Part 9: Snowy solan

As we entered Solan valley our eye was widened. It was snow every where. The road was slippery with the water from melting snow and it was very cold as we stepped out of of the car. The road to Rohtang Pass was closed due to some construction work and we could not move ahead. Still Solan was a treat to our eyes.
Earlier on the way we got dressed up with water proof attire so that we could roam freely on the ice. It was my first visit to an ice kingdom so i was very much excited about it. As we stepped into the valley people thronged around us. Some one was trying to convince us to buy their handicrafts, some one was trying to assist us to take photographs with their rabbits. We some how managed to move ahead and came near the giant rope way that took tourists to the hill top.

                                                                             A distant view of Solan valley

The misty morning on the hill top created a spectacular picture as we moved up in the rope way.
                                                                                                 ... to be continued..

Part 8: Misty Morning in Manali & way to Solan

A misty morning:
A rainy morning greeted us as we stood on the balcony next morning. The hill top in front of our room was covered up in snow previous night. But in that morning it completely wore a white blanket. We were a little upset as we could not go out but when it started snowing our sadness turned into joy. I never saw snow fall earlier to this and was very excited. We sat in the balcony with coffee cups and enjoyed the lazy morning.

                                                             Snow fall in Manali
 After couple of hours the weather became clear and we decided to go out. It was quite cold out side and after a heavy break fast we started. Our destination was Solan valley. The snow fall has just stopped and the sun came out with its warmth. It became a pleasant atmosphere as we travelled along the empty highway. The snow capped mountains looked awesome from far and we could not but admire its beauty. River "Satluch" was flowing beside us. 

                                                                   distance view of mountains


We stopped near one shop and dressed ourselves with winter outfit. They were essential as normal shoes wont be sufficient on snow. We slowly entered into a wonderland. Every where it was snow and only snow.

The road was slippery and we had to drive cautiously. The morning warmth was enough to melt the ice.

                                                                      way to Solan Valley

                                                                      way to Solan Valley

We moved through the valley as river "Satluch" played a "hide n seek" game with us. Solan was not very far but still we could prevent us from stopping at the road side and touching the snow. It was a phenomenon experience for us and enjoyed every bits of it.

                                                                                                        to be continued......

Part 8: Endless Road

To Manali: an endless road
The road it seems had no end. We crossed mountains, paddy fields, villages, bridges rivers. Often curious people tried to look through the glasses of our car. I wanted to capture all moments but the camera's battery did not last long.
After traveling almost 2 hours post lunch, the mountains started becoming steeper. The road was so narrow that hardly two cars could travel side by side. It was a dangerous drive as one side of the road moved way down and a river could be seen from the top. Driver informed that it was the famous "Satluch" river that originated in the hills of Kulu and all along the next way it would accompany us.
The view of the mountain ranges together with the river made the site a majestic one. I could not resist but captured many snaps of the same. This side of the mountain was rather a dry one with less vegetation. The earth was dusty and the tall pine or deodars were hardly visible.

  Through the narrow lane we moved away slowly and suddenly at one road turn a temple surprised us. It was a temple of Devi Durga and the environment made the place a special one. Tourists, monks gathered in side the temple and a divine atmosphere was created.

After spending couple of hours we started again. We crossed Mandi, Bilaspur one by one and around 4 o'clock in the after noon we could see the snow capped mountains of Kulu. Driver informed we were approaching Kulu valley and our joy was boundless.
There was a change experienced in the surroundings also.Lush green trees were visible and the environement became a lot cooler. Satluch was still with us.

