well as the villages below. 
The Diskit Village below as seen from Diskit Monastery, Ladakh. 
Sis. Ruby Song and Angie Ho at Diskit Monastery, Ladakh. 
Bro. Mike Khaw Eng Aun at Diskit Monastery, Ladakh. 
Diskit Monastery, Ladakh. 
Bro.Allan Chee Siong Kin at Diskit Monastery, Ladakh. 
Prayer wheel at Diskit Monastery, Ladakh. 
A flight of steps at Diskit Monastery, Ladakh. 
Approach to Diskit Monastery is through a flight of steps made of stones, which lead to the prayer hall.
Approach to Diskit Monastery is through a flight of steps made of stones.
Approach to Diskit Monastery is through a flight of steps made of stones.
Bro. Jerry Ong at Diskit Monastery, Ladakh.
The magnificent landscape view of Nubra Valley from Diskit Monastery roof top. 
Diskit Monastery monks carrying food for lunch at the prayer hall. 
There is a huge drum located within the Diskit Monastery prayer hall. 
The Diskit Monastery administration also runs a school with support from a NGO, which has computer facilities and teaches science subjects in English to Tibetan children of the region. 
There is a huge drum located within the Diskit Monastery prayer hall. 
Diskit Monastery monks carrying food for lunch at the prayer hall. 
Diskit Monastery monks taking lunch at the prayer hall. 
Diskit Monastery monks taking these food for lunch at the prayer hall. 
Diskit Monastery for meditation.
In the Diskit Monastery chamber on the second floor, there are many images of fierce guardian deities. 
Diskit Monastery chamber on the second floor has many images of guardian deities.
A large statue of Maitreya Buddha is enshrined in the prayer hall at Diskit Monastery. 
A large statue of Maitreya Buddha is enshrined in the prayer hall at Diskit Monastery. 
Diskit Monastery chamber on the second floor has many images of guardian deities. 
Mural painting of Virudhaka at Diskit Monastery.
The narrow corridor at Diskit Monastery.
The Sand mandala painting is an ancient Tibetan art form carefully constructed from dyed sand particles to represent the particular esoteric, textual traditions of Buddhism at Diskit Monastery. The sand mandala is constructed as vehicle to generate compassion, realize the impermanence of reality, and a social/cosmic healing of the environment. 
The ceremonial horns at Diskit Monastery.
The door handle at Diskit Monastery.
The door handle at Diskit Monastery.
We were invited by the chief monk for a tea reception in another hall at Diskit Monastery.
There are a good collection of ancient pots and pans in the room at Diskit Monastery.
There are a good collection of ancient pots and pans in the room at Diskit Monastery.
Back at Himalayan Eco-Resort, Hunder, about 5pm, there was a sudden gust of strong wind blowing down from the mountain and all of us had to run for cover to avoid the dust. 
At about 5.30pm we went to a border bridge area for scenic view of the landscape at Leh-Chalunka Road.
At a height of around 17,800 feet in Jammu and Kashmir Ladakh region, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is constructing the world’s ‘first’ glaciated motorable roads, Greater Kashmir has reported.
This bridge is over the Hunder River at Leh-Chalunka Road.
This bridge is over the Hunder River at Leh-Chalunka Road.
This bridge is over the Hunder River at Leh-Chalunka Road.
The beautiful valley and the Hunder River at Leh-Chalunka Road.
The beautiful valley beside the Hunder River at Leh-Chalunka Road.
The beautiful valley beside the Hunder River at Leh-Chalunka Road.
The beautiful valley beside the Hunder River at Leh-Chalunka Road.
The beautiful valley beside the Hunder River at Leh-Chalunka Road.
The scenic view of the landscape at Leh-Chalunka Road, Ladakh.
The scenic view of the landscape at Leh-Chalunka Road, Ladakh.
The scenic view of the Hunder River landscape at Leh-Chalunka Road, Ladakh.
The scenic view of the Hunder River landscape at Leh-Chalunka Road, Ladakh.
The scenic view of the landscape at Leh-Chalunka Road, Ladakh.
The scenic view of the landscape at Leh-Chalunka Road, Ladakh.
The scenic view of the Hunder River landscape at Leh-Chalunka Road, Ladakh.
The scenic view of the Hunder River landscape at Leh-Chalunka Road, Ladakh.
