THE PRELUDE:
The preparation for the long awaited trip started way back in April when Madhu my wife told me that we have to plan to go to Mumbai? I mean really mumbai in Summer? I asked? She said yes, there is a cousin in Mumbai and we can somehow stay with them and get to see the city too. I was shell shocked by the way the trip was thought through but somehow I was hesitant to say no (Well everyone who has been married for 5 years knows why this would be a thought Lol!)
But then I was in my back of the mind searching for the best places to visit and I was finalising Manali or Meghalaya. Secretly reading about the places to visit and spend time. I was really shocked to see most places mentioned needed 1 day travel although the distance was well within 250Km. I will explain in detail why so in the later part of the write up.
But back to the thought of searching the places, I was searching in maps and travel website for a better place between Manali and Meghalaya in the month of May. (Because we wanted to visit a place for our anniversary)
Suddenly Madhu comes up and says you know I had planned Mumbai because we can go in Flight ! I have told Ritanya that we will travel in Flight! I was like really the whole plan of going to Mumbai is because we have to show Airplane to her? I just pulled her leg saying - lets plan to visit Mangalore by plane. It will cut travel cost and time too :D I remember she said No way. It is going to be Mumbai.
I never got a link to what was being run in the back of her mind while she was saying Mumbai! Although I agreed again. And this time I thought it could be serious so I had dropped my plan to visit Manali and had started searching for places around Mumbai. But then a day or two later she said Plan cancelled. We can go to Mumbai but not to cousin house. We will go and see the places and come back! I was Livid at this moment. Could not say a thing. My plan to Manali was stopped in middle and I have to search for hotels in Mumbai and make a trip plan to Mumbai without any visit to Cousin house. That meant I had to search a Yellow board car to roam around and stay in and around Mumbai all because Ritanya had to be shown a Flight trip! I kept my cool though and said any other place in mind ? This was out of curiosity and I had no expectations. Madhu simply said why dont we try Rajasthan? I burst into laughter and said May month and Rajasthan wonderfully ours! She said lets stick to Mumbai and went out of the room where I was working.
We never spoke for few days about the trip or anything related to it.
I used to complete my work and then search and find out about places around Manali and Kullu and make notes about it. Just thinking in between the searches about Mumbai. In a strike of thought I once felt Drive my car to Mumbai ? Crazy ! I just left that thought. But the curiosity again kept me busy and I started searching for map direction to Mumbai by car! I was crazily adding places after places from bengaluru to Mumbai and then I realised it takes 10+ days to cover all of them! Forget it ! I have already done Kerala trip in this way and on the way back I remember I drove a full stretch from Morning 6 till mid night 2 :D and I did not want to do that shit again ! (But I will drive to Mumbai was my mind saying back to me each time I said leave this plan)
All of a sudden Kishan and Viky(my close cousins) call me and we decide to meet. And in our meet we discuss about my plan casually. And Viky says he has already planned Manali and is willing to visit it in April 26 (vote and leave). I couldnt because he had already booked Air tickets and was returning on May 6th. My plan was to Start my trip on May 10 so that we can be in Manali by May 13th- Our anniversary day. I still gave a thought about pre planning the trip so that we can have strength in numbers because as Viky aptly said if we go together we can pull Kishan 3 days into our trip. I was inclined. But then realised I can prepone my vacation but not Madhu. So I deviated at this. Told Viky that we will plan the next trip properly and this time we cannot go together. He did not mind because his tickets were booked. But thats a story for another write up I believe! His plans and his trips are always crazy ! Both Kishan and me have given him a hint that it really is a great deal to complete his places. He wanted to cover Manali and other places along with Kashmir. Kishan said it is possible but you might have to travel a lot to which I can still visualize Viky saying I will do it.No big deal! And we left giving him much advise.
But then I asked Kishan what places can I add to my itinerary and he said add McLeodGanj and Dalhousie from where I can visit Amritsar and Chandigarh on the way back. I took his words.
And then I came back to our house and told Madhu about it. She said her leaves are planned and that she cannot prepone. That ended the trip plan with Viky but then I said let us go to a Travel agent near our house. And get a plan from them. She happily agreed and we did a sudden visit in the evening. I told her how I had planned this trip and wanted to visit Meghalaya or Manali and she instantly chose Manali.
The travel agent took almost 2 days and sent a plan to me. With all the places I had asked being added to the Trip. But I had asked online agents too. They had given me a competitive price and a conclusive plan. So I decided to go with online website this time.
THE BOOKING:
On a Saturday morning I decided that I will make a concrete plan and book flights and make a complete itinerary and I took help from Travel agent to finalize the places and the flight.
It was he who said people usually travel from Delhi and get dropped back to Delhi so I could do that too. I felt it was okay to accept travel as I could visit places on the way. And decided to start and end trip from Delhi instead of Chandigarh.
It really proved good for the last day but first day was really tiring and filled with full day travel. More about it again later :D
But then I made the payment and booked flights. So our plan was now concrete and places fixed. No more place or destination change allowed.
THE TRIP:
Day 0 : May 9th:
Madhu had packed the bags but I had not. I started packing at 8:20 PM and finished packing at 9:30PM. But on that day Rishab got his results and we had a good family time. Madhu started packing again with me and finished her packing after me! Lol! She had changed her bags and was not sure about which bag to bring in. But then after seeing my trolley bag she decided to bring her big trolley bag too and ditched the lesser bigger bag :D.
Finally the day before the trip was here and I decided to bring in some Chapati and curry from local store because our Flight was at 7 in the morning and we had to leave home by 4. So I did not want to be stranded without good South food on the first day itself! It was raining heavily and I asked Madhu what she wanted and as usual she was undecided. She was thinking about the best box to put the food. I was like leave it. It is already 10 and she is deciding about the box. I will bring the food in Plastic cover anyways! :D I asked what is that she wants but again she was not sure what. So I decided it will be Chapati and curry. But on the way back from hotel I realised it is the last day for the next 12 days that I can drink Nandini curd! So I decided to buy that too. Small packets but it really tastes better than most shop lassi and buttermilk. I like it plain so I prefer to make one myself rather buy buttermilk with salt and masala.
I bring back the plastic packets and Madhu decided that she will keep them with her. I agreed. And I decided to sleep early at 10 because we had to get up at 3:30AM.
Day 1 : May 10th:
But boy I was wrong. The airport taxi fellow with whom I had booked called me at 02:00 AM at night!! I was literally thinking, what on earth is he thinking! Call a person at 2 ? I told him in calm voice- I will send you my location. Can you please make sure to be here by 3:30AM? he pleasantly agreed and we disconnected the call. But my mind would not let me sleep again. It constantly was ringing in my mind that it might be 3:30 . I was half awake and half asleep for the next 1 hour. I decided to check out on the Dogs on the street and they were happily running around! I then thought let me just sleep for 30 mins and get up. But somehow I was not able to get good sleep and I decided to end the saga about trying to sleep. And I woke up at 3:00 AM and came down.
To my surprise Madhu was ready and waiting! I thought what time could she have woken up to get ready :D But that is how she is! She gets ready way before everyone and would be watching mobile while others are getting ready and keep asking shall we leave!
Just as we were discussing if everything else is ready, the taxi sound in front of the house kept me on toes because it is going to be 3:30. And I told Madhu that the taxi has arrived and she was then much excited about it. She then went out and confirmed that indeed it is airport taxi.
I got ready and then woke my mom up and said we ready and that it is going to be a long journey. And if there is any need then it will be difficult to contact me. She happily as always said its fine. Happy travel! We step into the cab.
Off we start to Airport.
At airport, the most funniest part was we have our boarding passes and tickets but I wanted to pull Madhu's leg. So I decided to play a game. I said go and check what has to be done. She was reluctant. She said I will be behind you. You check what has to be done while I take some good photos. We did take some photos and all of them clicking us were in hurry. Mind you its airport and not a Mall. So we decided to move on. I said I can take your photo and you can take mine. Our we click selfie but we cannot keep asking others! And she agreed.
I had not printed the baggage tags because Madhu was still undecided on the bags. I was insisting that we carry three bags, and one small bag which can be Cabin but she wanted to travel with 2 big bags and 1 small bag all checked in! So I had not printed the baggage tags. In the airport we asked for help from the Indigo attendent. And put our bags- 2+1 small Ritanya bag as it was already decided to Checkin baggage.
