rp({"version":"1.0","encoding":"UTF-8","feed":{"xmlns":"http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom","xmlns$openSearch":"http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/","xmlns$georss":"http://www.georss.org/georss","id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-11-29T10:20:56.861+05:30"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Fractal Enlightenment"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cstrong\u003eहम सब एक है ~ We Are All One\u003c/strong\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/posts/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default?alt\u003djson-in-script\u0026start-index\u003d8\u0026orderby\u003dpublished"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"previous","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default?alt\u003djson-in-script\u0026start-index\u003d1\u0026max-results\u003d25\u0026orderby\u003dpublished"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default?alt\u003djson-in-script\u0026start-index\u003d33\u0026max-results\u003d25\u0026orderby\u003dpublished"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Clyde"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/01669673801388370223"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"970"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"8"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"25"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-7930487207400968684"},"published":{"$t":"2009-08-04T16:27:00.022+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-08-31T23:42:41.055+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Himachal Pradesh"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Spiti"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Travel"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Kunzum Pass"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Batal"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Snowy Mountains of Kunzum Pass"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngUc72PAsI/AAAAAAAAMos/eiAhxeqU740/s1600-h/kee_monastery_and_kee_village.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngUc72PAsI/AAAAAAAAMos/eiAhxeqU740/s320/kee_monastery_and_kee_village.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Kee monastery and Kee village\" title\u003d\"Kee monastery and Kee village\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366061443346006722\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eAfter our Enlightening experience in \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/08/enlightened-in-kee-monastery.html\"\u003eKee Monastery\u003c/a\u003e we were back at our hotel in Kaza. It was time to depart for Manali and head to Dharamshala from there. We met two guys from Delhi, they had taken the long route from \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/long-winding-road-to-spiti.html\"\u003eRecong Peo\u003c/a\u003e to Spiti just like us, and didn't want to return to Delhi the same way. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAccording to their research Kunzum Pass, which is the shorter route to Manali, had opened but moving ahead from there close to Batal the road was blocked. So their plan was to trek from Batal for around 20 minutes or so along the river, and then a jeep would pick us up from Chota Dara, close to Lahual valley and drop us in Manali. They asked us if we wanted to join them, and we weren't keen on going back to Manali from Recong Peo, so we grabbed this opportunity.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eThis was the route we took: Kaza--Losar--Kunzum Pass--Batal--Chota Dara--Chhatru--Lahual--Rohtang Pass--Manali. \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003eThe cost of the taxi from Kaza to Batal was Rs 3500 and Rs 3000 from a point in Lahual to Manali, it was divided among five people so it worked out to be quite reasonable. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe so called 20 minutes trek from Batal crossing glaciers, turned out to be the biggest adventure we had on this entire trip in Himachal! We set off early by 5.30 am and all of us were out ready in the jeep, with our sticks, plastic bags to put between our socks and shoes, some snacks and supplies. The journey was lovely, it started off by passing Kee Monastery from the other side of the Spiti river. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngVHgZjlpI/AAAAAAAAMo0/MUnVafYq5TM/s1600-h/rock_formations_spiti.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngVHgZjlpI/AAAAAAAAMo0/MUnVafYq5TM/s400/rock_formations_spiti.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"rock formations in spiti\" title\u003d\"rock formations in spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366062174712338066\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Spiti as you would know has some intricate and fascinating rock formations, the mountains in the picture literally look like they are rooted to the ground! We stopped for a quick breakfast, comprising Aloo Paranthas, Maggie and chai, at a small dhaba in Losar, the first village in Spiti. The morning rays were breaking through the darkness in the little dhaba and also bringing in some warmth!  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngVH8iZhsI/AAAAAAAAMo8/EVoUYHGulEo/s1600-h/dhaba_in_losar_spiti.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngVH8iZhsI/AAAAAAAAMo8/EVoUYHGulEo/s400/dhaba_in_losar_spiti.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"dhaba in losar spiti\" title\u003d\"dhaba in losar spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366062182265620162\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  We went for a short walk around Losar and watched the sun light up this village. Just across the dhaba spanned green fields with tiny houses across the valley. Losar seemed like a nice isolated place to come and live in, perhaps on our next visit to the mountains it would be possible.   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngVIBeo_gI/AAAAAAAAMpE/-OIVi870430/s1600-h/losar_village.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngVIBeo_gI/AAAAAAAAMpE/-OIVi870430/s400/losar_village.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Losar village in Spiti\" title\u003d\"Losar village in Spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366062183592033794\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Spiti is generally barren, but does not mean its less beautiful because the landscape is so different. Even if its not green it all has a story to tell. Its been a couple of hours since we've been traveling, the roads don't allow you to do more than 40 km/h but that was not a worry.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngVIZaAzWI/AAAAAAAAMpM/LsehDyb0FIk/s1600-h/barren_landscape.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngVIZaAzWI/AAAAAAAAMpM/LsehDyb0FIk/s400/barren_landscape.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"barren landscape of Spiti\" title\u003d\"barren landscape of Spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366062190015073634\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  At one point of our journey we reached a nice open patch that was surprisingly green, the melting snow was the reason the grass survived. We wanted to get out to stretch and also touch the snow, not that we haven't before, we first experienced snow together at the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2007/07/valley-of-flowers.html\"\u003eValley of Flowers\u003c/a\u003e.   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngVIrT408I/AAAAAAAAMpU/gE7cLxfr3sc/s1600-h/losar_on_the_way_to_kunzum_pass.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngVIrT408I/AAAAAAAAMpU/gE7cLxfr3sc/s400/losar_on_the_way_to_kunzum_pass.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"losar village on the way to kunzum pass\" title\u003d\"losar village on the way to kunzum pass\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366062194821223362\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e   But something new caught our attention, we saw for the first time, thin sheets of ice that was as clear as glass. Applying any kind of pressure made it crack and break to reveal water under it. Like children we started cracking these sheets and putting pieces on each other, we felt free as a bird.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngWD_XPnOI/AAAAAAAAMp8/Sdf5f_3nIVo/s1600-h/ice_sheets.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngWD_XPnOI/AAAAAAAAMp8/Sdf5f_3nIVo/s400/ice_sheets.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"ice sheets before kunzum pass\" title\u003d\"ice sheets before kunzum pass\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366063213816290530\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe were close to Kunzum Pass at that time. The driver, Sonam, who was such a nice guy, said we needed to hurry since we had a long journey ahead of us. The snow in the distance was no more far away, it not only surrounded us on either side of the road, but was also under the jeeps tyres. Sonam stopped the car whenever we wanted to take a picture. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngWDsueD-I/AAAAAAAAMp0/7UvDNKcem34/s1600-h/way_to_kunzum_la.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngWDsueD-I/AAAAAAAAMp0/7UvDNKcem34/s400/way_to_kunzum_la.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"way to kunzum la\" title\u003d\"way to kunzum la\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366063208813432802\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  As we moved closer to Kunzum La, we saw more snow on either sides of the jeep, there were points of time that we were driving through parts where the wall of snow on one side was taller than the vehicle itself.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngWDUl1PHI/AAAAAAAAMps/i2GNUQP1YuU/s1600-h/mountains_near-kunzum_pass.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngWDUl1PHI/AAAAAAAAMps/i2GNUQP1YuU/s400/mountains_near-kunzum_pass.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"snow capped mountains near kunzum pass\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366063202334751858\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  The closer we got, the excitement was building up in the jeep, moreover because we were on an unknown path and did not know what to expect. The thought of walking on snow was fueling our anticipation. We were only a few kms away from Kumzum, we got the news from Sonam that the road had cleared much more after Batal and we would have only 200 meters or so to walk.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngWDI7m78I/AAAAAAAAMpk/uaLXRDaXHno/s1600-h/glaciers_on_the_way_to_kunzum.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngWDI7m78I/AAAAAAAAMpk/uaLXRDaXHno/s400/glaciers_on_the_way_to_kunzum.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"glaciers on the way to kunzum la\" title\u003d\"glaciers on the way to kunzum la\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366063199204863938\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  This made us even happier, we asked Sonam to stop at this Chorten on our way, for the first time on this trip we stepped into snow. Some parts were soft and my feet sunk in more than a foot. On this entire trip in Himachal I was trekking in my floaters, I never carried shoes. Even on our treks in Uttaranchal I had the same trusty floaters and am more comfortable with them on.   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngWC-jAMoI/AAAAAAAAMpc/jbUdvKgvq8k/s1600-h/buddhist_chorten_kunzum.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngWC-jAMoI/AAAAAAAAMpc/jbUdvKgvq8k/s400/buddhist_chorten_kunzum.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"buddhist chorten at kunzum\" title\u003d\"buddhist chorten at kunzum\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366063196417307266\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  After rejoicing the moment we soon made our way to Kunzum Devi Mandir, a few kilometers away from the Chorten. The jeep couldn't get to the temple so we got off and walked towards it, the path was surrounded with snow on either sides. Our joy knew no bounds, we were so glad that we took the right decision of taking this route.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngW0T8kaiI/AAAAAAAAMqc/sS-QKDvy8IY/s1600-h/kunzum_devi_mandir.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 173px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngW0T8kaiI/AAAAAAAAMqc/sS-QKDvy8IY/s400/kunzum_devi_mandir.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"kunzum devi mandir\" title\u003d\"kunzum devi temple\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366064043975272994\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e   The snow ball fights began, although we never really got down to it seriously as the temple seemed more interesting. Along the way we admired the ice formations around us. There were few icicles present around the place formed by the dripping water, looking through them gave us a clear vision.    \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngW0JGDZlI/AAAAAAAAMqU/Yg3uaJ32w7I/s1600-h/an_icicle.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngW0JGDZlI/AAAAAAAAMqU/Yg3uaJ32w7I/s400/an_icicle.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"an icicle formed near kunzum\" title\u003d\"an icicle formed near kunzum\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366064041062262354\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The entrance of the Kunzum devi temple was covered with Buddhist prayer flags, to get through the entrance itself was tricky as the snow was really soft and deep. There was no monk or caretaker inside, at least till we were there. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngWz7BUZUI/AAAAAAAAMqM/4znOXLEgM88/s1600-h/entrance_of_kunzum_devi_covered_with_flags.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngWz7BUZUI/AAAAAAAAMqM/4znOXLEgM88/s400/entrance_of_kunzum_devi_covered_with_flags.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"flags at the entrance of kunzum devi temple\" title\u003d\"flags at the entrance of kunzum devi temple\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366064037284308290\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  It would be hard for someone to live there due to the extreme conditions, but it seemed a perfect place to meditate. Kunzum temple had three stupas and a bigger one with the picture of the Dalai Lama and the Pancham Lama.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngWzrqZDzI/AAAAAAAAMqE/lEtOJDIjOZE/s1600-h/one_of_the_three_chortens.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngWzrqZDzI/AAAAAAAAMqE/lEtOJDIjOZE/s400/one_of_the_three_chortens.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"one of the three chortens outside kunzum temple\" title\u003d\"one of the three chortens outside kunzum temple\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366064033161613106\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The snow around the mandir had strange cube like depressions with mantras on paper embedded in it. Probably to sanctify and protect the place from external forces. After walking three times around Kunzum devi and resting for a bit, we proceeded back to the jeep. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngXhdr9H8I/AAAAAAAAMrM/rNrHM_UweKA/s1600-h/a_mantra_embedded_in_the_snow.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngXhdr9H8I/AAAAAAAAMrM/rNrHM_UweKA/s400/a_mantra_embedded_in_the_snow.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Buddhist mantra embedded in snow\" title\u003d\"Buddhist mantra embedded in snow\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366064819684057026\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e   On the way we were playing with the snow, this time I started doing a couple of Karate chops on some of the flimsy structures, all was going well until I tried to hit a thick structure and managed to cut my hand and fingers at multiple spots and felt an intense pain for a bit. Blood on snow too seemed to fascinate me as the red and white colours merged together, and I now know that the crystals can really cut even when you fall on snow.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe Kunzum devi mandir is located close to this board in Kunzum pass, which is 4,551 meters above sea level, it is quite high.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngXhFmLm1I/AAAAAAAAMrE/lyjOtfsBh88/s1600-h/us_at_kunzum_la.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngXhFmLm1I/AAAAAAAAMrE/lyjOtfsBh88/s400/us_at_kunzum_la.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"us at kunzum pass\" title\u003d\"us at kunzum pass\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366064813217389394\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e   \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Fun and Arduous Trek Begins\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe bid goodbye to Kunzum devi and proceeded towards Batal. The mountain that was completely embellished with fresh snow was christened 'Snow White', by us. It was beautiful and we got glimpses of it throughout the trek. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngXg6HaW3I/AAAAAAAAMq8/zdog8EwkZWU/s1600-h/snow_white_in_batal.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngXg6HaW3I/AAAAAAAAMq8/zdog8EwkZWU/s400/snow_white_in_batal.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"snow white in batal\" title\u003d\"snow covered mountains in batal\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366064810135542642\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e After passing the only Dhaba, well known for its rajma chawal, at Batal where people stay over to head to Chandratal lake. The gentleman there told us that we were in for a good trek, the road was not yet ready and we would have to cover at least a couple of kilometers to get to the other side of the glaciers! \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMore about the trek in the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/08/spitian-deserts-to-lahuals-pastures.html\"\u003enext post\u003c/a\u003e! \u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-7930487207400968684?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/7930487207400968684/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/08/snowy-mountains-of-kunzum-pass.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/7930487207400968684"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/7930487207400968684"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/08/snowy-mountains-of-kunzum-pass.html","title":"The Snowy Mountains of Kunzum Pass"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Clyde"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/01669673801388370223"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"03853968794718094216"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SngUc72PAsI/AAAAAAAAMos/eiAhxeqU740/s72-c/kee_monastery_and_kee_village.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-2034242528415374170"},"published":{"$t":"2009-08-02T12:38:00.014+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-08-04T01:51:09.085+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Spirituality"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Himachal Pradesh"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Buddhism"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Spiti"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Butter Lamps"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Travel"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Kee Monastery"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Enlightened in Kee Monastery"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Snbh8F4viKI/AAAAAAAAFTw/JYhQ5CkNGGA/s1600-h/kye_gompa_with_spiti_river.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Snbh8F4viKI/AAAAAAAAFTw/JYhQ5CkNGGA/s320/kye_gompa_with_spiti_river.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"beautiful view of kee monastery\" title\u003d\"beautiful view of kee monastery\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365724428547098786\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  After walking through the enchanting \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/kibber-beauty-and-simplicity.html\"\u003evillage of Kibber\u003c/a\u003e we were all set to visit Kee monastery, which is located 12 kms away from Kaza, at an altitude of 13,504 feet. We got a glance of the monastery perched on the hilltop, while on our way to Kibber. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe had seen pictures of Key gompa (monastery) on the net before leaving for the trip, and were so captivated by the magnificent beauty of the place, that we couldn't miss it! \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eKey left us speechless; it was beyond our expectations. Its history, customs, landscape, environment, the positive energy, all culminated into a spiritually uplifting experience. A trek to Kee Monastery from Kaza would have been the ideal way to experience Spiti, but since we had only a day to spend in Kaza, we were compelled to take a jeep. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003e There is a tar road leading all the way to Kee monastery. A small bit of information from the history books, Ki monastery has been attacked several times in the past, during the 17th century by the Mongols, in the 17th century some more attacks, first by the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogra\"\u003eDogra\u003c/a\u003e army then the Sikh army. Due to this onslaught, the monastery had to be repaired and reconstructed many times, this resulted in building of many box-like structures in a wayward manner. Hence the monastery looks more like a fort. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnboGVWFiqI/AAAAAAAAFU4/wP5G-c_1Zs4/s1600-h/kye_monastery_spiti.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnboGVWFiqI/AAAAAAAAFU4/wP5G-c_1Zs4/s400/kye_monastery_spiti.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"view of kye gompa in spiti\" title\u003d\"kye monastery in spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365731201565166242\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  Just before reaching the main entrance we parked the jeep in the parking lot and had a small climb to get to the top. That was enough to get us breathless as the road was quite steep, but the energy radiating from the monastery was pulling us closer towards it, how an insect is attracted to a light bulb in the dark.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbijIhvqpI/AAAAAAAAFUY/niirHuqECBc/s1600-h/colorful_gate_kye_monastery_kaza.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbijIhvqpI/AAAAAAAAFUY/niirHuqECBc/s400/colorful_gate_kye_monastery_kaza.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"colorful gate of kye monastery in kaza\" title\u003d\"colorful gate of kye monastery in kaza\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365725099270843026\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The paintings at the entrance of Kee Monastery.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnboHBQQxFI/AAAAAAAAFVQ/8YAGH_cjeJ4/s1600-h/painting_before_entrance_of_kee_gompa.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnboHBQQxFI/AAAAAAAAFVQ/8YAGH_cjeJ4/s400/painting_before_entrance_of_kee_gompa.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"painting before entrance of kee gompa\" title\u003d\"painting before entrance of kee gompa\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365731213351896146\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e   The colorful monastery gate welcomed us to a stair case transporting us to another world. On entering the monastery you come across a line of prayer wheels with mantras inscribed on them. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbolhlCKqI/AAAAAAAAFVg/Iv0wZjq70Xg/s1600-h/prayer_wheels_mani_kee_gompa.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbolhlCKqI/AAAAAAAAFVg/Iv0wZjq70Xg/s400/prayer_wheels_mani_kee_gompa.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"prayer wheels or mani at kee gompa\" title\u003d\"prayer wheels or mani at kee gompa\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365731737425029794\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  Ki monastery, built in the 11th century, consists of many floors, three of these are underground and mostly used for storage. The floor on which you enter has the biggest prayer hall, the surrounding rooms are used by the monks to stay, between the rooms and the prayer hall is a little courtyard where the monks seemed to be sharing their experiences.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eButter Lamps, Dispelling Darkness\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e \u003cbr /\u003eThe driver knew one of the Monks who happily took us on a tour of the accessible rooms. We first entered a dark room lit only by natural light, where a Monk was preparing butter lamps. We were offered a cup of tea that refreshed us after our long walk in Kibber. The monks were not fluent in English or Hindi, we had to connect the dots as they tried to explain about the lamps made from butter and other sculptures made from butter and flour. He was making this for an important 3-day ritual to be held at the monastery.   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnboG_GjJGI/AAAAAAAAFVI/8aZntgPqeQc/s1600-h/monk_moulding_butter_to_make_lamps.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnboG_GjJGI/AAAAAAAAFVI/8aZntgPqeQc/s400/monk_moulding_butter_to_make_lamps.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"monk moulding butter to make lamps for holy occasion\" title\u003d\"monk moulding butter to make lamps for holy occasion\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365731212774286434\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e   Butter lamps are an integral part in Tibetan Buddhism, originally these lamps were made out of yak butter. But the monks at Ki used butter bought from the local market. A part of it is removed, immersed and moulded in water by applying pressure with ones fingers. There are some intricate designs made by using only butter and colors that you will come across in future posts. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAn interesting part of this process is that the monks meditate and chant so the butter doesn't melt. We saw few butter sculptures in one of the holy rooms that had stayed intact for years. The butter lamps are suppose to help focus the mind and aid meditation. The light of the butter lamp symbolizes the wisdom of the awakened mind, which dispels the darkness of delusion and mental obstacles.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbiMQ7xC3I/AAAAAAAAFUI/TbedhZnNqv8/s1600-h/buddhist_monk_making_butter_lamps.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbiMQ7xC3I/AAAAAAAAFUI/TbedhZnNqv8/s400/buddhist_monk_making_butter_lamps.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"buddhist monk making butter lamps\" title\u003d\"buddhist monk making butter lamps\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365724706390477682\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAccording to Buddha the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.khandro.net/ritual_offering_light.htm\"\u003e10 benefits of offering lights\u003c/a\u003e, \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eOne becomes like the light of the world\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003eOne achieves clairvoyance of the pure eye as a human\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003eOne achieves the Deva's eye\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003eOne receives the wisdom to discriminate virtue from non-virtue\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003eOne is able to eliminate the concept of inherent existence\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003eOne receives the illumination of wisdom\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003eOne is reborn as a human or deva\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003eOne receives great enjoyment wealth\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003eOne quickly becomes liberated\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003eOne quickly attains enlightenment\u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter this illuminating experience the monk took us through a narrow stairway to the upper level where we saw two locked rooms with colorful doors called 'Kutung' and 'Zimshung'. The monk first opened the small door of Kutung, the first thing to catch our eyes were the colorful butter sculptures and bowls filled with water to the brim in front of a silver stupa. The monk explained to us that water symbolises purity, clarity and calmness, and everyday the bowls are refilled with fresh water, that means purifying the mind.    \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbolWB0sDI/AAAAAAAAFVY/K_atgWMxX4Q/s1600-h/prayer_rooms_key_monastery.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbolWB0sDI/AAAAAAAAFVY/K_atgWMxX4Q/s400/prayer_rooms_key_monastery.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"prayer rooms in key monastery\" title\u003d\"prayer rooms in key monastery\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365731734324555826\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e   Intricate designs covered every part of the room, thangkas, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2008/10/mandala-sacred-art-of-tibetan-buddhists.html\"\u003emandalas\u003c/a\u003e adorned the walls and paintings showing past masters and their incarnations, gave insights into their lives. As a sign of respect, the monk asked us to walk around the stupa three times, and with every round we noticed something new on the walls. Photographs are not allowed inside both the rooms, so we only managed to a get an outside view.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe monk opened the door to another room called Zimshung, thats where the Dalai Lama stayed during his visit to Ki monastery few years ago. The bed he used was neatly preserved. The colorful room contained ancient Buddhist scriptures, idol of the future Buddha, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maitreya\"\u003eMaitreya\u003c/a\u003e, thangkas and various stucco images. It was amazing, getting to know more about Buddhism, their beliefs, the extremely beautiful artwork made with hands, the detailing which they follow, was truly beautiful.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFrom there we moved on to the roof of Ki and we were blessed with a picture perfect view of Ki village, the surrounding fields and the brownish mountains with snow caps.    \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnboGiYw-mI/AAAAAAAAFVA/23j0kyOGeLo/s1600-h/kye_village_spiti.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnboGiYw-mI/AAAAAAAAFVA/23j0kyOGeLo/s400/kye_village_spiti.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"kye village in spiti\" title\u003d\"kye village in spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365731205066062434\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e    Solar panels were a regular feature in Spiti, and seeing \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2008/10/religious-places-go-green.html\"\u003ereligious places resort to solar power\u003c/a\u003e, made us extremely happy!   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbomASW0pI/AAAAAAAAFVw/OwwkXzrvFlI/s1600-h/solar_panels_kye_rooftop.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbomASW0pI/AAAAAAAAFVw/OwwkXzrvFlI/s400/solar_panels_kye_rooftop.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"solar panels installed on monastery rooftop\" title\u003d\"solar panels installed on monastery rooftop\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365731745668190866\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e    The rooftop of the monastery had another intriguing structures, we aren't sure what this symbolise, if you know, do write to us about it!   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Snbij8JnfwI/AAAAAAAAFUw/JNWKpYbSkgA/s1600-h/kye_gompa.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Snbij8JnfwI/AAAAAAAAFUw/JNWKpYbSkgA/s400/kye_gompa.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"kye gompa\" title\u003d\"kye gompa\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365725113128288002\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbiLnO1tVI/AAAAAAAAFT4/9nJQqzR9oDQ/s1600-h/buddhist_mantras_on_tibetan_structure.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbiLnO1tVI/AAAAAAAAFT4/9nJQqzR9oDQ/s400/buddhist_mantras_on_tibetan_structure.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"buddhist mantras on tibetan structure\" title\u003d\"buddhist mantras on tibetan structure\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365724695196185938\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  The monk who did the wonderful deed of taking us around and imparting knowledge about Buddhism.   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbiL4-mvNI/AAAAAAAAFUA/2C5JWQIb-Ag/s1600-h/buddhist_monk_at_kye_gompa.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbiL4-mvNI/AAAAAAAAFUA/2C5JWQIb-Ag/s400/buddhist_monk_at_kye_gompa.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"buddhist monk at key monastery\" title\u003d\"buddhist monk at key monastery\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365724699959934162\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  Another mystical room in Key monastery.    \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Snbol-IZxRI/AAAAAAAAFVo/eu1_Ptx0iYE/s1600-h/roof_of_key_gompa.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Snbol-IZxRI/AAAAAAAAFVo/eu1_Ptx0iYE/s400/roof_of_key_gompa.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"roof of key gompa\" title\u003d\"roof of key gompa\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365731745089570066\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  The monk informed us that these fields belonged to them. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbomQqqA1I/AAAAAAAAFV4/U5JjRsHV5Cs/s1600-h/view_from_kye_gompa.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbomQqqA1I/AAAAAAAAFV4/U5JjRsHV5Cs/s400/view_from_kye_gompa.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"view from kee gompa\" title\u003d\"view from kee gompa\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365731750065079122\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e   Breath-taking view from Kee Monastery. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbijVzTaXI/AAAAAAAAFUg/SmfKvabbfl0/s1600-h/fields_belonging_to_monks_kye_monastery.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbijVzTaXI/AAAAAAAAFUg/SmfKvabbfl0/s400/fields_belonging_to_monks_kye_monastery.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"fields belonging to monks from kye monastery\" title\u003d\"fields belonging to monks from kye monastery\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365725102834149746\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  On our way down we were fortunate enough to enter the prayer hall where all the religious ceremonies take place. It was locked, the monk opened it specially for us. Here you can see brightly decorated door of the prayer hall. The camera wasn't allowed inside the hall.   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbiMrSVPZI/AAAAAAAAFUQ/vl5C2G0ZkV8/s1600-h/buddhist_prayer-hall_kye_monastery.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbiMrSVPZI/AAAAAAAAFUQ/vl5C2G0ZkV8/s400/buddhist_prayer-hall_kye_monastery.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"buddhist prayer hall in kye monastery\" title\u003d\"buddhist prayer hall in kye monastery\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365724713464446354\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  When we entered the prayer hall we were taken to another world altogether. It was  empty, and inspite of that the vibrations in the room were so positive and energising. The photo of the Dalai Lama was kept on the centre podium, at that moment I could actually feel his presence. There were many more butter sculptures that were preserved for ages, I guess the prayers really worked, the ancient Buddhist manuscripts were stacked in a shelf, exquisitely crafted mandala, and thangkas adorned the walls. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe wanted to absorb the energy around us, so we asked the monk if we could meditate for few mins inside, he agreed. Those few minutes were the most memorable in my life, it was spiritually uplifting like giving food to the soul, and definitely the highlight of this trip.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe opened our eyes gently and walked outside, thanked the monk for his hospitality and warmth. We walked down the path to the jeep and sat down without saying a word. Sometimes silence is golden, and after such a moment it was difficult to talk, but just revel in the joy of having experienced something like this. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOn our way back I took another picture of a small village across Spiti river. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbowZXOHoI/AAAAAAAAFWA/oUSi_uD-vys/s1600-h/village_in_spiti.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbowZXOHoI/AAAAAAAAFWA/oUSi_uD-vys/s400/village_in_spiti.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"village at the foothill in spiti\" title\u003d\"village at the foothill in spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365731924198170242\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We were back to the hotel by early evening in the crowded Kaza market to plan our trip back to Manali. But we were starving for food, since we had not eaten anything entire afternoon. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbijtOcbpI/AAAAAAAAFUo/jlwUP7T8op0/s1600-h/kaza_market_spiti.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnbijtOcbpI/AAAAAAAAFUo/jlwUP7T8op0/s400/kaza_market_spiti.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"kaza market in spiti\" title\u003d\"kaza market in spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365725109122002578\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  We asked for lot of food - Tomato Soup (Rs 30), French Onion Soup (Rs 30), Hot \u0026 Sour Chicken Soup (Rs 40), Spaghetti Penne Fungi (Rs 70), Non veg Pizza (Rs 100), Grilled Chicken (Rs 130), Banana Fritters (Rs 35), Cheese Cake (Rs 45), we really pigged out and the bill was Rs 480 among three of us. I guess Kaza since its the main hub is cheaper than Tabo when it comes to food. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter a fulfilling meal, it was time to chalk out the route for Manali. We avoided the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/long-winding-road-to-spiti.html\"\u003elong journey via Recong Peo\u003c/a\u003e, the route we took was from Kunzum Pass to Batal, then entered Lahual valley, crossed Rohtang Pass and back into Manali. It was the most adventurous part of our journey. Stay tuned!  \u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-2034242528415374170?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/2034242528415374170/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/08/enlightened-in-kee-monastery.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/2034242528415374170"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/2034242528415374170"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/08/enlightened-in-kee-monastery.html","title":"Enlightened in Kee Monastery"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Clyde"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/01669673801388370223"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"03853968794718094216"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Snbh8F4viKI/AAAAAAAAFTw/JYhQ5CkNGGA/s72-c/kye_gompa_with_spiti_river.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-2865963391667156688"},"published":{"$t":"2009-07-27T16:17:00.039+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-08-12T16:10:08.471+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Kaza"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Kibber"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Himachal Pradesh"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Buddhism"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Spiti"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Travel"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Kibber, Beauty and Simplicity Personified"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBdyRGojNI/AAAAAAAAFPY/ql2nfvX7yuk/s1600-h/kaza_spiti_barren_land.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 174px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBdyRGojNI/AAAAAAAAFPY/ql2nfvX7yuk/s320/kaza_spiti_barren_land.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"scenic barren landscape at kaza in spiti\" title\u003d\"scenic barren landscape at kaza in spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363890274364329170\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e   The journey from \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/mesmerising-blue-skies-of-tabo.html\"\u003eTabo to Kaza\u003c/a\u003e, which is the main town in Spiti valley, takes around two hours to reach by local bus. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe distance is only 48 kms but the uneven and extremely bumpy road makes the drive longer, and the ticket is affordable too, just Rs 55. The landscape becomes more intriguing as we moved further away from Tabo, the rock formations began to emerge; at some places thick columns of rocks dominated the landscape. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBreathtaking view it was, and what beckoned us was even more enchanting, Kee Monastery, perched on top of a hill at an altitude of 4116 m, and Kibber, which once the highest village with a motorable road in Spiti – however now since all the villages are connected it has lost that status. But before that, we had to reach Kaza, check into hotel Nimling, suggested by the owner of our guest house in Tabo. Since we were in Kaza only for a day, we took that option.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003e Kaza is at a higher level than \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/tabo-mysitcal-desert.html\"\u003eTabo\u003c/a\u003e, situated at an altitude of 3,800 metres, so it was more cold and less sunny. But Kaza is a commercial center with haphazard construction and huge number of shops doting the landscape. Hotel Nimling was just a short walk away from the bus depot, we got a decent room for Rs 200 with window facing the snow-covered mountains. The market was buzzing with activity, souvenir shops, general stores, cyber cafes, restaurants, bakeries, almost everything was available in Kaza. