Described as the Jewel in the crown of Kashmir, Dal Lake in Srinagar provides a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the main town. We stay on one of the many house boats, reached by water taxi.
Every morning there is a farmers market were the locals meet and trade goods, we rise early and our house taxi takes us through the still dark channels, our “driver” either knows the way or is using the force as is blacker than the hobs of hell. We arrive as dawn breaks, something tells me he has done this before!
We are offered spices and seeds, but decline politely and are pretty much left alone by all but the most persistent of vendors.
This is what happens when you don’t clear the snow off your houseboat in the depths of winter, it simply sinks under the sheer weight of several feet of the white stuff. 
Taxi!! 
Most daily needed goods can be bought from passing shops, ice cream and more importantly, Beer! 
Thanks to Daz and Andrea Clarkson King and purelandexpeditions.