Once we put our Checked bags we then proceeded to security check and we were cleared in a minute. We now had almost 2 hours of time. Madhu said lets eat the chapati and we did eat it. But then I realised that I could use the Lounge to fullest for the next 2 hours. So I told her to be seated while I go and figure out what is the charges and what can be done.
I visit the Lounge and I am told that it would cost me 2800 for each person! I was really pissed at it but then asked what if I have Credit card or Debit card? And I am preferred customer to the Bank? Would I get a discount?
To my astonishment the front desk personel said well then it would be literally free if you have a correct card.
I immediately opened all my cards and showed him all I had. That is when I realised it is really good to have all the cards handy. But it is really painful if we lose the wallet.
He said one of my card looks to be eligible. And he said I can create an entry for you? Would like to use it? I said yes. And then I realised I have to ask him how many can I get in with? He said it is one entry per card per session! I was like oh my gosh. But then I came back and told Madhu and Ritanya that they have to go in and I will wait outside. And I created an entry and they enjoyed the place with photos! I would have enjoyed just the food and ambience!
I waited outside and I get calls from Madhu that there is lots of food items but they have not mentioned the prices here. I said it is all free. Just eat and enjoy all you want. And she enjoyed the lounge or so she said and I believed.
She came out way too early thinking that she might mis the flight? How will I allow her to mis the flight? Well thats how she is! She is always in the mode where she thinks we have to be early before everyone boards!
Anyways once she comes out there is no entry again into it. And we come to our gate to enter the flight. Our flight is scheduled to start at 7:10 and we have done everything else to get seated.
I told Madhu that Ritanya will get some snack in flight because it will be nice for her to enjoy that. And she told Ritanya that it will be given for small kids! Little Ritanya was excited about all the experiences she was getting. At that age she really adores everything and enjoys it. The joy of seeing the smile in a kid is satisfaction! I remembered my young age when I used to be just as curious and I was always thinking how everything works! Well now that Physics and Chemistry along with Maths in my brain I sometimes feel it is better to be kid and enjoy the life with awe rather than just seeing and thinking about the physics behind everything.
We board the flight and off we fly! It was really nice experience to show them the sky and explain how Take off works! Little Ritanya grasps things quickly. I explained her that until she sees black road, take off wont happen. She literally searched and was telling me when road became black. I had told her that the wings would shake and vibrate and that is exactly when the flight would take off and that she is supposed to yawn everytime she feels any discomfort in her ears. She did all the yawning and she was enjoying the flight. And then her snacks come by and she enjoyed that too. Madhu also kind of enjoyed clicking pics of the snacks.
I sometimes wonder, instead of the flight attendent giving snacks they can give each person the box and charge them just 100 for pics and then take back. It would really make things better. And avoid all the extreme food wastage LOL!
And Ritanya started drawing and coloring in the plane and Madhu took a nap. I took a light nap too. And we arrived at Delhi airport at 10:10 AM.
I called the taxi Driver- Goutam Sarkar ji- he said he will be there when I come out. Our baggage got delayed a little and we came out only at 11 almost.
Goutam was there but due to some VIP movement his car was delayed entry to airport. We got into the cab at 11:10. We asked him, what time would we reach Shimla? he said 9 in the night! I was shell shocked! Why would it take so much time! He explained that Delhi traffic is crazy. people here go to hill station all the days and there is no fixed days. Friday it was and peak afternoon but the roads were jammed. He said he is a localite and knows the situation better. It definitely takes more than what Gmaps shows! Forget reaching at Evening. It will be night when we reach Shimla. I agreed and just then I got a call from the hotel guy. He asked me where am I ? i told him I m in Delhi. he said you would reach hotel at night. Please come safely. I understood that Map showing that we can reach by 7 is not correct. And that we would only reach by 9.
We were explained that Tihar jail is on the way and Goutam showed us the Tihar jail too. But we just passed it without stopping.
Our next stop was at Shiva Dabha! At 1:10PM.
We were told that Tandoori roti paranta is good here and it is amust try.
We ordered Paneer tandoori pranta and Dal kichdi for Ritanya and Chaps because I like it Delhi style! Boy was it a good decision. All the items tasted great and specially the chaps. I loved them. But it was very filling. As usual Ritanya did not eat the Kichidi and I had to finish it. And Madhu was somehow waiting to leave everything ordered by giving lame reasons! And she did succeed in leaving some. I finished what i had ordered.
Came back to cab and Goutam said, now with a tummy full you can sleep for 3~4 hours peacefully because the roads are nice and straight until we reach the snake roads. Yes. it was really nice road and I took a good nap for 1 hour or so. And was feeling little fresh. And I realised that Goutam is feeling sleepy. I could see his eyes wander. I asked about his native and how he drives so comfortably. So that i can keep him busy and awake. And at around 4:30 he said I will stop for Tea. The shop was crazy. No proper lights or washroom. Smelly as hell. Tea shop but Tea was not nice. Milk was powder milk. I did not like the taste.
And funny part was even water bottle was 10 extra on MRP! I realised, driver has commission in this shop. And he would get the money that we paid extra.
Goutam asked for directions from the Hotel guy and he explained the route details to driver.
Goutam knows the roads because he keeps travelling to Shimla Manali most of the times.
he said we are now entering Hilly area so the AC will be switched off from now and that the roads will be extremely curvy and if we feel nauseation then there are plastic bags in the seat cover and we can use it quickly. We said no we are all fine and that we have travelled many places in South india and we do not feel anything. He was happy because he need not stop the car many times during our trip.
But just then Ritanya said she is feeling uncomfortable and feeling nausea. I explained that she has to look front and sit straight and should not look sideways. Oh and this got printed into her brain and she was repeating the same for the whole trip. Whenever we looked in the side mirror! That is how quick to grasp she is !
And after driving for 45 mins in ghat roads, Goutam said should we stop for photos? I quickly said yes. Because Ritanya can get out a little and change the movement of car. We got out and she was able to recover back and we allowed to take photos while I made sure she feels little fresh and does not feel uncomfortable.
And it was almost 6:45 and we still had so much sunlight for the day remaining. I was thinking why is it so bright but I realised we are near Tropic of Cancer! Thats why i said it is better to be a kid just like Ritanya and enjoy the sunset. I was thinking about Geography!
Also remember I said it was not a good plan to start from Delhi in the beginning? because this is why. It was 7:30 and it was sunsetting and it was a very nice view outside. A orange ball in sky ! Goutam said this is how it is here. Sun and Moon appear similar sometimes during the full moon. Moon appears white and Sun appears Orangish! And I realised we are still left with 2 or 3 hours of travel! It was a very long day of travel! We started at 3:30 AM and it is now 8 and we might reach by 9! But I was not tired because I am not driving. I am only sitting and seeing the roads.
And there came a thunder storm with hailstones! We could hear the stones crashing into the car! But Goutam was unmoved. he continued to drive as though nothing much has happened. I liked his spirit of driving. I really appreciate his passion to make us reach the hotel. If were driving I would probably take some break or wait for the rains to subside a little. but he continued unmoved! And sometimes due to potholes I could hear the shocks bump but he would still drive as fast as he can and his overtakes are always swift just like the car he drove Maruthi Swift Dzire!
It poured heavily for almost 40 minutes and it stopped but Goutam never stopped until Madhu said Loo! In the mid of the Ghat and forest area of what it seemed like. But I told goutam about it. He said thats fine he can stop at what seems like a small hotel and she can relieve. I said why did you drink so much water? Madhu said I should not have. Ritanya was saying she is fine and does not feel like. I said take her because she might not feel but its pretty chilling. Good that Madhu took her and it was much needed relief for RItanya too!
They both came back very quickly and we continued and reached the hotel road at around 8:30PM. Goutam said he has spoken to his co driver friends and they have told him not to go to the Aplin Hillden hotel as it is very I mean very very steep incline! I call up the hotel guy and he said he cannot help. We have to bring the car down the hill and the driver said he wont. I was stuck. I said what am I supposed to do now to the hotel guy and he said bring the car down or pass the phone to driver. I did so, Goutam said it is very very steep and this is the first day of trip and if we have issues on the very first day then rest of the trip will be bad. I dont want to risk. Hotel guy said dont worry I will speak to the Car owner or the travel agent and they will set it right for you. And he did speak and Goutam agreed to get the car down the valley.