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSince the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/long-winding-road-to-spiti.html\"\u003elandslide that happened at Malling\u003c/a\u003e, on our way to Tabo was cleared, the supplies were flowing in again from around Himachal. In this picture local Spitian women carrying gas cylinders from the market to their homes. Women in Spiti do more work as compared to men, even when it comes to building roads. They leave their kids on the side, and do the work, I was amazed to see that.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBmhn3B5rI/AAAAAAAAFSg/wQw51zbalaM/s1600-h/spitian_women_carrying_cylinder_kaza.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 326px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBmhn3B5rI/AAAAAAAAFSg/wQw51zbalaM/s400/spitian_women_carrying_cylinder_kaza.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"spitian women carrying cylinder in kaza\" title\u003d\"spitian women carrying cylinder in kaza\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363899884019771058\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  We had a quick breakfast at the lodge and went out to enquire for a taxi. There are plenty of private taxi operators who can take you around Spiti, and depending on the distance and places to cover they quote a price. The cost is on the higher side though. We decided to go to Kee and Kibber, since those were the only places fitting in our budget, more places to visit means more money. So we got the taxi for Rs 720, no bargaining allowed as the rates are fixed.   \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe were on our way for a magical ride in the abode of gods. This cute chubby kid was waiting with his father at the taxi stand. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBf12FNyaI/AAAAAAAAFQQ/wyy-JpP1WS8/s1600-h/cute_kid_kaza.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 328px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBf12FNyaI/AAAAAAAAFQQ/wyy-JpP1WS8/s400/cute_kid_kaza.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"cute kid in kaza\" title\u003d\"cute kid in kaza\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363892534853355938\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e   A bit away from the crowded market place in Kaza was this colorful monastery, we didn't go in but stopped to take a picture.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBkonmsBQI/AAAAAAAAFR4/wLVFH7iFbjY/s1600-h/monastery_kaza_spiti.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 251px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBkonmsBQI/AAAAAAAAFR4/wLVFH7iFbjY/s400/monastery_kaza_spiti.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"colorful monastery in kaza spiti\" title\u003d\"colorful monastery in kaza spiti\"id\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363897805187056898\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  The view was even better than Tabo, pleasing our senses and opening our minds to see a new dimension in nature's orbit. The Spiti river gently flowing between the mountains, forming tributaries that looked so artistic, and white sand gathered around it looked like snow.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhat should I say about the mountains, barren and arid land with spots of green at the foothills and snow at its peak, if this isn't heaven, what is it? \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBmhhEfGbI/AAAAAAAAFSY/r7LTZDFxtWg/s1600-h/spiti_kaza_landscape_view.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBmhhEfGbI/AAAAAAAAFSY/r7LTZDFxtWg/s400/spiti_kaza_landscape_view.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"barren land, snow covered mountains in Spiti\" title\u003d\"barren land, snow covered mountains in Spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363899882197162418\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eThe Incredibly Peaceful Kibber Village\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOur first stop was going to be Kibber village, situated atop a mountain 20 kms away. On the way we spotted herd of \u003ca href\u003d\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibex\"\u003eIbex\u003c/a\u003e, running across the road, they were pretty quick in their steps as well. Ibex belongs to a species of wild mountain goats that are distinguished by the male's large re curved horns, \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBePOKkyOI/AAAAAAAAFQA/CcZ8vVhnlcw/s1600-h/chirus_tibetan_antelope.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 330px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBePOKkyOI/AAAAAAAAFQA/CcZ8vVhnlcw/s400/chirus_tibetan_antelope.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Ibex in Spiti\" title\u003d\"Ibex in Spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363890771791759586\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e And soaring high in the sky was this huge sized eagle. It would be fantastic to get a bird's eye view of scintillating Spiti! \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBeOWXII4I/AAAAAAAAFPg/laDN7bjW0KE/s1600-h/bird_flying_high.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBeOWXII4I/AAAAAAAAFPg/laDN7bjW0KE/s400/bird_flying_high.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"huge sized eagle in spiti\" title\u003d\"huge sized eagle in spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363890756812022658\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  In a short while after that we reached Kibber, which once was the highest village in Asia reachable by a motorable road. Now its Komik village in Spiti which is at a height of 4513m, and falls on the other route. The tarmac road is nice to drive on as well, much better then the road connecting Tabo to Kaza. The jeep driver gave us an hour to take a stroll around Kibber. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBo31El5HI/AAAAAAAAFSo/ItcHviXAZL4/s1600-h/tarmac_road_to_kibber.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 381px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBo31El5HI/AAAAAAAAFSo/ItcHviXAZL4/s400/tarmac_road_to_kibber.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"tarmac road to kibber\" title\u003d\"tarmac road to kibber\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363902464546694258\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  According to the signboard, the population of Kibber is merely 295 people, so it seemed to be a peaceful and subdued place. It was blessed with a magnificent view of the valley, surrounded by snow-covered peaks, I couldn't even imagine how cold it would get at night. There is a civil dispensary, a high school, a post office and a telegraph office here, so the village is self-sufficient in a way. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBkn9gMDUI/AAAAAAAAFRo/9i32WqR3uz4/s1600-h/kibber_village_spiti.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 242px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBkn9gMDUI/AAAAAAAAFRo/9i32WqR3uz4/s400/kibber_village_spiti.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"kibber village in spiti with of population 295\" title\u003d\"kibber village in spiti with of population 295\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363897793885506882\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  Like many villages in Spiti, an ancient Chorten greeted us at the start of the village. It was surrounded by prayer flags and as a sign of respect you are suppose to walk from the left of it. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBknhW6P6I/AAAAAAAAFRg/Dvq4Rmn1hes/s1600-h/kibber_village.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBknhW6P6I/AAAAAAAAFRg/Dvq4Rmn1hes/s400/kibber_village.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"buddhist chorten in kibber village\" title\u003d\"buddhist chorten in kibber village\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363897786330398626\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBf1m2pIvI/AAAAAAAAFQI/32FTzqWO8O4/s1600-h/chorten_kibber.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 373px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBf1m2pIvI/AAAAAAAAFQI/32FTzqWO8O4/s400/chorten_kibber.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"buddhist chorten with prayer flags in kibber\" title\u003d\"buddhist chorten with prayer flags in kibber\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363892530765701874\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e On moving ahead we saw Norling guest house, we didn't know about that or else we would have stayed here. There are just 1 or 2 guest houses in Kibber, that gives you an idea how secluded it can get. We hardly saw any locals around either, they would probably be working in the fields while the kids were at school. Life is tough at such high altitudes, as it snows for six months, temperatures can drop to -15 degress in December, so the remaining six months are spent in cultivation of crops, which forms the main source of income. When it snows the locals stay indoors and make handicrafts.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI was enjoying the walk, nobody to stop or disturb you, just absorbing the rustic landscape. This design is actually formed by the finger marks imprinted on the wall of a mud house, how natural does it get.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBmgyR2KMI/AAAAAAAAFSA/nNn5AmIUhX8/s1600-h/mud_house_kibber.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBmgyR2KMI/AAAAAAAAFSA/nNn5AmIUhX8/s400/mud_house_kibber.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"finger prints on the wall of a traditional Spitian house\" title\u003d\"finger prints on the wall of a traditional Spitian house\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363899869636733122\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBeOuz9qTI/AAAAAAAAFPo/oANmNSt4aVs/s1600-h/calf_in_kibber_village.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 295px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBeOuz9qTI/AAAAAAAAFPo/oANmNSt4aVs/s400/calf_in_kibber_village.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"calf in kibber village\" title\u003d\"calf in kibber village\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363890763375421746\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  We spotted a little lamb hidden behind the wall, bleating for his mother; we heard his cry but couldn't spot him. So Clyde started to bleat and there the little fellow popped out from behind the wall, responding to his calls. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBkoU35qxI/AAAAAAAAFRw/2tQwRBZI3jI/s1600-h/lamb_bleating_kibber.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 321px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBkoU35qxI/AAAAAAAAFRw/2tQwRBZI3jI/s400/lamb_bleating_kibber.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"beating lamb in kibber\" title\u003d\"beating lamb in kibber\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363897800158980882\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  The houses were similar to Tabo, tiny windows and door, white-washed facade with a maroon strip on top, perfect for such cold conditions, and the flat roofs were rimmed with bales of hay neatly stacked, often stuck with prayer flags. Wonder how they would recognise their house if one day a Spitian guy got drunk, that's just a thought! \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBmhAcpNWI/AAAAAAAAFSI/0iXcfRXtSKE/s1600-h/mud_houses_kibber_village.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBmhAcpNWI/AAAAAAAAFSI/0iXcfRXtSKE/s400/mud_houses_kibber_village.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"stone houses kibber village in spiti\" title\u003d\"stone houses kibber village in spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363899873440118114\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  An old house with colorful bales of hay and twigs piled up on its flat roof and the snow-clad mountains in the background, made for a pretty picture! The flat roofs were used for work and storage purpose.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBiofVcr_I/AAAAAAAAFRQ/d5Tq-V6bI8s/s1600-h/kibber_house.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 192px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBiofVcr_I/AAAAAAAAFRQ/d5Tq-V6bI8s/s400/kibber_house.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"old stone house in kibber with bale of hay\" title\u003d\"old stone house in kibber with bale of hay\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363895603944009714\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e   As we moved higher up towards the end of the village, we got a better view of Kibber.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBioKilLmI/AAAAAAAAFRI/lindPJoZ49c/s1600-h/kibber_highest_village.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBioKilLmI/AAAAAAAAFRI/lindPJoZ49c/s400/kibber_highest_village.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"kibber village in Spiti\" title\u003d\"kibber village in Spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363895598361947746\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e   The green fields spread across the arid land on the top right and the yellow building in the center of the image is Norling guest house.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBf2qMJDOI/AAAAAAAAFQo/WvYSRgwV_aI/s1600-h/green_fields_kibber.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBf2qMJDOI/AAAAAAAAFQo/WvYSRgwV_aI/s400/green_fields_kibber.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"green fields in kibber\" title\u003d\"green fields in kibber\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363892548841049314\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e At the far end away from the houses is the small monastery, I assume it is that because of the flags around it. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBknMI91gI/AAAAAAAAFRY/jUVgw8C1xYQ/s1600-h/kibber_monastery.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 275px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBknMI91gI/AAAAAAAAFRY/jUVgw8C1xYQ/s400/kibber_monastery.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"monastery in kibber\" title\u003d\"monastery in kibber\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363897780634768898\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  The sun shone through a rift in the clouds, but it was still very pleasant.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBo4KGzMfI/AAAAAAAAFS4/HIZjUgEqDoE/s1600-h/white_washed_traditional_ho.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBo4KGzMfI/AAAAAAAAFS4/HIZjUgEqDoE/s400/white_washed_traditional_ho.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"white washed traditional home in kibber\" title\u003d\"white washed traditional home in kibber\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363902470193099250\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  We kept walking till we reached the end of Kibber. I saw a couple of houses which had yak fur lying outside, the locals might be either selling it or using it to protect themselves from the extreme cold climate at night. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBo4AA142I/AAAAAAAAFTA/X460iaAFcWE/s1600-h/yak_skin_spiti.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 324px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBo4AA142I/AAAAAAAAFTA/X460iaAFcWE/s400/yak_skin_spiti.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"yak fur left to dry in spiti\" title\u003d\"yak fur left to dry in spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363902467483755362\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e On the opposite slope is another village called Chicham, which looked much smaller than Kibber. But the view was stunning, green fields around Chicham added colour to the otherwise brown landscape. Its a 2-3 hours scenic trek from Kibber.   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBePFuXInI/AAAAAAAAFP4/rLHBhikXT7c/s1600-h/chichum_village_spiti.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBePFuXInI/AAAAAAAAFP4/rLHBhikXT7c/s400/chichum_village_spiti.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Chicham village opposite kibber\" title\u003d\"Chicham village opposite kibber\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363890769525940850\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBeO8nXzQI/AAAAAAAAFPw/x3b0KDIA8aA/s1600-h/chicham_village_spiti.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBeO8nXzQI/AAAAAAAAFPw/x3b0KDIA8aA/s400/chicham_village_spiti.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"chicham village in spiti\" title\u003d\"chicham village in spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363890767080705282\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We wanted to go closer to the route leading up to Chicham and saw this sight. Horns balanced on a stone structure with twigs placed underneath. I am not sure what this symbolises.   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBinqai3NI/AAAAAAAAFQ4/9NdO5cNGUkE/s1600-h/horns_on_stone.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 335px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBinqai3NI/AAAAAAAAFQ4/9NdO5cNGUkE/s400/horns_on_stone.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"horns on stone\" title\u003d\"horns on stone\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363895589738306770\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  The road leading to Chicham village, flanked by tilled fields and scenic mountains. I took a deep breathe totally soaking in the marvellous spectacle that lied in front of me. It looks like a beautiful painting:) but this is reality!  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBinXwxMZI/AAAAAAAAFQw/oGoqc9Sgmds/s1600-h/heavenly_spiti.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBinXwxMZI/AAAAAAAAFQw/oGoqc9Sgmds/s400/heavenly_spiti.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"heavenly and picturesque spiti\" title\u003d\"heavenly and picturesque spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363895584731246994\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  There was so much to admire around us, but the driver waved to us from the other end asking us to come back.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe colorful structure is a solar passive house made by \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.spitiecosphere.com/index.htm\"\u003eEcosphere\u003c/a\u003e. The house absorbs and retains the sun's energy for a longer time and distributes solar energy in the form of heat in winter. This helps communities bring down their winter fuelwood consumption and and also the money spent. The objective being to bring down the amount of fuelwood burnt as well as carbon emissions generated.   \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eEcosphere is a social enterprise working in the Spiti valley linking lives of locals to conservation and development. They also organise homestays for tourists to experience the unique culture of Spiti.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBf2FtcFWI/AAAAAAAAFQY/OANzN_VSswc/s1600-h/ecosphere_office_kibber.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 314px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBf2FtcFWI/AAAAAAAAFQY/OANzN_VSswc/s400/ecosphere_office_kibber.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"solar passive house in kibber to trap energy for winter\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363892539048596834\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e On our way back we saw this cute furry dog looking at us from the door. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBf2ZgvktI/AAAAAAAAFQg/Z_QgLZ4U5P0/s1600-h/furry_dog.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 343px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBf2ZgvktI/AAAAAAAAFQg/Z_QgLZ4U5P0/s400/furry_dog.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"furry dog\" title\u003d\"furry dog\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363892544364057298\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  To sum up our short visit to Kibber, we experienced a sweet moment joy when the school bell rang and the girls came running out from their respective houses to play a game of volleyball. Such was the excitement and simple life of people in Kibber. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBmhaST80I/AAAAAAAAFSQ/YxUohMsFoAY/s1600-h/playing_volleyball_kibber.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBmhaST80I/AAAAAAAAFSQ/YxUohMsFoAY/s400/playing_volleyball_kibber.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"girls playing volleyball in kibber school\" title\u003d\"girls playing volleyball in kibber school\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363899880376103746\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  We went back to the jeep hoping to come back soon to this village, this time with our bags. Our visit would be incomplete without a picture of the two of us in this paradise! \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBo395o8UI/AAAAAAAAFSw/03G7pwrczok/s1600-h/us_at_kibber.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBo395o8UI/AAAAAAAAFSw/03G7pwrczok/s400/us_at_kibber.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"bhavika and clyde at kibber in spiti\" title\u003d\"bhavika and clyde at kibber in spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363902466916675906\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The beautiful Kee monastery is a short ride away from Kibber, in fact it comes on the way to Kibber. Due to loads of photos, I have divided the post. But am sure you won't have to wait too long before its up.  \u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-2865963391667156688?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/2865963391667156688/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/kibber-beauty-and-simplicity.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/2865963391667156688"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/2865963391667156688"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/kibber-beauty-and-simplicity.html","title":"Kibber, Beauty and Simplicity Personified"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Bhavika"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04875107049846989706"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12044440207294747186"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SnBdyRGojNI/AAAAAAAAFPY/ql2nfvX7yuk/s72-c/kaza_spiti_barren_land.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-6000303731462904924"},"published":{"$t":"2009-07-23T17:28:00.021+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-07-24T02:56:03.343+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Tabo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Himachal Pradesh"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Buddhism"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Spiti"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Travel"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Tabo Monastery"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Mesmerising Blue Skies of Tabo"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjDqGxIzeI/AAAAAAAAFIw/XIr20aKbfic/s1600-h/mud_house_tabo.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjDqGxIzeI/AAAAAAAAFIw/XIr20aKbfic/s320/mud_house_tabo.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"mud house with hay stacked on roof in tabo village\" title\u003d\"mud house with hay stacked on roof in tabo village\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361750484523208162\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e After the trek to the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/tabo-mysitcal-desert.html\"\u003eBuddhist caves in Tabo\u003c/a\u003e, we were famished as it was already past 4 pm and we were starving. So we decided to go to a restaurant close by and savour the local delicacies. For the first time we walked on the main road of Tabo village to get a glimpse of rural life. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe mud houses had similar structure, design and colour, very few of them had two or three levels. Some of the houses also had sheds built on the side for the cows to rest. We were trying to figure out why this calf was embellished with colourful ribbons, when a Spitian girl popped out of the window. She looked at us, wondering what we were doing and when she was about to shut the window, Bhavika quickly gestured to her to wait for a picture.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjEH2exvFI/AAAAAAAAFI4/ms9_wR9kKmM/s1600-h/cow_resting_in_shed_tabo.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjEH2exvFI/AAAAAAAAFI4/ms9_wR9kKmM/s400/cow_resting_in_shed_tabo.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"cow resting in shed in tabo spiti\" title\u003d\"cow resting in shed in tabo spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361750995547307090\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjEIlL9-TI/AAAAAAAAFJI/X8ReSFNaJI0/s1600-h/spitian_girl_looking_out_of_the_window.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjEIlL9-TI/AAAAAAAAFJI/X8ReSFNaJI0/s400/spitian_girl_looking_out_of_the_window.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"spitian girl looking out of the window\" title\u003d\"spitian girl looking out of the window\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361751008084883762\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  We noticed that most of the houses had twigs stacked just above the door. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjEIdROEXI/AAAAAAAAFJA/l21krgXy6FM/s1600-h/hay_on_roof_tabo.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjEIdROEXI/AAAAAAAAFJA/l21krgXy6FM/s400/hay_on_roof_tabo.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"twigs stacked on door in tabo village\" title\u003d\"twigs stacked on door in tabo village\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361751005959426418\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  Just across the road was this young boy filling a glass of water, looking completely dazed.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjE5-AVnHI/AAAAAAAAFJQ/WUUgLC7SdqI/s1600-h/spiti_boy.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjE5-AVnHI/AAAAAAAAFJQ/WUUgLC7SdqI/s400/spiti_boy.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"spiti boy\" title\u003d\"spiti boy\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361751856560577650\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  While these Spitian kids were radiating with joy and love, shining like a beacon. Just this short walk brought smiles on our tired face, it didn't serve as nourishment for the body but uplifted the soul. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjFqiYZhBI/AAAAAAAAFJg/qBCTmzrgRnE/s1600-h/cute_spitian_kids_tabo.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 316px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjFqiYZhBI/AAAAAAAAFJg/qBCTmzrgRnE/s400/cute_spitian_kids_tabo.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"cute spitian kids in tabo\" title\u003d\"cute spitian kids playing in tabo\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361752690958894098\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Innocence personified! Cute-looking kids happily posing for the camera with their dolls.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjGfoO2U8I/AAAAAAAAFJ4/rnZ8P-fS3wk/s1600-h/tabo_kids_posing_with_doll.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjGfoO2U8I/AAAAAAAAFJ4/rnZ8P-fS3wk/s400/tabo_kids_posing_with_doll.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"tabo kids posing with dolls\" title\u003d\"Tabo kids posing with dolls\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361753603062518722\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We turned behind to look how far we had reached from the caves. Not much distance covered, yet at every step we discovered something different. You can see few of the caves we trekked to, although there is a huge stretch of them that you will see in a picture further down, now its time for your mouth to water. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjFq2VZKBI/AAAAAAAAFJo/mHNyTLtZxoc/s1600-h/buddhist_caves_tabo.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjFq2VZKBI/AAAAAAAAFJo/mHNyTLtZxoc/s400/buddhist_caves_tabo.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"buddhist caves in tabo\" title\u003d\"buddhist caves in tabo\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361752696314996754\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjFrFs0VsI/AAAAAAAAFJw/9ZuT9gvo4PY/s1600-h/menu_tibetan_cuisine_tabo_zion_cafe.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjFrFs0VsI/AAAAAAAAFJw/9ZuT9gvo4PY/s400/menu_tibetan_cuisine_tabo_zion_cafe.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"menu of zion cafe tibetan cuisine in spiti\" title\u003d\"menu of zion cafe tibetan cuisine in spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361752700439779010\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  We had a multi-course meal at this restaurant called Zion, the full power cafe. We wanted to try some of the local Spitian dishes like Thantuk, Thukpa and not to forget Momos. Traditionally, momos were only served to important guests when they visited the household. They were a delicacy which were only made on special occasions to celebrate. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjHEsTYe9I/AAAAAAAAFKo/4fmuk12fVYo/s1600-h/tibetan_dish_veg_momos.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjHEsTYe9I/AAAAAAAAFKo/4fmuk12fVYo/s400/tibetan_dish_veg_momos.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"tibetan dish veg momos\" title\u003d\"tibetan dish veg momos dumplings\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361754239810436050\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Since we were starving we ordered for quite a lot of food. We started with shakes (Mango shake Rs 25, Banana Rs 20) then moved on to appetisers that included Veg Momos (Rs 40), Thantuk (Tibetan-style vegetable soup with flat noodles) (Rs 35), Mashed potato with local cheese and fried onions (Rs 50). The food was delicious, especially the Thantuk that had lot of flavours.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjGgzYfVvI/AAAAAAAAFKY/J5udZkKPfkw/s1600-h/thantuk_tibetan_cusine_tabo.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjGgzYfVvI/AAAAAAAAFKY/J5udZkKPfkw/s400/thantuk_tibetan_cusine_tabo.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"thantuk tibetan cuisine in tabo\" title\u003d\"thantuk tibetan cuisine in tabo\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361753623235614450\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjGggPPmNI/AAAAAAAAFKQ/a2IOt--HF0E/s1600-h/mashed_potatoes_with_cheese_onions.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjGggPPmNI/AAAAAAAAFKQ/a2IOt--HF0E/s400/mashed_potatoes_with_cheese_onions.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"mashed potatoes with cheese and onions\" title\u003d\"mashed potatoes with cheese and onions\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361753618096560338\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  A meal is incomplete without desserts, so we went on another binge, rice pudding (Rs 40), mango custard (Rs 40 for 1) with fresh mango pieces and banana toffee (Rs 30 for 1).  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjGgVUXfII/AAAAAAAAFKI/-TxrcRS8zFM/s1600-h/mango_custard_rice_pudding.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 228px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjGgVUXfII/AAAAAAAAFKI/-TxrcRS8zFM/s400/mango_custard_rice_pudding.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"mango custard and rice pudding\" title\u003d\"mango custard and rice pudding\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361753615165258882\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The Mango Custard and banana toffee were scrumptious, so we ordered for one more round, even the guy serving us was amazed with the quantity of food. We were over-nourished now and it was time to walk again. The bill came up to only Rs 395. Zion cafe was more affordable than the restaurant at our guest house.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjGf93V9sI/AAAAAAAAFKA/utxu35fIgnE/s1600-h/banana_toffee.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjGf93V9sI/AAAAAAAAFKA/utxu35fIgnE/s400/banana_toffee.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"banana toffee\" title\u003d\"banana toffee\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361753608869508802\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e While we were on top of the mountain our eyes were set on the greenish blue water body. We were not sure of the way, but we started to head towards the fields. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjIJSI7_cI/AAAAAAAAFK4/RQJKhisu7QM/s1600-h/cold_desert_spiti.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjIJSI7_cI/AAAAAAAAFK4/RQJKhisu7QM/s400/cold_desert_spiti.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"cold desert spiti\" title\u003d\"cold desert spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361755418198277570\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjIJLfL9yI/AAAAAAAAFKw/o0cUOr0sz3Q/s1600-h/purple_flowers_tabo_spiti.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjIJLfL9yI/AAAAAAAAFKw/o0cUOr0sz3Q/s400/purple_flowers_tabo_spiti.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"purple flowers in tabo spiti\" title\u003d\"purple flowers in tabo spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361755416412550946\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWalking through the fields and wide open spaces, with Spiti river flowing on the left and the mountains on the other side, we felt in the lap of nature, who was displaying its immense beauty at every step. We walked on a cemented canal, made to provide water in the fields, along side the river. Bhavika was nervous as there were dog fights taking place in the fields, with huge furry dogs running about barking at other group of dogs, she's scared of dogs by the way. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjIJolFpTI/AAAAAAAAFLA/Vzj8SwJozO0/s1600-h/green_fields_tabo.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjIJolFpTI/AAAAAAAAFLA/Vzj8SwJozO0/s400/green_fields_tabo.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"green fields and apple orchard in tabo\" title\u003d\"green fields and apple orchard in tabo\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361755424221930802\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e In the picture below you can see some of the dogs standing outside the mud wall of the apple orchard as well as a stretch of caves on the mountain. The wall is made to protect the apples from being stolen, and Spitian apples are well known in India. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs we proceeded on the cemented canal a farmer with a plow approached us from the other side, he was walking faster and as he came closer we realized a trickle of water following him in the canal. As the trickle built up force, he was opening and sometimes closing exits of the water entering the fields. The frog was swept by the water force until he managed to cling on to the sides of the canal for us to take a picture! \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjIJ2MX8WI/AAAAAAAAFLI/HkfRE3yltfY/s1600-h/frog_holding_on_to_canal.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 328px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjIJ2MX8WI/AAAAAAAAFLI/HkfRE3yltfY/s400/frog_holding_on_to_canal.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"frog holding on to canal\" title\u003d\"frog holding on to canal\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361755427876368738\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  Picture perfect, shot of Spiti river flowing through the barren mountains like a snake crawling and making its way in the fields.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjIKdE0SpI/AAAAAAAAFLQ/YStBDwh76kE/s1600-h/spiti_river_flowing_tabo.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjIKdE0SpI/AAAAAAAAFLQ/YStBDwh76kE/s400/spiti_river_flowing_tabo.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"spiti river flowing in tabo\" title\u003d\"spiti river flowing in tabo\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361755438313654930\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003cbr /\u003eIf you remember the wild orchids we saw during the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/magical-trek-in-parvati.html\"\u003etrek to a village in Parvati\u003c/a\u003e, this one is exactly the same except for the colour. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjJN3U7ELI/AAAAAAAAFLY/CDityx6Yv8I/s1600-h/white_orchids_growing_spiti.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjJN3U7ELI/AAAAAAAAFLY/CDityx6Yv8I/s400/white_orchids_growing_spiti.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"white orchids in tabo\" title\u003d\"white orchids in tabo\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361756596411764914\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Finally we drew up close to the pond, which was quite big; if it was attractive from the top, it was unbelievable when we were besides it. Like an oasis in the desert, the water body was used for irrigation purpose.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe colours were not only green because of the depth in the center, but also brown towards the banks due to plants growing underneath. Air bubbles slowly making their way to the surface as insects came up for a breather and then go back down. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThere were small fish swimming about and how can I explain the mesmerizing reflection of the sky, mountains and the colours in all their glory on the surface, shattering with ripples created by the breeze only to form again.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjJPSGQvsI/AAAAAAAAFLg/e8tKLSbsGHY/s1600-h/reflection_of_mountains_on_lake_tabo.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjJPSGQvsI/AAAAAAAAFLg/e8tKLSbsGHY/s400/reflection_of_mountains_on_lake_tabo.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"reflection of mountains on pond in tabo\" title\u003d\"reflection of mountains on pond in tabo\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361756620777897666\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  As the sun set a group of swallows flew over the pond chasing each other, some flying just above the surface as though they were looking at their reflections on the water. While some played games by skipping over water and just about touching it to make us wonder if they were placed there at that point of time, it was the swallow show in the middle of the desert.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjJPh_Gw-I/AAAAAAAAFLo/aOmp2To3hhU/s1600-h/serene_water_body_tabo_spiti.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjJPh_Gw-I/AAAAAAAAFLo/aOmp2To3hhU/s400/serene_water_body_tabo_spiti.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"serene water body in Spiti\" title\u003d\"serene greenish blue water body in Spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361756625042850786\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The words perhaps can't describe the way we felt, we were, \"Woooo did you see that!!!\" all the time, our head moving, our eyes following the birds they had all our attention. Even the sole duck and a duckling in the pond were trying to catch our attention but in vain, until the sun started another show. The shadow of the mountains where the sun was setting started spanning across the entire valley, slowly eating up hill after hill.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjLhtqRquI/AAAAAAAAFL4/OHRKm3uvsEU/s1600-h/dark_grey_skies_tabo_spiti.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjLhtqRquI/AAAAAAAAFL4/OHRKm3uvsEU/s400/dark_grey_skies_tabo_spiti.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"dark grey skies in spiti\" title\u003d\"dark grey skies in spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361759136437611234\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  It was time to leave, when we were in the middle of the fields yet again something magical happened. Straight in front of us, the mountains at the horizon were still the same, the sky was light blue, and right behind us where the sun was setting it was dark blue and grey. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjJQNtXN_I/AAAAAAAAFLw/i6gQfMLGonY/s1600-h/birds_flying_high_in_blue_skies.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjJQNtXN_I/AAAAAAAAFLw/i6gQfMLGonY/s400/birds_flying_high_in_blue_skies.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"blue skies in spiti\" title\u003d\"blue skies in spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361756636779591666\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003cbr /\u003eThe sky had unlimited gradients in the middle all the way from light blue, sky blue, navy blue, dark blue, blue grey, every shade of blue you can imagine possible, this was the magic in Spiti, we had not seen these shades anywhere else in Himachal Pradesh. We were blessed by the Mountain Gods! \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjLhwUabSI/AAAAAAAAFMA/of3jO08jHow/s1600-h/blue_sky_tabo_desert.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjLhwUabSI/AAAAAAAAFMA/of3jO08jHow/s400/blue_sky_tabo_desert.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"blue sky in tabo desert\" title\u003d\"blue sky in tabo desert\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361759137151216930\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  We walked towards German bakery in Tabo, picked up a cheese cake, our favorite on this trip. You can see the internal structure in this picture, this is the roof of German Bakery from the inside in Tabo. What a contrasting image pops up in the head when you think of German Bakery! \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjLiDzIOzI/AAAAAAAAFMI/eFPAdFGtW0g/s1600-h/german_bakery_tabo_spiti.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjLiDzIOzI/AAAAAAAAFMI/eFPAdFGtW0g/s400/german_bakery_tabo_spiti.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"german bakery in spiti\" title\u003d\"german bakery in spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361759142380321586\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjLibY6vAI/AAAAAAAAFMQ/SwSo2b-mQxU/s1600-h/bamboo_roof_german_bakery.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjLibY6vAI/AAAAAAAAFMQ/SwSo2b-mQxU/s400/bamboo_roof_german_bakery.