Manali – Valley of the Kings 8-11 April

After the crammed private operator bus ride we took in Rajasthan, we decided to take a government run direct deluxe bus from Shimla to Manali as they do not packed people onto buses to maximize their revenue.  The night before we took the morning bus, I still had repeated diarrhoea and vomited every drop of liquid from my stomach. We were worried that I may not hold my bowels on the long bus ride. Luckily I recovered and the trip was memorable as I named it ‘Merlion Journey’ haha. Turned out that PY was the one who suffered the windy bus route and not the Shao Ye, hee. Half an hour into the bus ride, the lady in front of us began throwing up out of the window while the bus was moving! We quickly closed our window as her puke was flying in! Next thing we knew, PY started vomiting as well but into a plastic bag.  So case closed on who is the weak one hee.

After a torturous 10 hour bus ride, we finally arrived in Manali.

Manali is a popular local tourist destination as it stands at the head of Kullu valley surrounded by mountains. Fellow travellers have been telling us how beautiful Manali is and we couldn’t agree more after we got there. We were mesmerised by the Himalayan views of Manali and loved this place! A day was spent on a day trek to villages and waterfall and that made us look forward to more treks in Nepal. Surrounded by snow capped mountains we felt like we were in the Alps! Another day was spent at snow point where a huge patch of snow was laced with opportunist offering various activities.

With the beauty of Manali, we were excited and looked forward to go further up north into the mountains on a 2-day bus ride to Ladakh. However, the road to Leh was not opened (disappointed!!) till June due to the snow filled roads. So we have a reason to come back to India again! Probably a good thing for PY as well else, haha.

Enjoy the lovely photos of our favourite destination in India.

Morning walk downslope with our backpacks at Shimla.

Rest stop along the way...still feeling nausea..

Finally reaching Manali after 10 gruelling hours on the bus...

Starting on our day trek...steps, steps and more steps!

Our Israeli friend, Arram, following closely behind. He's 67!!

Tada! We weren’t expecting to see snow capped mountains in India....

Closer look...are we in Switerzland?

Meet Arram and Maayan - The Israelis father and daughter that we met on the bus and spent a few days together in Manali.

Maayan just completed 2 years National Service in Israel and on a 6 weeks trip in India with her dad.  I found it cool that girls do National service in Israel! If only it's the same back home! hehe...bet alot of girls will kill me...

This is the waterfall we were to trek to and we were right across the opposite mountain.

The village we went..aren’t they lucky to be looking at such views daily?

Typical village house. Cows for milk (not meat!) Woman weave and collect fire woods. 

Me trying my hands at collecting fire woods...boy, it’s heavy even when empty!

River runs though it and goods transport system across river.

Jeff with his wobbly legs crossing the river..

Rest stop! Better views of the snow mountains.

Manali town in the valley if you can spot. 

Finally, we have reached the waterfall!

Posing for pics..

After the Merlion Journey, time to replenish the water...

Can you spot the guy at the back of the waterfall? That’s where we were going to cross. 

Inside the waterfall... an icy cold experience and we were almost drenched!

Views from inside...

Treading our steps carefully as it was slippery.

Went though forest..

Head power! The locals use their head to carry almost everything!

This was our nice and patience guide – Davis Singh

Handmade noodle – we had veg soup you mian.

Views of the mountain from our room balcony.

Where we stayed in Manali. Highly recommended!!

Apart from Dharamsala, Manali has the 2nd largest Tibetan community.

Went into a small Tibetan Monastery..

Streets of Manali..