Often delusion is not too far away  when you know a place from photos only and then – one day- you arrive at that place acknowledging that somehow it is less interesting, less emotional, less engaging. But I can promise you, this will not happen when you go to Leh, Ladakh. 

Arriving in the best friendly giants land
Arriving in Leh is simply fascinating. On my flight to India I have watched a movie, “The BFG”. The BFG is a 2016 American fantasy adventure film directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg, written by Melissa Mathison and based on the 1982 novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. 

In the film, an orphan human girl befriends a benevolent giant, dubbed the “Big Friendly Giant”, who takes her to Giant Country where they attempt to stop the man-eating giants that are invading the human world…

Was it just by chance that I have selected this movie? I have my doubts about it. Probably it has been rather the introduction to giants land. 

The giants’ shadows – are we in BFG land?

A few hours back I enjoyed the movie and now – On my way to Leh, a two and a half hours flight from Delhi – suddenly, I see them – the giants walking and dancing over the mountains. Alone or in groups, bigger ones and smaller ones, but always huge. You don’t believe me? Have a look at the shadows…  However, it must be friends of the best friendly giant, not the man-eaters. 

But it’s not just the shadows and the giants, but the whole atmosphere in Ladakh that makes you immediately think you are a part of a great Fantasy story: The mountains are diverse, with snow and without, the surfaces change again and again… then the airport will remind you of remote film sceneries and at the very first moment you put your feet on the grounds you can feel the magic of the place. Every corner, every street, the buildings, the temples, the donkeys, the chaos of the taxi stand, the different look and feel of the people, their kindness and hospitality as well as the impressive culture is eyecatching in this unique surrounding. 

Leh is definetly worth a travel – if you are not afraid to meet big friendly giants.