🚗 The Return Road — Chandigarh to Pathankot (10th–11th Sept)

 Back to Chandigarh 🚗— The Journey Rekindled (10th–11th Sept) - When unfinished dreams asked for one last turn  

Before I narrate my return to Chandigarh, I must say this: the time spent in Leh was nothing short of extraordinary — truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The only caution: one must always be mindful of the altitude.

At nearly 18,000 feet above sea level, health needs close attention. Even a short walk of ten feet could leave me breathless. I had to pause often, taking rests in between — though thankfully, there wasn’t too much walking involved. Still, the feeling was unsettling. At one point, I even thought of staying an extra day in Chandigarh on return just to get a proper health check.

But once I landed at Delhi, the difference was instant. And by the time I reached Chandigarh, it felt like I had never faced any breathlessness at all. The body had bounced back to normal — resilient as ever

And there it was — my MG Hector, waiting faithfully in the Chandigarh airport parking after nearly ten days. The sight of it brought an instant smile. I actually felt emotional, touching the car again. One crank — and the engine roared to life, as if it too had been waiting to get back on the road. My trusted companion was ready to carry me once more.

That night, on the 10th of September, I checked into a small hotel in Chandigarh — a simple stopover to rest and gather myself before continuing.

Not back to Hyderabad, of course. Having come this far, having dreamt of Ladakh, Kargil, and Srinagar, how could I just turn south and drive home? No way.

At the very least, I told myself, I must reach Srinagar. If not Leh by road, then at least Lal Chowk — a place of history, pride, and personal significance. For me, it symbolised the true purpose of this solo trip. Otherwise, I knew I would curse myself for a lifetime for coming this far and not even trying.

So, on the 11th, I steered the car northwards, setting Pathankot as my next halt for the night. The roads still bore the scars of the recent floods — bumpy, rough, but manageable. Thankfully, there was no rain that day. The drive was steady, uneventful, and determined.

This leg was not about comfort but about resolve — to touch Srinagar, and with it, to honour the spirit of the journey that had started weeks ago.

“Some roads don’t end where they were meant to — they continue wherever courage takes you.”.

“I might have missed Manali, Jispa, Leh, and Kargil, but touching Lal Chowk would complete what the road had left unfinished.”