Blogs from Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India, Asia - page 8

Nach einer nachtlangen Busfahrt im "Semi Deluxe Bus" (wobei es sich bei dem "Deluxe", obwohl ja durch "Semi" relativiert, trotzdem nur um einen traurigen Euphemismus bzw. einen Grund das Ticket ein wenig zu verteuern, handelt) kommen wir etwas muede in Manali an, werden in unserem gewuenschten Hotel abgewiesen und steigen daher im fast schon noblen Hotel Pinewood (horrende 6 Euro pro Person) ab. Manali ist eine fast ausschliesslich vom Tourismus lebende Stadt ohne bemerkenswerte Geschichte, lockt aber mit verschiedensten Sportangeboten wie Klettern, Trekken, Raften, Zorbing und Paragleiten sowie einem (angeblich) passablen Nightlife und guten Restaurants. Abgesehen davon ist es quasi das Sprungbrett in den Himalaya. Von hier starten die Busse nach Leh; davon spaeter mehr. Fuer alle die von wirklich lustigen und sinnvollen Sportarten keine Ahnung haben: Beim Zorbing wird man zu zweit i... read more

Well, I made it to Manali. I am still not quite sure that I am in one piece though. Mattius, the Belgian traveler that I met on the train from Chandigarh, and myself decided to take a night bus here from Shimla. We figured if we ponied up a few extra rupees for a deluxe bus we would be able to sleep while traveling for the night, and save a day in the process as the trip takes about 10 hours. Turns out our bus was not as deluxe as we were promised. I once again didn't fit in the seat, and my legs and knees are actually cut, sraped, and really bruised after the trip. Deluxe is a term that is horribly misused here in India, as is certified, and gauranteed. It wouldnt have mattered ... read more

August 16, 2008 I am in Manali and am enjoying getting to know the neighbourhood of old Manali. I have been doing a bit of running around as I decided to send a big package home. To send a package, I thought I would make it worthwhile, so I started to buy some things when I was sparked by the embroiderers and tailors here. Most clothes shops in Manali make custom orders…there is little selection of ready-made clothes. Every store that sells clothes has its own tailor and wow are they amazing. They can whip off a suit, jacket, intricate pants- whatever you want in a matter of hours - from raw material to finished product. I then saw the embroiderers and was so impressed by their craft that I decided to get many items ... read more

August 15, 2008 India Independence Day Today is a National Holiday but I didn’t feel it anywhere around here. All the shops were open as usual in Old Manali where I am staying and I didn’t venture down to New Manali to see what was going on…I heard not much. I am in my 3rd accommodation here in Manali. The first night I stayed in a hotel nearby but it was far too costly $10 a night and it had a moldy, musty smell to it-almost like every place I looked at…or rather smelled at. The second night was another hotel, up the road, the Him View, for $5 a night, but it too had a really awful moldy/mildew smell and was really quite dirty upon closer examination (I made the mistake of taking a room ... read more

August 10, 2008 I left for Manali at 2:00 am Sunday morn…..and I cannot even begin to describe the ride. There were 11 of us in mini-bus with a Ladakhi driver. I started out excited and optimistic on my new adventure through the Himalayas and through the highest mountain pass in the world. By 6 am I was freezing literally. My toes were so cold I could not feel them anymore. I wore as many layers of clothes I had but I did not bring much in the way of “winter attire.” I was completely jealous of the other passengers who had down sleeping bags to wrap their bodies in. The driver kept the window open the whole time to keep himself alert and to stop any condensation from building on the windows and hindering visibility. ... read more