A holiday in heaven

Model Gauhar Khan is a well known face on the Indian fashion scene. She also showed off her dancing skills on Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa. Gauhar, who's now all set to make her film debut with Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year, is also a well-heeled traveller. She shares her recent Kashmir holiday experience with CS:



A short break
I went to Kashmir last month and stayed there for a week with my relatives. Kashmir is one of my favourite places in India. I love the rolling hills, valleys, the coniferous forests and the serene Dal Lake. Moreover, it's quite chilly in Kashmir at night; I love that kind of weather, which is rare in Mumbai.
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Soaking in sights
In Kashmir, I visited Gulmarg and Pahalgam, both are lovely places. I took a gondola ride in Gulmarg that gave me a fantastic view of the mountains. I also did a bit of wildlife spotting in Pahalgam, where I saw herds of deer, racoons and lots of pretty birds. The horse ride was another fun experience. However, the best part was the shikara ride with a view of the majestic surroundings while sipping on hot kesar kahva with ginger. I also visited the Betaab valley, where the Sunny Deol-Amrita Singh flick was shot.u00a0

Diet gone awry
Though I am not very fond of the traditional Kashmiri Wazwan as it's very heavy, I was treated to a number of delicacies. However in a trip like this, I don't like to crib about food as it's a part of the culture, and we visit a place to enjoy its culture and hospitality. My relatives treated me to Goshtaba, Yakhni, Rogan Gosht, paneer dishes and lots of other mouth-watering recipes.u00a0

Shopping spree
I love Kashmiri textiles, especially the Ariya work on crepe and semi-crepe fabrics and georgettes. So, I bought a few suit pieces for special functions. My relatives gifted me a couple of Pashmina shawls that are quite expensive. I got some nice blankets for my sister and friends.