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"bamboo roof german bakery\" title\u003d\"bamboo roof german bakery\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361759148712836098\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We went back to our room after an eventful day, ordered for dinner. It is worth a mention that the food was delicious at Tashi Khangsar, but tad expensive, like Thantuk costed Rs 60, that's too much for a veg soup. A proper meal for three, comprising dal makhani (Rs 40), rice (Rs 40), mixed vegetable (Rs 50), chapatis (Rs 5 each) and sugarless halwa (Rs 40) came up to Rs 195. Back in the room a game of Scrabble beckoned us, and Bhavika turned out to be the lucky winner, on several occassions!:) \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eThe Ancient Tabo Monastery\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe next morning our plan was to catch the bus to Kaza, the main city of Spiti, and go further up to Ki and Kibber monastery. But the visit to Tabo is incomplete without seeing the ancient monastery. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjLijLmYII/AAAAAAAAFMY/lhGDuLbFWBg/s1600-h/entrance_of_tabo_monastery.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjLijLmYII/AAAAAAAAFMY/lhGDuLbFWBg/s400/entrance_of_tabo_monastery.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"entrance of tabo monastery\" title\u003d\"entrance of tabo monastery\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361759150804459650\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  We had passed it a few times and never ended up going inside. Called the 'Ajanta of the Himalayas', the monastery holds nine temples, 23 chortens or stupas and seperate chambers for monks and nuns. It is enclosed by a boundary wall built with mud bricks, that separates it from the modern monastery buildings and village.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjMZuG7PYI/AAAAAAAAFMg/3w2hCNi81Wo/s1600-h/ancient_tabo_monastery_mud_walls.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjMZuG7PYI/AAAAAAAAFMg/3w2hCNi81Wo/s400/ancient_tabo_monastery_mud_walls.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"mud walls of ancient tabo monastery\" title\u003d\"mud walls of ancient tabo monastery\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361760098630450562\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjMaJTdZjI/AAAAAAAAFMw/MzTtK2RsZSw/s1600-h/stupa_tabo_monastery_spiti.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjMaJTdZjI/AAAAAAAAFMw/MzTtK2RsZSw/s400/stupa_tabo_monastery_spiti.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"stupa or chorten in tabo monastery spiti\" title\u003d\"stupa or chorten in tabo monastery spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361760105930778162\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The bus to Kaza arrives anytime between 8.30 am to 12.30 pm, so we had 15 minutes to check the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.aarogya.com/tabo/monastery.html\"\u003eTabo monastery\u003c/a\u003e, assuming that the bus arrived by 9, 9.15 am. Unfortunately all the sections were closed, even the temples that house exquisite wall paintings, stucco statues and murals. But whatever we saw was gorgeous enough, especially the central part. This is the assembly hall where the above mentioned treasures were preserved. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjMZ0uds9I/AAAAAAAAFMo/nY4HERKW4Rc/s1600-h/assembly_hall_tabo_monastery.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjMZ0uds9I/AAAAAAAAFMo/nY4HERKW4Rc/s400/assembly_hall_tabo_monastery.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"assembly hall tabo monastery\" title\u003d\"assembly hall tabo monastery\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361760100406899666\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The entire monastery was built in a way that it makes maximum use of natural light, the roof had green glass at places and solar cells to generate electricity. On our next visit we would definitely visit the monastery, with that thought in mind we rushed to the Tabo bus stand. It was time for us to go to Kaza, our next stop in the mystical Spiti desert!\u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-6000303731462904924?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/6000303731462904924/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/mesmerising-blue-skies-of-tabo.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/6000303731462904924"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/6000303731462904924"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/mesmerising-blue-skies-of-tabo.html","title":"The Mesmerising Blue Skies of Tabo"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Clyde"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/01669673801388370223"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"03853968794718094216"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmjDqGxIzeI/AAAAAAAAFIw/XIr20aKbfic/s72-c/mud_house_tabo.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-4355609968333661865"},"published":{"$t":"2009-07-20T22:46:00.021+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-07-21T15:10:15.929+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Tabo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Himachal Pradesh"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Buddhism"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Spiti"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Travel"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Tabo, the Mystical Desert"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS3yIMM_BI/AAAAAAAAMcI/plwGOT6O9nc/s1600-h/view_in_tabo.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:left; margin:0 10px 2px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS3yIMM_BI/AAAAAAAAMcI/plwGOT6O9nc/s320/view_in_tabo.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"The View in Tabo\" alt\u003d\"The View in Tabo\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360611528297741330\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWe reached Tabo early in the evening, as we mentioned in the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/long-winding-road-to-spiti.html\"\u003eprevious post after the long journey,\u003c/a\u003e we did not want to stay close to the bus stand, since the surroundings there were not very interesting.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs we walked, we noticed that Spiti was different, not just the landscape of the cold desert but the enormity of the area stretched the fabric of our mind. We were in the middle of the valley with mountains on both sides. While the other two sides stretched as far as eyes could reach and then at the horizon the beautiful snow-capped peaks put a gorgeous end to the view.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo we needed a room, it was colder here as compared to any other place we had been to. We didn't find anything very interesting around the bus stand, except a board pointing out to a Helipad, yes a helipad in the middle of a desert. Intrigued by that we decided to take a look, as we approached it we realized it was a huge enclosed space with a road leading to it. It was tarred and had the H in a circle where the chopper lands, but what we didn't expect was the howling wind to send a shiver down our spine. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003e \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS-f31ucTI/AAAAAAAAMfo/jEPBqpLW2M4/s1600-h/scrabble_in_the_room.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS-f31ucTI/AAAAAAAAMfo/jEPBqpLW2M4/s400/scrabble_in_the_room.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Scrabble in the Room\" alt\u003d\"Scrabble in the Room\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360618911252246834\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWe increased our speed to get the blood flowing, and shortly after that reached the guest house, Tashi Khangsar. We were tired after the journey and just chilled in the room, the reception had a mini library as well as a couple of games, Scrabble it was that helped us pass a couple of hours until we had to literally run from our room to the dining hall, which was a few feet away as we were not yet used to Spiti cold.\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS79OImDzI/AAAAAAAAMd4/nFH7r9i-SBg/s1600-h/blue_skies_in_tabo.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS79OImDzI/AAAAAAAAMd4/nFH7r9i-SBg/s400/blue_skies_in_tabo.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Blue Skies in Tabo\" alt\u003d\"Blue Skies in Tabo\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360616116918292274\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWe woke up to the bluest skies we have ever seen, it seems that cold deserts like Spiti and Ladakh in India are the only places where you get to see azure blue. The guys at the lodge laid breakfast for us in the garden and on the hills in front of us were something which the locals called \u003ca href\u003d\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_antelope\"\u003e\"Chirus\"\u003c/a\u003e or Tibetan antelopes. It was a black-horned animal somewhat bigger than a cow and smaller than a yak, we could see around 4-5 of them and were wondering how could they stand on such a steep slope. To get a better view of Tabo I climbed the roof of the restaurant, a couple of cute kids were playing next door. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS8KQGK_FI/AAAAAAAAMeo/8_NGsbD1SQs/s1600-h/cute_kids_playing.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS8KQGK_FI/AAAAAAAAMeo/8_NGsbD1SQs/s400/cute_kids_playing.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Cute kids playing in Tabo\" alt\u003d\"Cute kids playing in Tabo\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360616340783299666\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e What was even more interesting is the use of solar electricity across Himachal, the landscape makes it difficult or perhaps not feasible to connect and supply electricity to all these places. Nearly everyone in Tabo depends on the sun to get their energy, our room had a solar light that we used all the time instead of the conventional one, even when there was electricity, solar energy fascinates me I guess.\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS-ftqaG5I/AAAAAAAAMfg/8gey_Rdq4eQ/s1600-h/solar_panels_guest_house.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS-ftqaG5I/AAAAAAAAMfg/8gey_Rdq4eQ/s400/solar_panels_guest_house.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"\" alt\u003d\"Solar panels of the guest house\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360618908520422290\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWe wanted to get a glimpse of Tabo from an altitude, the guest house owner told us about the Buddhist caves that were located on higher grounds, on a neighboring hill. That was the destination for the day, before that we went for a stroll around Tabo. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTabo is known for its ancient Buddhist monastery that's over a 1000-years old, founded in 996 AD. Buddhism is the main religion here and hence the various Gompas (monasteries) and Buddhist structures can be seen virtually everywhere. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has expressed his desire to retire to Tabo, since he maintains that the Tabo Monastery is one of the holiest.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS7u4nGjmI/AAAAAAAAMdQ/Tyx0VJtsodA/s1600-h/beautiful_buddhist_architecture.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS7u4nGjmI/AAAAAAAAMdQ/Tyx0VJtsodA/s400/beautiful_buddhist_architecture.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Chorten or Stupa at Tabo monastery\" alt\u003d\"Beautiful Buddhist architecture\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360615870622502498\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The Buddhist Chorten or Stupa near Tabo Monastery. The basic structure of a Chorten consist of a square foundation symbolizing the earth, a dome symbolizing water, and thirteen tapering steps of enlightenment symbolizing the element of fire. The celestial crown on top is the 'twin symbol' uniting sun and moon.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS78t43l2I/AAAAAAAAMdo/x1-YuPJiDJk/s1600-h/buddhist_statue.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS78t43l2I/AAAAAAAAMdo/x1-YuPJiDJk/s400/buddhist_statue.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Buddhist Chorten or Stupa near Tabo Monastery\" alt\u003d\"Buddhist Chorten or Stupa near Tabo Monastery\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360616108262397794\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Just outside the Monastery lodge, rooms are also available in the monastery with no attached bathroom, there was a souped up Landcruiser parked, it has a caravan built onto it that even had a bed inside. A perfect vehicle to travel around the Himalayas and we later found out that the owner was a white-bearded old man in his late sixties, who is doing a Himalayan expedition you can take a look at his website \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.rondjehimalaya.nl/\"\u003eRondje Himalaya\u003c/a\u003e.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS7uosTqAI/AAAAAAAAMdI/Iuo-VjO0g1k/s1600-h/beautiful_modified_landcruiser.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS7uosTqAI/AAAAAAAAMdI/Iuo-VjO0g1k/s400/beautiful_modified_landcruiser.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Modified Landcruiser\" alt\u003d\"Modified Landcruiser\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360615866349365250\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e A cute kid smiles at us as we take his picture. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS7815xfBI/AAAAAAAAMdw/W8GwfuWpWGQ/s1600-h/boy_in_spiti.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS7815xfBI/AAAAAAAAMdw/W8GwfuWpWGQ/s400/boy_in_spiti.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"A young boy in Spiti\" alt\u003d\"A young boy in Spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360616110413675538\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  The sun literally burns your skin here in Tabo, you don't realize it because its cool but all three of us had our skin peel off our faces at the end of our stay in Spiti. So most of the eateries had a huge umbrella to provide relief from the scorching sun.\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS8bSHrnDI/AAAAAAAAMfA/CTmsHUtf6xU/s1600-h/massive_outdoor_umbrella.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS8bSHrnDI/AAAAAAAAMfA/CTmsHUtf6xU/s400/massive_outdoor_umbrella.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"A massive outdoor umbrella\" alt\u003d\"A massive outdoor umbrella\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360616633384279090\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eThe walls of the ancient monastery had this row of prayer wheels or Mani wheels, as called by the Tibetans, which have to be turned clockwise. Unfortunately we didn't count them but, as you can see there are quite a few, all turning, different weights, sounds, vibrations and mantras inscribed on them.   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS7Y669t9I/AAAAAAAAMco/_UeJXPHqWz8/s1600-h/a_long_line_of_prayer_wheels.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS7Y669t9I/AAAAAAAAMco/_UeJXPHqWz8/s400/a_long_line_of_prayer_wheels.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"A long line of prayer wheels\" alt\u003d\"A long line of prayer wheels\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360615493285558226\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  According to Buddhist beliefs, spinning the prayer wheel will have much the same effect as orally reciting the prayers. Everyone passing or entering the monastery rotate the prayer wheel.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS7Yn92bAI/AAAAAAAAMcY/SCz08GwlWLI/s1600-h/a_section_of_prayer_wheels.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS7Yn92bAI/AAAAAAAAMcY/SCz08GwlWLI/s400/a_section_of_prayer_wheels.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"A section of prayer wheels\" alt\u003d\"A section of prayer wheels\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360615488197389314\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eBehind the Monastery are open green fields, speck of green in the middle of a desert!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTFvhUc0CI/AAAAAAAAMhw/tUEJZ-fw5jc/s1600-h/the_fields_in_tabo.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTFvhUc0CI/AAAAAAAAMhw/tUEJZ-fw5jc/s400/the_fields_in_tabo.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"The fields in Tabo\" alt\u003d\"The fields in Tabo\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360626876666400802\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eFrom there you can also get a glimpse of the caves, thats where we had decided to go. This fascinating tree seems like it has something to say to us, the architecture in Spiti is different. Most of the houses here are similar, flat roofed, white and brown mud/stone houses with bale of hay stacked on the roof.\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS7ua-KRKI/AAAAAAAAMdA/E10g6QRz5Z4/s1600-h/beautiful_tree.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS7ua-KRKI/AAAAAAAAMdA/E10g6QRz5Z4/s400/beautiful_tree.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"A beautiful tree in Tabo\" alt\u003d\"A beautiful tree in Tabo\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360615862666151074\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS8boXpX_I/AAAAAAAAMfI/7syVBPvnjHA/s1600-h/houses_in_tabo.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS8boXpX_I/AAAAAAAAMfI/7syVBPvnjHA/s400/houses_in_tabo.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Houses in Tabo\" alt\u003d\"Houses in Tabo\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360616639356821490\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWe start our climb on a path that looks quite easy as we make it up to the caves in no time. But we were shattered to see that people have been using the caves as toilets, it seems most of the laborers come from other states and have no proper facilities. At one point of time these caves were used by monks to meditate and go on retreat.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe view from here was good though, Bhavika wanted a picture next to one of the caves, after that was done, we decided to go higher to escape the stink, except there was no path. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS79ernAAI/AAAAAAAAMeA/gTQkIYr5jYg/s1600-h/bhavika_outside_the_cave.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS79ernAAI/AAAAAAAAMeA/gTQkIYr5jYg/s400/bhavika_outside_the_cave.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Bhavika outside the cave\" alt\u003d\"Bhavika outside the cave\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360616121360121858\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The shadow of the clouds over the mystifying landscape.   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTFvXqSETI/AAAAAAAAMho/B4lffh13dEY/s1600-h/the_mountains_of_tabo.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTFvXqSETI/AAAAAAAAMho/B4lffh13dEY/s400/the_mountains_of_tabo.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"The mountains of Tabo\" alt\u003d\"The mountains of Tabo\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360626874073616690\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e So we slowly made our way up the mountain, with the gravel and stones giving way beneath our feet, clutching onto the rocks as if our lives depended on them, and sometimes we were just frozen scared to even take a step because of the loose soil.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS7Y7yLH2I/AAAAAAAAMcg/ZddiS56xzAw/s1600-h/a_rock_formation.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS7Y7yLH2I/AAAAAAAAMcg/ZddiS56xzAw/s400/a_rock_formation.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Interesting rock formations\" alt\u003d\"Interesting rock formations\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360615493517123426\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e But the mountains always seem to have the same trick up its sleeve, tempting us with better view as we go higher up. So we trudged on until we found a path, the air definitely seemed thinner here as compared to Parvati, the climb although short was tiring.\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTFPbCm4lI/AAAAAAAAMhA/C-Y_eyTiut0/s1600-h/tabo_from_the_hill.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTFPbCm4lI/AAAAAAAAMhA/C-Y_eyTiut0/s400/tabo_from_the_hill.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Tabo village from the hills\" alt\u003d\"Tabo village from the hills\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360626325225136722\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The ancient Tabo monastery and the helipad at the far end.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS8bXbju_I/AAAAAAAAMe4/srlcorevEgA/s1600-h/monastary_helipad_in_tabo.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS8bXbju_I/AAAAAAAAMe4/srlcorevEgA/s400/monastary_helipad_in_tabo.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Monastery and helipad in Tabo\" alt\u003d\"Monastery and helipad in Tabo\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360616634809826290\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eIts funny even though Spiti is a desert, there is a vast variety of wild flora. The green patches where humans inhabited the area is not what I am talking about, but the wild plants surviving in arid conditions, sometimes with beautiful flowers as well. Take a look at some of the different species of flora growing in Spiti.\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTFvFjsS1I/AAAAAAAAMhY/bIUPZw6nrJE/s1600-h/thorny_but_attractive_plant.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTFvFjsS1I/AAAAAAAAMhY/bIUPZw6nrJE/s400/thorny_but_attractive_plant.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Thorny desert plant with flowers\" alt\u003d\"Thorny desert plant with flowers\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360626869214137170\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS8KVDXA2I/AAAAAAAAMeg/1rtXLGNoSEc/s1600-h/dessert_beries.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS8KVDXA2I/AAAAAAAAMeg/1rtXLGNoSEc/s400/dessert_beries.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Desert berries\" alt\u003d\"Desert berries\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360616342113682274\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS8KLu9hjI/AAAAAAAAMeY/junZxdw7uKQ/s1600-h/dessert_bush.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS8KLu9hjI/AAAAAAAAMeY/junZxdw7uKQ/s400/dessert_bush.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"A bushy desert plant\" alt\u003d\"A bushy desert plant\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360616339612206642\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS8J5qQ-cI/AAAAAAAAMeQ/0mbDL0Olt8Q/s1600-h/dessert_flower.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS8J5qQ-cI/AAAAAAAAMeQ/0mbDL0Olt8Q/s400/dessert_flower.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Desert Flower\" alt\u003d\"Desert Flower\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360616334760671682\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS8b4n5WYI/AAAAAAAAMfQ/3PUFIkQiSj0/s1600-h/grass_growing_in_the_shade.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS8b4n5WYI/AAAAAAAAMfQ/3PUFIkQiSj0/s400/grass_growing_in_the_shade.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Grass growing in the shade of a rock\" alt\u003d\"Grass growing in the shade\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360616643719944578\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS7ZAqp5iI/AAAAAAAAMcw/oOjvh3_4MZs/s1600-h/a_dessert_blossom.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS7ZAqp5iI/AAAAAAAAMcw/oOjvh3_4MZs/s400/a_dessert_blossom.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"A dessert blossom\" alt\u003d\"A dessert blossom\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360615494827763234\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS7YNGX5gI/AAAAAAAAMcQ/DxGZ8TGTJs0/s1600-h/a_strange_plant.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS7YNGX5gI/AAAAAAAAMcQ/DxGZ8TGTJs0/s400/a_strange_plant.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"A strange plant\" alt\u003d\"A strange plant\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360615480985380354\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eThe clouds were our only source of respite from the sun, there was no shade anywhere else. Only when the sun was obscured by the clouds it was a fascinating sight, we were able to look straight into the sun, which was beautiful. No wonder our skin was peeling off later on.\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTBd_5wCVI/AAAAAAAAMgY/APWYlGHLWYY/s1600-h/sun_obscured_by_the_cloud.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTBd_5wCVI/AAAAAAAAMgY/APWYlGHLWYY/s400/sun_obscured_by_the_cloud.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Sun obscured by the clouds\" alt\u003d\"Sun obscured by the clouds\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360622177591757138\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eEven the rocks on the ground were unique, so much glitter, colour, shapes and sizes. This rock looked like it had \"Om\" engraved on it, a sensation of love rushed through all of us.\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmVaphaNESI/AAAAAAAAMiI/C3UF_UtrEMM/s1600-h/om_rock.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmVaphaNESI/AAAAAAAAMiI/C3UF_UtrEMM/s400/om_rock.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Om rock\" alt\u003d\"Om rock\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360790600843858210\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS8J3veFvI/AAAAAAAAMeI/e6SMBNRFUCE/s1600-h/glittering_rock.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS8J3veFvI/AAAAAAAAMeI/e6SMBNRFUCE/s400/glittering_rock.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Glittering rock\" alt\u003d\"Glittering rock\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360616334245631730\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTFvYSZQLI/AAAAAAAAMhg/spt_vzgYU7s/s1600-h/the_tallest_tower.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTFvYSZQLI/AAAAAAAAMhg/spt_vzgYU7s/s400/the_tallest_tower.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"The tallest tower\" alt\u003d\"The tallest tower\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360626874241859762\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eIt may sound a bit strange, but wherever we saw a monastery, there use to be sets of rocks balanced on each other, I don't know the relation between the two. We reached a flat surface where different shapes of rocks were balanced at many spots. We also ended up trying our hand at building a little tower, though it was not much compared to some of the ones around us.\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTF3z3ZEJI/AAAAAAAAMh4/IGw6wrL97AA/s1600-h/us_and_our_tower.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTF3z3ZEJI/AAAAAAAAMh4/IGw6wrL97AA/s400/us_and_our_tower.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Us and our tower\" alt\u003d\"Us and our tower\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360627019083747474\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTFOnrHfnI/AAAAAAAAMgo/_NtPhctqBLk/s1600-h/the_attractive_pond.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTFOnrHfnI/AAAAAAAAMgo/_NtPhctqBLk/s400/the_attractive_pond.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"The attractive pond\" alt\u003d\"The attractive pond\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360626311436402290\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWhile we walked on the hill we caught sight of this water body, we could see different colours in it and thought that it would be fascinating to take a closer look. Foolish people that we are, we started our descent on a pathless route with only the pond in front of us.\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTFu3QFQCI/AAAAAAAAMhQ/OgaZXy-nXN0/s1600-h/towards_the_tabo_pond.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTFu3QFQCI/AAAAAAAAMhQ/OgaZXy-nXN0/s400/towards_the_tabo_pond.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Towards the tabo pond\" alt\u003d\"Towards the tabo pond\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360626865373790242\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eIt was quite steep and slippery, we slowly walked down, balancing ourselves on huge rocks, kicking down the loose ones, holding the plants which we later on realised had thorns on them. Ouch, we would sit down, admire the majestic view and go on again. It took us a while to reach down. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS-fjXV5LI/AAAAAAAAMfY/t3HafEvm87w/s1600-h/spiti_landscape.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS-fjXV5LI/AAAAAAAAMfY/t3HafEvm87w/s400/spiti_landscape.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Spiti landscape\" alt\u003d\"Spiti landscape\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360618905756099762\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  With our appetite increasing, we had to get down quickly. Towards the end we reached a stepped channel made by the farmers for water to reach the fields. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTBeKkA27I/AAAAAAAAMgg/079ggeO11Pk/s1600-h/stepped_water_channel.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTBeKkA27I/AAAAAAAAMgg/079ggeO11Pk/s400/stepped_water_channel.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Stepped water channel\" alt\u003d\"Stepped water channel\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360622180453374898\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS7uDCczaI/AAAAAAAAMc4/kG8BfjQdI68/s1600-h/bhavika_brunel.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS7uDCczaI/AAAAAAAAMc4/kG8BfjQdI68/s400/bhavika_brunel.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Bhavika and brunel posing\" alt\u003d\"Bhavika and brunel posing\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360615856241692066\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Those steps helped us descend with ease, we were back in Tabo village, but the pond will have to wait, we were all set for a Spitian feast!\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTBdrUG3cI/AAAAAAAAMgQ/b85zhkjgmT0/s1600-h/tabo_0_km.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmTBdrUG3cI/AAAAAAAAMgQ/b85zhkjgmT0/s400/tabo_0_km.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Tabo in Spiti\" alt\u003d\"Tabo in Spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360622172065160642\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-4355609968333661865?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/4355609968333661865/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/tabo-mysitcal-desert.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/4355609968333661865"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/4355609968333661865"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/tabo-mysitcal-desert.html","title":"Tabo, the Mystical Desert"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Clyde"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/01669673801388370223"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"03853968794718094216"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SmS3yIMM_BI/AAAAAAAAMcI/plwGOT6O9nc/s72-c/view_in_tabo.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-4355303573611517040"},"published":{"$t":"2009-07-17T11:37:00.024+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-07-18T17:05:22.739+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Kinnaur"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Reckong Peo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Karcham"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Himachal Pradesh"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Travel"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mandi"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Long Winding Road to Spiti"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCmgASOwjI/AAAAAAAAFD4/Ef0JIWUOSl8/s1600-h/kasol_israeli_lodge.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 255px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCmgASOwjI/AAAAAAAAFD4/Ef0JIWUOSl8/s320/kasol_israeli_lodge.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"kasol israeli lodge\" title\u003d\"kasol israeli lodge\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359466625333379634\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e On reaching \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/06/serene-mountains-of-parvati-valley.html\"\u003eKasol\u003c/a\u003e we went straight to the travel agent to figure out the route to Spiti. Kunzum Pass, which is the gateway to Spiti, was closed since the road was blocked by snow and it would take another 3-4 days to clear up. It generally opens up by early to mid-June. Due to time constraints we couldn't wait, so we embarked on an adventure to reach Spiti from Kinnaur. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWith no booking done, we traveled by local transport, changed several buses, to reach Spiti. Well its a very long distance to cover, but after the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/magical-trek-in-parvati.html\"\u003etrek in Parvati\u003c/a\u003e we were up for it. This is the route we took - \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eKasol to Bhuntar - 25 kms, around an hour journey. \u003cbr /\u003eBhuntar to Mandi - 57 kms, took us 2 hours to reach\u003cbr /\u003eMandi to Karcham (Kinnaur) - long journey, takes around 13 hours  \u003cbr /\u003eKarcham to Reckong Peo (by taxi) - 20 to 30 minutes\u003c/span\u003e   \u003cbr /\u003eAre you up for it?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003e We missed the bus to Bhuntar, but there is one every 30 minutes, so we went to Rainbow Cafe in Kasol to have a quick bite. They serve delicious food, and its facing the river so good location to chill. Don't be surprised if you bump into many Israelis smoking spliffs, a rather common site.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThere was a direct bus from Bhuntar to Reckong Peo at around 2.30 pm or 3.30 pm, I am not sure of the timing at present, which is the last bus. Since everything got delayed, we were hoping to get another bus from Bhuntar. The ride to Bhuntar is really bumpy, it will cost you around Rs 45, and lot of locals travel on this route, so the buses are crowded. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSomehow we managed to get a seat, and Clyde was kind enough to hold a child till his stop arrived. One thing that worked for me on this trip was that I could easily doze off in the bus, no matter how hard my head hit the roof, I would still be sleeping, thats how this short journey to Bhuntar passed by. That's the domestic airport at Bhuntar (Kullu-Manali), it has a single runway with handful of flights operating to Delhi, Shimla, Dharamsala, Pathankot and Chandigarh. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCo6-d3MtI/AAAAAAAAFEg/Ty-7AFYNevw/s1600-h/bhuntar_kullu_airport.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCo6-d3MtI/AAAAAAAAFEg/Ty-7AFYNevw/s400/bhuntar_kullu_airport.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"bhuntar kullu airport\" title\u003d\"bhuntar kullu airport\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359469287725019858\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e   Guess what, there were no buses to Reckong Peo after 3 pm, so really harrowed we asked the bus drivers, ticket collector for the next option. One guy suggested we go to Mandi, around 57 kms from Bhuntar, to catch the 6 pm bus to Reckong Peo. We had to be quick, we jumped in a bus and crossed our fingers to reach Mandi on time. Mountain roads are uneven and uphill, so you can never predict the exact duration of the journey. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBut luck was on our side as we made it to Mandi bus depot on time to book our tickets to Karcham, quite close to Reckong Peo, for Rs 295. It was state transport, so the buses are decent, no reclining seats or anything and less leg room. Mandi is a main hub to Kullu \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/06/dancing-in-mountains-of-old-manali.html\"\u003eManali\u003c/a\u003e, Lahual and Spiti. Its also a place of religious importance for the Hindus and Sikhs.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCwNHuMSXI/AAAAAAAAFGY/ehM1q9e_g08/s1600-h/mandi_bus_depot.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCwNHuMSXI/AAAAAAAAFGY/ehM1q9e_g08/s400/mandi_bus_depot.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"mandi bus depot\" title\u003d\"mandi bus depot\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359477296028469618\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  It was some respite for us, as we made it on time and that very soon we will be in Spiti. There was a huge forest fire on the way, it nearly covered half the mountain. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCqkFLF9NI/AAAAAAAAFFQ/HrD0PAPuOz8/s1600-h/forest_fire_himachal.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCqkFLF9NI/AAAAAAAAFFQ/HrD0PAPuOz8/s400/forest_fire_himachal.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"forest fire in himachal\" title\u003d\"forest fire in himachal\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359471093411607762\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  The driver stopped for dinner around 10 pm at a dhaba located in an isolated spot, we freshened up and had a bowl of tomato soup to fill our stomach. The ticket collector told us that the bus would stop at Rampur in Shimla at 2 am for two hours, what would we do in Rampur in the middle of the night? \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCwOb_M9PI/AAAAAAAAFG4/QHXSprBbokA/s1600-h/rampur_bus_stand.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 362px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCwOb_M9PI/AAAAAAAAFG4/QHXSprBbokA/s400/rampur_bus_stand.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"rampur bus stand\" title\u003d\"rampur bus stand\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359477318648394994\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e   I was sleeping when we reached Rampur Bushar Bus stand, Clyde and his friend got off the bus, so I had no choice but to do the same. We had tea and went for a short walk on the deserted road in Rampur. It didn't look very impressive, its more of a business center and a busy market place. But the empty roads allowed us to entertain ourselves by taking pictures.   \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis hoarding below was amusing, it read - Influx of monkeys or monkey terror. Monkeys only come when you litter, so to be free from monkey attacks we all should cooperate.:) \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCx1Gz0OZI/AAAAAAAAFHA/gk136fQh19k/s1600-h/rampur_hoarding.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 303px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCx1Gz0OZI/AAAAAAAAFHA/gk136fQh19k/s400/rampur_hoarding.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"hoarding in rampur\" title\u003d\"hoarding in rampur\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359479082490018194\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  There was an old Buddhist temple at the side of the bus station, with Pagoda-style roof and colorful entrance, we see much more of these in Spiti.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCwNgVm8_I/AAAAAAAAFGw/DcEy8bwMduw/s1600-h/rampur_buddhist_monastary.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCwNgVm8_I/AAAAAAAAFGw/DcEy8bwMduw/s400/rampur_buddhist_monastary.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"rampur buddhist monastary\" title\u003d\"rampur buddhist monastary\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359477302636246002\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  The side view of the Buddhist temple. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCo7aB3qeI/AAAAAAAAFEw/3DHHRakgX54/s1600-h/buddhist_temple_rampur_shimla.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 329px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCo7aB3qeI/AAAAAAAAFEw/3DHHRakgX54/s400/buddhist_temple_rampur_shimla.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"buddhist temple in rampur shimla\" title\u003d\"buddhist temple in rampur shimla\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359469295123802594\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We were back in the bus now and the journey was going to be another 2-3 hours long, we were just 120 odd kms away from Karcham. At the break of dawn we were in Kinnaur, as I opened my eyes I saw a shepherd guiding his herd of sheep to the side of the road for the bus to move on. I felt a sudden shiver, it was colder than Parvati, so I put on my jacket and was looking around. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe road begins to get dusty as a huge hydro-electric project is underway. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCqlA4KN2I/AAAAAAAAFFo/4gclRL3U894/s1600-h/hydro_electric_project.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCqlA4KN2I/AAAAAAAAFFo/4gclRL3U894/s400/hydro_electric_project.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"karcham hydro electric project\" title\u003d\"karcham hydro electric project\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359471109438322530\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  The 1000 MW Karcham Wangtoo hydro-electric project started in \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060930/himachal.htm#1\"\u003econtroversial circumstances.\u003c/a\u003e When we got off at Karcham in the middle of no where, we got a taxi to Reckong Peo, the local driver told us the sad situation facing the surrounding villages. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCsA6FIPlI/AAAAAAAAFFw/jzthHc0nZr4/s1600-h/karcham_wangtoo_hydro_electric_project.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 238px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCsA6FIPlI/AAAAAAAAFFw/jzthHc0nZr4/s400/karcham_wangtoo_hydro_electric_project.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"karcham wangtoo hydro electric project\" title\u003d\"karcham wangtoo hydro electric project\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359472688161635922\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e   He said that the dam was of no use to the locals, since they were not employed for the construction work and neither will the electricity generated be given to the villages. Lot of villagers have lost their land due to this project and are displaced without any compensation. Where ever you go, situations like these are quite prevalent. It seemed like a massive project, because the work was on for several kilometres. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCx2iFAOjI/AAAAAAAAFHY/JrdxRSTuqtY/s1600-h/river_satluj.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCx2iFAOjI/AAAAAAAAFHY/JrdxRSTuqtY/s400/river_satluj.