Pooh has just come into view and it’s the first and only serious green patch set amongst the barren remote landscape I have seen in more than a day. The greenery is due to the apple orchards and trees bearing fruits such as apricots and dry fruits (almond, walnut). One of the deeply fulfilling little joys on this trip has been eating apricot falling straight from the tree.

Pooh; Photo: Sanjay Mukherjee