Manali

We had a great day yesterday driving up to Rohtang Pass in the Western Himalayas. After the long drive the day before we were very relieved to wake up in Manali safe and sound in this beautiful chalet style resort.
2 vans arrived as well as our gorgeous guide Danny who seems to be action man in all mountaineering pursuits!
We again bounced along on muddy slippery road/ tracks rougher than most farm tracks.
We were climbing from 10 thousand feet to 13 thousand feet at the pass.
On the way up there were a huge amount of road workers clearing rocks by hand. Our guide Danny told us they are families from Nepal who get paid pretty well and live in camps on the side of the road. Children and babies are also up there with their families. It must be tough.
The views of course were incredible with these soaring peaks of the Himalayan Mountains so close. We came across a glacier which was quite a sight and waterfalls thundering down.
At 11 thousand feet we stopped at a funny little tea shop and had beautiful black tea with ginger in it.
Next door was a wine shop! What a strange place but we all bought our wine for tonights drinks at a tenth of the price that hotels charge.
Finally we reached Rotang Pass at 13 thousand feet where there were lots of people milling and although there was cloud cover of the mountain peaks there would suddenly be a clearance so caneras whipped out photos taken of just great views. There were people who had mountan biked up!
Nepali ladies were sitting in a tent knitting hats and scarves. Unfortunately they knit with acrylic not wool.
The last part of the road was very good and well kept.
Some of us went for a short walk to see the blue himalayan poppy which only flowers at this time of the year so good to see it.
On the way down we went through a 9km tunnel which was very impressive. There is huge military presence further up near the Chinese and Pakistan borders . In the winter the army help clear and maintain the roads.
We also passed a ski field which is under huge development.
I must say being up 13 thousand feet, you do feel a bit light headed especially if you are climbing up a path.
A great day and so good to see those majestic Himalyan mountains!
I am lying in bed this morning catching.ip on Olympic news and rain pouring outside! Should we be worried?!Read more