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"river satluj\" title\u003d\"river satluj\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359479106989734450\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  We halted at a small village to have a cup of tea. Kinnaur is in the northeast corner of Himachal Pradesh and surrounded by Tibet to the east. The locals have very peculiar features, different then the rest of Himachal. Some have Mongoloid looks and others have Tibetan features. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe driver pointed out at the famous Kinnaur Kailash range, believed to be abode of Lord Shiva and it has a huge rock formation that resembles shivling and changes colour as the day passes. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCsBRzKP8I/AAAAAAAAFGA/tLuF-NyVvzc/s1600-h/kinnaur_kailash.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCsBRzKP8I/AAAAAAAAFGA/tLuF-NyVvzc/s400/kinnaur_kailash.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"kinnaur kailash in the background\" title\u003d\"kinnaur kailash in the background\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359472694528720834\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  As we moved higher we felt closer to the snow-capped mountains. The view was amazing, the place is surrounded by mountain ranges on all sides and is 2,670 metres above sea level. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCsBPXW7_I/AAAAAAAAFF4/6aQP0nxHUvc/s1600-h/kinnaur.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCsBPXW7_I/AAAAAAAAFF4/6aQP0nxHUvc/s400/kinnaur.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"kinnaur\" title\u003d\"kinnaur\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359472693875240946\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  Reckong Peo is the administrative headquarter for Kinnaur district, so there wasn't much we could do. There are limited hotels, since its not a tourist spot. The next option would be Kalpa, around 20 kms odd away but its on a higher side.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThere were very few decent ones in the main market area. Most of them were packed, and at one place the hotel owner was quite rude with us too. We paid Rs 50 to the taxi driver and began our search. We were tired after the long journey, so we took few rounds and settled for whatever was available. We got a room at Hotel Fairyland, decent room for Rs 300, although the hotel owner wasn't friendly. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe had breakfast and were off to bed for a while. We soon ventured out to find out the bus timings to Spiti, it was a long, cold walk to the bus depot, but we got the feel of the place. Lot of government offices, military quarters, in fact we witnessed a simulation attack as well while passing by. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThere was only one bus to Kaza, the main city of Spiti, at 7 am in the morning, no evening buses because the roads are too risky to drive at night. The guy at the ticket counter asked us to reach at 6 am to book the tickets. For that we would have to wake up at nearly 5 am to check out and walk with our backpacks to the depot. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCx2duEHII/AAAAAAAAFHQ/eWmKO6JwSPY/s1600-h/reckong_peo_bus_stand.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCx2duEHII/AAAAAAAAFHQ/eWmKO6JwSPY/s400/reckong_peo_bus_stand.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"reckong peo bus stand\" title\u003d\"reckong peo bus stand\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359479105819778178\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Here's the bus schedule from Reckong Peo. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCx1Z6Aw5I/AAAAAAAAFHI/WOAPs71DmQw/s1600-h/reckong_peo_bus_schedule.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 393px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCx1Z6Aw5I/AAAAAAAAFHI/WOAPs71DmQw/s400/reckong_peo_bus_schedule.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"reckong peo bus schedule\" title\u003d\"reckong peo bus schedule\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359479087616279442\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  It is worth it, I said to myself, and walked back to the hotel. We sat at the Cafeteria Roof in the Main Bazaar to eat some Tibetan delicacy, Momos and a veg and non-veg soup, the bill came up to only Rs 90, food was cheap in Reckong Peo, the only good thing about the place. It was an early night for us, as something marvelous was going to unfold tomorrow.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eThe Road to Spiti\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOn a chilly morning we were up and ready to start our beautiful journey. We reached Reckong Peo bus depot by 6.15 am and bought our tickets to Tabo for Rs 145. Tabo is around 46 kms before Kaza, and it suppose to be surreal. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCo7sxrCyI/AAAAAAAAFE4/LxJVN0Uwi5Q/s1600-h/cold_kinnaur.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 321px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCo7sxrCyI/AAAAAAAAFE4/LxJVN0Uwi5Q/s400/cold_kinnaur.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"cold kinnaur\" title\u003d\"cold kinnaur\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359469300156140322\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  Waiting for the journey to begin.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCm1NRa23I/AAAAAAAAFEY/hVSLtD2HBzU/s1600-h/bhavika_reckong_peo_bus_station.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 379px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCm1NRa23I/AAAAAAAAFEY/hVSLtD2HBzU/s400/bhavika_reckong_peo_bus_station.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"bhavika waiting at reckong peo bus station\" title\u003d\"bhavika waiting at reckong peo bus station\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359466989596892018\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eUnfortunately there was double booking for one of our seats, so we had only two seats to be shared among three people. The bus was overpacked, people were seated everywhere, on cartons, in the alley, next to the driver, behind the driver, it was a wake up call for all of us.\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCqk7c2v2I/AAAAAAAAFFg/U0n08_77TEw/s1600-h/himachal_pradesh_state_bus_stand.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 295px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCqk7c2v2I/AAAAAAAAFFg/U0n08_77TEw/s400/himachal_pradesh_state_bus_stand.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"himachal pradesh state bus to kaza\" title\u003d\"himachal pradesh state bus to kaza\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359471107981623138\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e But no complains, because they all were friendly and cooperative people. We took turns to share the seat, as the bus wriggled its way on the narrow road. No wonder there are no evening buses, the path is too narrow and uneven, a slight miss and you would be in the Sutlej river. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCzraOIdRI/AAAAAAAAFHo/jzgSQDaY94s/s1600-h/sleeping_in_the_bus.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCzraOIdRI/AAAAAAAAFHo/jzgSQDaY94s/s400/sleeping_in_the_bus.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"sleeping in the bus\" title\u003d\"sleeping in the bus\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359481114925233426\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCx3Pid1hI/AAAAAAAAFHg/7jZ2wQ5j4fw/s1600-h/road_to_spiti.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 340px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCx3Pid1hI/AAAAAAAAFHg/7jZ2wQ5j4fw/s400/road_to_spiti.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"road to spiti\" title\u003d\"road to spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359479119192905234\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eBut I was enjoying every moment of it, looking out of the window with eager eyes to see the landscape transform from greenery to aridness. We were still in Kinnaur, said the talkative man next to us. He narrated instances from his life when he was in Maharashtra, and how he was so fluent in Marathi, which he had not spoken for a long time until he met us.\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCzrt-EbrI/AAAAAAAAFHw/xqMs1UjmUQk/s1600-h/talkative_man_in_bus.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCzrt-EbrI/AAAAAAAAFHw/xqMs1UjmUQk/s400/talkative_man_in_bus.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"talkative man in the bus\" title\u003d\"talkative man in the bus\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359481120226569906\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e He gave us an interesting piece of information as well, few villages in Kinnaur follow the practice of having one wife for a family of brothers. Why do brothers marry the same woman, was our next question. He replied in order to avoid land disputes in the family. I noticed that the tribes and locals of Himachal adapt to the social environment they are living in, its like what works for them they practice.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe rocky terrain took its toll on the bus and the back tyre got punctured. Luckily a service station was close by in a small town called, Pooh. We burst out laughing when we read the sign board.\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCwNeQtTtI/AAAAAAAAFGo/Le9PlceP5P0/s1600-h/puh_kinnaur.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 262px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCwNeQtTtI/AAAAAAAAFGo/Le9PlceP5P0/s400/puh_kinnaur.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"puh in kinnaur\" title\u003d\"puh in kinnaur\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359477302078820050\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCqj9DcpyI/AAAAAAAAFFI/O-muD2KdO8o/s1600-h/fixing_punctured_tyre.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCqj9DcpyI/AAAAAAAAFFI/O-muD2KdO8o/s400/fixing_punctured_tyre.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"fixing punctured tyre\" title\u003d\"fixing punctured tyre in puh\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359471091232057122\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  Passengers waiting for the bus to get fixed. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCzsPw55hI/AAAAAAAAFH4/WSG3Os3kJPs/s1600-h/waiting_at_pooh.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCzsPw55hI/AAAAAAAAFH4/WSG3Os3kJPs/s400/waiting_at_pooh.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"waiting at pooh for the bus to start\" title\u003d\"waiting at pooh for the bus to start\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359481129298159122\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The topography had certainly changed, barren mountains with snow at its peak and patches of green fields and Satluj river flowing by, made a lovely picture.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCwNBu4Z4I/AAAAAAAAFGg/YR_sAFT7Okw/s1600-h/pooh_town_kinnaur.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 248px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCwNBu4Z4I/AAAAAAAAFGg/YR_sAFT7Okw/s400/pooh_town_kinnaur.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"pooh town in kinnaur\" title\u003d\"pooh town in kinnaur\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359477294420748162\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCm0xmU5tI/AAAAAAAAFEQ/CGwBJ1SQsF8/s1600-h/barren_mountains_kinnaur.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCm0xmU5tI/AAAAAAAAFEQ/CGwBJ1SQsF8/s400/barren_mountains_kinnaur.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"barren mountains in kinnaur\" title\u003d\"barren mountains in kinnaur\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359466982168389330\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e In a short while we were back in the packed bus only to be stopped by a natural calamity, landslide few kms from Nako. The landslide had completely blocked the way, it would take a day or two to clear that up. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCsBz7E9SI/AAAAAAAAFGQ/YeL9pYW7-DY/s1600-h/landslide_close_to_spiti.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCsBz7E9SI/AAAAAAAAFGQ/YeL9pYW7-DY/s400/landslide_close_to_spiti.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"landslide close to spiti\" title\u003d\"landslide close to spiti\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359472703688733986\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  The deal was that we empty the bus, cross the landslide and another bus coming from Kaza would pick us up. It took some time for the bus to arrive, so we sat on top of the rock awestruck by the magnificence unfolding in front of our eyes. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCm0vWCQQI/AAAAAAAAFEI/Va72uTUx74I/s1600-h/barren_mountains.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 217px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCm0vWCQQI/AAAAAAAAFEI/Va72uTUx74I/s400/barren_mountains.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"barren mountains close to nako\" title\u003d\"barren mountains close to nako\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359466981563187458\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCm0AUpt-I/AAAAAAAAFEA/xhkTKZ47Awk/s1600-h/arid_land_kinnaur.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCm0AUpt-I/AAAAAAAAFEA/xhkTKZ47Awk/s400/arid_land_kinnaur.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"arid land kinnaur\" title\u003d\"arid land kinnaur\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359466968940918754\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  The cold desert, I had never seen something like this before. We sat patiently there at peace with ourselves, the time had come to a standstill. Suddenly we see people shouting that the bus had arrived, the moment of solidarity came to an end, but just for a short time. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCo7Ot0VhI/AAAAAAAAFEo/iWTLgKIajuU/s1600-h/buddhist_flags_kinnaur.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 334px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCo7Ot0VhI/AAAAAAAAFEo/iWTLgKIajuU/s400/buddhist_flags_kinnaur.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"buddhist flags in kinnaur\" title\u003d\"buddhist flags in kinnaur\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359469292086908434\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e A Kinnauri woman holding her cute kid on the back.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCsBiBJj3I/AAAAAAAAFGI/2_uXQtGPcpw/s1600-h/kinnaur_woman_and_kid.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 332px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCsBiBJj3I/AAAAAAAAFGI/2_uXQtGPcpw/s400/kinnaur_woman_and_kid.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"kinnaur woman with kid on her back\" title\u003d\"kinnaur woman with kid on her back\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359472698882363250\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  It was almost 1 - 1.30 pm, so the driver made a stop at a village called Hurling for lunch. It was small dhaba serving basic rice, dal and vegetable. We ate little bit, and waited outside to board the bus. A furry and cute donkey was waiting outside in the cold, he had so much fur we couldn't even see his eyes. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCqkcqcaNI/AAAAAAAAFFY/7COtvXZZtWk/s1600-h/furry_cute_donkey.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 311px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCqkcqcaNI/AAAAAAAAFFY/7COtvXZZtWk/s400/furry_cute_donkey.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"furry cute donkey\" title\u003d\"furry cute donkey\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359471099717118162\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  Spiti starts from a village called Samdho, close to the Indo-Tibetan border, we were just few mountain ranges away from the border. The terrain gets even more treacherous, narrow road passing below the overhanging cliffs, it looked like a landslide prone area. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eJust under an hour away from there was Tabo, at an altitude of 3,050 metres. The place appeared so quiet and isolated. The cold wave that hit us after that was crazy, shivering and throbbing we moved around looking for a guest house. Another guy who got off at Tabo runs two hotels, and he asked us to check those out. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCo7mrYyII/AAAAAAAAFFA/MJNd3lq6EaI/s1600-h/entrance_to_tabo.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 348px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCo7mrYyII/AAAAAAAAFFA/MJNd3lq6EaI/s400/entrance_to_tabo.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"entrance to tabo\" title\u003d\"entrance to tabo\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359469298519165058\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  We didn't like the first one close to the bus stop, so we moved ahead to the second one walking through a helipad. An open area, cold desert, snow-covered peaks, you can imagine our state. His second hotel called Tashi Khangser was quite decent and in a secluded spot. The tariff was Rs 200 a night, we happily took the room and didn't step out until dinner.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-4355303573611517040?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/4355303573611517040/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/long-winding-road-to-spiti.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/4355303573611517040"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/4355303573611517040"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/long-winding-road-to-spiti.html","title":"The Long Winding Road to Spiti"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Bhavika"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04875107049846989706"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12044440207294747186"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SmCmgASOwjI/AAAAAAAAFD4/Ef0JIWUOSl8/s72-c/kasol_israeli_lodge.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-1937009601961735493"},"published":{"$t":"2009-07-16T12:45:00.027+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-07-17T09:29:46.209+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Himachal Pradesh"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Travel"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Parvati Valley"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"A Magical Trek in Parvati"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9dd-yYZFI/AAAAAAAAE-o/5u5iWNwBQGY/s1600-h/beautiful_view.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9dd-yYZFI/AAAAAAAAE-o/5u5iWNwBQGY/s320/beautiful_view.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"beautiful view of parvati valley\" title\u003d\"beautiful view of parvati valley\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359104851246081106\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eThe next day we planned to trek over 6 kms uphill from the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/parvati-valley-setting-our-minds-free.html\"\u003evillage where we were staying\u003c/a\u003e to a tiny village on top of the same mountain. Though not visible from our location, we heard it to be a very serene place with only a couple of houses perched on the top of the mountain and then nothing but a spectacular view to greet the eyes.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo we set on our journey early in the morning, Brunel dropped out and stayed in bed as we began our journey. We crossed over several small bridges running over the streams, as we climbed higher the view just seemed to get better. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe ascent was tough we had not done a trek of this size until now, our bodies were not yet acclimatized and we were frequently running out of breath, especially me. Ramu who accompanied us was understanding enough, and he waited for us to move on, as he walked behind. We pushed on slowly and steadily with the frequency of stops increasing.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9hQRpOPhI/AAAAAAAAFCA/rWy84zp1lJA/s1600-h/temple_on_the_way.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9hQRpOPhI/AAAAAAAAFCA/rWy84zp1lJA/s400/temple_on_the_way.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"temple on the way\" title\u003d\"temple on the way\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359109013836283410\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9fN0NtSNI/AAAAAAAAE_Y/Qd8gxqrxLX8/s1600-h/beginning_of_the_trek.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9fN0NtSNI/AAAAAAAAE_Y/Qd8gxqrxLX8/s400/beginning_of_the_trek.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"beginning of the trek\" title\u003d\"Bhavika at the beginning of the trek\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359106772553255122\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9e0SaFGuI/AAAAAAAAE_I/AL6UtObdWCs/s1600-h/beautiful_view_gets_better.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9e0SaFGuI/AAAAAAAAE_I/AL6UtObdWCs/s400/beautiful_view_gets_better.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"beautiful view gets better\" title\u003d\"beautiful view gets better on trek in parvati valley\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359106333981612770\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  We climbed up one mountain, then walked to another and then a steep climb awaited us, but just at the start we took a slight detour to see this lovely waterfall. We also got a glimpse of one of the houses from there and we heaved a huge sigh of relief, we were closer to our destination. Since we had completed over 70% of the distance by now, we also made it in good time in spite of taking numerous stops, we decided to relax by the waterfall. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9hPwJOirI/AAAAAAAAFBw/IOmr2hFNajE/s1600-h/source_of_waterfall.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9hPwJOirI/AAAAAAAAFBw/IOmr2hFNajE/s400/source_of_waterfall.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"waterfall in himachal parvati valley\" title\u003d\"waterfall in himachal parvati valley\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359109004843715250\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  The huge waterfall had a good amount of force but it was too cold for comfort, we decided to step in anyway. It felt good, water coming from a melted glacier flowed around our feet, as we shouted out in joy and also because the water was icy cold. All of us took turns to get our picture taken with the waterfall in the background.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9h6u5XZ0I/AAAAAAAAFDA/PElWDBfZWU4/s1600-h/waterfall_flowing.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9h6u5XZ0I/AAAAAAAAFDA/PElWDBfZWU4/s400/waterfall_flowing.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"waterfall in himachal\" title\u003d\"waterfall in himachal\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359109743243126594\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9f2vovUgI/AAAAAAAAE_w/xqUQX5ucrFA/s1600-h/bhavika_clyde_waterfall.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9f2vovUgI/AAAAAAAAE_w/xqUQX5ucrFA/s400/bhavika_clyde_waterfall.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"bhavika clyde at the waterfall\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359107475699094018\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  Just 15 minutes away from the waterfall we reached the only school in the village. A school situated high up in the mountains, has only one classroom, four students and the government inspectors or education authorities don't even bother coming up. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9h6bZ06NI/AAAAAAAAFC4/FPMBl8rcBbc/s1600-h/village_school.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9h6bZ06NI/AAAAAAAAFC4/FPMBl8rcBbc/s400/village_school.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"village school\" title\u003d\"village school\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359109738010568914\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e But the teacher, Ranvir Thakur, walks from \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/06/serene-mountains-of-parvati-valley.html\"\u003eManikaran\u003c/a\u003e to up here every day to teach his four students. He was such a nice, sweet and determined person, we spent some time talking to him, education was not a priority amongst the local people of this region and he was hoping to change that.   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9hjS5rJuI/AAAAAAAAFCY/IT7oAu4Hqf4/s1600-h/the_four_school_children.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9hjS5rJuI/AAAAAAAAFCY/IT7oAu4Hqf4/s400/the_four_school_children.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"four school children in himachal village\" title\u003d\"four school children in himachal village\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359109340591236834\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9hQHWkJKI/AAAAAAAAFB4/yL-fXAofUkY/s1600-h/teacher_ranvir_thakur.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9hQHWkJKI/AAAAAAAAFB4/yL-fXAofUkY/s400/teacher_ranvir_thakur.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"teacher Ranvir Thakur in Parvati school\" title\u003d\"teacher Ranvir Thakur in Parvati school\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359109011073672354\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  The distance he covered everyday, apart from being strenuous, would possibly take us around 3-4 hours, and he walked up in an hour's time. The school also had a ferocious dog to guard the place.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe route from the school to the village takes good 30 minutes, not for people from the mountains of course, because its steep and a tricky path. We managed to reach the top of this hamlet, and were greeted by an old woman, Ramu's aunt, who was peacefully sitting outside her house, the first one of the few on the mountain.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9g7hJk2fI/AAAAAAAAFBg/TqPSciujJRI/s1600-h/old_woman_outside_the_village.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9g7hJk2fI/AAAAAAAAFBg/TqPSciujJRI/s400/old_woman_outside_the_village.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"old woman outside the village\" title\u003d\"old woman outside the village\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359108657221261810\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e   The village was virtually empty since people go to work during the day to neighbouring villages. The houses had the lovely Himachal look, the structure, the doors were similar to what we have seen on this trip. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9e0KJDarI/AAAAAAAAE_A/zuWiNNj5wGs/s1600-h/a_village_house_parvati.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9e0KJDarI/AAAAAAAAE_A/zuWiNNj5wGs/s400/a_village_house_parvati.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"village house in parvati\" title\u003d\"village house in parvati\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359106331762715314\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9ez_fpq6I/AAAAAAAAE-4/ElJIJ-i5YJA/s1600-h/a_himachal_door.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9ez_fpq6I/AAAAAAAAE-4/ElJIJ-i5YJA/s400/a_himachal_door.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"colorful door of a village house\" title\u003d\"colorful door of a village house\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359106328904706978\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e   It was time for us to take some rest and enjoy the scenery and the majestic mountains around us.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9hj_HQ1RI/AAAAAAAAFCo/wlP2VeOOpSo/s1600-h/us_so_high.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9hj_HQ1RI/AAAAAAAAFCo/wlP2VeOOpSo/s400/us_so_high.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Us so high\" title\u003d\"Us so high\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359109352459392274\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  We thought of taking a walk around the village and soak up everything it had to offer. The view from this height was spectacular as the whole valley and mountain ranges lay ahead of us, like a painting. So beautiful that it all hardly looked real, it was like standing in a movie set. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9h6QoyamI/AAAAAAAAFCw/iXXAI1_bC9c/s1600-h/view_from_the_top.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9h6QoyamI/AAAAAAAAFCw/iXXAI1_bC9c/s400/view_from_the_top.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"view from the top\" title\u003d\"view from the top at Parvati\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359109735120530018\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9f2-rZ7QI/AAAAAAAAE_4/eVg7OC6jstg/s1600-h/black_white_himachal_life.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9f2-rZ7QI/AAAAAAAAE_4/eVg7OC6jstg/s400/black_white_himachal_life.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"life in himachal\" title\u003d\"life in himachal\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359107479736806658\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  Buzzzzz, the sound suddenly appeared from nowhere, we looked around and saw a swarm of bees all making their way in and out of the little hole in the wall, we found two spots like these, perhaps the owner of this house managed to collect the honey. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9fN1VBPGI/AAAAAAAAE_Q/s-4fWvUAoGg/s1600-h/bees_buzzing.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9fN1VBPGI/AAAAAAAAE_Q/s-4fWvUAoGg/s400/bees_buzzing.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"bees buzzing\" title\u003d\"bees buzzing\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359106772852358242\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  Bhavika is highly energetic, I think all the amount of sweets that she eats directly converts into globules of energy, she wanted to go further and further. Another friend who came along with us, found a spot and sat down, I proceeded a little further and then she was on her own. She walked on the path to get to Rasol and found a spot to take some lovely pictures of the entire village, comprising barely 13 houses. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9hQgLsEQI/AAAAAAAAFCI/oGx2hAYkGaY/s1600-h/the_entire_village.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9hQgLsEQI/AAAAAAAAFCI/oGx2hAYkGaY/s400/the_entire_village.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"small parvati village in himachal\" title\u003d\"small parvati village in himachal\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359109017738940674\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  We found a \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2008/12/gharats-cheap-sustainable-energy-in.html\"\u003eGharat\u003c/a\u003e lying abandoned by the stream, I had not seen one as yet and was thrilled to find one. A Gharat has an aqueduct with a wheel and fins that turns round as the water pushes against the fins. Its used to grind grain into flour, there are some projects in Uttaranchal where Gharats are used to generate electricity as well. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9ezu0noOI/AAAAAAAAE-w/68SELrApSQo/s1600-h/a_gharat_in_parvati.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9ezu0noOI/AAAAAAAAE-w/68SELrApSQo/s400/a_gharat_in_parvati.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"gharat in parvati\" title\u003d\"gharat in parvati\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359106324429250786\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9gl2s6TjI/AAAAAAAAFA4/Jaq-EcW-4hQ/s1600-h/inside_the_gharat.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9gl2s6TjI/AAAAAAAAFA4/Jaq-EcW-4hQ/s400/inside_the_gharat.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"inside the gharat\" title\u003d\"inside the gharat\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359108285049490994\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  Walking down is always faster and most of the times its easier, we were racing down until again a different muscle began to hurt or got strained. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9nkKG7gVI/AAAAAAAAFDo/LGD184eVtHw/s1600-h/bhavika_after_the_trek.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9nkKG7gVI/AAAAAAAAFDo/LGD184eVtHw/s400/bhavika_after_the_trek.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"bhavika after the trek\" title\u003d\"bhavika after the trek\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359115952480551250\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e It was a good day, with a lot of walking, something that we do not generally do in Bombay, the scenic view was admired the most on the way down, because you are not trying to catch your breath. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9h7SxhxCI/AAAAAAAAFDQ/xRXiEKbEdqA/s1600-h/wild_orchid_plant.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9h7SxhxCI/AAAAAAAAFDQ/xRXiEKbEdqA/s400/wild_orchid_plant.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"wild orchid plant\" title\u003d\"wild orchid plant in himachal\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359109752873927714\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9h6wqVTOI/AAAAAAAAFDI/xCtqmBiccXs/s1600-h/wild_orchid_on_the_way.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9h6wqVTOI/AAAAAAAAFDI/xCtqmBiccXs/s400/wild_orchid_on_the_way.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"wild orchids\" title\u003d\"wild orchids\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359109743716945122\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  A group of monkeys scattered off when we were quite close to them, they ran up the mountain with incredible speed, mothers with babies holding onto them, it was a lovely sight, into the wild. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9g66wu7VI/AAAAAAAAFBQ/0_rgjXG7uy4/s1600-h/monkeys_climbing.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9g66wu7VI/AAAAAAAAFBQ/0_rgjXG7uy4/s400/monkeys_climbing.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"monkeys climbing the hill briskly\" title\u003d\"monkeys climbing the hill briskly\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359108646916517202\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e A macro shot of moss growing on the bark of a tree.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9g7S2v3FI/AAAAAAAAFBY/mYZC0M2gjOs/s1600-h/mossy.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9g7S2v3FI/AAAAAAAAFBY/mYZC0M2gjOs/s400/mossy.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"moss on a tree bark\" title\u003d\"moss on a tree bark\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359108653384195154\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Feeling drained and hungry Ramu took us to one dhaba, run by a Punjabi guy who had married a local woman. She made Aloo Paranthas and tea for us, we had the paranthas with cauliflower pickle, that was absolutely delicious. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9gOXIA7qI/AAAAAAAAFAg/VyoyJ6Rs2m8/s1600-h/gorky_dhaba.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9gOXIA7qI/AAAAAAAAFAg/VyoyJ6Rs2m8/s400/gorky_dhaba.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"gorky punjabi dhaba in parvati\" title\u003d\"gorky punjabi dhaba in parvati\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359107881436245666\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We went back to our rooms, and just waited for dinner to be prepared. This is the view of the room we stayed for 5 days for Rs 100 per day.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9g7xcWDLI/AAAAAAAAFBo/6FkRbMHnxg4/s1600-h/one_of_the_rooms.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9g7xcWDLI/AAAAAAAAFBo/6FkRbMHnxg4/s400/one_of_the_rooms.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"room in parvati\" title\u003d\"room for Rs 100 in parvati\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359108661594950834\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  The following day we had to drop one of our friends to Kasol since he was flying back to Bombay as he had to return to London soon. So we went to Kasol to drop him and canceled our train tickets to Mumbai, since our tickets never got confirmed. While waiting for the bus to Bhuntar, we saw a funny sight. The chicken walking on top of a sleepy dog, and the dog never woke up either, I guess they shared a good rapport. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9gma4k6TI/AAAAAAAAFBA/qRCnn5kuMAQ/s1600-h/kasol_jason_goodbye_dog_chicken.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9gma4k6TI/AAAAAAAAFBA/qRCnn5kuMAQ/s400/kasol_jason_goodbye_dog_chicken.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"chicken on the dog\" title\u003d\"chicken on the dog\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359108294762096946\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  It was also our last day in \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/parvati-valley-setting-our-minds-free.html\"\u003eParvati valley\u003c/a\u003e, which had been so good to us, we enjoyed our stay here, made some nice friends and spent the last day absorbing this magical valley.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9glfOyHYI/AAAAAAAAFAw/JvKA9rHNKN8/s1600-h/hard_working_farmer.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9glfOyHYI/AAAAAAAAFAw/JvKA9rHNKN8/s400/hard_working_farmer.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"farmer working in his field\" title\u003d\"farmer working in his field\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359108278749109634\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  Bhavika went out for a walk with the camera, capturing the essence of the place, while a friend and myself chilled with the farmer's two kids who were quite fond of us. Especially the little boy, who was naughty and playful, he even started dancing with me. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9f3X4qlmI/AAAAAAAAFAI/divyXAw2kO0/s1600-h/clyde_with_the_son.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9f3X4qlmI/AAAAAAAAFAI/divyXAw2kO0/s400/clyde_with_the_son.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"clyde with farmers son\" title\u003d\"clyde with farmers son\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359107486503310946\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9f3GbKrtI/AAAAAAAAFAA/c6FblD3foPE/s1600-h/bruni_kids.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9f3GbKrtI/AAAAAAAAFAA/c6FblD3foPE/s400/bruni_kids.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"kids loving our company\" title\"kids loving our company\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359107481816182482\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  The village life is simple and wholesome, and a tough one too. You would see this often, a woman assorting grass and weed to feed her cattle. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9iFyVT65I/AAAAAAAAFDg/PkrtSzaHEfY/s1600-h/woman_lifting_huge_load.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9iFyVT65I/AAAAAAAAFDg/PkrtSzaHEfY/s400/woman_lifting_huge_load.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"village woman lifting heavy load\" title\u003d\"village woman lifting heavy load in parvati\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359109933144206226\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9iFmeTOfI/AAAAAAAAFDY/wSIdoNRTrXo/s1600-h/woman_gathering_fodder.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9iFmeTOfI/AAAAAAAAFDY/wSIdoNRTrXo/s400/woman_gathering_fodder.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"woman gathering fodder\" title\u003d\"woman gathering fodder\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359109929960684018\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e They loved to photographed and to view their pictures as well. It was difficult to get them still.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9gN9IcpHI/AAAAAAAAFAQ/Ykkw5pPukno/s1600-h/cute_children.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9gN9IcpHI/AAAAAAAAFAQ/Ykkw5pPukno/s400/cute_children.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"cute children playing in the village\" title\u003d\"cute children playing in the village\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359107874458739826\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We sat on top of the bathroom roof, watching the river flow by and in the distance we saw a distillation process, the villagers were brewing their own alcohol.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9gOEBQLkI/AAAAAAAAFAY/GOmAqqRwhoA/s1600-h/distilling_alcohol.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9gOEBQLkI/AAAAAAAAFAY/GOmAqqRwhoA/s400/distilling_alcohol.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"distilling alcohol\" title\u003d\"distilling alcohol\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359107876307611202\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We watched the moon rise and set behind the valley in the shortest time, it was just evening. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9hjW_1QYI/AAAAAAAAFCg/IdQZLTVmHfM/s1600-h/the_lovely_moon.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9hjW_1QYI/AAAAAAAAFCg/IdQZLTVmHfM/s400/the_lovely_moon.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"the lovely moon\" title\u003d\"the lovely moon\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359109341690806658\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  We had our last dinner with the family who had hosted us, spoke to them for a while. We were tempted to ask Ramu to get us some of the local brew, which he willingly did and also set us a bon fire on a cold night to enjoy the drink.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9gmiiaw0I/AAAAAAAAFBI/vG2V0f_nuoE/s1600-h/local_alcohol.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9gmiiaw0I/AAAAAAAAFBI/vG2V0f_nuoE/s400/local_alcohol.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"local parvati alcohol\" title\u003d\"local parvati alcohol\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359108296816640834\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We spent a good amount of time keeping the fire going with all the wood shavings around the place. The fire flames also managed to burn me close to the eye. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9fONvhn-I/AAAAAAAAE_g/2jGB8XfaPvs/s1600-h/bhavika_bon_fire.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9fONvhn-I/AAAAAAAAE_g/2jGB8XfaPvs/s400/bhavika_bon_fire.