Farewell to the Himlayas!

2 days after my trek in McLeod Ganj we set off on our way southwards. We had to 'cause frost bite was setting in at night!

We caught the 'Delux Bus' back to Delhi, a 12 hour ride in an uncomfortable seat. As soon as we stepped off the bus we were again surrounded by multitudes of autorickshaw drivers asking 'hello friend where you going, I make good price for you'. 'Yeah right, now just sod off and let me just sort my f'ing bags out first before you molest me' I thought of shouting out loud in my grumpy - I have just woken up from a terrible sleep - way. As always had to just ignore them hassling while you sorted your life out, literally!!

After haggling a price for lift down by Rps 200, we headed for the main station and tourist hub of the Main Bazaar. You may remember the first photos of our blog. We got tickets for the next train to Mumbai, 7 hours from then, and so had to wait in a cafe guiltily buying drinks sparingly just so we didn't waste space in what little of it there was, whilst not spending a fortune!!

The train journey is probably the best either me or Emily has taken. The train was relatively new, with good a/c and clean modern toilets. Unlike any other train journey of the same class we sat down to relax when we were bought dinner in 4 courses, all part of the price, something we were unaware of. Sandwich and a samosa type thing, soup, a full indian thali finished with ice cream. Gluttened to the max we slepted well on the that journey. zzzzzzz

The Way Down

Indian women carrying very large bails of hay down the mountain track, not that you may be able to see but they are wearing flip-flops....and I though I had it bad!!!
Pine forests on the lower slopes make for a change from the rocky mountain side.
Black faced monkeys in the trees. There were lots of them.

The sunset through the pines and prayerflags

The Top

The erieness of the clouds flowing over the rocky terrain.
The overhanging rock I chilled out on whilst taking on the tranquility.
The meadow/plain at the top with the Chai shack in the distance. Solar panel lights placed for night trekkers who made camp here.

The way up

View of villages below. Our Village is the mass of houses on the left. The triangle shaped silouhette of a mountain in the background is the peak that the Dalai Lama's resedence stands.

The path trekked winding around the contours of the maountain.

Trekking Wentz

On Thursday, considering Em was going to Yoga and I needed something to aim for I decided to get up early and head for the nearest peak.

I set off at around 10am with hope of at least making the first visible climb as I'm not what you'd call particularly fit. After 30 mins I nearly gave up after nearly puking. It was a steep climb through a village and whilst there was a path to follow it was hardly govermentally designed or maintained. I didn't give up though and reached my first stop at a cafe looking down the valley to the village we live in.

After being pointed in the right direction I headed off along the Indiana Jones style paths around and up the mountain contours, constantly wondering if I was going the wrong way!!!

That first part was the easiest, but it got harder as I went. Another cafe stop on the way....you'll be amazed where Indians/Tibetans will stick cafe to serve up the trekker some chai. How they get all the resources as there is a wonder as there is no way any vehicle could make it up there, and I include mountain bikes.

The last stint to the top was the steepest and most mystically feeling, with the clouds rising into the pine forests around you and the awesome landscape with huge boulders and rock formations hanging onto the steep hillside.

When I saw I was near the top I actually got a surge of exciteent, adrenaline and joy for what is a huge achievment for me.

In total the trek up the mountain was a 1000m acsent over 10km which took 3.5 hours. Pretty chuffed as a first go. The top was like a large meadow/plain but with steep sides looking down each side with loads of clouds. Unfortunately had missed the chance to see the snowpeaked Himalayas due to too much cloud cover. There again a few small shack cafes up top to have chai. I however found a jutting rock overhanginng the hill and rested for an hour listening to Aphex Twin's Ambient Works. It was very tranquil and quiet up there and with beautiful surroundings.

After chilling out for an hour or so I headed back down the mountain, this time a 12-14km as this time I walked back into the main town to get money out then back to the village we stayed at. The wildlife out here is amazing also, so many types of birds from paraqueets to eagles/hawks, different types of monkey, gaots, sheep and marmets!!!

As you can imaging I was knackered later and hurt the next day, but I think it was worth it.

Check out some of the photos

quick hello from em

just to finish off this photo fest wanted to say that my yoga classes went well and will be taking up classes elsewhere along this trip, as we are off tomorrow, back to Delhi then straight onto Mumbai. the cold is getting to our bones, and we dream of sunnier pastures (or beaches!) cant wait!
more photos will appear of mcloed ganj tommorrow, but now we cant be bothered! he he he
love to all i know and kisses to all my family!
em xx

outside the shiva cafe.
walking back home to welcomed by our new friend "Dia"

along the river bed,
walking up some little path for 20 mins, you get to this little place called shiva cafe. its above and behind the waterfall.

walking to the waterfall
view from our front door

Not sure what has happened to Em's last entry as I can't see it and Mum apparently can't leave message???

I'm over the belly aches...for now. Wasn't as bad as it seemed, just wasn't in the mood of going into town, so stayed in bed all day.

Neither of us have done much in the las week really, just as we said sat and chilled. As you'll see from the photos there is a nice waterfall that is in town. Above the waterfall is a loverly cafe called Shiva Cafe. Have spent a caouple of peacefull afternoons up there. The road back to our is somewhat perioulous looking. Although it is just a path etched into the hilltop following the path of the water pipes it actually turns out to be quitre safe. Buyt it looks Indiana Jones stylee.

Em started some Joga class today so I have been left to myself to check the net out.

We're both looking into the trekking possibilities here also. Would love to get up higher so as to see the himalayas face to face.