And indeed it was really I mean I repeat it is extremely steep. And at one point I felt so bad because tomorrow morning we wanted to go out and we have to climb all the way up and it will be risky of there is someone in the road coming down when we are going up. The road the reached Aplin Hillden which happened to be our hotel was way too narrow and barely had any space for One car and I repeat just 1 car to pass and if there is any other car then it will be extremely difficult to navigate. At one point I asked Goutam to stop the car and I will walk the remaining distance. The final few meters were literally running down steep. I could barely walk. I reached the hotel and the owner said why did you walk? I am getting the car down and I saw the car coming down. I was terrified at the sight. Its at the dead end of the road and there is no space to turn the car back! Such non approachable hotel should not be given to us. I had clearly told Travel agent as I had read about it from other persons that the hotel is in a very steep road end and it is bad experience. The Agent said no. It would not be so. It could be a rare occurence! But I then realised that I am trapped here. But somehow Goutam got the car down to the hotel and hotel boys got our bags out from Car.
I asked the hotel owner I read there is no lift in your hotel, please give us a room in 1st or Ground floor. He said no we have all rooms booked and there is no space in the hotel in this block. we have room in B Block!!
I thought it should next building. But then when the hotel boys took us to the hotel. It was really a horrific experience! We had to climb down 2 floors equivalent to reach the start of the building and then our room is in 4 th floor!!
Effectively making us Climb 6 floors! Such a bad experience on the very first day put me off. But it was Madhu who said it is fine we are not going to be here in the room. We would go out and come back in the evening only. So we will plan our up and down to lessen the climbing. But even to come down to Dinner it was 4 floors down + 2 floors to reach the building!!
Anyways when I spoke to the owner, he said this is how it is in Shimla! Everyone builds in such areas. Not in main roads. SO the approach roads are always steep. And there would be no Lift facility mostly. I agreed but I told him I am not happy. he said look at the amenities just enjoy that. It is a tourist place. I accepted his view. But decided to bring to notice of others. And we had good sumptous dinner after a long journey. And after climbing 6 floors I crashed and got a good sleep.
Day 2: May 11:
We got up a little early for some good photos. We had carried a TRIPOD to take good photos. But Ritanya was fast asleep so we decided not to wake her up just yet. And we both came 6 floors down for photos. We did some good photos and we decided to return to hotel room to check Ritanya. Well she was still sleeping. We woke her up and got het to have breakfast. To our astonishment we saw the entire breakfast area is completely covered with people. There was no space to move forget sit! And everyone is happily waiting for their breakfast plate. Such a mess with so many people. We decided to make Ritanya sit somewhere so that she can be comfortable while we fetch something to munch. But boy was it a tiresome affair. No one allowed to touch the plate too. They said come in Queue. I realised everyone is waiting for bread toast! I told Madhu take a plate and skip the toast. people are waiting for toast and there is just one machine to serve all the 100 + people. So we took the plate and took Burji and normal bread and some curry and some milk and tea and we started eating what we could.
I did not like the way Breakfast was being served and arranged. Too much mess. But after breakfast, I felt like going to Loo but realised to reach the room I have to go back 6 floors! I asked hotel owner can I use the restroom and he said there are no separate restroom! I was feeling bad for such unthought hotel.
We somehow pushed on but we had planned that we are not going up to room because once we come down it is really a Herculean task to go back. We had got all the bag and bottles for moving on from there.
We then got into the car at 9 ish something and we started our actual trip from today!
We reached Kufri which is very nice place to enjoy and relax. We were taken to the place where there were activities lined up. Our Goutam insisted that we book the activity with the guy he took us to and not others. I again realised the TEA shop trick but did not want to book from others too because we are anyways going to give money and cannot avoid that! It might give some extra commission to Goutam but atleast we can be sure he is not unhappy and not show the remaining places happily.
We got down and talked to the guy who said we can do the activity like Zorbing Cycling etc. I said no. We want to do horse ride, Yak ride , Zipline and Jeep ride only. He said take photography and it would be memorable. We agreed.
The package cost was 3000 for a couple and photos extra! Nonsense!
We started our horse ride. it was nice!Small horses carry us. They are all following each other! No one runs! But then the entry to the area is 50 per person extra! No one tells all this in the beginning. They say in bits and pieces!
Travelling in India is such a waste of money and time. If they say all at once we can be prepared. They say 3000 per couple but photo 500 extra. And then they say each photo is 50 Rs. You can get 10 photos for 500 rs! Extra photos and chargeable! They click some 100 odd photos and say 5000Rs! Looting at its peak!
I hated this model.But somehow Madhu was happy to see the photo and the yak ride. For which each person is supposed to pay 50! And 500 for Yak ride which costed us extra 500! Loot at its peak. Not a single person took Yak ride! I could hear people say look such crazy ride. Yak ride in Kufri who would have thought this is possible and everyone were asking is it really possible or is it because someone knows Yak owner it is giving :D Madhu felt happy for having done this.
While all this happened the photographer was busy clicking photos. And we agreed to get dressed up as local Shimla costume and we got our photos clicked too! It was a very nice experience. But then I realised it was all part of the scam. the dress cost is just around 100 per person and we could have got just 250 for three of us or 300 and clicked as many pics as we wanted. But taking photos of all 3 of us is difficult and the photographer does that. And he said I have taken 70 pics. So if you want i can take more! I was instantly shocked because 70 X 50 is 3500! I told him what is the real value of 70 pics for me? He said give me your hotel address and I will give the print by evening. I said I dont want prints! What would I do with 70 photos? Give me the soft copy. he said the copy will be sent in Whatsapp as PDF in the evening. I doubted it. I said No. I am making payment now so I need photos now. He said dont worry sir we are here to make business we do it everyday and we do not cheat . I said it is not about cheat but I want the photos now and I dont want to wait. he said in that case make the payment and take the photos. I agreed. i asked for price negotiation and told him I dont want any print. He agreed and we okayed on 2200 for 70 photos. He created a folder and started transferring the photos. We changed our costume. Back to our normal dress and we decided to see the next places.
Usually Madhu would see the photos instantly and check but due to the fear that I keep scolding her not to check the photos and waste time she just continued. And we reached the telescope point! yet another scam point! 200 per person for viewing 5 places in a telescope which are as old as the places being shown! Crazy. I told Madhu I am not interested, she insisted me to join because they will explain and it would be hard to understand. I agreed. Bullshit places and bull shitty telescopes! neither are the places viewable nor are the people showing the places have any interest in showing the places! They are simply there to make money. Quick money ! Tourist should definitely avoid such scams! I warned madhu but she was happy to have seen the places!
I am sure she remembers nothing what was shown except the 3 idiots places :D But they show 5 places and all of them are utter nonsense. I could sense the issue right from the point when they said 5 places 200 per person! The telescope looked outdated and I even pulled the person who was showing in the focus area by asking how old is the telescope? Is it your ancestral >? He said you first look and then comment.I already knew i would not be happy seeing the places. But Ritanya was happy. I know she knows nothing or understands nothing but the excitement that something is there in the telescope makes her happy.
We then visit the Nag temple on top of Kufri and there was a walkable area for Apple farms and I avoided it because Ritanya was not walking already and she would have to be lifted all the way down and up the farms. So I avoided it.
We then hoped on to a Jeep which we had opted for. It was a nice Ride to the adventure area. Which was quite far and I felt happy to have taken the jeep ride. But Madhu had bought cut fruits and cherry just before getting into the Jeep and most if not all fell down into the Jeep!
The Jeep took us to a adventure area and it was a nice place to do the activities. I still remember the adventure activities personal telling me to do a zip line while I was not happy doing it he said it is really nice an experience how to do zip line he said it is safe and secure but I said I am not happy doing it and I fear doing zip lining.
He then went on to convince madhuri to do zip lining Because it was included as a part of our adventure activity .
Madhuri got convinced to do zip lining. While the personnel was still behind me asking me to do the zip line I told him that I would be happy doing the Burma bridge crossing with a freefall.
Madhuri did the zip lining and she was happy. She was happy that she has done it for the first time in her life and it was a nice experience for her. Ritanya was also happy having seen her mother do zip line. While I captured the video from below madhuri was screaming as she moved on the zip line.
I went on to do the Burma bridge crossing and a free fall I geared up to do the next activity of Burma bridge crossing with a free fall .