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"bhavika at the bon fire\" title\u003d\"bhavika at the bon fire\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359106779405983714\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e After an hour or so we crashed only for Bhavika to be dressed up once again before we made our exit from Parvati Valley. Ramu's wife was very excited to dress up Bhavika in her shawl, that she wears on special occasions. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9fOcawecI/AAAAAAAAE_o/nNmGPCwQnw0/s1600-h/bhavika_clyde_himachal_clothes.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9fOcawecI/AAAAAAAAE_o/nNmGPCwQnw0/s400/bhavika_clyde_himachal_clothes.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"bhavika clyde himachal clothes\" title\u003d\"bhavika clyde himachal clothes\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359106783345408450\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e This time I was not left behind, as I wore Ramu's cap, to pose like a married couple. We bid goodbye to Ramu and his family, and thanked them for showering us with so much kindness. We walked back to Kasol to start our long journey to the cold desert of Spiti! \u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-1937009601961735493?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/1937009601961735493/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/magical-trek-in-parvati.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/1937009601961735493"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/1937009601961735493"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/magical-trek-in-parvati.html","title":"A Magical Trek in Parvati"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Clyde"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/01669673801388370223"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"03853968794718094216"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sl9dd-yYZFI/AAAAAAAAE-o/5u5iWNwBQGY/s72-c/beautiful_view.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-4768853568205420269"},"published":{"$t":"2009-07-07T23:20:00.001+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-07-07T23:40:43.254+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Kasol"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Apple Orchards"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Himachal Pradesh"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Travel"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Parvati Valley"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Parvati Valley, Setting our Minds Free"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHwgf6ZYUI/AAAAAAAAE40/96vFeMOV9cE/s1600-h/parvati_valley.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHwgf6ZYUI/AAAAAAAAE40/96vFeMOV9cE/s320/parvati_valley.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"landscape view of parvati valley\" title\u003d\"landscape view of parvati valley\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355325873033142594\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e When you have a stunning view like this every morning when you open your eyes, who would feel like going back to the concrete jungles of Mumbai? \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWell, we were destined to spend time in the lap of nature, because the train tickets we had booked prior to leaving for \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/06/serene-mountains-of-parvati-valley.html\"\u003eParvati\u003c/a\u003e never got confirmed. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWoohoo, the voice in my head went, when a friend of ours checked the ticket status online. In the end it turned out that all of us were happy to spend more time in Himachal. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003e \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eWalking on Green Pastures\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe local guy, Ramu, whose rooms we were staying in, took us for a walk around the village. Early morning it was good to stretch our muscles as we got a glimpse of the rustic landscape - the fields, houses, orchards and everything around. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe wooden houses had a striking resemblance to the houses of Manali, the structure and the way it was built. Its partially made on stilts, small windows and doors and the lower section is generally meant for their cattle.   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHyeCbosDI/AAAAAAAAE88/5btw7nftR4w/s1600-h/wooden_house_himachal.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHyeCbosDI/AAAAAAAAE88/5btw7nftR4w/s400/wooden_house_himachal.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"wooden house in himachal\" title\u003d\"wooden house in himachal\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355328029783011378\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHyPpopn8I/AAAAAAAAE8c/yUX0YblMRI0/s1600-h/village_house_himachal.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHyPpopn8I/AAAAAAAAE8c/yUX0YblMRI0/s400/village_house_himachal.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"wooden house in parvati village\" title\u003d\"wooden house in parvati village\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355327782608543682\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The pretty purple flowers we saw on the way and the insect caught on camera, which I realised only on seeing the picture on the laptop.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHx-8pBzgI/AAAAAAAAE78/U3Fpes9YZO0/s1600-h/purple_flowers.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHx-8pBzgI/AAAAAAAAE78/U3Fpes9YZO0/s400/purple_flowers.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"purple blooms\" title\u003d\"purple blooms\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355327495652625922\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Ramu showed us his apple orchards, unfortunately this year he said the produce hasn't been too good due to the lack of rain. Generally by this time of the year the apples are fully grown, alas, climate change is slowly altering things in the Himalayas. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHwvaCjNCI/AAAAAAAAE5M/oiAr12LxUTI/s1600-h/apple_orchards.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHwvaCjNCI/AAAAAAAAE5M/oiAr12LxUTI/s400/apple_orchards.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"apple orchards\" title\u003d\"apple orchards\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355326129154765858\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Himachal Pradesh, known as the 'apple state' of the country supplies nearly 30% of the total apple produce. But this year the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Himachal-Pradesh-may-see-apple-basket-halved/articleshow/4742287.cms\"\u003eproduction of apples is likely to drop\u003c/a\u003e by nearly 50%. We were disheartened, the village depends on fruits and vegetables to make a living, but if that falls, wonder how they would survive?  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHw8VHlT-I/AAAAAAAAE5U/QVzbovmXjz4/s1600-h/apple_tree.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 324px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHw8VHlT-I/AAAAAAAAE5U/QVzbovmXjz4/s400/apple_tree.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"apple tree\" title\u003d\"apple trees in himachal pradesh\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355326351171997666\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Moving on to greener pastures, colorful flowers of different varieties were growing around his fields, with bees hovering above them. It is sights like this that make us wonder, what are we doing in Mumbai, when there is so much to absorb and learn from.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxgZybiEI/AAAAAAAAE60/-KvXuugGO4w/s1600-h/insect_on_daisy.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 358px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxgZybiEI/AAAAAAAAE60/-KvXuugGO4w/s400/insect_on_daisy.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"insect on daisies\" title\u003d\"insect on daisies\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355326970900744258\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHyeeo_tNI/AAAAAAAAE9E/mQ_3kFY7Mfs/s1600-h/yellow_flower.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHyeeo_tNI/AAAAAAAAE9E/mQ_3kFY7Mfs/s400/yellow_flower.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"yellow flower\" title\u003d\"yellow flower\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355328037355238610\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e He also showed us fields of rajma, garlic and wheat. It was easy to walk around as the farmers start to work only by late afternoon, nobody works in the morning here. This is called life, they are living it, we yearn for it. So the visual treat was soon followed by treat for the taste buds, as Ramu's wife had cooked Aloo Paranthas for breakfast to be eaten with home made ghee. Believe me when I say, I have never tasted such delicious ghee before, even if you are calorie conscious you have to try it out.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHwvHDzIOI/AAAAAAAAE5E/ORtPm3S6yQg/s1600-h/aloo_parantha_ghee.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 306px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHwvHDzIOI/AAAAAAAAE5E/ORtPm3S6yQg/s400/aloo_parantha_ghee.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"aloo parantha with sweet ghee\" title\u003d\"aloo parantha with sweet ghee\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355326124059730146\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eKasol, The Hebrew Heaven\u003c/span\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe had to go to Kasol to book the air tickets for Clyde's friend, so he bid farewell to Ramu's family and we were on our way. The weather had turned out to be quite pleasant, other wise it gets hot during the day, and the beautiful view around us added to the immense joy!  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxtvV7VKI/AAAAAAAAE7c/t0k2g687Jyo/s1600-h/parvati_river.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxtvV7VKI/AAAAAAAAE7c/t0k2g687Jyo/s400/parvati_river.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"parvati river\" title\u003d\"parvati river\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355327200025072802\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  While the three stooges stood in the middle of the bridge to strike a pose.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHyPQy5P9I/AAAAAAAAE8U/G5hxmCLed7s/s1600-h/three_stooges.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 328px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHyPQy5P9I/AAAAAAAAE8U/G5hxmCLed7s/s400/three_stooges.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"the three stooges\" title\u003d\"the three stooges\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355327775940624338\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Kasol is synonymous with Israelis, its one of the many villages in Parvati that has more Israelis then any other tourists. They have literally taken hold of the village, which is easy to say when you move around in the streets of Kasol and find numerous shops displaying boards in Hebrew.   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxtPrgL5I/AAAAAAAAE7E/M3OC59blUXI/s1600-h/kasol_shop_with_hebrew_boar.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 337px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxtPrgL5I/AAAAAAAAE7E/M3OC59blUXI/s400/kasol_shop_with_hebrew_boar.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"kasol shop with board in hebrew\" title\u003d\"kasol shop with board in hebrew\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355327191525633938\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxgkFh5oI/AAAAAAAAE68/gLHhszK50pE/s1600-h/kasol_parvati.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxgkFh5oI/AAAAAAAAE68/gLHhszK50pE/s400/kasol_parvati.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"kasol in parvati valley\" title\u003d\"kasol in parvati valley\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355326973665207938\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e So we went to a travel agent, booked the ticket and went looking out for a wine shop. If you have read \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/06/dancing-in-mountains-of-old-manali.html\"\u003eour Manali post\u003c/a\u003e, we in awe of the apple and plum flavoured wine. So we bought 2 bottles of Waterfall wine for Rs 220 each.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHyeAqPhtI/AAAAAAAAE80/H5dEjD9GfVA/s1600-h/wine_bottles.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHyeAqPhtI/AAAAAAAAE80/H5dEjD9GfVA/s400/wine_bottles.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"wine bottles\" title\u003d\"wine bottles in kasol shop\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355328029307406034\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We made a brief stop at the shop next door selling psychedelic t-shirts and wall pieces. Such shops hike up their prices because of the high demand, so we soon walked out and decided to head back to our lodge.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHx--lX2lI/AAAAAAAAE70/5kb6muA1_fc/s1600-h/psychedelic_painting.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 323px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHx--lX2lI/AAAAAAAAE70/5kb6muA1_fc/s400/psychedelic_painting.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"psychedelic painting\" title\u003d\"psychedelic painting\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355327496174164562\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e On this trip we have always been on the move, constantly traveling somewhere or the other. This time we thought of chilling at one place for few more days. Ramu told us he would take us fishing in the Parvati river after the sun sets. What a brilliant idea it was, I had never been fishing, nor do I eat fish, but still I was excited!  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTo warm up for the evening adventure, Clyde suggested that we head to the stream, that we passed while going to \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/06/serene-mountains-of-parvati-valley.html\"\u003eManikaran.\u003c/a\u003e Find a spot next to the flowing water, drink some wine and play few games of UNO, told you that was our favorite past time on this trip.:)  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxgHNOV3I/AAAAAAAAE6s/x0DI3sT91i4/s1600-h/green_path_and_forest.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxgHNOV3I/AAAAAAAAE6s/x0DI3sT91i4/s400/green_path_and_forest.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"green path and forest\" title\u003d\"green path and forest\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355326965912852338\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e After a bottle of wine comes naturally made toupee for Clyde, don't worry all of us were in this state. The serene surroundings, clear water gushing through the streams and nobody to bother you, I was overwhelmed by the occasion.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHw9JitgNI/AAAAAAAAE5s/y8xMXZWunB8/s1600-h/clyde_and_the_drunk_look.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHw9JitgNI/AAAAAAAAE5s/y8xMXZWunB8/s400/clyde_and_the_drunk_look.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"drunk look of clyde\" title\u003d\"drunk look of clyde\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355326365244424402\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eThe Fishin' Expedition\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe made it before time to accompany Ramu on his fishing expedition. He had gone to finish off some work, so his wife asked me if I would like to wear her traditional outfit. I couldn't refuse, and I was ready to don the outfit for the second time.:)   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHydrBJr1I/AAAAAAAAE8k/owGoL0w56js/s1600-h/wearing_local_outfit.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 371px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHydrBJr1I/AAAAAAAAE8k/owGoL0w56js/s400/wearing_local_outfit.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"wearing local himachal outfit\" title\u003d\"wearing local himachal outfit\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355328023497912146\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e There you go, I was wrapped up in a shawl neatly pinned up together. The shawl was actually weaved by her and she had a glow in her eyes when she finished dressing me.   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHw8xdd7fI/AAAAAAAAE5g/fAmjWMERF6I/s1600-h/bhavika_local_outfit.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 386px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHw8xdd7fI/AAAAAAAAE5g/fAmjWMERF6I/s400/bhavika_local_outfit.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"bhavika in local outfit\" title\u003d\"bhavika in local outfit\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355326358779981298\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Totally embracing the culture, I thought of going one step further and pretending to weave yarn on the complex machine.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHyd9-AerI/AAAAAAAAE8s/CZ3JcEBYHws/s1600-h/weaving_yarn_for_shawl.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 322px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHyd9-AerI/AAAAAAAAE8s/CZ3JcEBYHws/s400/weaving_yarn_for_shawl.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"weaving yarn for shawl\" title\u003d\"weaving yarn for shawl\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355328028584999602\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e While we waited for Ramu to get back, we just took some pictures around his house. The sweet little girl who we met on the day of arriving, is seen playing with the plants. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHyPC_JBAI/AAAAAAAAE8M/wQbvsFVuhdo/s1600-h/small_girl_plucking_leaves.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHyPC_JBAI/AAAAAAAAE8M/wQbvsFVuhdo/s400/small_girl_plucking_leaves.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"small girl plucking leaves\" title\u003d\"small girl plucking leaves\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355327772233892866\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Some more pretty flowers here growing in his backyard. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHx-h8IVKI/AAAAAAAAE7s/dbjR32NMstU/s1600-h/pretty_flowers.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 310px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHx-h8IVKI/AAAAAAAAE7s/dbjR32NMstU/s400/pretty_flowers.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"pretty flowers\" title\u003d\"pretty flowers\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355327488484988066\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e He returned with supplies for dinner. There was going to be something special for dinner, Ramu's wife explained in her Pahadi Hindi accent, we couldn't wait! The hospitality we received here was heart-warming, they were always so open and straight-forward. I like people from the mountains! \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSoon Ramu's friend and brother came to help him get the fishing net ready, tie few knots and we were set to go. The fish we going to catch is English Trout, majorly found in Himachal. Ramu goes often to fish, but last couple of days he was tad unlucky, so lets find out if we can change his luck. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe began our walk towards the river, and came across farmers working in their fields. As mentioned earlier, they only start by late afternoon. Here a local woman was digging out garlic, harvested and ready to eat!   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxf9iXvXI/AAAAAAAAE6k/hVvx3UwEX44/s1600-h/garlic_field.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 341px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxf9iXvXI/AAAAAAAAE6k/hVvx3UwEX44/s400/garlic_field.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"garlic fields\" title\u003d\"garlic fields in parvati\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355326963317194098\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  There is enough light at least till 7.30 pm to walk around without a torch, so the only problem we faced was to keep up with Ramu and his friend, who were racing ahead full speed. They are so use to the terrain, unlike us who lead an inactive urban life.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlOPLkpWMMI/AAAAAAAAE9M/liWUv5f4KlQ/s1600-h/going_fishing_in_parvati.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlOPLkpWMMI/AAAAAAAAE9M/liWUv5f4KlQ/s400/going_fishing_in_parvati.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"going fishing in parvati\" title\u003d\"going fishing in Parvati\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355781810852081858\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Ramu carried the net, while his friend did the strenuous work of throwing it in the gushing water. The net had weights attached to it at various spots, which it made it really heavy, almost 3-4 kgs. This thin-looking guy gathered all the ends, tied one end around his wrist and flung the net with full force in the water.   \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHyO7_IEbI/AAAAAAAAE8E/9fwNNecfJS0/s1600-h/setting_the_fishing_net.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 315px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHyO7_IEbI/AAAAAAAAE8E/9fwNNecfJS0/s400/setting_the_fishing_net.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"setting up the fishing net\" title\u003d\"setting up the fishing net\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355327770354782642\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxtQ7D1bI/AAAAAAAAE7M/XxUYaA02Rxk/s1600-h/laying_the_fishing_net.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 310px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxtQ7D1bI/AAAAAAAAE7M/XxUYaA02Rxk/s400/laying_the_fishing_net.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"fishing in himachal for trout\" title\u003d\"fishing in himachal for trout\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355327191859320242\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eHe repeated the same step countless times, that left us awestruck in amazement, he sure is a strong fella! \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxO6BCmSI/AAAAAAAAE6M/gTcPcGs2ois/s1600-h/fishing_in_parvati.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxO6BCmSI/AAAAAAAAE6M/gTcPcGs2ois/s400/fishing_in_parvati.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"fishing in parvati\" title\u003d\"fishing in parvati\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355326670314314018\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e He kept trying, throwing the net in water from various spots as we walked ahead on rocks next to the river. We almost reached Manikaran, and just then I saw the happy look on Ramu's face. His friend successfully managed to catch a female English Trout and a another small one. The thin boy's effort had finally paid off, as all of them got super excited with the prospect of eating fresh Trout for dinner, to be prepared by Ramu himself.:) He pushed his thumb through the gills to hold the black and red-spotted trout. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxO8TZIjI/AAAAAAAAE6E/uSZ3C44lE9c/s1600-h/english_trout.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxO8TZIjI/AAAAAAAAE6E/uSZ3C44lE9c/s400/english_trout.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"english trout\" title\u003d\"caught a english trout\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355326670928159282\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We put our torches on to climb the rocks and the slippery path to come back on the route. As soon as we reached, Ramu got to work instantly. His wife doesn't eat or cook non-veg so Ramu did the cleaning, cutting, and cooking.:) They shared a good rapport in the sense that both of them divided the house work and performed the daily chores together. I was really happy to see that, because in some of the villages in Himachal only women do the work while men sit and relax! \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe bigger fish had roe as well, and that made Clyde, in particular, very happy. He loves Fish roe, nay, who am I kidding, he just loves to eat. Ramu cooked the trout in turmeric, salt and a variety of other powdered spices, making it sligtly yellow in colour.   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHwvPQXX8I/AAAAAAAAE48/lQ8iDPsIH5M/s1600-h/adding_spices_in_fish.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 312px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHwvPQXX8I/AAAAAAAAE48/lQ8iDPsIH5M/s400/adding_spices_in_fish.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"adding spices turmeric salt and more to fish\" title\u003d\"adding spices turmeric salt and more to fish\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355326126259920834\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e He then deep fried it for while, until it was ready to eat. I was hoping in the meantime that my food is tasty as well.:)  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxPQgSBoI/AAAAAAAAE6c/KNWQ6Y88jP4/s1600-h/frying_trout_fish.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 370px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxPQgSBoI/AAAAAAAAE6c/KNWQ6Y88jP4/s400/frying_trout_fish.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"frying trout\" title\u003d\"frying trout\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355326676350928514\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHw9ce8iWI/AAAAAAAAE54/UOGR0Jinqbs/s1600-h/cooking_fish.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 296px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHw9ce8iWI/AAAAAAAAE54/UOGR0Jinqbs/s400/cooking_fish.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"cooking fish\" title\u003d\"cooking fish\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355326370328906082\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The trout turned out to be delicious, the fins had turned crispy like masala chips, the flesh was tender and according to Clyde it was the freshest fish he has ever eaten. It was only prepared using simple, home spices, no exotic ingredients but yet mouth-watering. That's the beauty about such places, it lies in its simplicity!  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxPFMER8I/AAAAAAAAE6U/xjJ1IxemGkg/s1600-h/fresh_trout_fish_for_dinner.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 335px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxPFMER8I/AAAAAAAAE6U/xjJ1IxemGkg/s400/fresh_trout_fish_for_dinner.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"fresh trout fish and roe for dinner\" title\u003d\"fresh trout fish and roe for dinner\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355326673313351618\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e For me Ramu's wife had cooked huge Momos stuffed with chutney made from some plants. It was delicious, and to dip it in the sweet-tasting ghee, simply made my day! One was enough to fill my stomach, then we watched some TV and played with his kids. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxtmg19uI/AAAAAAAAE7U/dhxEvrtfQbE/s1600-h/momos_with_stuffing.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 332px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHxtmg19uI/AAAAAAAAE7U/dhxEvrtfQbE/s400/momos_with_stuffing.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"momos stuffed with chutney\" title\u003d\"momos stuffed with chutney\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355327197654939362\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The next day we planned on going for a trek to another village around the place, and Ramu agreed to accompany us. We were glad about that, but how will we match up to his speed, is something we pondered over!\u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-4768853568205420269?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/4768853568205420269/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/parvati-valley-setting-our-minds-free.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/4768853568205420269"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/4768853568205420269"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/07/parvati-valley-setting-our-minds-free.html","title":"Parvati Valley, Setting our Minds Free"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Bhavika"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04875107049846989706"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12044440207294747186"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SlHwgf6ZYUI/AAAAAAAAE40/96vFeMOV9cE/s72-c/parvati_valley.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-3868102265932724548"},"published":{"$t":"2009-06-29T14:05:00.029+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-08-06T00:12:19.572+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Manikaran"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Himachal Pradesh"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Travel"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Parvati Valley"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Serene Mountains of Parvati Valley"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp4t4cNZUI/AAAAAAAAMVo/CREwMDow9MY/s1600-h/sheep_grazing_by_the_river.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp4t4cNZUI/AAAAAAAAMVo/CREwMDow9MY/s320/sheep_grazing_by_the_river.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Sheep grazing by the river\" title\u003d\"Sheep grazing by the river\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353223836723406146\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eOur long stay in \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/06/vashishts-hot-springs-and-manalis.html\"\u003eOld Manali\u003c/a\u003e came to an end as we decided to proceed to Parvati Valley, stay in Kasol perhaps and take a look around. To reach Kasol we had to go from Manali to Bhuntar and then board another bus from Bhuntar to Kasol.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eManali to Kasol, a Bumpy Ride\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eA scenic bumpy ride in the local buses of Himachal Pradesh awaited us, the cost from Manali to Bhuntar was Rs 45 and from Bhuntar to Kasol was Rs 55. Not too much since the journey was approximately five to six hours long. The bus schedule at Bhuntar, you can go almost any where in Himachal from here.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp9k3PJQ8I/AAAAAAAAMXg/SvXSaoEzSM4/s1600-h/bunter_bus_timings.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp9k3PJQ8I/AAAAAAAAMXg/SvXSaoEzSM4/s400/bunter_bus_timings.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Bus timings at Bhuntar\" title\u003d\"Bus timings at Bhuntar\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353229179339490242\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e A school bus passing by on the way to Kasol.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp9kt835bI/AAAAAAAAMXY/_v9X_N4laOk/s1600-h/children_looking_out_of_a_school_bus.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp9kt835bI/AAAAAAAAMXY/_v9X_N4laOk/s400/children_looking_out_of_a_school_bus.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"children looking out of a school bus\" title\u003d\"children looking out of a school bus in himachal\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353229176846935474\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp7dYb-W-I/AAAAAAAAMW4/HXio-bKD3As/s1600-h/a_temple_at_bunter.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp7dYb-W-I/AAAAAAAAMW4/HXio-bKD3As/s400/a_temple_at_bunter.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"A temple at bhuntar\" title\u003d\"A temple at bhuntar\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353226851789462498\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We arrived in Kasol to be welcomed to some beats playing at the Indrasan Music festival, excited with the thought of an all night party next to the river we scouted for a room. Nothing seemed to fit our budget as people quoted around Rs 600 at the hotel we first asked and as we walked further away from the market we reached Lucky Dhaba. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eRun by a group of Punjabi women, she gave us one room for Rs 300, that was reasonable but it wasn't hygienic. However we wanted a place to crash just for one day as we planned to move further in to Parvati, so we adjusted in a messy room.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe refreshed ourselves with Dal, Chawal, Chapati, Salad, Papad and Subzi (vegetable) for Rs 40, made by the Punjabi women, and later on we spent some time on the terrace absorbing the view of the Parvati river flowing just a few meters away. As evening drew by we went towards the party, we were stunned to know that it was Rs 600 to enter and it would last only till 10 pm, that was just two hours from the current time. We were delayed as Bhavika had left our room keys in and locked us out, but with someone called XNoise playing at the party we didn't regret our late entry.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePaying Rs 600 was definitely not worth it, so we just walked around and jumped in from the river side, thankfully we entered free of cost because the music was terrible. There was no flow, the music did not match my taste and I was dissatisfied, anyway we were happy that we got to go for a free party and went back to our room that was now uninviting with a lot of creepy crawlies on every wall.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eInto the Wild\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe were eager to get out of Lucky Dhaba, it was our priority for the next day. So we began our backpacking journey, on the way we picked up some supplies to have our breakfast while trekking to the interiors of Parvati. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp_-wHgWXI/AAAAAAAAMZA/pq53c9UtW2U/s1600-h/suspended_bridge_across_river.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp_-wHgWXI/AAAAAAAAMZA/pq53c9UtW2U/s400/suspended_bridge_across_river.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Suspended bridge across a river\" title\u003d\"Suspended bridge across parvati river\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353231823128254834\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The higher altitude comes with thinner oxygen and since we had our backpacks with us, the frequency of our stops was increasing, although the view itself was something that we needed to ponder about. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SkqAR7068hI/AAAAAAAAMZw/GOO4dL7S2UU/s1600-h/the_walk_through_the_forest.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SkqAR7068hI/AAAAAAAAMZw/GOO4dL7S2UU/s400/the_walk_through_the_forest.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"walking through the forest\" title\u003d\"walking through the forest in himachal\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353232152689046034\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  We walked through the forest with birds chirping, the rivers flow varying as per the terrain, speeding up at times and mellowing down at broader spaces. It was beautiful, the trees delightful, the formations that the barks created as they grew in age were vivid.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SkqAwjZCHtI/AAAAAAAAMao/TlQX4jeWXO0/s1600-h/tree_bark_with_grooves_for_sap.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SkqAwjZCHtI/AAAAAAAAMao/TlQX4jeWXO0/s400/tree_bark_with_grooves_for_sap.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Bark of a tree with grooves for collecting sap\" title\u003d\"Bark of a tree with grooves for collecting sap\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353232678705569490\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We experienced the joy of being one with nature, since the possibility of bumping into someone here was rather slim, except the locals who frequent this route to go back to Kasol for their supplies.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp__bUM9sI/AAAAAAAAMZY/rPqBKgq8p_U/s1600-h/scales_of_the_bark.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp__bUM9sI/AAAAAAAAMZY/rPqBKgq8p_U/s400/scales_of_the_bark.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"bark that looks like the tree has scales\" title\u003d\"bark that looks like the tree has scales\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353231834724234946\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe walked for a good two hours to reach a small village in Parvati, which was suppose to be a stop over for our trek to a village beyond that, as the sky was clearing up and it was beginning to get hot. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp-BLBSNyI/AAAAAAAAMX4/rbWdxqu5quw/s1600-h/houses_in_the_village.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp-BLBSNyI/AAAAAAAAMX4/rbWdxqu5quw/s400/houses_in_the_village.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Houses in parvati village\" title\u003d\"Houses in parvati village\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353229665686402850\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Luckily for us a woman came running up asking if we were looking for rooms to stay, Yes, we replied and followed her. As we walked towards the house we hoped it would be that gorgeous wooden house with a hammock hanging on the porch of the first level. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTo our surprise it was, as compared to Lucky Dhaba this was something different, a refreshing change, the spotless carpet, the well made beds, the colour, the sheets, the wooden planks on the floor and ceiling, a lovely room it was. The cost she said, we would have to wait for her husband to come, and as we anxiously waited we thought we would pay about Rs 300 and not more. But we were shocked when he asked us to pay Rs 100, an awesome price that worked out to Rs 50 a day for each of us in this home-like accommodation.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp61yXLLQI/AAAAAAAAMWA/6q--8rVjaPg/s1600-h/a_cute_little_girl.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp61yXLLQI/AAAAAAAAMWA/6q--8rVjaPg/s400/a_cute_little_girl.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"A cute girl in the village\" title\u003d\"A cute girl in the village\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353226171553885442\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe village was quiet with around 100 people living in 20 odd houses, which were well spaced out.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp61esgV3I/AAAAAAAAMV4/6ahNRvsyqfk/s1600-h/a_house_in_parvati_valley.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp61esgV3I/AAAAAAAAMV4/6ahNRvsyqfk/s400/a_house_in_parvati_valley.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"A house in parvati village\" title\u003d\"A house in parvati village\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353226166274643826\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAll the houses seem to be equipped with a shawl weaving machine and the women spend at least an hour everyday to make the shawl, it seemed to be a complex process to us. The good thing is that it gets the family an additional source of income.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SkqAv5PQ3TI/AAAAAAAAMaI/VwU51EAvXzU/s1600-h/woman_weaving_shawls.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SkqAv5PQ3TI/AAAAAAAAMaI/VwU51EAvXzU/s400/woman_weaving_shawls.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Woman weaving shawls\" title\u003d\"Woman weaving shawls\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353232667390303538\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe were told that this village too has a hot water stream like \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/06/vashishts-hot-springs-and-manalis.html\"\u003eVashisht\u003c/a\u003e, so after resting for a while we decided to go for a stroll to the stream. It was early evening when we set off, the temperature had fallen quite a bit. We passed by a statue of the local deity in the picture decorated with colourful garments. The view as you can see is quite interesting, but the walk itself is good fun.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp61MOYhFI/AAAAAAAAMVw/EAs5_1PUVdE/s1600-h/a_local_diety_in_parvati.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp61MOYhFI/AAAAAAAAMVw/EAs5_1PUVdE/s400/a_local_diety_in_parvati.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"A local diety in parvati\" title\u003d\"A local diety in parvati\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353226161316463698\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe had to walk for a good 20-25 minutes before we could reach the hot water spring and prior to that, we ended up going down towards the river assuming that the hot water would be there. But with the help of few locals who were passing by, we managed to find the spot where the hot water emerges. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp-zuPJvfI/AAAAAAAAMYQ/m-7rSdqtkCQ/s1600-h/pattern_on_the_river_bank_sand.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp-zuPJvfI/AAAAAAAAMYQ/m-7rSdqtkCQ/s400/pattern_on_the_river_bank_sand.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"A pattern on the sand of the river bank\" title\u003d\"Patterns on the sand of the river bank\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353230534133267954\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe got to see some lovely patterns formed on the banks of the river. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp-0IYWEjI/AAAAAAAAMYo/b6tM7JueV3s/s1600-h/natural_hot_water_bath.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp-0IYWEjI/AAAAAAAAMYo/b6tM7JueV3s/s400/natural_hot_water_bath.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"The natural hot water bath close to Kasol\" title\u003d\"The natural hot water bath close to Kasol\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353230541151146546\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eUnlike the hot water springs in Vashisht, this one was lukewarm a pleasant temperature to the cold outside, the only problem was that it was merely 6 inches deep so you had to pour the water on yourself. I just sat down in it, splashing some water in myself. Unfortunately it started to drizzle, we could feel the cold drops of rain hit our wet bodies, it was time to run for cover.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs we walked back to the village the weather started to clear up, we reached in time for dinner. Rajma chawal and subzi, it was home-cooked food that was simple yet satisfying and definitely tasty. After eating our fill, we crashed and had a good nights rest. The next day we decided to go to Manikaran, pilgrim place for Hindus and Sikhs, and also known for its hot water springs.