LATEST UPDATES ON LADAKH
Leh, Ladakh is recovering from the flood that hit them in August but almost everything is back to normal there as they were not too badly affected. Therefore, we will not be doing disaster relief there, instead we will engage in community involvement activities and manual labour to help improve their facilities.
Climate:
3,400m above sea level
-5 degree Celsius to 12 degree Celsius
Bright sunny weather with little/no rain
Getting colder and colder there now. We will need really good warm clothing (thermal wear and down jacket is essential). The Oriental Guest House we are staying at also provides heating facilities in the rooms. Temperature are subzero at night and water doesn't run the following morning either due to night freeze.
It is advisable for us to bring our own hot water bottle to use when going to bed at night.
It is also very dry in Ladakh unlike in Singapore. Hence, we will also need to bring moisturizers and lip balms to constantly apply when we are there to prevent our skin from flaking or lips from cracking. Good gloves are also important in terms of clothing.
Time:
2.5hours behind Singapore time
Security:
Extremely safe due to strong Indian Army presence. Nothing of that sort to worry about!
Currency:
1 Singapore Dollar = 33 Indian Rupees
It is advisable to bring about 3500 - 4500 rupees considering that a large sum would be dangerous and unnecessary. Moreover, some things can be paid under the money allocated under group logistics.
Communications:
We will be updating this blog regularly when we are in Ladakh. Updates and whatever we do or happens there will be posted on the blog. As for personal contact, prepaid cards will be bought there and a group of 4 will share one. We will be allowed to make regular phone calls back to Singapore.