At 4:45 in the afternoon we reached Kulu. Manali was still some 50 KM far & we decided to have tea. After a long tiring day the tea gave us enough refreshment and we got many information about the place from our cab driver. At 5 o'clock we started again. Hills of Manali were becoming larger and to my surprise small apple gardens were also crossing our way. Earlier this i never saw an apple tree so i was quite excited seeing those.
River Satluch was flowing happily and beside it different types of activities was visible. Rafting and other water sport was among those. Our driver cum guide informed that they were better visible during the day, so we had no other options but to wait.
Slowly we approached Manali. We called our hotel owner and inquired about the location. After some time we entered a quite crowded hill city. Several hotels, restaurants, shops were there at the road side. When we reached our hotel it was already getting dark. We checked in to our room and placed our baggage in the cupboard. When we open the window we were astonished to see a big snow capped mountain in front of us. It would be our companion for the next few days.
The sun was already set and things became silent in the small hill station. After refreshing we had our dinner. We thought of going for a walk but found it was already raining. We came back to our room and went under the blanket. After a long tiring journey we finally reached Manali. A mixed feelings of both sad and happiness was there. I was thinking about Shimla and at the same time Manali was peeping through my mind. We slept without any effort hoping to get up early to explore majestic Manali.
                                                                                                                    ...to be continued.....

Part 7:Long way to Manali

Way to Manali:
It is a long way from Shimla to Manali almost 280 KM. There are three routes to complete this journey
1. Via NH88 which is 280 KM
2. Via NH 88 and NH21 which is near about 150 KM and
3. Via NH 22 and SH11 which is about 250 KM.

As construction work was underway we choose 1st option. The route would pass through places like Mandi, Bilaspur & Kulu. It would be a long day so we took sufficient water and dry food with us. The car slowly drove out of Shimla and we were on NH88.
The road was as much beautiful as we expected. We passed under the shadows of many hills. At each road turn nature used to surprise us. At one side of the road there were high hills while the other side moved way down which was full of tall deodars, pines etc.
At one such road turn we found a small temple on beside the road. The place was so beautiful that we could not resist us from stopping there.

                                                                      Way to Manali

After spending couple of minutes under the shade we started again.There were only Hills. Sometime small rivers used to accompany us. At noon we reached Sunder Nagar a small town in Mandi. We stopped at a road side restaurant and had our lunch with Dal Makhani, Salad and Chapati. We had light lunch as heavy food could cause motion sickness in the sharp turns of the mountains.

Post lunch we started again. The wind was chilled and when i felt asleep i did not know. Sometime later when i woke up i found a river going side by side.

We drove on ..on...and...on......
                                                                                                                   

Part 6: Kufri and Naldehra

Naldehra:

Naldehra a hill top surrounded by tall Deodars is another example of natural beauty at Shimla. It is located at some 22 KM from Shimla and boasts of the oldest golf course in India. The road reaching to it is beautiful with abundance of green all along it. Our car drove cautiously through the hilly road and after 1 hrs drive from Kufri we reached there.
It was in the late afternoon when we reached there and the huge valley wore a calm, pale look. Birds were returning to their nests and some kind of strange silence covered the whole area. The entrance of the Naldehra peak was way above the valley and it was a perfect picture.I tried to capture as many snaps as possible but it was impossible to capture everything as nature down poured all its beauty at every corner.

                                                              view from Naldehra Top

It was getting dark so we hurriedly hired two horses and started towards the peak.

Must Visit Place at Naldehra:
1. The hill top for it awesome view.
2. Suicide point: Not sure though why people will commit suicide at such a beautiful place.
3. Indo-China border: Part of the border is visible from the peak
4. Off course the golf course: It is the oldest one in India

People can walk as well all around the peak, but horse riding gives another type of beauty and pleasure. Typical cost for a couple of horse would INR 750.

                                                                Suicide Spot and our Guide

Comparison:
Among Kufri and Naldehra the latter was less crowded but the pattern of scenic beauty was almost the same in the two places. My vote will be for Naldehra.

We had fine tea with ginger after coming back from the peak and started our journey back to Shimla.
Our stay at Shimla was coming to an end and we have to leave this beautiful hill station. Next day we would start for another beauty Manali.
Some kind of sadness filled in my heart as i was not sure if I would ever come back to this place again. We came back to our hotel and took rest as next day we had to complete a long journey.

Manali was some 250 KM far and it would take almost 6 hrs to reach there. We packed our bag and went to bed early. Bid adieu Shimla :( . 

                                                                                                                            ... to be continued