The name Kashmir stirs exotic images of spices and mountains, of a far-off land caught in a political tug-of-war and of a culture balanced between mountain purity and hectic urban bustle. My husband and I wanted to see it for ourselves. Although the Canadian Government’s travel advisory warned against all travel to Kashmir, the current situation seemed calm. Before heading to this northwestern union territory, we checked with a few local contacts who all confirmed that besides a lot of security checkpoints and military presence, they felt comfortable going there. Plus we wouldn’t be trekking, which we figured should lower the chance of needing to use our travel insurance - coverage is void if travelling to a location against our government’s advice. So, with a window of opportunity, we went. And I can whole-heartedly say, I am glad we did.

~ If you are considering going, please check the current situation and your own government’s travel advisory to make an informed decision. ~

Catch Dreamscapes Travel and Lifestyle Magazine’s latest edition - Spring / Summer 2022 - for my article about mountaineering in the Canadian Rockies. It’s in my blood!

My search to buy local, reduce plastic and stay natural for decent quality toiletries at an affordable price turned far more difficult than it should be.

Thankfully, I tracked down some options in my western Canadian world.

I received no kickbacks, royalties or any other incentives for posting this article. The links go straight to their websites and I do not collect any benefit for directing you there.

Snowy peaks came into view. Beneath them, layers of terraced mountains blurred. I could do nothing to prevent the tear that filled my eye nor the next one that pushed itself out.

Slabs of ice rose like crooked steps that led to a snow-crusted palace. Its frozen walls towered over surrounding peaks, most of which were giants themselves standing nearly seven thousand metres high. Although there was no real palace on Khangchendzonga’s summit, its shape and grandness appeared to reign over the landscape. It is a sprawling mountain often hidden under clouds or seemingly lost in a fog. At 8,586 metres, Khangchendzonga—also spelled Kanchenjunga—ranks the third highest mountain in the world.