We trekked up for the scenic view of the Hunder River landscape at Leh-Chalunka Road, Ladakh.
Lye Yu Choong trekked up the mountain at Leh-Chalunka Road, Ladakh.
Ching Neng Bin trekked up the mountain at Leh-Chalunka Road, Ladakh.
The scenic view of the Hunder River landscape at Leh-Chalunka Road, Ladakh.
Sunset view over the mountain above Hunder River landscape at Leh-Chalunka Road, Ladakh.
Sunset over the mountain above Hunder River landscape at Leh-Chalunka Road, Ladakh.
On the way back to the resort, two trees were blown off and landed across the road, and we all had to walk a short distance to Himalayan Eco-Resort, Hunder.
Lau Soew Choo, Allan Chee Siong Kin, Trett Sara Alina at Himalayan Eco-Resort, Hunder, Ladakh.
Best dinner of the trip, it started from soup, followed by Paneer chilli, Paneer Kadai, Mix veg, Raita, Rice, Daal and Roti. 
Best dinner at Himalayan Eco-Resort, Hunder, Nurba, Leh-Ladakh.
Best dinner at Himalayan Eco-Resort, Hunder, Nurba, Leh-Ladakh.
Best dinner at Himalayan Eco-Resort, Hunder, Nurba, Leh-Ladakh.
Best dinner at Himalayan Eco-Resort, Hunder, Nurba, Leh-Ladakh.
Day 01 (21.08.2015) – Kuala Lumpur flight to Delhi, India
Day 02 (22.08.2015) – Delhi domestic flight to Leh, Ladakh (3,524m / 11,562ft)
Day 03 (23.08.2015) – Thicksay and Shey Monastery, Leh, Ladakh
Day 04 (24.08.2015) – Leh to Hemis Monastery (41.2km) Ladakh
Day 05 (25.08.2015) – Leh to Nubra Valley (136km) via KhardungLa Pass
Day 06 (26.08.2015) – Nubra Valley to visit Disket Monastery (14.5km)
Day 07 (27.08.2015) – Nubra Valley returned to Leh, Ladakh (136km)
Day 08 (28.08.2015) – Visit Devachan Campus, Leh, Ladakh
Day 09 (29.08.2015) – Leh to Tingmosgang (90km) Ladakh
Day 10 (30.08.2015) – Bodhkharbu on the way to Lamayuru Monastery
Day 11 (31.08.2015) – Basgo Monastery, Tekchen Chosling and Alchi Temple
Day 12 (01.09.2015) - Leh fly to Delhi to catch the night flight back to KL
Day 13 (02.09.2015) - Arrived KLIA at 6.55am
4th International festival of buddhist Heritage of Ladakh | 24 Aug 2015 (Part 2)
- Touching lives by Lee Keat Hin
- Angel of mercy by the late Tan Guat Gnoh
- Prayers for four Malaysians who died in Ladakh
- Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre, Ladakh
Once again modern day Indiana Jones aka Ching NB the adventurer brings us multitude of pics with stories told in them of his wide travels. NB had been shuttle happy to capture the unforgetable scenes of the Ladakh Himalaya Hills on his soul serching quest. Armed with his fairly-newly acquired camera, NB had exhibited his flair and his prowess on natural photography. The picturesque hills and valleys, and some striking, close-ups of the myriad colored flowers-it's great treat for nature lovers. Unfortunately I have been away to have skipped here and there NB Ching's travelouge that I really don't know where to start reading and browsing his reports. It's bad excuse alright, after all our smart phones could present us any page on e-mails, FB, Instagram etc. at the gentle touch of our fingers. I will not skip any daily post of NB's travel reports, but will select some for comments. Many thanks, NB Ching! You're real awesome! Regards, Alan Kok, KL.
ReplyDeleteMr. Ching. Good morning. Thank you for sharing your marvelous Ladakh India Adventure. That is great. I wished I was that fit to travel. May God bless you & all your company always. I enjoy reading the details even though I had been to some of those areas - Srinagar, etc about 20 years ago. Please continue sending your tracking adventure and etc. Thank you. Send my greetings & regards to every one when you meet them - Mr. Allen, Krishnan, Tan etc.....
ReplyDeleteRama.
Hi Neng Bin, Enjoyed scrolling the write-up as if were alongside together with you.
ReplyDelete加油 Jeesayhai