INTO THE WILD

POSTCARD FROM PARADISE

- VIPUL PUNETHA

EPISODE 7 - A TALE OF KASHMIR

Every story holds a hidden tale, and here's how this one unfolds. Just before I packed my bags, I was bubbling with excitement. It marked my maiden voyage to Kashmir, India's crown jewel. Having crisscrossed the vast landscapes of the country, I yearned to witness if Kashmir's beauty truly lived up to its lofty reputation. But that wasn't the sole source of my excitement; I was about to take the wheel of a Hyundai Exter for the very first time. Could it deliver on Hyundai's promise of being easy for first-time drivers? So much lay ahead, waiting to be uncovered.

Without further ado, I can assure you both those claims held true beyond a shadow of a doubt. However, an action-packed weekend at MotoGP quickly overshadowed these realisations. But as I sit down to pen this article, memories of Kashmir's paradise come flooding back.

Contrary to common belief, Kashmir is a tranquil haven, and to my astonishment, Srinagar is a modern city like any other. In fact, the airport there seems larger than Pune's, and the roads rival those of Bengaluru. Looking down from the skies, the landscape resembled picturesque postcards wherever my gaze landed. I couldn't help but envy the breathtaking views that pilots must enjoy from their cockpit.

As we touched down, the Hyundai Exter awaited us at the airport. I vividly recall a security guard mistaking it for a military vehicle due to its Ranger Khakhi color. The first latch revealed a trunk spacious enough to swallow all our luggage. So far, everything exceeded expectations.