Road trip to Leh Ladakh - July 2007: Leg 1
Stretch 1: Delhi to Panchkula to Mandi to Manali - 14th to 16th
photos
The next day morning we went to the railway station only to find that we will get our bikes at 12pm and Hari's at 3:30. The plan for the day was shattered. We said, no probs we will atleast reach Chandigarh tonight.
Flag off @ Karnataka Sangha at 4:00. Took 2 hours to get out of the Delhi and hit the grand trunk road. Immediately we stopped for food. Roti dal menu started from this point and is going to stay for quite sometime. The road was good and everyone was zipping except me and Senthil. We assembled after 100 Kms. Naresha took my bike and started after a short break. Viji's bike broke down near Kurukhsetra. Naresha and Harisha had already gone ahead and we asked them to wait at some point. Viji initially tried somthing and the bullet started. We rode till we found a small town. time was 12 and we stopped for 2 hours. Viji put all his experience to get the bullet ready to go for another 100 Km. Caught up with Naresha and Harisha and moved towards Chandigarh searching for place to stay and eat. We found one small kaaka shop and had our dinner there at 2 am. Everyone was hogging and Ravi went up to the shop guy. Johny knew he is going to ask something in Hindi. Ravi managed to talk in hindi and asked "Manali mein mutton hai na?" We bursted with laugh.
Then we reached Panchakula and was searching for Youth Hostel.There was police battalion on their duty and they showed us exact way to YHAI which was located in a isolated place. We checked in at 3:30 am and slept for around 5 hours. We divide into 2 groups with 1 group went to get Viji's bike repaired. The other group headed towards Shimla after getting Senthil's battery replaced. BOyz were literally relishing the local beauties. (Hari)2, Senthil, and myself went to Shimla. Was an awesome drive, misty terrain, ghat roads. Spent 1/2 an hour, had a coffee there and headed towards Mandi. We had asked the other group to directly come to Mandi via Vilaaspur. I was unusaully in hot mood and didn't wait for anyone and reached Mandi. Found a Gurudwara and decided to stay there. Then called up everyone and told them to come there. Got a small room and had to do with that for this night.
We started for the day after the visit to the Gurudwara. Decided we will stop for breakfast at Kullu(60km from mandi). We spent more time taking photos and had to skip breakfast. Stream all along the way till manali. Lot of rope bridges. Full of valleys, miraged images of valleys at some points. Stopped for a tea break at "Hanogi ma ka temple". Took the blessing from the Godess Durga and moved towards Kullu. Had our lunch(breakfast) at 12 pm. Viji, Johny were like why did we come with these guys who don't stop for food at right time. Everyone ate well to cover up the breakfast and also bcos, not sure when will they get to eat again. Moved towards Manali, and photos with the local boyz enroute. Adda daari Harisha skipped the toll -just before Manali but rest of us coudn't. Stopped at Manali. We decided to dump everything and carry minimal luggage. Few went to shop - jerry cans, ropes, gloves, and the 200 Rs shoe for Lalith :) :). The rest of us went to Manali YHAI - very different/luxurious from other youth hostels and located away from the town with the magnificent Himalayas in the background. Naresha carried the least luggage of us all - the all India tour bag. 2 1/2 days since bath and everyone spent more time in bathroom than anywhere else. We saw our first Apple tree here. We had coffee in huge mugs and left for Rohtang Pass. Roads stopped after few Kms and it was all huge stones and muddy track.
Petrol at Delhi, on the way to Shimla, and in Manali.
photos
The next day morning we went to the railway station only to find that we will get our bikes at 12pm and Hari's at 3:30. The plan for the day was shattered. We said, no probs we will atleast reach Chandigarh tonight.
Flag off @ Karnataka Sangha at 4:00. Took 2 hours to get out of the Delhi and hit the grand trunk road. Immediately we stopped for food. Roti dal menu started from this point and is going to stay for quite sometime. The road was good and everyone was zipping except me and Senthil. We assembled after 100 Kms. Naresha took my bike and started after a short break. Viji's bike broke down near Kurukhsetra. Naresha and Harisha had already gone ahead and we asked them to wait at some point. Viji initially tried somthing and the bullet started. We rode till we found a small town. time was 12 and we stopped for 2 hours. Viji put all his experience to get the bullet ready to go for another 100 Km. Caught up with Naresha and Harisha and moved towards Chandigarh searching for place to stay and eat. We found one small kaaka shop and had our dinner there at 2 am. Everyone was hogging and Ravi went up to the shop guy. Johny knew he is going to ask something in Hindi. Ravi managed to talk in hindi and asked "Manali mein mutton hai na?" We bursted with laugh.
Then we reached Panchakula and was searching for Youth Hostel.There was police battalion on their duty and they showed us exact way to YHAI which was located in a isolated place. We checked in at 3:30 am and slept for around 5 hours. We divide into 2 groups with 1 group went to get Viji's bike repaired. The other group headed towards Shimla after getting Senthil's battery replaced. BOyz were literally relishing the local beauties. (Hari)2, Senthil, and myself went to Shimla. Was an awesome drive, misty terrain, ghat roads. Spent 1/2 an hour, had a coffee there and headed towards Mandi. We had asked the other group to directly come to Mandi via Vilaaspur. I was unusaully in hot mood and didn't wait for anyone and reached Mandi. Found a Gurudwara and decided to stay there. Then called up everyone and told them to come there. Got a small room and had to do with that for this night.
We started for the day after the visit to the Gurudwara. Decided we will stop for breakfast at Kullu(60km from mandi). We spent more time taking photos and had to skip breakfast. Stream all along the way till manali. Lot of rope bridges. Full of valleys, miraged images of valleys at some points. Stopped for a tea break at "Hanogi ma ka temple". Took the blessing from the Godess Durga and moved towards Kullu. Had our lunch(breakfast) at 12 pm. Viji, Johny were like why did we come with these guys who don't stop for food at right time. Everyone ate well to cover up the breakfast and also bcos, not sure when will they get to eat again. Moved towards Manali, and photos with the local boyz enroute. Adda daari Harisha skipped the toll -just before Manali but rest of us coudn't. Stopped at Manali. We decided to dump everything and carry minimal luggage. Few went to shop - jerry cans, ropes, gloves, and the 200 Rs shoe for Lalith :) :). The rest of us went to Manali YHAI - very different/luxurious from other youth hostels and located away from the town with the magnificent Himalayas in the background. Naresha carried the least luggage of us all - the all India tour bag. 2 1/2 days since bath and everyone spent more time in bathroom than anywhere else. We saw our first Apple tree here. We had coffee in huge mugs and left for Rohtang Pass. Roads stopped after few Kms and it was all huge stones and muddy track.
Petrol at Delhi, on the way to Shimla, and in Manali.
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