Well madhuri returned from zip line I got Ritanya here to the place where Burma bridge crossing is supposed to be done. I then realised that ritanya would be little hungry. So I ordered a Maggie for her. See why she was very happy to having got a plate of Maggie to her madhuri came back all the way from the point from where she had finished zip line.
And I was already there for the Burma bridge crossing. Rithanya was also ready to eat Maggie.
When madhuri returned she saw that I was ready. I garnered all my forces within. And went on to do the Burma bridge crossing. It really was a nice experience for me. I had never ever done a free fall with a harness tied around my waist. It was really a nice experience.
To jump from all the way up 100 feet and follow on to a mesh below. All the all of this being recorded on a video phone by madhuri. Rithanya was happy eating Maggie. Madhuri was busy capturing the video of Maine falling down.
However it was really funny incident that I got scared just when I was about to jump off from the Burma bridge.
I echoed I feel a little scared to even jump off from here what am I supposed to do. I could hear madhuri say if you are scared please come back you don't need to jump if you are scared. Rithanya was really scared that I am jumping off and I am also scared. But she continued feasting on Maggie. I could sense madhuri being happy that I did not do. I was planning to come back. Just then she saw me jump off from the Burma bridge. It really was a nice experience for me however I could see that the person controlling the harness is holding on to me tightly when I am falling down. It is really nice experience but to hold of a person who is freely falling down creates a sense of panic. I had to do that 3 times before I get down onto the mesh which was almost 100 feet below. I then realised that it is nice to fall all the way up from the 100 feet down to the mesh below. But it didn't realised again that if I fall all the way up from 100 feet the mesh might not be able to support my weight. And hence the person holding on to my harness make sure that I do not freely fall all the way up from 100 feet but fall slowly when I am near the mesh.I felt so happy that I was able to do the entire jump. But then I realised I have not really been very happy jumping off and having held back 3 times before I fall on to the mesh. So I asked him can I do the activity once again and I am ready to pay for it but then this time he is not supposed to hold on to me for a longer duration for like 3 times. He agreed he said I thought you were very scared to do the zip line. But now that you have already done the Burma bridge crossing you feel very confident and I am happy that I can leave you down a little more and I would not catch 3 times but I would only catch a once or twice.
This time I came up all the way running and I was geared up again. I could hear madhuri say that it is really not required to do it again once that you have done it. I said that is not how it is if I like something I have to do it again to overcome the fear that I had in the initial few times. I came up and I saw that Ritanya had still not finished her Maggie. I spoke to the adventure activity personnel akash. He insisted that he will take a video of Me jumping off from the Burma bridge for a free fall but he I will have to tag him in his Instagram. He really was happy that I was able to do the burma bridge crossing without much fear the first time. But he said it is a really tough job to hold the people who are really scared. And I am ready for the second time again. He said if you want to do this again I would also ask you to do the zip line with your wife it's a couple zip line. I agreed I said a couple zip line is fine for me. But allow me to do the Burma bridge crossing along with the freefall once again. And I did it the second time consecutively and it this time it was really an experience that I would wish I would have another time. This time he never held on to me for a longer duration he allowed me to jump freely. But just when I was about to hit the mesh he held on to me and then left on to me to fall on to the mesh.
I finished the Burma zip line jump. Came back up the place where rithanya was having her Maggie. We decided that rithanya will continue to finish her Maggie up while we do the couple zip line. We told rithanya that we will be back after performing the activity. She happily agreed. Because anyway Maggie is her favourite meal. Madhuri was really scared that rithanya might be left alone. I comforted and said there will be one person who takes care of her do not worry. We went all the way up to the place where the zip lining would start. Got geared up. Harness all up. We both slide zip line together. However my zip line was a little too short. I fell and pulled the person along with me and we then started doing the zip line together.
When we finished zip line, we were worried that we did not see anyone with rithanya. But I could see her still eating her Maggie. So I was confident that there would not be a doubt that she would come up. Or move. But then out of all of it suddenly she saw walking up and she was happy to have seen us doing the zip line. So she came all the way up and we then shouted back at her. Go back and sit do not move forward and do not come front. She agreed and she went back and sat in the place where she was having her Maggie.
We walked all the way up to the place where she was eating her Maggie and came back and removed all her harness. We then ask her how was it. She happily said I was able to see both of you screaming and going and doing the zip line. And we were happy that she was able to finish her meal.
We made the payment that was due for the adventure activities that we had taken extra. And decided we move back to the place where we had come from. We called the Jeep guy and the Jeep driver said he would be there in another 10 minutes. Just then we were told by the adventure activities personal that there is a hammock. Rithanya loves hammock. we gave her a good swing and she was happy. The Jeep came back. Madhuri as usual was happy to see the photos that we took during are kufri ride up. But she was astonished that she is not able to see a single photo of we being dressed up. The entire set of photos were somehow missing. I was not able to digest that not a single photo is available in her phone. I immediately asked her phone and tried to find out if there is a folder where the photos were copied. I was shocked because I never saw a single photo or a folder being created. I told you the same to the Jeep driver. He said the photographer must be around and you can still catch him up. He said it is the daily business so they do not go anywhere else. He said there is no need for you to go all the way up to speak to the photographer you can talk to him over the phone number that has been given to you. I just then remembered that I had given back the phone number with a slip back to the photographer after having made the payment. So now I do not have the slip with the phone number, nor do I have the photos with me. I told the Jeep driver to take me back to the place from where he had picked us. He said it is a crazy ride back. The road is not nice and it is fully bumpy. I agreed I had told him there is no other way that I can catch the photographer now. We went all the way up back to the same place where the photographer had captured all are photos. To our astonishment the photographer was not another place. The box which had all the clothes in it was completely covered because it was starting to rain. And the person who took the photos with the local attire was missing too. But I somehow found the photographer who had taken the photos of us on the Yakk and the horse. I tried explaining him that I have lost all the photos. There is not a single photo that we took in the morning. He said the photos will come to you via PDF in the evening. And that he has no control on the photos that the other person with the attire had taken for you. I was literally lost. I told him that's not how it is I have asked the photos for a PDF but as soft copy. Because I have asked for the soft copy I would not get any photos neither the print. He kind of got lost. He said that's not how it works here. We give print back to your hotel and you also get the PDF of the photos in the evening. I explained him that I did not want the print to be given back to me in the hotel and that is why I had asked for a soft copy directly from the person who took the photos. It looked as if all the people there were getting confused at what had happened.
I gave them a complete explanation about how it actually happened and that I did not want the print photo given to me. And everyone tried to find what had happened with the photos. None of them were able to find a single photo in the phone and they were all doubting that I had given another phone and not this. I told them that this is not how it was the person who transferred the photos has not completed the activity of copying the photos into the phone and that is why I don't see the photos. The disagreed. All of a sudden the person who had taken the photos of us during the horse ride said it is not going to help us by doing all this. Are you okay for another photo session because it is already late in the evening and we might not have much time left . I agreed. Another photo session with similar photos being captured of the yak ride along with the traditional attire. I went back to madhuri and told her that we have lost all the photos. And that we are supposed to get ready for another photo shoot. She said I do not like the light up here. Lighting in the morning was really nice. It was natural. It was beautiful. Afternoon lights are not really nice for photography. The photographer said there is no need for you to worry I would switch on my flash and make sure the photos would turn out good. She never agreed to put on the traditional attire again. She was hell bent on asking for the old morning photos. The photographer explained that it is not how it has worked. They seem to have lost the photos and they do not see a way to recover them. Finally Ritanya was dressed up . Although the new attire that ritanya had got was not looking as good as it was in the morning. But somehow we had to convince ourselves that we have lost the photos and we do not have a way to get them back. So we have to get a new photo shoot done. The photographer said this is being done because it is our mistake and we want to correct it and we do not want you to miss out the photos. It was a really nice gesture from the photographer. But he said I can give you a yak photo but not the horse photo. You can ask for a horse photo anywhere else and it would look the same. Because photo would not look the same so I would ask for a yak person without you paying for the yak. We did complete the photography. But madhuri was not happy. B were able to get through the photos. And it started raining. I went back to the photographer to ask for the photos this time. He said you're gonna make sure that the photos get transferred onto your phone and you will be looking into the photos and confirming and only then are we moving ahead. This time he created a folder and I was able to see the photos being transferred to the phone. But then I just saw in the pen drive that he was plugging into the phone that there's the folder which was created in the morning . Tried explaining that the photos in taken in the morning are still there in the pen drive. He hesitantly said it might not be your photos. I clearly disagreed. I told him I can pay if we wishes to. But I need therefore to see the folder photos. Happy to me that the photos were still there. He said it looks like a confusion that has been created. The photographer wanted to copy the folder. But somehow missed and created the folder in the pen drive. Hi got all the photos that we took during the morning and afternoon. Paid a little tips of 500 to the photographer. Because he took the pain of doing the photography again. Everyone else was happy. They were all not just happy but rejoicing. I came back and told madhuri that we have got all the photos. You need not worry now.