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eMellow in Manikaran\u003c/span\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp-z-PcrZI/AAAAAAAAMYY/_DY422kMLAw/s1600-h/orange_flower.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp-z-PcrZI/AAAAAAAAMYY/_DY422kMLAw/s400/orange_flower.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"an orange flower\" title\u003d\"an orange flower\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353230538429476242\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOn the way we went to a restaurant and tanked up on something known as Shiva Lassi or bhang. The walk to Manikaran is two kms from Kasol, once again this is a beautiful, scenic trek.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp9j-Vm7eI/AAAAAAAAMXA/oit_E0EKOpc/s1600-h/dark_purple_flower.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp9j-Vm7eI/AAAAAAAAMXA/oit_E0EKOpc/s400/dark_purple_flower.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"A dark purple flower\" title\u003d\"A dark purple flower\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353229164065779170\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp7cpQSq2I/AAAAAAAAMWg/tWdxFB-AppE/s1600-h/beautiful_yellow_flower.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp7cpQSq2I/AAAAAAAAMWg/tWdxFB-AppE/s400/beautiful_yellow_flower.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"a beautiful yellow flower\" title\u003d\"a beautiful yellow bloom\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353226839123995490\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SkqARZYQUoI/AAAAAAAAMZg/fOIBT002r4E/s1600-h/three_of_us_by_the_stream.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SkqARZYQUoI/AAAAAAAAMZg/fOIBT002r4E/s400/three_of_us_by_the_stream.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Three of us by the stream\" title\u003d\"Three of us by the stream\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353232143442006658\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e With the Bhang beginning to take effect in some time, the colours seemed to get nice and bright, the sound of the river forming tunes in the head and by the time we were in Manikaran it had fully kicked in.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp-z54lOQI/AAAAAAAAMYg/FYO5gHstxj8/s1600-h/one_of_my_favorite_pictures.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp-z54lOQI/AAAAAAAAMYg/FYO5gHstxj8/s400/one_of_my_favorite_pictures.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"One of my favorite pictures of this trip\" title\u003d\"stream flowing by and the leaves floating\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353230537259825410\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SkqAwQ_9EVI/AAAAAAAAMaY/rvRJGhvjBJM/s1600-h/walking_besides_the_parvati_river.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SkqAwQ_9EVI/AAAAAAAAMaY/rvRJGhvjBJM/s400/walking_besides_the_parvati_river.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Walking besides the parvati river\" title\u003d\"Walking besides the parvati river\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353232673768542546\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eManikaran was bustling with activity, not just human, but there was steam oozing out from many places in every area, though the streets were wet and quite mucky nearly everyone was walking barefooted. We stopped to refresh ourselves with a chai and Aloo Parantha, I took a walk around capturing glimpses of the place.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp7dIVvGKI/AAAAAAAAMWw/B0jk_jUabuc/s1600-h/a_view_of_manikaran.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp7dIVvGKI/AAAAAAAAMWw/B0jk_jUabuc/s400/a_view_of_manikaran.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"The view of Manikaran from the route\" title\u003d\"The view of Manikaran from the route\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353226847468329122\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThere are quite a few temples, some old some modern, but you will actually see the similarities in the old architecture in these places, the temple in the picture is similar to the one at Vashisht. There are temples of Lord Ram, Krishna, and Vishnu in Manikaran.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp_-l-aqnI/AAAAAAAAMY4/ISaNkAjL2PY/s1600-h/the_manikaran_gurudwara.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp_-l-aqnI/AAAAAAAAMY4/ISaNkAjL2PY/s400/the_manikaran_gurudwara.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Gurudwara in manikaran with steam oozing out\" title\u003d\"Gurudwara in manikaran and hot water springs\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353231820405779058\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp7cl5LseI/AAAAAAAAMWo/l4CM2izDP-8/s1600-h/an_old_temple_manikaran.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp7cl5LseI/AAAAAAAAMWo/l4CM2izDP-8/s400/an_old_temple_manikaran.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Old temple in manikaran\" title\u003d\"Old temple in manikaran\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353226838221763042\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp9klL9_oI/AAAAAAAAMXQ/pnPMFLFty1Q/s1600-h/close_up_of_the_temple_top.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp9klL9_oI/AAAAAAAAMXQ/pnPMFLFty1Q/s400/close_up_of_the_temple_top.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Close up of the temple top\" title\u003d\"Close up of the temple top\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353229174494330498\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp_-84XFAI/AAAAAAAAMZI/IqUYkNZD_6g/s1600-h/shiva_temple_in_manikaran.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp_-84XFAI/AAAAAAAAMZI/IqUYkNZD_6g/s400/shiva_temple_in_manikaran.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Shiva temple in Manikaran\" title\u003d\"Shiva temple in Manikaran\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353231826554393602\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp-0HxYilI/AAAAAAAAMYw/Yu_A6KxKxJY/s1600-h/narrow_lanes_of_manikaran.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp-0HxYilI/AAAAAAAAMYw/Yu_A6KxKxJY/s400/narrow_lanes_of_manikaran.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"The narrow roads of manikaran\" title\u003d\"narrow roads of manikaran\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353230540987730514\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp61wg6wMI/AAAAAAAAMWI/PGL2Qimvshc/s1600-h/a_common_wooden_style_temple.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp61wg6wMI/AAAAAAAAMWI/PGL2Qimvshc/s400/a_common_wooden_style_temple.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"A wooden temple in himachal\" title\u003d\"A wooden temple in himachal\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353226171057881282\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe were quite disappointed with our visit to Manikaran, it was overcrowded and well not peaceful like the surroundings, so we decided to walk back. But before that we were asked to buy a couple of vegetables for our evening dinner from the market place. The vegetable seller was a friendly man with a well-arranged display of the vegetables.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SkqAwiWronI/AAAAAAAAMag/SePwYRSOjV8/s1600-h/vegetable_vendor_manikaran.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SkqAwiWronI/AAAAAAAAMag/SePwYRSOjV8/s400/vegetable_vendor_manikaran.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Vegetable vendor in Manikaran\" title\u003d\"Vegetable vendor in Manikaran\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353232678427271794\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp-AkzZiLI/AAAAAAAAMXo/n831Ua2v_J8/s1600-h/kids_playing_with_a_giant_chariot.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp-AkzZiLI/AAAAAAAAMXo/n831Ua2v_J8/s400/kids_playing_with_a_giant_chariot.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Kids playing with a giant chariot\" title\u003d\"Kids playing with a giant chariot\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353229655427614898\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe noticed that the river gets quite dirty as you approach Manikaran, a lot of their trash is dumped into the river. Its really sad, in fact most places where there are too many tourists coming in like \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2007/07/hemkund-rose-with-thorn.html\"\u003eHemkund Sahib in Uttaranchal\u003c/a\u003e as well, the surroundings tend to face an upcoming environmental hazard. Although we passed by a raddi walla who fished out plastic and other recyclables from the river.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SkqASEUE--I/AAAAAAAAMaA/x6mCtdrAumw/s1600-h/the_recycling_area_in_manikaran.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SkqASEUE--I/AAAAAAAAMaA/x6mCtdrAumw/s400/the_recycling_area_in_manikaran.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"the recycling area in manikaran\" title\u003d\"the recycling area in manikaran\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353232154967210978\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  The scenic route embraced us as we walked back home.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp9kHvRHeI/AAAAAAAAMXI/wmBt84pbmUU/s1600-h/cyborg_looking_tree.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp9kHvRHeI/AAAAAAAAMXI/wmBt84pbmUU/s400/cyborg_looking_tree.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Cyborg like tree\" title\u003d\"Cyborg like tree\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353229166589320674\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp62Nx8PXI/AAAAAAAAMWQ/DXW90cKPo_4/s1600-h/a_bridge_over_adjacent+rocks.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp62Nx8PXI/AAAAAAAAMWQ/DXW90cKPo_4/s400/a_bridge_over_adjacent+rocks.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"a bridge over adjacent rocks\" title\u003d\"a bridge over huge rocks\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353226178913910130\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SkqAR2S6zdI/AAAAAAAAMZ4/UnHpVpOwcg8/s1600-h/the_view_from_the_village.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SkqAR2S6zdI/AAAAAAAAMZ4/UnHpVpOwcg8/s400/the_view_from_the_village.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"the view from the village\" title\u003d\"the view from the village\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353232151204253138\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  Back to the house to eat some delicious home food before calling it a night. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp-BWRm7PI/AAAAAAAAMYI/-sLj4wOHXCE/s1600-h/dinner_in_the_farmers_house.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp-BWRm7PI/AAAAAAAAMYI/-sLj4wOHXCE/s400/dinner_in_the_farmers_house.JPG\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Dinner in the farmers house\" title\u003d\"Dinner in the farmers house\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353229668707658994\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  We still have so much more to display, it seems never-ending but it just keeps getting better!   \u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-3868102265932724548?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/3868102265932724548/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/06/serene-mountains-of-parvati-valley.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/3868102265932724548"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/3868102265932724548"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/06/serene-mountains-of-parvati-valley.html","title":"The Serene Mountains of Parvati Valley"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Clyde"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/01669673801388370223"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"03853968794718094216"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Skp4t4cNZUI/AAAAAAAAMVo/CREwMDow9MY/s72-c/sheep_grazing_by_the_river.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-9122726699543352845"},"published":{"$t":"2009-06-18T19:10:00.056+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-07-01T13:17:27.513+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Apple Orchards"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Himachal Pradesh"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Travel"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Manali"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Vashisht Hot Water Springs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Wheat Fields"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Vashisht Hot Springs \u0026 Manali's Wheat Fields"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SkMXhxqtNdI/AAAAAAAAE28/ndg5qqQ6B0I/s1600-h/procession_in_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SkMXhxqtNdI/AAAAAAAAE28/ndg5qqQ6B0I/s320/procession_in_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"religious procession in Manali\" title\u003d\"religious procession in Manali\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351146651281864146\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We woke up to the sound of the drum beats coming from the street and we rushed to the balcony to see what was happening. It was a religious procession with the villagers carrying the local deity on a palkhi, beating drums, holding flags and a long trumpet-like musical instrument, I guess they were heading to \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/06/dancing-in-mountains-of-old-manali.html\"\u003eHadimba temple\u003c/a\u003e. Another day of drinking and celebrating for them, I assumed. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eThe Crowded Hot Water Springs of Vashisht\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI had not visited natural hot water springs before, neither of us had, so we decided to head to Vashisht, which is known for its natural sulphur springs and is situated 6 kms away from Manali. We had a quick bite at German Bakery and walked all the way to the market place in New Manali to catch a rickshaw to Vashisht. Its a pleasant walk but at the same time the amount of the vehicles constantly moving about can drive you crazy. We weren't in a city but it felt like we were.     \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003e These beautiful flowers caught our eye as we were passing a hotel, they were growing in the garden, so we just sneaked in to take some photos. The big roses adorning the lawn with some unusual flowers too. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqTSeGrx4I/AAAAAAAAE0k/MpuiJXJlxnM/s1600-h/pink_roses_himachal.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqTSeGrx4I/AAAAAAAAE0k/MpuiJXJlxnM/s400/pink_roses_himachal.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"pink roses in himachal\" title\u003d\"pink roses in himachal\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348749452983912322\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqUJ8EoQnI/AAAAAAAAE2c/uklqOZp-jDc/s1600-h/white_flowers_himachal.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 297px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqUJ8EoQnI/AAAAAAAAE2c/uklqOZp-jDc/s400/white_flowers_himachal.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"white flowers in manali\" title\u003d\"white flowers in manali\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348750405921161842\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqUKY4N1JI/AAAAAAAAE20/h2lI1KfqK3k/s1600-h/yellow_flower_himachal.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 349px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqUKY4N1JI/AAAAAAAAE20/h2lI1KfqK3k/s400/yellow_flower_himachal.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"yellow flowers\" title\u003d\"yellow flowers\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348750413653726354\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e After some 30 minutes of walking we reached the rickshaw stand. Its best to haggle before settling for a fare with the rickshaw guys, he charged us Rs 80 for the 4 of us, which was a decent deal. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eA lovely view of River Beas and the snow-covered mountains greeted us as we took the road going up to Vashisht. The peaks were far away but we got to spent good amount of time on snow in Spiti, photos of that will come in the next few posts. The settlement at Vashisht is at the foot of the mountain, you can feel the buzz as lot of Indian tourists come to visit the temple. The rickshaw dropped us in the parking lot and just few steps away was the temple. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SkMZsjW8LlI/AAAAAAAAE3E/SChyczGscRs/s1600-h/beas_river_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 285px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SkMZsjW8LlI/AAAAAAAAE3E/SChyczGscRs/s400/beas_river_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"beas river manali\" title\u003d\"beas river manali\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351149035442679378\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  We walked through the busy market that had concrete structures on either side of the road. One of our friend who had been to Vashisht 2-3 years ago said that it changed drastically, the green fields and meadows have been replaced by cafes, guest houses, shops etc. A sleepy village has been transformed into a place hustling with activity. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis is the temple outside the main Vashisht temple, with the wooden carvings and the phirang (foreigner) sadhu sitting at the entrance distributing prasad. You will find many such foreign tourists who stay permanently in the mountains or spend long time here, learn about Indian culture, or start their own cafes or lodging facilities.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqT7xNL9rI/AAAAAAAAE18/X_GXhYpfRXY/s1600-h/vashisht_temple.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 329px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqT7xNL9rI/AAAAAAAAE18/X_GXhYpfRXY/s400/vashisht_temple.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"wooden temple in vashisht\" title\u003d\"wooden temple in vashisht\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348750162486097586\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e A local Himachal woman sitting outside the temple with a huge rabbit, she charged Rs 10 to hold the rabbit and take a picture. Everything seems to be big in Himachal, the flowers, monkeys, dogs, who are nice and furry, cattle, etc. That's what fresh air does to you, even the locals are so strong and fit, without any modern gym or health club.   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqUJ6Y-cEI/AAAAAAAAE2k/Qc3PuB_0eRQ/s1600-h/woman_with_rabbit_vashist.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 328px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqUJ6Y-cEI/AAAAAAAAE2k/Qc3PuB_0eRQ/s400/woman_with_rabbit_vashist.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"woman holding a big rabbit in vashisht\" title\u003d\"woman holding a big rabbit in vashisht\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348750405469630530\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The entrance to the main temple of Vashisht, the intricate wooden carvings on the door forms a distinct feature of the temples in Himachal.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqTuTnspbI/AAAAAAAAE10/_HkhcRd3g9M/s1600-h/vashisht_hot_water_springs_.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 284px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqTuTnspbI/AAAAAAAAE10/_HkhcRd3g9M/s400/vashisht_hot_water_springs_.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"vashisht temple\" title\u003d\"vashisht temple\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348749931205928370\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Various deities have been  etched on the wooden surface, that appears to be quite complex. The main temple is  dedicated to Vashist Muni, his idol remains unchanged for centuries but the things around continue to change rapidly. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqT8GStklI/AAAAAAAAE2E/MzWxS3t8fGE/s1600-h/vashisht_temple_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 293px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqT8GStklI/AAAAAAAAE2E/MzWxS3t8fGE/s400/vashisht_temple_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"vashisht temple\" title\u003d\"vashisht temple\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348750168146416210\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Next to it are two separate water tanks for men and women to bathe in natural spring water. The ladies section was empty when I entered so I happily put my leg in the hot water tank. Ooops, the water was too hot to leave my foot in even for a minute. The water is suppose to have curative properties, so I splashed it on my face and hands and I was out. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqTSDEcaWI/AAAAAAAAE0c/DA9eLbS2nfA/s1600-h/natural_springs_vashisht.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 316px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqTSDEcaWI/AAAAAAAAE0c/DA9eLbS2nfA/s400/natural_springs_vashisht.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"natural hot water springs in vashisht\" title\u003d\"natural hot water springs in vashisht\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348749445726759266\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e   Few of them also dived in the steaming water, wonder how that was possible. Several taps were placed next to the tank for people interested in taking a shower. Apparently for the convenience of visitors modern bathhouses with Turkish-style showers also have been made.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqSbc7O_9I/AAAAAAAAEz8/FmE-1VBo3F4/s1600-h/hot_water_springs_vashisht.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqSbc7O_9I/AAAAAAAAEz8/FmE-1VBo3F4/s400/hot_water_springs_vashisht.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"hot water springs vashisht\" title\u003d\"hot water springs vashisht\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348748507774648274\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Even outside the temple people can have bath under the hot water tap. You can see the steam oozing out at so many locations.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOpposite to Vashisht temple is the ancient Ram temple, made of stones, where idols of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana have been installed. It was closed when we reached, but on walking around the temple we could see that the front part was just an extension, probably to support the old structure.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqTe4QAJyI/AAAAAAAAE08/LiWyIJkmsmk/s1600-h/ram_temple_vashisht_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqTe4QAJyI/AAAAAAAAE08/LiWyIJkmsmk/s400/ram_temple_vashisht_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"ram temple in vashisht\" title\u003d\"ram temple in vashisht\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348749666160748322\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e This picture gives you a closer look of the stone architecture of Ram temple. It was closed at the time of our visit so we went further up to get away from the concrete walls in order to get a better view of the valley. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqRyIdEPZI/AAAAAAAAEy8/7l7MieDSRVc/s1600-h/backside_ram_temple_vashist.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqRyIdEPZI/AAAAAAAAEy8/7l7MieDSRVc/s400/backside_ram_temple_vashist.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"stone carvings on Ram temple\" title\u003d\"stone carvings on Ram temple\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348747797904768402\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We walked past lodges and went through houses to find an isolated and peaceful spot. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqSBjmDIoI/AAAAAAAAEzs/B-OqRN3k-is/s1600-h/guest_houses_vashisht.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 322px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqSBjmDIoI/AAAAAAAAEzs/B-OqRN3k-is/s400/guest_houses_vashisht.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"guest houses vashist\" title\u003d\"guest houses in vashisht\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348748062888239746\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThere were so many pretty flowers on the way, am sure if you have read our previous travel articles you would know that we are fond of floral delights. A bumble bee feeding on nectar from the flowers. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqTS0rpJII/AAAAAAAAE00/lhaqnTKQQIs/s1600-h/pretty_flowers_and_bumble_b.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 368px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqTS0rpJII/AAAAAAAAE00/lhaqnTKQQIs/s400/pretty_flowers_and_bumble_b.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"bumble bee feeding on nectar\" title\u003d\"bumble bee removing nectar\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348749459044508802\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We reached high enough not to spot any houses and that's when we soaked in the beauty around us. Dark clouds began to gather above the mountains and it was soon followed by a shower. We ran for cover, because if we get wet the cold would be unbearable. I didn't even carry my jacket, so we took shelter under a rock, a natural protection from the mountain rain. It was big enough to accommodate all 4 of us, comfortably. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqTuc9P_tI/AAAAAAAAE1s/o7Odt3PpJUM/s1600-h/under_the_rock.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqTuc9P_tI/AAAAAAAAE1s/o7Odt3PpJUM/s400/under_the_rock.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"shelter from rain\" title\u003d\"shelter from rain\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348749933712244434\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e It was already 4 pm, so we started our descent and caught a rickshaw straight to Old Manali. We thought of skipping lunch and going for dinner to our favorite restaurant Green Valley View,  for an Olive Pizza. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eStroll Through the Wheat Fields, Apple Orchards and More\u003c/span\u003e   \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt was a late start to the day, almost noon when we woke up. A lovely day in the offing, the sun and clouds were playing hide and seek in the skies. Before enjoying the weather, it was time to fill my growling stomach. Besides, in such beautiful weather you just feel like eating all the time. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe guest house we stayed at served delicious food from the next door Simpy restaurant. The food was reasonably priced and well-presented as evident from the picture below. Going from left to right - Fruit Salad with Curd, Potato Egg Salad, Paneer Mutter, Dal Makhani, Chapatties, Mango, Banana and Chocolate Shake. My mouth is watering profusely as I write.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqSbYGm1zI/AAAAAAAAE0E/E-Rwv8X4M_M/s1600-h/indian_food_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 234px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqSbYGm1zI/AAAAAAAAE0E/E-Rwv8X4M_M/s400/indian_food_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"indian food in manali guest house\" title\u003d\"indian food in manali guest house\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348748506480170802\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Simpy restaurant serve moutn-watering food, so if you visit Old Manali and want to affordable food, then Simpy and Green Valley View are the places to eat.:)   \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe story of Manali is similar to Vashisht, rather worse, as I have spoken about it in my \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/06/dancing-in-mountains-of-old-manali.html\"\u003eearlier post.\u003c/a\u003e But today we explored a different side of Old Manali, which was always the real side. A short walk from our guest house took us to vast expanse of wheat fields, vegetable farms and apple orchards. There are just handful of guest houses, but on walking further inside, there is nothing but fields. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqT8p3ZgyI/AAAAAAAAE2U/Kc9iMG9CSr4/s1600-h/wheat_fields_himachal_prade.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqT8p3ZgyI/AAAAAAAAE2U/Kc9iMG9CSr4/s400/wheat_fields_himachal_prade.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"wheat fields in himachal pradesh\" title\u003d\"wheat fields in himachal pradesh\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348750177695531810\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e You are totally cut off from the developed side of Manali, with no one but farmers doing their work. Fields of Green peas were spread far and wide, that was the first time I saw the plant and I love Green peas :). We plucked some of them and started to eat, so sweet and juicy, you can eat them raw. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqSBTeFIeI/AAAAAAAAEzk/en2zHHbgA8o/s1600-h/green_peas_fields_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 306px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqSBTeFIeI/AAAAAAAAEzk/en2zHHbgA8o/s400/green_peas_fields_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"green peas fields in manali\" title\u003d\"green peas fields in manali\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348748058559848930\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e I was overjoyed with the feeling of being one with nature, with all her beauty as far as I could see.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqRyWqFzkI/AAAAAAAAEzE/AI-jOSO1KFI/s1600-h/bhavika_in_manali_fields.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqRyWqFzkI/AAAAAAAAEzE/AI-jOSO1KFI/s400/bhavika_in_manali_fields.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Bhavika in Manali fields\" title\u003d\"Bhavika in Manali fields\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348747801717493314\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e On the periphery of these fields marijuana grows in the wild, it grows everywhere, outside the temple or school, its perhaps what draws some of the local and mostly foriegn tourists to Manali.     \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqSbihPy9I/AAAAAAAAE0M/8qTXS_hX-c8/s1600-h/marijuana_and_green_peas_fi.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqSbihPy9I/AAAAAAAAE0M/8qTXS_hX-c8/s400/marijuana_and_green_peas_fi.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"marijuana growing in the wild in Manali\" title\u003d\"marijuana growing in the wild in Manali\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348748509276261330\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e There are small narrow paths between fields, so its easy to walk through them, you can find a spot to relax in the afternoon under an apple tree. What a life would this be, if you are harrowed or sad come to the fields or the apple orchards and absorb the positive energy around you. It felt so good walking through the green patch. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqRyFyME9I/AAAAAAAAEy0/f9jlsvjgHGo/s1600-h/apple_orchards_old_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqRyFyME9I/AAAAAAAAEy0/f9jlsvjgHGo/s400/apple_orchards_old_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"apple orchards old manali\" title\u003d\"apple orchards old manali\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348747797188056018\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eThere were couple of houses on the way, and this cute boy had just woken up from his sleep, you can see the dazed look on his face.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqT8QYG05I/AAAAAAAAE2M/ZHGo59BG3no/s1600-h/waking_up_from_sleep.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 359px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqT8QYG05I/AAAAAAAAE2M/ZHGo59BG3no/s400/waking_up_from_sleep.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"litle boy waking up from sleep\" title\u003d\"litle boy waking up from sleep\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348750170853397394\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e While this little girl came chasing me asking for money, then I gave her a Rs 10 note and clicked this photo. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqTfW5u1bI/AAAAAAAAE1U/qif2C7SZLGI/s1600-h/small_girl_in_old_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqTfW5u1bI/AAAAAAAAE1U/qif2C7SZLGI/s400/small_girl_in_old_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"local Manali girl\" title\u003d\"local Manali girl\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348749674388837810\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We reached a spot where the view was fabulous, we had a view of the entire place with the mountain range at the end.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003eFlying high in the blue skies, \u003cbr /\u003eover the forests and snow-capped mountains, \u003cbr /\u003ethat's where my heart lies! ~ Bhavika Jhaveri\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI am  not too good at rhyming words, but at that moment I wished I could fly!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqSb0KgjiI/AAAAAAAAE0U/KY9WrVFvJHw/s1600-h/mountains_and_snow_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 209px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqSb0KgjiI/AAAAAAAAE0U/KY9WrVFvJHw/s400/mountains_and_snow_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"snow capped mountains and pine trees in manali\" title\u003d\"snow capped mountains and pine trees in manali\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348748514012728866\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e This cute dog sure was lucky to be staying here. Many houses in Himachal had a dog to protect the house and their fields, but robbery is not at all rampant here, so I guess they just love dogs.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqSBUWqpSI/AAAAAAAAEzc/al1GakB2XYU/s1600-h/cute_dog.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 323px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqSBUWqpSI/AAAAAAAAEzc/al1GakB2XYU/s400/cute_dog.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"cute dog\" title\u003d\"cute dog\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348748058797188386\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The path was running parallel to the Club House road, so we looked down on the road and said how lucky we were to find this route instead of walking among annoying cars. In the distance a hot air balloon is getting ready to take off!  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqSbLF2CLI/AAAAAAAAEz0/ZI49Bwfpn-c/s1600-h/hot_air_balloon_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqSbLF2CLI/AAAAAAAAEz0/ZI49Bwfpn-c/s400/hot_air_balloon_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"hot air balloon in manali\" title\u003d\"hot air balloon in manali\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348748502987311282\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We walked on the path parallel to the road and then reached the other side of Beas river facing Vashisht, wandering in the mountains, didn't know where the path was leading, it was great fun! \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqTuJ34zWI/AAAAAAAAE1k/J8Y3ceNwSfA/s1600-h/snow_covered_mountains_fiel.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 220px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqTuJ34zWI/AAAAAAAAE1k/J8Y3ceNwSfA/s400/snow_covered_mountains_fiel.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"snow covered mountains of himachal\" title\u003d\"snow covered mountains of himachal\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348749928589479266\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The view kept getting better with every step we took. We waited for some time enjoying the scenery. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqTfSyHLZI/AAAAAAAAE1M/JjUnmS8rUu8/s1600-h/rohtang_pass_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 198px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqTfSyHLZI/AAAAAAAAE1M/JjUnmS8rUu8/s400/rohtang_pass_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"rohtang pass manali\" title\u003d\"rohtang pass manali\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348749673283136914\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The sun was setting and it was time to reach the guest house before dark. We slowly started the walk back, looking at the mountains and the reflection of the sun rays on the snow-capped peaks. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqTt2Qsv4I/AAAAAAAAE1c/nLfi7TjFZXc/s1600-h/snow_capped_mountains_himac.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 187px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqTt2Qsv4I/AAAAAAAAE1c/nLfi7TjFZXc/s400/snow_capped_mountains_himac.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"sun rays reflecting on the mountains\" title\u003d\"sun rays reflecting on the mountains\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348749923324837762\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We got back on the path to walk through the golden wheat fields, which were gleaming under the setting sun. We lost our way as well for a while, but were right back in no time. On reaching the guest house we ordered for some simple Indian food from Simpy's, played UNO, a favorite past time on this trip and went off to sleep. The next day the plan was to catch a bus to \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/06/serene-mountains-of-parvati-valley.html\"\u003eKasol in Parvati valley\u003c/a\u003e. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eLast Day in Manali\u003c/span\u003e  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe had to postpone our plan to Kasol by a day since one of our friends was unwell and unable to travel. One more day to roam around in the fields of Manali for us.:) While he rested we thought of going to Naggar, a small town around 15 kms away from Manali, but the cost of a rickshaw ride was working out to be too expensive for 3 people. So we cancelled the plan and started to walk towards Old Manali village.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe see this really funny sight of group of Indians clicking photographs with a foreigner, I think she either owned one of the souvenir shops or was a tourist. Each one would go up to her, give her a hug and pose for a picture, it was hilarious. Some of them also started to clap while the photo was being taken. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqSBL2M9FI/AAAAAAAAEzU/WjFjh9P75Kw/s1600-h/crazy_people.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 302px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqSBL2M9FI/AAAAAAAAEzU/WjFjh9P75Kw/s400/crazy_people.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"crazy people\" title\u003d\"crazy people\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348748056513541202\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eA brown bird hopping close to the bridge that separates New and Old Manali.       \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqRyhzuLfI/AAAAAAAAEzM/srwoqF8W3lo/s1600-h/brown_bird_in_himachal.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 274px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqRyhzuLfI/AAAAAAAAEzM/srwoqF8W3lo/s400/brown_bird_in_himachal.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"brown bird\" title\u003d\"brown bird\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348747804710678002\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e With nothing to do we went to German bakery, bought bread rolls and Yak cheese, went straight to the fields and made ourselves sandwiches. It was different in taste, less salty and went perfectly well with bread and butter. You have to try it the next time you come to Himachal.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqUKKv4o3I/AAAAAAAAE2s/5p5VelEttmw/s1600-h/yak_cheese_and_bread.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 391px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjqUKKv4o3I/AAAAAAAAE2s/5p5VelEttmw/s400/yak_cheese_and_bread.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"yak cheese and bread rolls\" title\u003d\"yak cheese and bread rolls\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348750409860686706\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The last day in Manali was just spent lazing around, doing some shopping and chilling in the room. We had spent way too much time in Old Manali, Prakash at the guest house was sad that we were leaving. We on the other hand were extremly happy to be making some progress with our travel plans.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-9122726699543352845?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/9122726699543352845/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/06/vashishts-hot-springs-and-manalis.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/9122726699543352845"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/9122726699543352845"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/06/vashishts-hot-springs-and-manalis.html","title":"Vashisht Hot Springs \u0026 Manali's Wheat Fields"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Bhavika"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04875107049846989706"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12044440207294747186"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SkMXhxqtNdI/AAAAAAAAE28/ndg5qqQ6B0I/s72-c/procession_in_manali.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-8773326919333216417"},"published":{"$t":"2009-06-16T15:09:00.040+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-06-26T11:53:23.057+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Hadimba Temple"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Manu Rishi Temple"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Himachal Pradesh"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Travel"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Manali"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Dancing in the Mountains of Old Manali"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Our travel plans are generally made at the end moment as we decided to explore Himachal Pradesh, the place blessed with the most varied landscape. With no fixed itinerary or any hotel booking, we took off on a journey to get close to the Himalayas.       \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOur first stop was in Manali (we will take you through each place we visited in several parts).  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eJourney from Mumbai to Delhi\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdoyfS2p-I/AAAAAAAAEuQ/VwvEt8YArp4/s1600-h/mumbai_central_station.