To Chamba

Ok, desperately trying to catch up before we go to the border ceremony (in Amritsar now).

So on the 4th we commenced our second day's trek (with Canadian Boy, Dog and now Dog 2) to Chamba, which is, surprisingly, in the Chamba valley. We were all pleased to leave the hostility of Khadjir (besides Horseboy, the general atmosphere was quite unpleasant). An easy walk, pretty much downhill (Chamba is significantly lower than the places we'd been in Himachal Pradesh previously), with a stop at 'Biscuit Point', where the Britishers use to stop for tea and biscuits, back in the day.

Being back in the bustle of Chamba Town was a little odd, and I was feeling quite sensitive with regards to any of the stares (which are, let's say, plentiful wherever you go in India (or at least that's off the tourist route), some of which are probably just curious, but some perhaps more hostile.

After lunch, we took the bus out from Chamba Town, for an hour's ride. I gave up my seat to an extremely doddery looking old man from the hills, and was given what were probably despairing looks at my stupidity (giving up seats is not the done thing here).

When we got to our stop, we had a twenty minute walk up the hill side to Orchard Hut, which was to be our home for the next 3 nights, and is a completely serene place, especially when compared to so much of India. The son (Nitin) of the guy who runs it (Prakash) is an ex-Intrepid Leader, and the whole ethos of the place is about eco/responsible tourism.

Arriving there, we were introduced to one of Prakash many long lectures about Orchard Hut's ethos (and which included a lengthy apology/explanation for the Horse Man incident), given traditional Himachal Pradesh hats and a traditional welcome (which included getting fed huge amounts of onion badjis and auberjine things (also deep fried).

Then we were shown our rooms, before dinner (yet more food!) which was all traditional Himachal Pradesh fare, eaten sitting on the floor, with our hands (I've forgotten how to use cuttlery!).

Anyway, going to have to cut this short as we're off to the boarder ceremony shortly.

Adios.

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