we happily called the horse riders. To take us back down. Once we reached back to kufri, we had a good meal with Chaval and Alooo sabji :D. We then called Gautam to come back and pick us. When he came back we asked him can be visit the mall road. He some how reluctantly said the mall road would be completely closed and that it would be completely busy. We were okay to visit. We definitely wanted to try cable car. We went all the way up to the mall road. To our astonishment again there was huge number of people. The number of people way exceeded the lift capacity. The lift could carry only around 20 people each time. But there were around 400 people waiting in the queue. I realised that it would be impossible to get into the lift. So I asked madhuri to get into the queue while I get the tickets. I still remember the face of the person in front of Me. He said this is the queue to get tickets. Join and we will go in the lift too. I bought the tickets. Came back to the place where I was standing for the lift. And the lift person said this is not how you join the queue you are now supposed to go to join the queue at the back. I said I have been in this Q but I was not able to know that this is the place where I am supposed to buy the tickets. I just bought the tickets and now I am supposed to join the queue from the back? The person in front of me said I know him he is being in the queue from the beginning. Let him in just after me. We just got into the lift and I was happy to have got a person who helped me . We broke the Q for almost one hour. We came up with the mall road. And boy there was so much of rush. Just the number of people walking around was staggering. And there were shops all around. I told Madhu we should first visit the jakhoo temple. Because we might miss the timing. We walked all the way to the rope car. We found out that it is late in the evening. And that we can only go up we might not be able to come down. That was one person who was standing next to us and he said there is another service you can use : the car and go up and come down you need not have to wait. I asked him how much would it cost. He said its not a per person trip. I would ask 500 for the whole family. I agreed because the temple seemed at a very steep mountain place. Walking up to the temple seemed a daunting task. We got into the car after walking for almost 2 kilometres. But the road to the temple was really curvy and we could not have walked all the way to the temple if we had not taken the car. The the temple was really a mesmerising spot. Debate hanuman statue was an awe inspiring and a great place to be. With then got into the temple and we experienced how a temple is in north of India. I made friends with another person from poona or pune as it is Pronounced :D. He was with his family but he had come alone to the temple because the family was busy at the mall road doing shopping. Here we met a person from Bengalur and he said go to Koksar and we played in Ice and it was nice. We departed but necessary info gathered. We went back down talking to each other and that he realised that I am a software engineer. He was a civil engineer. And that is constructing a building in Pune. He was really a nice guy. When we came down in car to the place where we started it was already 6:30 in the evening. We did not waste much time. Madhuri wanted to try the momos it was really good but we could not spend much time here. We still had Ridge , the Mall road and Christ church to be covered but we decided not to because we would then be late to room. And then we headed back to the parking area. We called up the driver. He came up. We paid the parking toll free. And we decided we go back to the room now.
We reached our hotel it was almost dinner time.. So we decided that we would have our dinner before we go back on the 6th floor hotel room that we were stationed in. I spoke to the hotel manager. Explained him that I would be leaving very early in the morning the next day. And that I would not have much of the breakfast. He said if you really wish to leave a little early we can provide you with bread butter jam. I told madhuri that it would not be nice to take bread butter jam. Instead we took the chapati that was already there in the dinner menu. We went back to the room. I tried to explain the morning situation to the hotel owner and the staff but none of them really understood the gravity of the situation.They were all telling me that it was due to the sudden heavy insurge of al the tourists 100+ in under 30 minutes! They could have atleast kept easy to serve items like Upma which could have been served faster. But somehow they never understood. And I was not filled with Energy to argue more. It was already 10:00 o'clock. I crashed reaching room. Madhuri gave a good hot bath to rithanya or so we could call it because the water heater took almost 1 hour to heat the water up and it could only provide 1 bucket of hot water :D. But then I slept and so did they.!
Day3 : May 12:
Our day was to start very early today because there were activities planned for today on the way to Kullu. There was Rafting point, then there were dry fruits shop and the paragliding spots too. But Kullu was not the end point. We had to reach Manali! Thats 7 hour just the drive alone! So we were told by Goutam that it is better if we can start early probably by 7 at most. On the way Goutam showed us Pandoh dam and sundarnagar lake all at 80KMPH speed! We knew that there is no commission that Goutam gets by showing us all this! He just spit his Gutka out and used to say this is Pandoh lake and there is a dam at a long sight! And I clicked photos at that speed which really turned out to be blurry! But that is how it is. Goutam was much excited that we can do Rafting and it is a really good place to do it. I did not feel much excited because I have already done it and Madhu is not interested in water based activities! And Ritanya is too young for all this!
On the way were told that there is old temple and it is Vaishno devi mandir. We will be stopped for a small break at the temple. I was looking forward for it.
On the way to Temple we arrived at Kullu rafting point. It was a large congregation of shops all up with hoarding that they are qualified and trained Rafting providers and Paragliding providers! Goutam said all of them are illegal and he knows a person who is the legal person who can help us do the activities.
We were stopped at shop number 96 and were told to meet the person for doing the activities. INDER Bhai! Thats his name! He said he is the trained Paraglider and he has put up his photo in front of the shop with him doing the Gliding but the weather is very bad for Gliding. The time was around 10 in the morning and the Winds were way too much for Gliding and he said do Rafting and the winds might reduce and we can then do GLiding.
I asked Madhu and she plainly refused to do Rafting. Water based activity is always a strict no from her. Although I was keen in doing it. I asked the Price and Inder said 3600 for each person! If it is a group of 12 then he can consider to reduce the price. And here I am - standing 1 person and asking for Discount. He said my boys have to come for you and do the same setup as it has to be done for 12 people I cannot reduce price. I again said my wife is not willing and I am interested. he said if you are doing it alone then too it would be 3500 at last. I asked him for 2000 and he said it is definitely not possible. I was thinking to move on but Goutam said there is nothing more planned for today. If we decide not to do the activity then he will drop us to hotel and it ends the day for us. It is stil 11 Am and we will be in room in about 1 hours time! I was like we got up early and drove past all the sight seeing places like Pandoh and Sundernagar lake just because Goutam wanted us to do this alone. If not he is threatening us to reach room and sleep? I told Madhu to get ready and she hesitated!
I asked Inder would she get wet in water? he said, he can give a cover up dress and not a drop of water would make her wet her clothes! LIE and LIAR! Lol! I knew what is rafting ! I have done it earlier. I knew its not true but somehow Madhu got convinced and decided to jump in! But she said after accessing the situation at the boat point she would decide. We told the same to Inder and he said that fine. most people who are undecided now will do it after seeing the water. But young Ritanya? What abuot her? We asked? Inder said dont worry, she will be taken till the start point and from there Goutam and the driver of the rafting car will be there and they wil drive back to end point and you will meet them at the end point and there is no worry for her. We explained the same to Ritanya and that she will have to be with GOutam till we return and she happily agreed for a packet of Bhel! I really thought a Kid is always a Kid. Instant Bhel and Mobile and the deal is sealed!
We hop on to the Omni car and the raft is tied to the top and off we go.
Ganesh is our instructor and Raft Pilot! He is from nepal and we had a nice long chat with him. he seemed to be a nice person and genuine too! I like such open minded naturally calm and composed person. He explained us about the good time for rafting in BEAS river . the time when tourists flock and how the water becomes a frozen stream during peak winters and how it becomes raging River in Monsoons! He really was a gem of a person. He explained that for video graphy it will cost us 1500. And that it is not per person. It is for full boat. So if there are 12 people it would cost less but now that we are just the two of us it will cost the same. He said he will take some good pics and video will be in FHD resolution. I agreed to pay him 1500.
