Blogs from Himachal Pradesh, India, Asia - page 98

Strawberry Lassis and Banana Pancakes A bit late coming.. but better late than never! So the last 3 weeks of our time in India were spent in vast contrast to our first 2... No more dust, 40 degree temperatures and personal driver... Bring on the serenity of the mountains, hill stations, rivers, waterfalls and overnight buses. Yes, that's right - no more could we enjoy the life of "flash-packers" - we were now on true traveler's path and back to life as "back-packers"! So out comes the Lonely Planet, in comes the painful bus trips and onto the road of best budgt hostel searching - but bring on the strawbery lassi's, fruit yogurt museli, banana pancakes and mint tea for breakfast! Woo Hoo! Destinations: So we were able to cover a fair bit of ground ... read more

Yes a slow day today with John getting to see the sights in Mandi while I indulged in the delights of English-language cable tv - caught up on my "Bold and the Beautiful", watched a few movies and even caught some of Miss America 2006. John got to meet some of the locals and take in the scenery without me quite well, and even his talk of markets down the road couldn't tempt me out of the room. So my memory of Mandi shall be my dinner before me, and a lot of bad tv. (I have also been put off even the smell of Indian food now.....)... read more

Ain't No Mountain High Enough - The Hampta Pass, Indian Himalayas After the blistering heat of Rajasthan we decided to head North to mountain country. The original plan was to head to Nepal and trek in the Annapurna range. However, at the risk of daylight curfews, political unrest etc we took the safer option and caught the 12 hour night bus to Manali - The capital of the northern Indian provence, Himachel Pradesh. We left hot and humid Delhi and after a run in with "waiter" who demanded a tip for good service (what ?), we woke up somewhere in Himachel Pradesh. This place is at the foothills of the Himalayas and it's peaks range from 3000 - 6500 metres. Pretty big indeed and to wake up to these along with a beautiful blue sky, ... read more

So I'm back alone, my friend Oleg which was with me since Delhi just left Shiumla this morning. since he preferred the comfortable life, while I will be going to places that are less comfortable, to say the least. its good i had hooked up with him, we had great times together. In Delhi we almost had a trio with this chick, In Rishikesh we ended sharing a bed with two Latin girls, and of course the bus ride . can't complain but since I up for some challenges it might be better go alone form here. As for experiences its still incredible, once I'm out of my hotel room things just keep on happening. I was eating in a local Dhaba ( the street food here is great, and cost almost nothing) yesterday were two ... read more

My home before home... Dharamshala is nestled in the valley of Kangra, Himachal Pradesh in Northern India. The town is split into two levels, the lower being Dharamshala (where I am staying). The upper level, a few steep miles uphill, is christened McLeod Ganj, home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile, as well as an influx of Tibetan refugees fleeing the Chinese oppression in their homeland. The entire region provides a generous view of the Dhauladhar Mountain range and surrounding valleys at the foothill of the Himalayas. The view is so expansive that you can sit under the bright warm sunshine on one mountain while you watch dark storm clouds gather to shower over another. The weather here is pleasant. Warm before the frequent thunderstorms, and cool after. And just a note, ... read more