I woke up at five in the morning and boarded the shikara at five twenty. It was chilly and dark. The Shikara cruised gently along the Dal Lake's waterways. When the owner of our Shikara offered us a cup of Kashmiri Kahwa, I was trembling from the cold (a type of Kashmiri tea). And it was a delight for my body at that time.

As we travelled through the lake we sailed towards vegetable market, we spotted the houseboats and a few businesses. The sky started to progressively turn yellow as we continued to move. The Kashmiri homes that opened up to the lake were also visible. These are Dal Lake's residences. Shikaras alone can access these homes. Deep inside the lake are medical facilities and schools. It was Dal Lake's way of life. Then it was a treat for the eyes.