We come out of the car. Give Ritanya a good snack packet and tell her to be happy till we meet her. And we take her on the boat and take some good pics on the boat. Just the three of us. Ganesh said it is not possible to take the kid because sometimes the water might overturn the boat and it becomes very risky with the baby. She will do it when she grows bigger but now she might not even know what is this. So we let her sit in the car back and she moved in the car. I could see her sitting with Goutam and he was taking her to the end point in the Omni. For the initial few minutes, Ganesh explained about the river and how the Ice glaciers are powering such rapids in the river and what to do and what not to do in Rafting. Being CALM in any situation is the key thats the GIST!
We move on the raft and it really was a nice experience. For Madhu it was the first time so she was very cautious and was very scared too. Very evident in her face and expressions. Ganesh was explaining about how the water although seems slow there are under currents and things. She paid least botheration!
We had opted for 40 minutes Rafting which covers 8 Km of the river or so we were told. I think we did the rafting for less than that both in distance and time.
However in the middle of the length Ganesh said sir do you want to jump to water? I said yes. Definitely! He said then jump!! I was like okay and asked shall I jump straight? He said no sir. Turn to water , put your legs out and then just slide. The water is pretty cold so be calm. I was expecting the water to be around 10-15 C. Or so around. God! it was Freezing! I guess the water just hit so hard on my chest that I could hardly breathe! I was like what is happening. I cannot even move my arms here. Forget swimming! I cannot even dip my head in water. i had carried my swim goggle and swim cap but that I had given Ganesh in the boat because the boat could over turn. But then I could not dip my head anyways. SO there was no point in wearing it too. I was hardly able to hear Ganesh! he said sir try to swim and am making video. Swim? I heard so.. I tried and put my head down and I could hear the gushing water sound in my ears. I usually enjoy that. I put my ears down and hear the water sound but today was not the day. I again heard him say sir just swim. I moved my arms and legs and they seemed to be frozen. At last he said sir Rafting position. I took that and I came close to Raft. He said do you want Madam to rescue you? I said no Bhai! You please pull me quickly! He said okay sir. Just leave your arms and legs free I will pull you into the raft.
I was pulled back and I was able to breathe again with my shivering like a plate stuck with a hammer! I just regained all the senses and he asked how was the water and experience of diving? I said it is very very cold and I mean too cold to swim. He said yes. True. This is glacier water and it would be hardly 5C! In places which is not near the flow, there can be ice crystals too! For you it will be cold but I am from Nepal and I am doing this rowing activity so this water feels warm and I am already sweating! So I said yes. You are doing the activity and you might be sweating but not us. He gave the row paddles and explained how we can control the boat. I had done it previously so I explained the same to Madhu. She was not able to concentrate! We navigated 3 - 4 rapids and we were told to pose for good pics with background. Ganesh was really a nice person. He was able to give us the raft experience in Beas and so I said in the video too.
Finally we came back to end point and there was our Bolero waiting for us in the end point. I was quick to see no Goutam and Ritanya! I was shivering and could not just control my body's involuntary response to cold water. I asked the Bolero driver- where is my GUDIYA as they all were calling. He said I dropped them at the shop and she is with Goutam. I was relieved. We got in the Bolero and they tied the raft back and said if you wish to you can come in the open air! I was like boss if you have heater, just switch it on! His vehicle did not have any heater system. We just grabbed our hands and Madhu was scolding me for having jumped into the water! And asking for one more jump from Boat! I had asked because I wanted to experience and swim the second time but Ganesh himself warned and said it would not be good because we have other places and activities to be done and would not be good to become unhealthy.
We reached the shop and were changing clothes and Inder was already pestering me to pay the amount! I was like Goutam is your guy, I wont be able to run away why is that you are behind me to pay so quickly? Let me change the clothes! He was just behind me each step with a QR! I said let me change my clothes and I wont run away! I changed and then Madhu went and changed her clothes. In the mean time Ritanya was happily eating the Bhel but she said Madhu's phone is not working as Data is not on! Madhu realised that she had forgot to switch on Data and Goutam told Ritanya that Data is not on so Youtube wont play. Play some game in the phone and she was playing some game. I switched data on and gave her the phone to watch some Peppa pig videos(her fav altime videos!).
I took the phone and made payment to Ganesh and told Madhu to have a look at all the photos and videos this time and not to cause the same Kufri experience Lol! She quickly looked at all the photos and videos and said its fine this time.
Inder sent his guy again with QR. I said okay how much . He said how much ever Inder bhaiyya said. I asked Inder can I make payment of 4000 ? He said no . That is not possible. make it 4200. So 2100 for each person for 30 mins of Rafting in Beas? I felt really cheated. I had read in website that rafting in Kullu is 1800 per person for 14Km . We have done less than 5 Km and we are paying 2100. But that is okay I remembered Ganesh's words. Rafting is fun for the initial parts of it. Later once the cold and shivering sets in we can hardly enjoy the full ride. If we had done 14km it would be a cold shivering one and would have to endure the cold splashes more. So I made the 4200 payment and were trying to bid goodbye but it started raining or drizzling to be clear.
And goutam said why dont you try Maggie here? I obliged because i was little hungry and place was seeming to be nice. it was 13:30 almost. We ordered chaval aloo subji and maggie for Ritanya and I stil had the plain rotis from Aplin hillden hotel. We finished our lunch and it was bit costly for the items we took. I never felt happy. The chaval is not great. The subji is not great and maggie is just plain maggie. 300 for this was too costly! But we just moved on.
Goutam was happy that we did rafting in his allocated shop. He then stopped for Vaishno devi temple and we visited the shrine! It is cave temple with complex for al other gods too. A multi storied temple complex modernized with AC and Fan and a shopping exit too. Madhu bought Magnets and bangles and somethings which I am not sure. But then we came down and took some pics and moved on the car.
We still were eager to do the Paragliding. Goutam said he knows a place called Dobhi and there are Inder's friends who do paragliding! I was like Inder and his friend - Goutam and his commission! :D
Anyways we wanted to do Paragliding and that was fixed. madhu wanted to do it the next day but Goutam said do it today because tomorrow there are other activities planned and we cannot come back to here. She was already tired but I was excited!
On the way to we visited Shawl - RM Shawls - And goutam insisted that we buy shawls from here. And Madhu bought shwals, shweater for ritanya and shawl for Manoj and Bharati!
And then we visited Dry fruit shop! Again Madhu bought Shilajeet , some crazy Garlic and some other dry fruits. And the views were now even more mesmerising !
We reached Dobhi and there were again 100's ? 1000's shops with Bill boards- Paragliding and Rafting! And Goutam was searching for his shop. He has not seeng his tourists do Gliding here. He said most of his tourist have done it Kullu itself. Today because of winds we were not able to do it.
We stopped at a shop and I enquired prices. he said 6000 for couple and videos are 500 extra! So that is like 7000 for gliding for two of us. He said in Solang it would cost us 3500 for each person just for gliding and transportation is extra. Here transport is included. So I agreed. We signed the documents and were waiting for the car to take us to start point. Ritanya? Again Goutam said dont worry I will take care of the baby. You guys do it. I felt happy that although he has his set of cuts in the shops. he does not say I am not coming with you guys. Its your responsibility. He always said Gudiya mere saath aayegi. Aap jao! And Ritanya while going up was excited seeing the road which were almost non existent.
We reached the top point after changing a vehicle because the road was completely washed away due to rain. But after reaching the top, Madhu said I want to go first. I was given the Harness by Yeshpal and he said we are flying first. But now Madhuri wasnt ready to go second. SO I asked the pilot to exchange the harness and he agreed. She was the first one and go and she went. Flew and I made Video of that! My pilot is busy eating Gutka and he is not ready to take off. I asked boss its very late and it is almost sunset time. Please come. He said after him its us. We flew! And he did the flips in air - cost is 500 Extra! That fine. The views were just amazing. Snow laden mountain on one side river flowing down below and city all around with Lush green forests. It was a nice 9 minutes flight and my pilot was making nonsense jokes abuot how his spitting the gutka is making the world look bright red ! And how people think birds are peeing while its his gutka! But overall a nice one time experience!
After all the flips he said we are now landing. Be ready with legs up. It was a smooth experience. I saw Yeshpal with Phone taking my video and snaps of landing. It was Madhu who has asked it. I was like how innovative! She has given her phone to Ritanya so she asked yeshpal to take my landing video! She and her brain works like a lightening when it comes to Photos and Videos!
