Finding Himachal
Travelling in Himachal in June – 2007
Shimla >> Manali >> Rohtang >> Chandratal >> Ki/Kibber/Tabo >> Kalpa >> Shimla
+Next: Loosing things during the journey
I made a short, introductory trip to Himachal Pradesh in June-07. It was a quick 10 day visit with little indulgence in any of its beautiful places. We rushed from place to place staying no more than a day anywhere. It served me as an introduction to the landscape of this part of the country, and gave me some ideas on next trips to make, which would ideally be more leisurely and exploratory.
Although initial plan was to head to Leh, we changed plans in Manali and travelled to Lahaul, Spiti and Kinnaur. Passing via Rohtang Pass, we visited Chandratal, Ki and Kibber, Tabo and Kalpa and finally reached Shimla in a brief span of 6 days. It was a good exposure to a region I was earlier not familiar with. The trip had its share of beautiful places, interesting incidences and even a life threatening event. This will be a short series covering all these happenings in the span of 10 days ex-Bangalore.
All the way during my journey to Delhi, I had been thinking of having to cope up with the heat in the city. My friend had warned me in advance that it has been one of the worst days and the temperatures are soaring beyond 45 degrees. Being sensitive to heat, it was a cause for worry and the thought of it was not overcome even when the airline served delicious South Indian breakfast. Unlike the usual reputation that airlines food has, breakfast was delicious. I relished on the tiny, easy-to-pack fragments of Masala Dosa and tinier units of Idlis with great joy. My flight stopped briefly at Hyderabad before moving on the Delhi, and I enjoyed another serving of the same breakfast with equal delight in this leg of journey.
They did not operate taxis to Noida from Delhi airport, but that’s where I was headed to. With Noida being in a different state altogether, there were some technical problems in crossing the borders. A taxi or two agreed to drive me there but quoted double the price. I looked around for options. My friend had warned me not to take autos as they were not the best options to go around in the mid-day heat. Finally I boarded a taxi which would drop me off at the border of Delhi.
It was indeed hot in Delhi. I opened the window of the cab to let some air come in and cool me off. As soon as the cab moved out of the airport into the road, it picked up speed and air rushed in through the window. This time, I was in for a new experience I had not thought about – it was not cool, but hot air coming in from the window, which burnt the skin instead of relieving me from heat. I had never known or felt such hot air on my body ever – it was like air blown out from a furnace! I shut off the window, and understood why my friend had told me not to take an auto.
The cab went through the heart of the city, passing through some of the major roads. Coming from Bangalore whose infrastructure has never grown beyond that of a small town, I keep feeling awed at the wide and beautiful roads that New Delhi has. Put against the green lanes, plenty of trees and open spaces Delhi has, I couldn’t help but feel that the old name of Bangalore – ‘the garden city’ is nothing more than a lie. We passed through plush and beautiful Aurangajeb road, Purana Kila, India Gate, Red Fort and Akshardham temple; it was almost like a Delhi sightseeing trip. Even in the 45 degree heat and intense sun there were thousands of people around India Gate and I wondered if they are sane!
Eventually as the cab dropped me at the border of Delhi, I had to take an auto for the next leg of my journey to Noida. Luckily it was not a long way and I was spared of a lot of pain of hot air blowing into my face. Once at my friend’s place, I was already tired of the heat and rested myself under the fan running in full speed. That did not offer much respite, so an hour later, we were on our way to a nearby air conditioned mall.
Continued at Loosing things during the journey