having relaxed time and eating yum veggie food. But how would it be if you plan instantly to move out of the concrete jungle and find yourselves amidst the nature? Yes, if you are not giving your mind the best time it deserves to destress, it is your fault. I am careful enough not to do that…
So, here I go with my dear husband and darling son, off to Manali. The best ever in my life. A perfect destination in India for every soul.
The best thing with the trip is, though it was a last minute travel, we could still find a comfortable and reliable travels “Country Travel Point” who arranged for a friendly cab fellow ‘Gurinderjit’ with Toyota Etios at a very reasonable price.
The trip started from ‘The Garden City of India’, Bangalore to ‘The Most Well planned City in India’, Chandigarh. Though Bengaluru is known for its greenery, staying in the city made me witness it as ‘The Startup Capital of India’ than knowing the real beauty once Bengaluru had with huge trees and ever spring weather. This made the trip even special for me
So, took an AirAsia flight from Bengaluru to Chandigarh, 9.45 am - 12.45 noon. Three hours solid flight time. We were very eager to start off to Manali. Took the cab immediately, started off to Manali, which was 8 hours from Chandigarh. Stopped for Lunch in a good highway hotel, ‘Zimidara Haveli’, had yum Vegetarian Thali with chapati, dal makhani, curry, paneer curry, rice and curd. Had good food but ensured we are not really too full as we have to climb the mountain to go to Manali from Chandigarh.
Being from southern part of India, I had always seen green rice fields and never seen the brown wheat fields. They were spread all the way which was so picturesque. Showed my son and explained him why northern part of Indian people eat Chapati, the Indian bread and why people in the southern part of India eat rice.
While climbing to the top, it was continuous flow of beas river on one side and Himalayas on the other side…woow…it was woow…you don’t feel the steep, you don’t remember your stress, you can only feel the nature.
So, it was getting dark, human beings we are :), started feeling hungry again, while climbing the mountain from Kullu to Manali, stopped for dinner and the weather here now was cold and were shivering, so gulped in hot yummy Parathas, vegetable stuffed Indian breads, topped with butter, curd and yum pickle as complements.
Reached the hotel “Allure Grand” , much needed thing was sleep.
Got up next day morning 6 am only to our surprise with a view most stunning, beautiful ever, Himalayas covered with snow, sun rays falling on the snow, all trees, apple trees everywhere, truly, it was like wallpaper, in my sons words. Sitting in the balcony, having hot tea, a relaxed morning amidst nature which is asking us not to look at anything but only to her. What a beauty? Isn’t that as distressful as ever thought so.
Had complimentary breakfast, relishing continental, north indian and south indian food with the snowy mountain view. Headed to snow point at 10 am, the most interesting part in the trip. On the way, took the snow suit for rent, paid for skiing and other rides. All set to just jump in the snow.
The snow suit shop fellow came with us to the snow point, called Solang Valley. Though the way from car park to snow point was a little dirty, you need not worry while walking, as you wear snow shoes so nothing touches your feet. And there we are, my son the most excited to roll over… We did skiing, we did tube slide, we did click photos, we hit each other with snow, we made snow man, we had hot maggi noodles, chilled coke, we sat in the snow relaxing, we observed honeymoon couples photo shoot, what not. Great time ever.
Clothes all wet with snow, so changed clothes, had lunch, headed to Vashisht Village and Hadimba Temple.
Since we had only two day trip, we had to finish all in one day. So less rest during the day…
But could forget all the tiredness once got down to see the place. Vashisht Village has a temple for Sage Vashisht, and can have hot water bath in the hot springs. Hadimba Temple is a temple amidst forest. So beautiful. Please spend fifteen minutes atleast to click near the temple.
Tourists are allowed to sit, kids are allowed to play simple games which are arranged there. And so, ya,back to hotel, after some beautiful views and pics of on the way waterfall and white water flows, for rest by 7pm.
Ordered food to the room, spent time playing with my son recollecting all snow memories and slept peacefully. What else do you need to find yourself amidst nature.