Yeshpal took my landing videos and he said quickly give me your phone and I will transfer the videos and photos. I took the photos and videos and asked madhu to check the same.She gave a go ahead and I made 1500 payment - 1000 for vid and photo and 500 for the extra action and flips!
And we reached back to the start point and RItanya was explaining how the road is very bumpy and that this time she did not see phone because it was very bumpy and that Goutam said be sit tight . So she was sitting holding the seat tightly.
And we then got down at dobhi and we were happy to have done the Paragliding. This one was a first for both of us and it was a nice experience and I would still feel happy to have done it again. Madhu said thats it. No more paraglding. I said you wanted Bir Billing glide? She said no. Its fine. It is all the same! I asked Goutam and he said he does not know anythign abuot Bir because all his tourists do it in Kullu.
I said please take us there on the day we are going from Dharamshala and we are willing to do it. But Madhu was saying no. So he said it would be bad to do it. I said its fine i wanted to do it. So lets just go.
And in the time we were seeing the photos Madhu said Ganesh has missed the video and he has not pasted the last video! Of we putting our heads down. I was like what the hell! I said I will cal him up and tell him. I called and Ganesh said he has pasted all the video and photos and that there is nothign that he has now. And it should be there because he never stopped recording as such. it could be in between. I said its fine and we disconnected and we felt bad to have lost the video.
We reached the hotel- Hotel Touch Sky Manali-! This was a better hotel. It did not have lift facility but we had our room in 2 floor and climbing two floors is okay. And the hotel owner said dinner would be ready in 20 mins and you can freshen up. Madhu opted for heater in the room and we were provided with a heater.
The room had hot water for 24 hours time.So Ritanya got a hot water bath. And I took bath too. Went down and had dinner and came back to room and I slept by 9:45.
Day 4: May 13th
I got up at 5:00 in the morning and went out to see the surroundings . And God was I amazed to see bright sunlight at the top of Snow laden mountains! All around and the time is just 5:15! Sunrise so early and sunset at 7:30 in evening! I felt so happy to have seen this waking up so early. But then I realised Goutam saying come down by 6 to enjoy the skating and other activities! So I came back into the room and sat infront of the heater for few mins and woke up Madhu and went ahead and washed hands and face.
We got ready and went down at 6 :10.
Goutam was ready to take us to Solang+ Atal Tunnel+ Koksar( necessary info gathered in Jakoo temple_) We hopped in to the car and he quickly took us to again 1000's of shops doing the activities. We were guided to one shop. And the shop guy said- 7500 for couple for doing the activities.
I asked 7000 but I felt there is some thing fishy here. But somehow I could not find out what is the real cost. There were 4 activity- Skating+ ATV+ Tube Ride+ Yak ride + Guide with us.
I paid 7000 and put on the shoe+ dangri+ sock+ hat + glove and goggle. But then realised that we are supposed to pay for socks + goggle + gloves and that costed 1200 extra! And then I realised I was scammed again! It should have been 7 inclusive everything! But damage done! Plus I was told that 50 photos are inclusive in the package which then I was told is incorrect. So it was cheating I felt. But thats okay. It is how business thrive. I should have been more cautious and asked more questions.I took it light and he took me by surprise.
We then came back to car and we had our Guide with us. Sunny- Satpal Thakur- he again was a gem of a person who explained us all the local customs and how in winters the roads are all blocked and how people come in lesser numbers during winters and it becomes completely snow covered and how it is during monsoons and things. he was a nice guy who I liked again.
We reached Koksar or a place nearby by 8 in morning and we had very few people to interact with and were happy to have got up early because lesser crowd means greater place to enjoy.
We played skiing + ice tube+ lots of ice games like building Ice man and things. And ate maggie from an old Uncle. he made us a good Bread omlete and Sunny said we can enjoy till we feel like going back and then call him and we could leave! We played to hearts content. It was almost 12:30 when we decided its high time we leave because the entire area was now filled with tourists and there was hardly any place to sit or walk now. Everyone has come to this point now.
So we call up Sunny and we decide to go down to play our other activities. Yak ride and ATV. I realised the ATV is again a bullshit ride because they just took at to a small road and took u turn within 500m! Thats too short! Anyways damage done. So I said the same to Sunny and he said it is not like too much but he too agreed that it is little too much ! So he reduced his photo price to 2500 instead of 4000. We paid him and Goutam said pay me the 3500 too. And Sunny was instantly shocked! he asked why you? Goutam said this is not in the list for them. So extra! Sunny then said its your talking and I am not involved! We paid Goutam his 3500 and were dropped at a hotel to have lunch. We finished out lunch and Goutam said I will drop you to hotel today. take good rest and wake up little early and come down by 8 Madhu said lets make it 9 ? he agreed. We should not have agreed :D More about it later.
We came back to room and we felt it is too early to sit back in room and we can go out. I saw Van vihar and decided to go there. We took an auto and went to Van vihar and took some good photos here Ritanya played Trampoline for sometime. And then we went to market road or the mall road as they call and tried going to Monastery but it was closed.So we came back and on the way back we had SIDDU a local food of Manali. Frankly it did not taste any good. momos are better. It has some chutney taste. Siddu has no intrinsic taste. It is mixed with dry fruits or so the street vendor said! I could not taste much of any dry fruit. He said its all grounded. I just nodded!
Then we had some Rajwadi chai and came back to room in auto. We had a good hot water bath and then had dinner and we slept. We had returned the heater because we did not feel we need the needed it.
I made a mistake of wearing nothing but thin 3/4th and half sleeve shirt and I slept at 9:45Pm feeling too tired for the day. Mistake and mistake that cost me dearly!
Day 5: May 14th :
I got up 4:45 and I was feeling urgent need to go to Loo. So urgent that I instantly rushed. I felt I am relieved and came back to bed. Again I felt the same urgency at 5:15 and then at 5:30 and at 6. I realized my mistake! My body had got too cold at night and I have lost lots of body fluids due to peeing. I was totally tired and was not happy with the way my body was aching now. Anyways I slept till 7 and I was feeling uneasy. I woke up Madhu and we got ready and went down at 9:30am.
Goutam said lets go to Vashist temple and then to Hidimbi temple and then to Mall road and come back in evening. We agreed.
We reached Vashist temple at 10:30. Were told that there is a hot water spring and I was expecting luke warm water but it turned out to be a hot as in hot boiling hot water. And I wished I could have jumped right into it. But I had not carried all the clothes I need to jump into water. And I was not feeling better too. I put my legs in the water and learnt while sitting that this temple has pillar that get erected once every 100 years and there are 4 pillars so this temple has been looked after for 400 years. The last one is still pretty new and it signifies that we are in beginning of the change. But then I was happy to have come here although Goutam was insisting we skip this place as it is very similar to Manikarn which we can cover tomorrow. I was not agreeing to skip the place.So we came here. We then visited the Ram temple and took some photos and on the way back Madhu shopped souvenirs. And we reached our parking.
We started coming back and there was made rush of cabs and TTs to this place and we came down and went to hidimbi temple! It was again a mad rush here. Queue of people standing in Hot sun to get into the temple. I felt very tired standing and my body was already losing all the water and sweating made me dizzy. I said Madhu you come in Queue I will join you once you are here. I cannot stand in hot sun and Queue. She went all the way in the Q and returned after 1 hour and me and little Ritanya joined the Queue. There was a person behind us when we sat and when we rejoined he happily said please join I can see that you are looking tired! I indeed was! The temple was a nice looking one with ancient Manali style roof and cave like entrance. A nice experience again. Some one had organized a Langar and it was sumptous food. Although I was not feeling to eat anything. That Kada prasad was mouth watering. I wish was in my right state of health and that i could have had a full meal but I could not. The food included - Chole Kulcha+ Chaval+ Langar Dal+ Masor Dal+ Boondi raita+ Kada prasad+ One more dal.
From there we decided to go to Ghatodkach temple and it is a serene temple. Ancient Tree like temple with just threads tied to the tree. We then decided to go down and to the Mall road. We walked all the way to the monastry and then back to the van vihar and I slept in garden for 1 hour and at 6 we decided to go back to room after having bought Shawl again in JICA shop :D
I realized genuine people are always good. the shop owner was a good person and he said i am not cheating you but making 30 extra on each shawl. That is okay i felt. Ritanya played Trampoline and we went back.