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdoyfS2p-I/AAAAAAAAEuQ/VwvEt8YArp4/s320/mumbai_central_station.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"mumbai central station to board outstation trains\" title\u003d\"mumbai central station to board outstation trains\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347858299129079778\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWe were fortunate enough to get train tickets in spite of booking just 4 days before traveling. I clearly remember the countless number of times we refreshed the Indian Railways reservation web page to check if we were on the confirmed list :)    \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe managed to get RAC tickets (Reservation against cancellation) on Golden Temple Mail where one sleeper had to be shared by two people, and the agent charged us Rs 900 for that, which was too much for no proper reserved tickets. But that was barely an issue as the excitement started to build up.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe crowded Mumbai Central station, so many people sleep on the platforms waiting for to get tickets or to board the train. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003eThe train getting loaded with goods before the train departs at 9.30 pm. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdqqZqSLNI/AAAAAAAAEvw/BvO7Bipk708/s1600-h/golden_temple_mail_mumbai_central.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 321px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdqqZqSLNI/AAAAAAAAEvw/BvO7Bipk708/s400/golden_temple_mail_mumbai_central.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"golden temple mail to amritsar from mumbai central\" title\u003d\"golden temple mail to amritsar from mumbai central\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347860359201041618\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e More passengers started trickling in from various stations, and if you have traveled by Indian railways before you would know how crowded and chaotic it can get. The pantry guys are regularly walking up and down the aisle selling food and refreshments, shouting chai every time they walked by.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe journey got really tiring in the afternoon due to the scorching sun and hot breeze coming by, especially when we passed Rajasthan. The picture below shows a small girl begging on the tracks in Rajasthan. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdqqTZ_agI/AAAAAAAAEvo/LUHb5kdCT3M/s1600-h/girl_begging_on_railway_track.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdqqTZ_agI/AAAAAAAAEvo/LUHb5kdCT3M/s400/girl_begging_on_railway_track.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"girl begging on railway track\" title\u003d\"girl begging on railway track\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347860357522090498\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We were waiting to reach Delhi now, we were quite drained out. The train arrived at Nizamuddin station around 7.30 pm, and soon we were on our way to a friend's place in Gurgaon to spend the night. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eIdyllic Locales and the Traditional Dance of Manali\u003c/span\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eA night's rest was enough to get the excitement levels up again. We didn't waste any time in Delhi, and boarded the bus to Manali late afternoon from Connaught Place. We got the tickets for Rs 550 from a friend who works for a travel agency in Manali. He also sorted our accommodation in Old Manali for Rs 300 a night.:) \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe bus started at 4.30 pm and made several stops before it actually hit the highway. It always takes time to get out of the city also due to heavy traffic. But it was a decent ride, that takes around 16 to 17 hours to reach Manali bus depot. It was a chilly morning, the sun rises early in summers, so by 6am its quite bright.      \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe were in the mountains, the fresh air, pure water, green pastures, apple orchards, and more, I was feeling relaxed already! Everything around us transformed into beautiful gifts from above. Even the fat and furry monkeys on the windy roads to Manali looked so cute. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sjdsp20nmfI/AAAAAAAAExw/gtj4QE9GyyA/s1600-h/purple_flower.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sjdsp20nmfI/AAAAAAAAExw/gtj4QE9GyyA/s400/purple_flower.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"purple flower\" title\u003d\"purple flower\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347862548872403442\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e On reaching the depot we took a rickshaw up to Old Manali, which is much more chilled out and has many affordable guest houses as compared to New Manali. Since the road to Old Manali is uphill, the rickshaw charged us Rs 70 to drop us till the guest house. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe Guest House is run by Prakash, a friendly guy who always wears a smile on his face. The room was spacious with hot water facility, that's a must because no way you want to bathe in ice cool water. It was time to have a cup of hot tea and catch up on sleep before we venture out.          \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLater on we headed to Manu Rishi Temple which was a short walk away from the guest house. Prakash told us that the village was having its annual fair where the locals dance, smoke and get drunk. On the way we witnessed the ethnic side of Manali, the old wooden houses partially made on stilts and small doors with designs drawn around it, that sure made a pretty picture.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdrUdJkV0I/AAAAAAAAEwI/f4J_0NdP-YI/s1600-h/house_structure_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 271px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdrUdJkV0I/AAAAAAAAEwI/f4J_0NdP-YI/s400/house_structure_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"wooden houses in Manali\" title\u003d\"wooden houses in Manali\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347861081692067650\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdqqNepqGI/AAAAAAAAEvg/cPo_X_zq6lw/s1600-h/decorative_door_house_in_old_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdqqNepqGI/AAAAAAAAEvg/cPo_X_zq6lw/s400/decorative_door_house_in_old_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"decorated door in old manali village\" title\u003d\"decorated door in old manali village\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347860355931023458\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The pagoda-styled Manu Rishi Temple dedicated to sage Manu, the local deity. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sjdr4KBe3bI/AAAAAAAAEw4/234VlRia5z0/s1600-h/manurishi_temple_old_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 284px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sjdr4KBe3bI/AAAAAAAAEw4/234VlRia5z0/s400/manurishi_temple_old_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"manurishi temple old manali\" title\u003d\"manurishi temple old manali\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347861695033171378\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Everyone had gathered close to the temple - locals and tourists - to watch the colorful and rhythmic dance performance called 'Naati' accompanied by traditional musical instruments. In Himachal the tribes and local communities love to dance, it forms an integral part of their vibrant culture. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDancers, traditionally only men, join their hands and move in steps to varying rhythms. They were dressed in tunics, churidaars, stoles and decorated head gear, and in the centre were people playing drums, shehnai or Indian Oboe and many more instruments. Even tourists were encouraged to join in the fun! \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdrUOT67VI/AAAAAAAAEwA/YwiEKshCKyE/s1600-h/himachal_folk_dance.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdrUOT67VI/AAAAAAAAEwA/YwiEKshCKyE/s400/himachal_folk_dance.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"naati himachal folk dance\" title\u003d\"naati himachal folk dance\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347861077708959058\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sjdr3_y264I/AAAAAAAAEwo/caaBmy-6JG0/s1600-h/manali_local_dance.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sjdr3_y264I/AAAAAAAAEwo/caaBmy-6JG0/s400/manali_local_dance.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"manali local dance\" title\u003d\"manali local dance\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347861692287478658\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Some of the locals, who were quite drunk, were swaying to the beats and few of them were dancing with swords. You can watch the video below to see the local tribes performing Naati.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cobject width\u003d\"585\" height\u003d\"425\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/v/G2ea8-5lhZQ\u0026hl\u003den\u0026fs\u003d1\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowFullScreen\" value\u003d\"true\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowscriptaccess\" value\u003d\"always\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/v/G2ea8-5lhZQ\u0026hl\u003den\u0026fs\u003d1\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess\u003d\"always\" allowfullscreen\u003d\"true\" width\u003d\"585\" height\u003d\"425\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI don't know what this instrument is called but it sure made a powerful sound and is used on many occasions in Himachal.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjduaBD9ZvI/AAAAAAAAEyI/E3twhGE4yZM/s1600-h/local_ritual_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 295px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjduaBD9ZvI/AAAAAAAAEyI/E3twhGE4yZM/s400/local_ritual_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"naati himachal traditional dance\" title\u003d\"naati himachal traditional dance\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347864475766449906\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  Clyde posing with the locals along side the idols of local deities. They love to be clicked! \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sjdr3kYbr0I/AAAAAAAAEwg/u8cR3HbLOFI/s1600-h/manali_goddess.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 347px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sjdr3kYbr0I/AAAAAAAAEwg/u8cR3HbLOFI/s400/manali_goddess.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"clyde posing with villagers during manali fair\" title\u003d\"clyde posing with villagers during manali fair\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347861684928884546\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e There were couple of food stalls selling Momos, Chowmein, and Indian sweets; momos are widely available in Himachal, because of the Tibetan influence. We had plate of those delectable momos and proceeded to see the temple. The temple had detailed woodwork on its entrance and interiors, even the temple roof was made from wood. This is the idol of Manu Rishi. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sjdr4EMMRlI/AAAAAAAAEww/4GI8YBsclWw/s1600-h/manu_rishi_temple.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sjdr4EMMRlI/AAAAAAAAEww/4GI8YBsclWw/s400/manu_rishi_temple.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"manurishi temple old manali\" title\u003d\"manurishi temple old manali\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347861693467477586\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e There were idols of different deities including Hanuman, Ganesha, Shiva, Krishna and many more. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdsqLXwqcI/AAAAAAAAEx4/7duFv33h020/s1600-h/shiva_idol_manurishi_temple.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 291px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdsqLXwqcI/AAAAAAAAEx4/7duFv33h020/s400/shiva_idol_manurishi_temple.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"shiva idol in manurishi temple\" title\u003d\"shiva idol in manurishi temple\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347862554388507074\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdqqmCY3rI/AAAAAAAAEv4/Cs8I8whgMNI/s1600-h/hanuman_idol_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdqqmCY3rI/AAAAAAAAEv4/Cs8I8whgMNI/s400/hanuman_idol_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"hanuman idol in old manali\" title\u003d\"hanuman idol in old manali\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347860362523369138\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e After all the action it was time to eat dinner, we went to Moon Dance cafe in Old Manali, where the food was not good. We ordered for Salsa with chips and comes is French Fries with some red sauce. That was the first and last time we ate at Moon Dance.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eThe Israeli Factor\u003c/span\u003e   \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter spending a whole day in Old Manali, we realised that the place is dominated by cliquey Israelis, that's the reason why they are well-catered as compared to Indian tourists. There were many instances where we felt like strangers in our own country. Every restaurant serves Israeli food, there are shops with things written in  Hebrew, its a haven for Israelis, who in order to escape the gruesome reality in Israel travel in large numbers to various parts of India. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eEveryone is welcome in this country, but the attitude you carry in a different country makes a lot of difference. We saw few of them carrying air-guns and shooting at a bottle in a guest house opposite to ours. Its a scary scenario when you see the big picture. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eAway from the Chaos\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMoving on the next day we rose early to go for a 3 kms trek to Goshal village, that's beyond Manu Rishi temple. The streets were empty with only handful of locals doing their morning chores. Look what we bumped into, the long-haired bovine - wild yak - being washed by his owner. So Clyde and myself decided to pose next to it, the story is that the owner insisted that Clyde held his horns but the yak refused by shaking his head violently. But somehow Clyde managed to say cheese before being kicked. The nervous look on my face says it all! :) \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdvUogjnNI/AAAAAAAAEyg/cNBE0teKH3k/s1600-h/clyde_holding_yak_horn.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 348px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdvUogjnNI/AAAAAAAAEyg/cNBE0teKH3k/s400/clyde_holding_yak_horn.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"clyde holding yaks horn\" title\u003d\"clyde holding yaks horn\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347865482787790034\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We heaved a sigh of relief after the picture was clicked. Imagine nibbling on freshly plucked cherries early morning, then we met this cherry vendor who had just gathered bunch of cherries from the trees. We paid him Rs 20 and he willingly gave us decent amount of cherries. They were delicious! \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdqE2PaZkI/AAAAAAAAEvQ/W78h_mkzzqY/s1600-h/cherry_vendor_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 373px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdqE2PaZkI/AAAAAAAAEvQ/W78h_mkzzqY/s400/cherry_vendor_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"cherry vendor in old manali\" title\u003d\"cherry vendor in old manali\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347859714037933634\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e We walked towards Manurishi temple, after which you will see a signboard pointing towards Goshal village. It was simple straight route through the picturesque Deodar forest and the majestic pine trees. The trek is alongside River Beas that gushes along its rocky course, it was lovely, away from the hustle and bustle of Old Manali, which is cluttered with guest houses, restaurants, travel agencies, money changers, Internet cafes, souvenir shops, etc.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdsU9027kI/AAAAAAAAExA/X715hHrbccE/s1600-h/mountain_view_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 230px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdsU9027kI/AAAAAAAAExA/X715hHrbccE/s400/mountain_view_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"old manali mountain view\" title\u003d\"old manali mountain view\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347862189975203394\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Manali was full of big size, beautiful roses, I had never seen roses of such enormous sizes before, and they had such sweet fragrance too. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdqEupPKAI/AAAAAAAAEvA/AkcdFvYlj1U/s1600-h/big_red_roses_in_himachal.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdqEupPKAI/AAAAAAAAEvA/AkcdFvYlj1U/s400/big_red_roses_in_himachal.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"big red roses in himachal\" title\u003d\"big red roses in himachal\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347859711998765058\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The majestic pine trees providing some shade to passer-bys. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdsVfCVIGI/AAAAAAAAExY/fSYpAuLtytk/s1600-h/pine_trees.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdsVfCVIGI/AAAAAAAAExY/fSYpAuLtytk/s400/pine_trees.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"pine trees in manali\" title\u003d\"pine trees in old manali\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347862198890078306\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Fractals are found in abundance in nature. The pine cone is a perfect example of that, we came across whole lot of them dried and scattered on the path.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdsVS5Dm-I/AAAAAAAAExQ/zoCWqXkMCuE/s1600-h/pine_tree_cones_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 307px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdsVS5Dm-I/AAAAAAAAExQ/zoCWqXkMCuE/s400/pine_tree_cones_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"pine tree cones\" title\u003d\"pine tree cones\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347862195629956066\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The pretty pink and blue  flowers caught through the cameras macro mode. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdsptuHvqI/AAAAAAAAExg/-xhv9nD5FS8/s1600-h/pink_flowers_manali_forest.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdsptuHvqI/AAAAAAAAExg/-xhv9nD5FS8/s400/pink_flowers_manali_forest.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"pink flowers in manali forest\" title\u003d\"pink flowers in manali forest\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347862546429230754\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdqEqWnk-I/AAAAAAAAEvI/tRJ4j_xyfYg/s1600-h/blue_flowers.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdqEqWnk-I/AAAAAAAAEvI/tRJ4j_xyfYg/s400/blue_flowers.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"blue flowers\" title\u003d\"blue flowers\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347859710846931938\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The elusive lizard totally camouflaged against the rock. I took several shots before finally getting a clear image.   \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdrUoeo0fI/AAAAAAAAEwQ/hEiRVFSp5Sg/s1600-h/huge_lizard_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 321px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdrUoeo0fI/AAAAAAAAEwQ/hEiRVFSp5Sg/s400/huge_lizard_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"huge lizard camouflages against the rock\" title\u003d\"huge lizard camouflages against the rock\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347861084733231602\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e There were mountain sheep grazing in the forest and horses strolling, the rural side is definitely much more happening than the concrete Manali. Caught in the spider's web, aren't we all caught in a web?   \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjduaYFAIXI/AAAAAAAAEyQ/miA67dtOmsk/s1600-h/spiders_web.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjduaYFAIXI/AAAAAAAAEyQ/miA67dtOmsk/s400/spiders_web.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"spiders_web\" title\u003d\"spiders_web\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347864481944838514\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e After walking for 1 1/2 kms we could see Goshal village at the end of the mountain, and one villager passing by told us that its just another village. Since one of our friend was joining us, we had to return to the guest house. This was the view from that spot, you can see Rohtang Pass in the background towards the right. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sjduaqf5hXI/AAAAAAAAEyY/xyOB9gkXp1k/s1600-h/valley_in_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 282px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sjduaqf5hXI/AAAAAAAAEyY/xyOB9gkXp1k/s400/valley_in_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"valley and beas river in old manali\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347864486889489778\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e From Goshal one can also trek further to Solang Valley, that offers view of glaciers and snow-capped peaks. I only got to know this while writing the post, otherwise we could have trekked up to Solang. Alas...\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe only food that are stomachs had were the fresh cherries, after the long walk we had to get some breakfast. This time we stopped at Shiva cafe, that was another expensive place, breakfast for 4 costed nearly Rs 500, that was way too much! Cafes in Manali are expensive and they mostly have the same touristy menu as well.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdsVGDmlTI/AAAAAAAAExI/DYrpbd0V94w/s1600-h/muesli_curd_honey_in_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdsVGDmlTI/AAAAAAAAExI/DYrpbd0V94w/s400/muesli_curd_honey_in_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"muesli with curd and honey at Shiva cafe in old manali\" title\u003d\"muesli with curd and honey at Shiva cafe in old manali\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347862192184530226\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The afternoon was leisurely spent in the guest house and we ventured out in the evening to Hadimba Temple in New Manali, around 1-2 kms away. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBy the time we reached there it was already dark, so we couldn't get a full shot of this beautiful temple. I was quite impressed with the architecture, it had a four-tiered pagoda shaped roof with intricately carved woodwork of mythological figures at the entrance. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdpV5xyZrI/AAAAAAAAEuw/S6qTFkUJMlM/s1600-h/intricate_carvings_hadimba_temple.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdpV5xyZrI/AAAAAAAAEuw/S6qTFkUJMlM/s400/intricate_carvings_hadimba_temple.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"intricate carvings at hadimba temple manali\" title\u003d\"intricate carvings at hadimba temple manali\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347858907533567666\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Built in 1533, the temple is dedicated to Hadimba, wife of Bhim, one of the Pandava brothers. Its believed that she meditated here, so the temple was constructed in her honour. Photography is prohibited inside the temple, there is no idol only footprints of Hadimba on a stone. Huge footprints too, make you want to believe that mythological figures were huge in size!   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdpVWFMASI/AAAAAAAAEuY/4T9eD7JPpCY/s1600-h/hadimba_temple_new_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdpVWFMASI/AAAAAAAAEuY/4T9eD7JPpCY/s400/hadimba_temple_new_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"hadimba temple new manali\" title\u003d\"hadimba temple new manali\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347858897951260962\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The temple is built in middle of the Dhungri forest, but there are cemented steps leading to the temple. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdpVfi978I/AAAAAAAAEug/W80jHCeo5ok/s1600-h/carvings_on_hadimba_temple_.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdpVfi978I/AAAAAAAAEug/W80jHCeo5ok/s400/carvings_on_hadimba_temple_.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"wood carvings on hadimba temple\" title\u003d\"wood carvings on hadimba temple\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347858900492087234\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Outside the temple there was a woman who dresses up tourists in ethnic outfit of Himachal. She insisted to put on the outfit for me, \"Gudiya, main Rs 10 main tayar karongi tujhe\" (doll, I will dress you up in this outfit for Rs 10). Since she was so sweet, I agreed to be dressed like a Himachal woman.:)  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdpVsp57mI/AAAAAAAAEuo/JblT_WCVa4U/s1600-h/bhavika_in_manali_outfit.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 291px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdpVsp57mI/AAAAAAAAEuo/JblT_WCVa4U/s400/bhavika_in_manali_outfit.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"bhavika in a manali traditional outfit\" title\u003d\"bhavika in manali traditional outfit\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347858904010845794\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e I was made to wear this traditional outfit at least 3 times on the trip.:) From there we moved on to a riverside cafe, just across the bridge in Old Manali called Green Valley View. That was the best place we've eaten at in Manali, good view, tasty food and more importantly affordable! It was freezing outside but we were getting use to the cold. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe ordered for one Olive Pizza that was oozing with cheese that set us back Rs 80, we bought a bottle of Apple wine for Rs 200 that went very well with the food and the ambiance. Pizza was followed by Chicken and Veg Sizzler and cheesecake to complete the meal. Although cheesecake we bought from the German bakery, there are plenty of them around in Manali.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdptZfjFWI/AAAAAAAAEu4/cSOaMBCl8BA/s1600-h/pizza_at_green_valley_view_manali.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 316px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdptZfjFWI/AAAAAAAAEu4/cSOaMBCl8BA/s400/pizza_at_green_valley_view_manali.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"pizza at green valley view in manali\" title\u003d\"pizza at green valley view in manali\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347859311183992162\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Next day we go to the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/06/vashishts-hot-springs-and-manalis.html\"\u003ehot water springs in Vashisht, wheat fields in Manali\u003c/a\u003e and much more... \u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-8773326919333216417?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/8773326919333216417/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/06/dancing-in-mountains-of-old-manali.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/8773326919333216417"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/8773326919333216417"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/06/dancing-in-mountains-of-old-manali.html","title":"Dancing in the Mountains of Old Manali"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Bhavika"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04875107049846989706"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12044440207294747186"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjdoyfS2p-I/AAAAAAAAEuQ/VwvEt8YArp4/s72-c/mumbai_central_station.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-4026118377773718039"},"published":{"$t":"2009-05-14T10:50:00.017+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-06-15T22:23:12.445+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Himachal Pradesh"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Travel"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Back from a Holiday to Himachal Pradesh!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello readers,\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe are back in Mumbai after traveling in Himachal Pradesh for nearly a month and what a wonderful surprise was in store for us. Fractal Enlightenment has moved up to Page Rank 5, thanks to everyone who likes to read this blog, it wouldn't have been possible without your support!   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjZPzjThM3I/AAAAAAAAEt4/zp8dXIYL9PE/s1600-h/parvati_valley_himachal.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjZPzjThM3I/AAAAAAAAEt4/zp8dXIYL9PE/s320/parvati_valley_himachal.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Parvati river flowing in Kasol in Himachal\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347549354618073970\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSpeaking about the trip, there are lots of pictures (more than 5 GB) coming your way of the snow-covered mountains, fresh air, local customs, scenic landscape, monasteries, our trekking expedition:) local tribes, and much more. We had an adventure-filled trip and we were lucky as well in some cases. (you will find more about that soon) Here is a glimpse of the few places we visited!\u003cbr /\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjZRJoMMdMI/AAAAAAAAEuI/ju-4M0VRbTM/s1600-h/view_from_manali_himachal.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjZRJoMMdMI/AAAAAAAAEuI/ju-4M0VRbTM/s400/view_from_manali_himachal.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"view from Manali in Himachal\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347550833398281410\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjZQ5gv7SvI/AAAAAAAAEuA/2yh1_dBsFH4/s1600-h/flower_in_parvati_valley.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjZQ5gv7SvI/AAAAAAAAEuA/2yh1_dBsFH4/s400/flower_in_parvati_valley.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"yellow flower in parvati valley\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347550556522760946\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjZPRyqJpSI/AAAAAAAAEtw/rOlukFM7f3Y/s1600-h/woman_making_woolen_shawl.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjZPRyqJpSI/AAAAAAAAEtw/rOlukFM7f3Y/s400/woman_making_woolen_shawl.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"local woman making woolen shawl\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347548774623978786\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The route we took was crazy from Delhi to Manali, then to couple of places in Parvati valley, from there we took a long route to Spiti, trekked through Kunzum Pass and reached Manali again, and from there we moved on to Dharamshala-McLeodGanj and back to Delhi from there.   \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThere are lots of updates coming up, we just got back this morning so are sorting out pictures first! Stay connected :) \u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-4026118377773718039?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/4026118377773718039/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/05/back-from-holiday-in-himachal-pradesh.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/4026118377773718039"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/4026118377773718039"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/05/back-from-holiday-in-himachal-pradesh.html","title":"Back from a Holiday to Himachal Pradesh!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Bhavika"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04875107049846989706"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12044440207294747186"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SjZPzjThM3I/AAAAAAAAEt4/zp8dXIYL9PE/s72-c/parvati_valley_himachal.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-5954812557908638611"},"published":{"$t":"2009-05-05T12:30:00.012+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-06-15T23:23:00.118+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Kashmir"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Widows"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Human Rights"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Issues"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Kashmir, where are you Now? : Part 2"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Sgq6JCnc1-I/AAAAAAAAMSE/mrKG9JISYMg/s1600-h/half_widows_with_missing_husbands.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 203px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Sgq6JCnc1-I/AAAAAAAAMSE/mrKG9JISYMg/s320/half_widows_with_missing_husbands.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Half widows with pictures of missing husbands\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335281373057701858\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eIn the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/05/kashmir-where-are-you-now-part-1.html\"\u003efirst part of Kashmir where are you now?\u003c/a\u003e we took a look at the trauma that the woman in Indian occupied Kashmir go through with rape cases. In this post we shall take a look at Half widows, what are half widows and their suffering.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMany people mostly males and some of the rape victims end up disappearing, sometime huge graves are found where bodies have been buried to hide the evidence.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo what are half widows? When a woman's husband goes missing, the mostly never reappear. They are half widows, unable to remarry because their husbands are not dead, unable to have a right to the property, and sometimes with children they are ostracized by society.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHow does this happen, heres' a short documentary on how a husband is taken from his home by the Rashtriya Rifles a regiment started specifically for Kashmir, in front of his wife and children, never to return on the claims of being a militant. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003e\u003cobject width\u003d\"585\" height\u003d\"425\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/v/QBBkrVed-yQ\u0026hl\u003den\u0026fs\u003d1\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowFullScreen\" value\u003d\"true\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowscriptaccess\" value\u003d\"always\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/v/QBBkrVed-yQ\u0026hl\u003den\u0026fs\u003d1\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess\u003d\"always\" allowfullscreen\u003d\"true\" width\u003d\"585\" height\u003d\"425\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID\u003d130631\"\u003eHalf widows\u003c/a\u003e who marry generally have to face the wrath of not only their previous in laws but society as a whole. There are few NGOs who are working to help these woman not only by supporting them but also trying to find clues as to their disappearance.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Sgq7ES6jVWI/AAAAAAAAMSM/okK5FSkSSPA/s1600-h/missing_husband.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 199px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Sgq7ES6jVWI/AAAAAAAAMSM/okK5FSkSSPA/s320/missing_husband.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" title\u003d\"Amir Khan holds a picture of his missing father Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, as Begum Rafiqa sits behind, at their home in Srinagar in this September 23, 2007. Rafiqa, a mother of four, is one of Kashmir's hundreds of half-widows, women whose husbands disappeared after their arrest by Indian security forces. Many of these disappeared men are presumed kidnapped, tortured and killed. Since a separatist revolt broke out in 1989, up to 10,000 people have gone missing following their arrest by security forces according to the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons, an independent group in Kashmir\" alt\u003d\"Missing Husband\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335282391045068130\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eIf you watched the video above you would realize that the numbers are not small, there are over 20,000 woman who have been widowed in this manner, and still every month that count gets higher.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe future is bleak for the half widows of Kashmir, according to \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/3031/\"\u003ewomansenews.org\u003c/a\u003e, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eduring the last 15 years the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons, an organization of the relatives of the disappeared in Kashmir, claims that about 10,000 people have been subjected to enforced disappearances by state agencies, mostly taken by armed personnel. \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOf the disappeared, they say between 2,000 and 2,500 people were married, and almost all were males.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-5954812557908638611?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/5954812557908638611/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/05/kashmir-where-are-you-now-part-2.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/5954812557908638611"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/5954812557908638611"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/05/kashmir-where-are-you-now-part-2.html","title":"Kashmir, where are you Now? : Part 2"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Clyde"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/01669673801388370223"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"03853968794718094216"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Sgq6JCnc1-I/AAAAAAAAMSE/mrKG9JISYMg/s72-c/half_widows_with_missing_husbands.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-428376016540679375"},"published":{"$t":"2009-05-05T11:05:00.011+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-06-15T23:21:48.385+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Kashmir"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Human Rights"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Woman Liberation"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Issues"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Kashmir, where are you Now? : Part 1"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Sf_RvzjQLeI/AAAAAAAAMN0/XUlfTUsOMuU/s1600-h/appalled_kashmiri_woman.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 216px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Sf_RvzjQLeI/AAAAAAAAMN0/XUlfTUsOMuU/s320/appalled_kashmiri_woman.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Appalled_kashmiri_woman\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332211103052082658\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eKashmir, if there's heaven on it they said its Shangrila in Kashmir, I have been deviating from this topic for a long time. Every India for some reason perhaps its what we are born and brought up with this inborn hatred towards Pakistan and that Kashmir is ours.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe spend millions of our tax rupees to enforce law and order in Kashmir, as usual the main stream media does not cover issues that glorify the pain and suffering of the day to day Kashmiri. So after going through Kashmiri blogs, the picture of heaven on earth seems to be taking a change at least when it comes to the lifestyles of people over there.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI shall start off with Rape cases in Kashmir, a study done by Medecins Sans Frontieres in mid 2005 reveals that Kashmiri women are among the worst sufferers of sexual violence in the world. It further mentions that since the beginning of the armed struggle in Kashmir in 1989, 11.6% of the Kashmiri woman are sexual abused or molested.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Sf_SegNTBiI/AAAAAAAAMN8/rKvojBgIhLY/s1600-h/kashmiri_women_protesting.gif\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 304px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Sf_SegNTBiI/AAAAAAAAMN8/rKvojBgIhLY/s320/kashmiri_women_protesting.gif\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Kashmiri woman protesting\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332211905313572386\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eIn Kunan Poshpora, a small village in Kashmir, the soldiers of fourth Rajputana Rifles allegedly raped about 30 women on the night of February 23, 1991, during a search operation while men were taken away from their homes and interrogated. The ages of women raped ranged from 13 to 80 years. According to newspaper reports, on June 17,1994, troops of Rashtriya Rifles accompanied by two officers Major Ramesh and Major Rajkumar entered into village Hyhama and allegedly raped and molested seven women. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn another incident, troops raped a mentally ill old woman in her house in Barbarshah in Srinagar on January 5, 1991. Medical reports confirmed rape and locals lodged an FIR with the concerned police station, but the police did no investigation. She later died in 1998 while the FIR still awaits action from the state government. In another gruesome incident, an army Major in Badra, Handwara, raped Aisha, a 29-year-old woman and her 10-year-old daughter, Shabnum. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThese are few of the incidents that I have picked up from this article on \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.combatlaw.org/information.php?issue_id\u003d36\u0026article_id\u003d997\"\u003eWailing woes from Combat Law\u003c/a\u003e, the heading of the article states, women in Kashmir suffer rape, molestation, kin's disappearances, psychological trauma and torture, while the much-hyped slogan of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh proclaiming 'zero tolerance' towards human rights abuse stares him in the face! \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003eAccording to Dr Maiti, a professor of political science at Rurdwa University, West Bengal, explains, \"Rape continues to be a major instrument of Indian oppression against the Kashmiri people while the majority of victims are civilians. This concept stands fortified by a report of ICRC dated March 6, 2001, where it has been mentioned that women are raped in order to humiliate, frighten and defeat the enemy 'group' to which they belong. Rape in a war is not merely a matter of chance; it is rather a question of power and control, which is 'structured by male soldiers' notions of their masculine privilege, by the strength of the military line of command and by class and ethnic inequalities among women.