I talked to Manoj for like 30 mins and then I crashed. I was woken up for Diner by Madhu and Ritanya and I could hear Ritanya say Appa you body is hot and you have fever. I realised that I have to sleep and drink water and replenish my fluids. I some how got up and went down for dinner and came back quickly and then slept properly. I remember waking up at 6 the next day morning! And I was feeling fresh and I drank 1 full bottle of water and I was feeling better.
Day 6: May 15th:
We were told to come down little early because we had to cover Kasol and Manikarn and then head back to Dharmshala which is like 7 hours on road.
So we got ready quickly. I never took bath because I wanted to take bath in Manikarn. We started early by 6 and reached Kasol valley by 8:00. It is really a nice valley and we have lots of trek points from here. But I could not do any trek here. We had other plans. we took quick photos and then we started moving back to car.
We reached manikarn by 9:00AM. And the Temple is one of its kind I am still stuck by awe for having visited this temple and I am happy to have been there. Not just the hot water, the history inspired me. The hot water beside the cold chilling ice water surely strikes everyone but the history just shook me. I took hot water bath in the pool and then we had a visit to Gurudwar and then we had a good breakfast at Langar hall of sahib. And then as usual took some photos.
The hot cave temple and hot water spring along with Shiva temple are a must visit. But make sure to visit the temple from the beginning and then at last exit from Guru Dwar sahib. Tie a bag of rice in the spring and eat it when ready. It takes 30 mins time and first tie it and then visit the temple and by the time we finish it would be ready :D We made a mistake of tieing at last.
On the way back Goutam showed us River Parvati and beas river again all at 80KPH speed and I took blury photos!
But then on the way we were stopped for lunch and we had good tea and chas and told Goutam that remember we wanted to go to Bir Billing? He said yes. He has asked Inder and he has given a contact and we are going to Bir! I was like Inder again! Anyways I was happy that we are going. Madhu was reluctant and she was not much inclined to do Paragliding again! I was!
We reach Bir at 16:30 and we meet the Inder's friend for Paragliding and he says 3000 for each person with photo+ vid+ transport. So we agreed. Madhu somehow again agreed but what abuot Ritanya this time? There was no space for Goutam to come with us this time. So the Driver who was taking us up said he will take care of the baby and drop her back the start point. We agreed and so did Ritanya. It was a bumpy curvy road again! But it was fun for her.
We did the paragliding from highest point in Billing and Landed at Bir. And picked the photos and decided to move on.
Our stop at the hotel was in McLeodGanj point in Dharamshala. We reached the hotel Skylark late in the evening probably by 8:30 and had dinner took bath and then slept.
Day 7 : May 16th:
We woke up late and came down to Goutam and he said the place is walkable to temple Bhagsu nag and from there to Bhagsu nag waterfall. So go and be back we will meet again here itself!Had he said that yesterday we could have done all this in the morning! We wasted time. But he said there is no urgency. We can cover everything easily.
We went to temple. And then proceeded to Waterfalls and played in Waterfalls for some 40 mins and then came back to the point where the car is.
We then started going towards the Church built in 1850's. Then our next point was Naddi point. We could have got the best view of Dhauladar range but there was way too much smoke and fog and the view was blocked. But we were happy to have come here. We could imagine the view and felt happy here.
Then from there we went to Dal lake - a place which looks awesome in winters and great in summers. There is a shiva temple here where there was another langar and bandar but we decided to not have lunch here although madhu was sad that we are skipping it. I was not really happy to eat.
Goutam then dropped us to mall road where we had missed the Monastery and it was nice place to be. We were dropped in the monastery were asked to come back to hotel which was pretty close by.
We had Thukpa here and Madhu liked the taste of it. We then came back to hotel and it was probably around 5 in the evening and I thought of going to Temple to swim in water! And the water here again is ice cold. But I still cannot comprehend the Saint and the Buddhist monks swimming here for 1 hour everyday! Great monks! I felt cold and immediately came back. Could not swim. We reached the hotel. Walked to the market and then came back. Retired for the night.
Day 8: May 17th
We then started our day pretty late because it was down town Dharamshala- We visited the Stadium. HPCA stadium is a one time visit. The war memorial was closed for some maintenance activity.
On the way we had a small waterfall temple and I enjoyed the falls. Took some photos and reached the next destination -
Dalhousie!
It was around 5 in evening and I decided to go out and explore the market but we were away from dalhouise by 7 kms! Called baniket! Hotel Bias pushap!
Goutam told us that this hotel is for Winters. When it snows in upper parts. Summers can be better in Dalhousie town itself. Baniket in Summer is not a happening place. However I tried to go to the market and I enquired few shops for 2 hours rent bike but none of them seemed interested. It is not a great place to be!
I came back by 7 and we then talked for sometime . took some photos. Took bath and retired for night.
Day 9: May 18th
We had good breakfast and started our day towards Khajjiar lake. It is really a nice place and we could imagine the place in Winters when it snows. We saw photos from our guide and it was nice place.
We took Horse ride to the old village town and saw Apple farms here took great looking photos. India and Pakistan border Mountains seemed closer. Took horse ride back to lake and then enjoyed the lake for some time.
And then we deicided to go to PunchPulla falls and Satdara falls. Goutam said it is waste of time and energy to go to these falls in summers as there is no water. but i wanted to see it. So we went. There is no water in these falls. Not even to wet our hands! So we quickly came back and asked Goutam to take us to Chamera lake and we agreed to pay 1500 extra for it. Had this been included in the plan it would have been better.
In the lake we did speed boat ride for 10 mins and it was fun. Then we waited for almost 1 hour to see sunset at Chamera lake. Took some photos. Came back and returned to hotel. Took some good rest.
Day 10: may 19th
We then got up at 8 and started at 9ish. Because again today we had to reach a long drive to reach Amritsar.
Goutam stopped us for lunch at a Dhaba which was pathetic. Take money but stop for good food plaza. But no he stops at hotels where they give commision? Probably because all the taxis had stopped at this Balle balle dhabha and the taste ws not great! Prices were exorbitant!
We then reached Attari border at 2:30 and took some photos.
And then moved to Wagah border at 3 and the gates would open at 4.
Mad mad rush! Just plain mad rush! What are people here for? Aged aunties, uncles , small kids! Boss madness! Anyways we saw the parade and it is a once in a lifetime moment to see it.
I enjoyed. Then we returned to the car and then to hotel.
Amritsar Grand - right in the mid of the city! This is how the hotels have to be booked! Walkable distance to all the amenities! Mid city hotel and it was good for a day's stay.
Had dinner and retired.
Day 11: May 20th
We were told to get up as early and go to Golden temple because there is mad rush. We did get up at 6:30 and got ready but we met Balram a gem of a person and it was he who suggested us to visit other better places than GOlden temple because of the mad rush there,
We visited the Durgiana mandir+ hanuman temple+ vaishno devi temple and then he dropped us to Jallian wallah bagh and we then were asked to go to golden temple.
It was a nice plan. He showed us Giani Lassi shop and another famous Kulche shop (I dont remember the name) . Explained about the tales of Amritsar. And then we went to Golden temple.
The rush that he explained was no where close to what it really was. I asked a guard abuot the time it would take for the darshan, he said 3-4 hours. We decided not to stand and instead had Langar which was nice.
WAHEY GURU! Really! I liked the place and the hospitality of the Sikhs!
Then we took at Tuk tuk electric to hotel. Came back and checkout from here.
Next destination - Chandigarh. Again 6 hours of journey!
On the way back we asked to go to Rock garden and it took us good 2 hours to roam the full garden with the doll museum. And then to Sukna lake which is just like any other lake.
We reached our hotel KC Clan and then we went out for walk and came back and slept .
Day 12th: May 21st
Woke up pretty early and were ready by 9. Our journey was to Delhi and local sight seeing and then back to Bengalur.
Our Goutam stopped for lunch at Haveli Dabha and the food again was not nice but price was way too high. Thats fine. We then discussed what can be seen in Local Delhi and he said - Raj Ghat+ Indira House+ Kartavyapath india gate+ old delhi pass by + new parliment pass by at 1500 extra.
We agreed.
We finished all of this and then reached Airport by evening 4:45 and our flight was at 7. So Madhu and Ritanya went into the Lounge and I passed time by roaming around in airport.
We reached home at 2 at night and slept!
Here we ended our trip.
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