\"\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOne of the reasons given by Radhika Coomaraswamy for sexual violence in armed conflict is that violence against women may be directed towards the social group of which she is a member because 'to rape a woman is to humiliate her community'. Complex and combined emotions of hatred, superiority, vengeance for real or imagined wrongs and national pride are engendered and deliberately manipulated in armed conflict.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe have also written about the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/01/ugly-side-of-indian-army.html\"\u003esexual molestation of woman by the Indian army\u003c/a\u003e. Here is the firs part of a documentary called Kashmir - The Truth.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cobject width\u003d\"585\" height\u003d\"425\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/v/vkOoVwVXYLE\u0026hl\u003den\u0026fs\u003d1\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowFullScreen\" value\u003d\"true\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowscriptaccess\" value\u003d\"always\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/v/vkOoVwVXYLE\u0026hl\u003den\u0026fs\u003d1\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess\u003d\"always\" allowfullscreen\u003d\"true\" width\u003d\"585\" height\u003d\"425\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eKashmir, where are you Now? : Part 2 will be published shortly.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-428376016540679375?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/428376016540679375/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/05/kashmir-where-are-you-now-part-1.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/428376016540679375"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/428376016540679375"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/05/kashmir-where-are-you-now-part-1.html","title":"Kashmir, where are you Now? : Part 1"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Clyde"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/01669673801388370223"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"03853968794718094216"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Sf_RvzjQLeI/AAAAAAAAMN0/XUlfTUsOMuU/s72-c/appalled_kashmiri_woman.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-2035123324092549300"},"published":{"$t":"2009-05-04T21:01:00.007+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-06-17T14:39:58.989+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Enlightening Video"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"The Calling"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Calling by Max Igan"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://thecrowhouse.com/home.html\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Sf8K56bXHTI/AAAAAAAAMNc/CaEONAHSB1g/s320/the_crow_house.gif\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331992473882795314\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Sometimes you come across a documentary that makes you question and quells your ideas of certain things. With the point of watching documentaries is to hopeful pass on information you can use, the calling may perhaps cross that barrier and begin to bring down walls placed in your head.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor me the most shaterring was the properties of Fluoride, a substance that is used in tooth paste, its also added in many water bodies around the world. But there are side effects to it, after doing a little research I came across this article on \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/fluoridation.htm\"\u003efluoridation\u003c/a\u003e. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003eIt pushes up infant mortality, it had adverse side effects on human health but its still used. As the calling puts it, fluoride is a kind of inhibitor, it makes it easier to control the masses and facilitates mind control.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIts a scary thought and thats just one of them in the calling by Max Igan. In March 2009 he was approached to create a combined and summarized version of  his previous documentaries \"The Big Picture\" \"Fight the NWO With Global Non Compliance\" and \"NWO The Final Solution.\" \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe calling was born from those three documentaries, its available for high resolution \u003ca href\u003d\"http://thecrowhouse.com/calling.html\"\u003edownload here\u003c/a\u003e or you can watch it on YouTube below.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cobject width\u003d\"585\" height\u003d\"425\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/v/BxjTA78LJ38\u0026color1\u003d0xb1b1b1\u0026color2\u003d0xcfcfcf\u0026hl\u003den\u0026feature\u003dplayer_embedded\u0026fs\u003d1\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowFullScreen\" value\u003d\"true\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/v/BxjTA78LJ38\u0026color1\u003d0xb1b1b1\u0026color2\u003d0xcfcfcf\u0026hl\u003den\u0026feature\u003dplayer_embedded\u0026fs\u003d1\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen\u003d\"true\" width\u003d\"585\" height\u003d\"425\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e \u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-2035123324092549300?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/2035123324092549300/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/05/calling-by-max-igan.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/2035123324092549300"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/2035123324092549300"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/05/calling-by-max-igan.html","title":"The Calling by Max Igan"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Clyde"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/01669673801388370223"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"03853968794718094216"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Sf8K56bXHTI/AAAAAAAAMNc/CaEONAHSB1g/s72-c/the_crow_house.gif","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-2153894188597877413"},"published":{"$t":"2009-05-04T17:09:00.015+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-06-15T22:46:51.312+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Photography"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Artwork"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Flowers"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Floral Delights at your Feet"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sf7ra6Qzj1I/AAAAAAAAEqQ/q5kHMC-bli0/s1600-h/shoe_from_flower_michel_tcherevkoff.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sf7ra6Qzj1I/AAAAAAAAEqQ/q5kHMC-bli0/s320/shoe_from_flower_michel_tcherevkoff.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"shoe from flower michel tcherevkoff\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331957856402116434\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e There is no limit to a person's creativity. Many times just a thought or an idea is transformed into something beautiful. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eJust like in the case of the French photographer Michel Tcherevkoff who has made the most unusual work by creating shoes out of plants. Its amazing to see how delicately the whole thing is made, which also depends on the kind of plant he uses. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis idea took shape when he saw a photograph of a leaf lying upside down and Michel thought that it looked like a shoe and after that he started his inventive creation. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.tcherevkoff.com/\"\u003eMichel\u003c/a\u003e started to shot flowers and stems, twisting, knotting, weaving and tying them to bring floral delights to heel. These photos are then manipulated in Adobe Photoshop to give them the proper footwear shape. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sf7q2wXbNaI/AAAAAAAAEqA/j-uNqrzB_M8/s1600-h/Michel_tcherevkoff_lilywhite_shoe.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 257px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sf7q2wXbNaI/AAAAAAAAEqA/j-uNqrzB_M8/s400/Michel_tcherevkoff_lilywhite_shoe.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Michel tcherevkoff creation, white lily shoe\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331957235270235554\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e His work is meticulously done and he uses single variety of flower or plant. Michel says, \"I’ll take a leaf, make it into a sole, bend it to make a heel or a strap, then shoot it. Each plant spoke to me in a different voice. One was very light and delicate, so the strap had to be thin. Another one said, ‘I am big and strong — I could walk for miles.’ From that I designed a more rugged shoe.\" \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sf7sl3rIOLI/AAAAAAAAEqY/tGqmk3q0b8k/s1600-h/process_of_making_shoes_fro.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 127px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sf7sl3rIOLI/AAAAAAAAEqY/tGqmk3q0b8k/s400/process_of_making_shoes_fro.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"process of making shoes from plants\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331959144197404850\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sf7tCPxLs1I/AAAAAAAAEqg/CKFJF6M84XU/s1600-h/divine_satana_shoe_fleur.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sf7tCPxLs1I/AAAAAAAAEqg/CKFJF6M84XU/s400/divine_satana_shoe_fleur.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Divine and satana, Shoe fleur\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331959631701586770\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Michel has quite wonderfully blended the medium of photography and digital art. He has also written a book on it called \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.shoefleur.com/\"\u003eShoe Fleur: a footwear fantasy.\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sf7rHwofeBI/AAAAAAAAEqI/iim8ly-ZQik/s1600-h/shoe_fleur_michel_tcherevkoff.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 177px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sf7rHwofeBI/AAAAAAAAEqI/iim8ly-ZQik/s400/shoe_fleur_michel_tcherevkoff.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Shoes made from flowers\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331957527399594002\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Who would mind walking with flowers at their feet? \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sf7us0jtFtI/AAAAAAAAEqo/zl3TG5OkeAM/s1600-h/boot_fluer_michel.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sf7us0jtFtI/AAAAAAAAEqo/zl3TG5OkeAM/s400/boot_fluer_michel.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Shoe fluer by Michel Tcherevkoff\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331961462643300050\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-2153894188597877413?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/2153894188597877413/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/05/floral-delights-at-your-feet.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/2153894188597877413"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/2153894188597877413"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/05/floral-delights-at-your-feet.html","title":"Floral Delights at your Feet"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Bhavika"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04875107049846989706"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12044440207294747186"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sf7ra6Qzj1I/AAAAAAAAEqQ/q5kHMC-bli0/s72-c/shoe_from_flower_michel_tcherevkoff.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-7212446221101976812"},"published":{"$t":"2009-05-01T01:19:00.002+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-07-30T23:04:28.294+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Astronomy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Southern Lights"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Life"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Aurora"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Aurora Australis: The Magical Southern Lights"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sfn_5DSdQ3I/AAAAAAAAEpQ/6yvry23-3j4/s1600-h/aurora_australis_new_zealand.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 215px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sfn_5DSdQ3I/AAAAAAAAEpQ/6yvry23-3j4/s320/aurora_australis_new_zealand.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Aurora Australis in Wellington New Zealand\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330572989570040690\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e When the cosmic energies are at play it produces the most enchanting visual spectacle in the night sky. Nature's light show you can call it, that is like a splash of colors over the dark sky. If you haven't been able to guess what I am talking about, then you must read this post as am sure you will be mesmerised! \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI am talking about Auroras, seen particularly in the polar regions. Clyde had written about \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2007/04/aurora-borealis-northern-lights.html\"\u003eAurora Borealis or northern lights\u003c/a\u003e visible in the sky from the Northern Hemisphere, so now lets look at its southern counterpart, Aurora Australis or the southern polar lights. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTo give you a better idea, Auroras are formed when electrons and protons coming from the sun, known as solar wind, collides with the atoms and molecules of the Earth's upper atmosphere. When collisions of such high magnitude occur its bound to have produce something unbelievable. This collision excites the electrons and molecules causing the release of various colors of light.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/weather/aurora.shtml\"\u003eAurora Australis\u003c/a\u003eis only visible from high southern latitudes in Antarctica, South America, or Australasia. Here are some images of Aurora Australis.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAuroras appear in many forms like arcs, streaks, curtains that extend in the east-west direction. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sfn3hYPjSPI/AAAAAAAAEoo/OEto6k0pXPg/s1600-h/southern_lights_aurora.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sfn3hYPjSPI/AAAAAAAAEoo/OEto6k0pXPg/s400/southern_lights_aurora.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Southern lights Aurora\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330563786785114354\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sfn3hDCQ0PI/AAAAAAAAEog/3G7lJYZn1Ao/s1600-h/aurora_australis_southern_lights.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sfn3hDCQ0PI/AAAAAAAAEog/3G7lJYZn1Ao/s400/aurora_australis_southern_lights.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Aurora Australis or Southern lights\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330563781092233458\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Different gases will produce different colours. Most of them have been in varied shades of red, yellow, green, blue and violet. Nitrogen molecules produce blue or violet aurorae or atomic oxygen emits red and green. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAurora Australis can be seen at the South Pole during the six months from March to September. It generally  lasts around 15 to 40 minutes and may recur in 2 to 3 hours. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/02/ma0228_images.htm\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sfn5TJzPwkI/AAAAAAAAEpA/61TlCmIxnUc/s400/antarctica_southern_lights.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Antarctica Southern lights\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330565741413384770\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eIf not Antarctica where it mostly occurs, you can also get to see Aurora Australis in Tasmania, Australia and Wellington, New Zealand. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sfn6EP4lV9I/AAAAAAAAEpI/PFL76cL7E5g/s1600-h/red_and_green_aurora_new_zealand.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sfn6EP4lV9I/AAAAAAAAEpI/PFL76cL7E5g/s400/red_and_green_aurora_new_zealand.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Red and green Aurora in New Zealand\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330566584859973586\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e You can also watch a video on \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2007/04/aurora-borealis-northern-lights.html\"\u003ehow do Auroras occur?\u003c/a\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eImage Source:\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/02/ma0228_images.htm\"\u003eImages of Aurora Australis\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.teara.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/ClimateAndAtmosphere/Atmosphere/1/ENZ-Resources/Standard/2/en\"\u003eAurora australis, Invercargill\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AuroraAustralisDisplay.jpg\"\u003eSouthern Lights\u003c/a\u003e \u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-7212446221101976812?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/7212446221101976812/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/05/magical-aurora-australis-southern.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/7212446221101976812"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/7212446221101976812"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/05/magical-aurora-australis-southern.html","title":"Aurora Australis: The Magical Southern Lights"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Bhavika"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04875107049846989706"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12044440207294747186"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sfn_5DSdQ3I/AAAAAAAAEpQ/6yvry23-3j4/s72-c/aurora_australis_new_zealand.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-61071555529854987"},"published":{"$t":"2009-04-27T21:05:00.010+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-06-17T14:41:20.121+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Buddha Boy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Enlightening Video"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Buddha"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Buddhism"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Buddha Boy with Divine Powers"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cdiv style\u003d\"float:right; margin-left:5px\"\u003e\u003cobject width\u003d\"320\" height\u003d\"265\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/v/R-wuOYlxMSY\u0026hl\u003den\u0026fs\u003d1\u0026rel\u003d0\u0026color1\u003d0x3a3a3a\u0026color2\u003d0x999999\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowFullScreen\" value\u003d\"true\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowscriptaccess\" value\u003d\"always\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/v/R-wuOYlxMSY\u0026hl\u003den\u0026fs\u003d1\u0026rel\u003d0\u0026color1\u003d0x3a3a3a\u0026color2\u003d0x999999\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess\u003d\"always\" allowfullscreen\u003d\"true\" width\u003d\"320\" height\u003d\"265\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/div\u003eWe have written about \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2007/03/scientists-thrash-modern-buddhas-3-year.html\"\u003ethe Buddha boy before\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_Bahadur_Bomjon\"\u003eRam Bahadur Bomjon\u003c/a\u003e who is trying to attain enlightenment by meditating without food or drink for six years. But there has been a lot of criticism, a lot of praise and some unbelievable achievements by this young lad.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOne such ability is to alter his body temperature to suit the environment, its possible by a certain kind of meditation to keep oneself warm even though it could be freezing outside. Apart from that a channel has recorded him for four days and nights continuously without water or food.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003eRam Bahadur had addressed a large crowd, this is part of his message, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"Murder, violence, greed, anger and temptation have made the human world a desperate place. A terrible storm has descended upon the human world, and this is carrying the world towards destruction. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThere is only one way to save the world and that is through dharma. When one doesn't walk the righteous path of spiritual practice, this desperate world will surely be destroyed. Therefore, follow the path of spirituality and spread this message to your fellows. Never put obstacles, anger and disbelief in the way of my meditation's mission. I am only showing you the way; you must seek it on your own. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhat I will be, what I will do, the coming days will reveal. Human salvation, the salvation of all living beings, and peace in the world are my goal and my path. \"Namo Buddha sangaya, Namo Buddha sangaya, namo sangaya.\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI am contemplating on the release of this chaotic world from the ocean of emotion, on our detachment from anger and temptation, without straying from the path for even a moment, I am renouncing my own attachment to my life and my home forever, I am working to save all living beings. But in this undisciplined world, my life's practice is reduced to mere entertainment.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSpend some time and watch the Discovery Channel's documentary, The Boy With Divine Powers, our enlightening video for last week.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cembed id\u003d\"VideoPlayback\" allowscriptaccess\u003d\"always\" style\u003d\"width:585px;height:420px\" src\u003d\"http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid\u003d-1486109055767132866\u0026hl\u003den\u0026fs\u003dtrue\" allowfullscreen\u003d\"true\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\"\u003e \u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-61071555529854987?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/61071555529854987/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/04/buddha-boy-with-divine-powers.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/61071555529854987"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/61071555529854987"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/04/buddha-boy-with-divine-powers.html","title":"Buddha Boy with Divine Powers"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Clyde"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/01669673801388370223"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"03853968794718094216"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-4610236991148068409"},"published":{"$t":"2009-04-27T14:00:00.011+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-04-27T14:41:29.534+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Revolution Creation"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rural India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Human Rights"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Woman Liberation"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gulabi Gang"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Gulabi Gang Upholding Women's Rights"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://mandarine59.spaces.live.com/\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 258px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SfVyGJEYOsI/AAAAAAAAMLk/PG_zpPrIfGw/s320/gulabi_gang_painting.jpeg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Art by a french artist\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329291183901915842\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWoman in India have been taken for granted, they have been physically and mentally abused in many sections and stratas of society. Today there are still so many problems like the ongoing rapes in Delhi, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2008/01/why-would-female-travelers-visit.html\"\u003eMolestations of foreigners\u003c/a\u003e in Mumbai and not to forget the recent Ram Sena incident where the woman were pulled out of clubs and beaten on the streets.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eInstead of depending on government bodies or officials, one woman called Sampat Pal Devi, decided she had enough, she started the Gulabi Gang in Banda, one of the most backward parts in Uttar Pradesh. Gulab means a Rose in Hindi, the Gulabi Gang protects the powerless from those who abuse their power. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThey retaliate against violence of brutal husbands, crack down on those who abandon their family, fight corruption and they force reluctant police officers to register cases for underprivileged people. The gang has also help subsidised grain reach the poor people by ending corruption in the delivery system.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SfV0LyfKo1I/AAAAAAAAML0/4kJCUgaHwmY/s1600-h/sampat_devi_pal_gulabi_gang.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SfV0LyfKo1I/AAAAAAAAML0/4kJCUgaHwmY/s320/sampat_devi_pal_gulabi_gang.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Sampat Devi Pal the founder of the Gulabi Gang\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329293479942726482\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eAccording to Sampat, \"Nobody comes to our help in these parts. The officials and the police are corrupt and anti-poor. So sometimes we have to take the law in our hands. At other times, we prefer to shame the wrongdoers\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe woman are trained to fight with a staff or a lathi which is similar to a baton, except its made either of bamboo or a stem of a tree. The women have even trashed policemen to protest against the arrest of the poor. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThey do have peaceful protests as well and try to maintain peaceful means, their aim is to empower the Indian village woman who in India according to Sampat is not given an education, married too early, bartered for money. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThey are trying to help the village woman become independent enough to stand on their two feet, the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.gulabigang.org/en/index.html\"\u003eGulabi association\u003c/a\u003e is try to provide basic education to the woman as well as train them with skills like sewing so they can become sustainable. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe woman in pink sarees have come a long way and still have a long way to go, try and help if you can! Here's a short documentary on the Gulabi Gang and the work they do, its amazing! As Sampat puts it, \"Mind you, we are not a gang in the usual sense of the term. We are a gang for justice.\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cobject width\u003d\"585\" height\u003d\"350\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/v/opZz87S2v6M\u0026hl\u003den\u0026fs\u003d1\u0026rel\u003d0\u0026color1\u003d0x3a3a3a\u0026color2\u003d0x999999\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowFullScreen\" value\u003d\"true\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowscriptaccess\" value\u003d\"always\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/v/opZz87S2v6M\u0026hl\u003den\u0026fs\u003d1\u0026rel\u003d0\u0026color1\u003d0x3a3a3a\u0026color2\u003d0x999999\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess\u003d\"always\" allowfullscreen\u003d\"true\" width\u003d\"585\" height\u003d\"350\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSome information has been taken fron the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7068875.stm\"\u003eBBC's article on the Gulabi Gang\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-4610236991148068409?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/4610236991148068409/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/04/gulabi-gang-upholding-womens-rights-in.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/4610236991148068409"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/4610236991148068409"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/04/gulabi-gang-upholding-womens-rights-in.html","title":"Gulabi Gang Upholding Women's Rights"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Clyde"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/01669673801388370223"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"03853968794718094216"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SfVyGJEYOsI/AAAAAAAAMLk/PG_zpPrIfGw/s72-c/gulabi_gang_painting.jpeg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-4418096732095465650"},"published":{"$t":"2009-04-24T01:24:00.005+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-04-24T01:51:16.239+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Life"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Artwork"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Pois"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health Tips"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Exercising the Mind and Body with Pois"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cdiv style\u003d\"float:right; margin-left:5px\"\u003e\u003cobject width\u003d\"320\" height\u003d\"265\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/v/qHKBnN8Vfog\u0026hl\u003den\u0026fs\u003d1\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowFullScreen\" value\u003d\"true\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowscriptaccess\" value\u003d\"always\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/v/qHKBnN8Vfog\u0026hl\u003den\u0026fs\u003d1\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess\u003d\"always\" allowfullscreen\u003d\"true\" width\u003d\"320\" height\u003d\"265\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/div\u003ePoi means ball in Māori, its basically a ball attached to a plaited chord. Perhaps you would have seen a poi performance in Goa, fire and LED pois are pretty common. The earliest Poi performances have been dated back to 1905 by the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Māori#The_Poi\"\u003eMāori tribes\u003c/a\u003e of New Zealand. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePoi performances were done for various reasons including war dances known as the Haka, a very active performance, that included fierce shouts as well as welcoming dance performed with swaying and rhythms. Take a look at a fire performance done by a poi professional on the left.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBut what are the benefits of this form of juggling? When you first begin to spin the balls you would realize that its pretty difficult to get your left and right hand co ordination even without trying to intersect the ball routes. This helps develop your coordination after you get that you realise that it can be quite strenuous on your hands.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SfDIAHnxlsI/AAAAAAAAMLc/pUFbHJYgTqw/s1600-h/LED_poi_circles.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SfDIAHnxlsI/AAAAAAAAMLc/pUFbHJYgTqw/s400/LED_poi_circles.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"LED Poi Circkes\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327978263550727874\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eThe pois also help you develop flexibility, strength and most importantly dexterity of the wrist. The poi is an exercise of movements central to the use of hand weapons, but today its more of an art, a dance along with music as well an exercise.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePois are hard to find in Mumbai, but are quite easy to find at the flea markets in Goa, they barely cost Rs 150 to Rs 200 for the simple pois with fluorescent colors and tassels while the fire pois and LED pois are more expensive. A warning especially to the males who wanna try juggling, when you are learning don't spin too fast because the Pois tend to hit you where it hurts the most.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLets take a look at this set of \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/profile?user\u003dNathanielEverist\u0026view\u003dvideos\u0026start\u003d40\"\u003eNathaniel Everist's Poi learning videos\u003c/a\u003e on YouTube that can teaches you all that you can do with pois, he's got over 50 tutorial videos and some of his tricks are mind boggling.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cobject width\u003d\"585\" height\u003d\"425\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/v/rnG_LN7_yng\u0026hl\u003den\u0026fs\u003d1\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowFullScreen\" value\u003d\"true\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowscriptaccess\" value\u003d\"always\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/v/rnG_LN7_yng\u0026hl\u003den\u0026fs\u003d1\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess\u003d\"always\" allowfullscreen\u003d\"true\" width\u003d\"585\" height\u003d\"425\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-4418096732095465650?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/4418096732095465650/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/04/excersing-mind-and-body-with-pois.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/4418096732095465650"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/4418096732095465650"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/04/excersing-mind-and-body-with-pois.html","title":"Exercising the Mind and Body with Pois"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Clyde"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/01669673801388370223"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"03853968794718094216"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SfDIAHnxlsI/AAAAAAAAMLc/pUFbHJYgTqw/s72-c/LED_poi_circles.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-8833549099876347843"},"published":{"$t":"2009-04-23T22:47:00.011+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-04-24T01:22:58.145+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Culture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Odd Stuff"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Old Custom of Stilt Fishing in Sri Lanka"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SfDEbb-A-RI/AAAAAAAAEnU/kHj_rXMbPOM/s1600-h/stilt_fishing_weligama_sri_lanka.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 193px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SfDEbb-A-RI/AAAAAAAAEnU/kHj_rXMbPOM/s320/stilt_fishing_weligama_sri_lanka.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"stilt fishing weligama in sri lanka\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327974334822676754\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e This is no ordinary fishing, there might be several methods of catching a fish but this one is mind-boggling. Fishermen in Sri Lanka use stilts to catch a fish. Yes, stilt fishing is an old tradition practiced by around 500 fishing families in Galle, in southwestern-most Sri Lanka, especially around the towns of Kathaluwa and Ahangama.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt had disappeared after the 2004 tsunami that struck Sri Lanka and other countries bordering the Indian Ocean, but resumed after things got back to normal. Its a beautiful sight looking at fishermen balancing on a thin plank, but at the same time its tough too. All this effort and toiling only to preserve their old custom, wonderful!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003e They usually fish during sunset, noon and sunrise, with each one taking their elevated position and balancing about 2 metres above the water. As you can see in the picture below, there is a vertical pole engrafted into the sea bed, attached to it is a cross bar, called petta, on which the fishermen do the balancing act. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SfDFA6KC5BI/AAAAAAAAEnc/5JaLazyYdjE/s1600-h/stilt_fishing_sri_lanka.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 398px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SfDFA6KC5BI/AAAAAAAAEnc/5JaLazyYdjE/s400/stilt_fishing_sri_lanka.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Stilt fishing in Sri lanka\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327974978581357586\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  So with one hand they hold the stilt and the other hand they have a fishing rod or a line to catch spotted herrings and small mackerels, which are then kept in a plastic bag tied around their waist or the pole. Earlier bags woven out of coconut leaves were used, but now they use discarded plastic bags. Why don't they use nets instead? If the tradition is being carried on for so long, there has to be some reasoning behind it.   \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SfDFBP9QYfI/AAAAAAAAEnk/ksoc7B2JzXQ/s1600-h/fishing_on_stilts.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 383px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SfDFBP9QYfI/AAAAAAAAEnk/ksoc7B2JzXQ/s400/fishing_on_stilts.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Fishing on stilts\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327974984433295858\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Stilt fishing is done on the banks and is unobtrusive, so the fish stay around for a longer time because they don't get disturbed. But with nets, if the fish gets disturbed they might not return for a long time. So the fishermen of Galle don't mind sitting for long hours to get their catch, it seems they don't use a bait either on the hook.  \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SfDFLskNbzI/AAAAAAAAEns/oODW00Ri8c4/s1600-h/galle_stilt_fishing_sri_lanka.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SfDFLskNbzI/AAAAAAAAEns/oODW00Ri8c4/s400/galle_stilt_fishing_sri_lanka.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Stilt fishing in Galle Sri Lanka\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327975163911565106\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  Since how long this custom is practiced is not known, but I came across a government document which says that according to old fishermen stilt fishing started after the Second World War. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eUnfortunately such traditions generally are threatened due to commercialisation. Building of hotels close to stilt fishing areas, bathing tourists leads to disturbing the fish and driving them away from the coral reef. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eResources:\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/stilt-fishermen-kathaluwa/10309\"\u003eThe Stilt Fishermen of Kathaluwa\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/stilt-fishermen-kathaluwa/10309\"\u003eThe Stilt Fishermen of Sri Lanka\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/photo1010441.htm\"\u003eStilt Fishermen\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-8833549099876347843?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/8833549099876347843/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/04/bizarre-custom-of-stilt-fishing-in-sri.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/8833549099876347843"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/8833549099876347843"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/04/bizarre-custom-of-stilt-fishing-in-sri.html","title":"The Old Custom of Stilt Fishing in Sri Lanka"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Bhavika"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04875107049846989706"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12044440207294747186"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SfDEbb-A-RI/AAAAAAAAEnU/kHj_rXMbPOM/s72-c/stilt_fishing_weligama_sri_lanka.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-947882056288157053"},"published":{"$t":"2009-04-20T17:11:00.003+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-04-20T17:32:22.292+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Enlightening Video"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Joh Zerzan"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"J Zerzan on Modernity \u0026 the Technosphere"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SexiCGFO9jI/AAAAAAAAMJM/6WCNTNTfMic/s1600-h/John_Zerzan.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 249px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SexiCGFO9jI/AAAAAAAAMJM/6WCNTNTfMic/s320/John_Zerzan.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"John Zerzan\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326740247404279346\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eJohn Zerzan is an American anarchist and primitivist philosopher and author. His works criticize agricultural civilization as inherently oppressive, and advocate drawing upon the ways of life of prehistoric humans as an inspiration for what a free society should look like.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn 1966, Zerzan was arrested while performing civil disobedience at a Berkeley anti-Vietnam War march and spent two weeks in the Contra Costa County Jail. He vowed after his release never again to be willingly arrested. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHe attended events organized by Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters and was involved with the psychedelic drug and music scene in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury neighborhood.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003eHis speech at Binghamton University is quite interesting, talks about modern issues and why there is so much chaos in the world.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cembed allowscriptaccess\u003d\"always\" width\u003d\"585\" src\u003d\"http://blip.tv/play/gbs5zcYhif92\" height\u003d\"425\" allowfullscreen\u003d\"true\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-947882056288157053?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/947882056288157053/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/04/john-zerzan-on-modernity-technosphere.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/947882056288157053"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/947882056288157053"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/04/john-zerzan-on-modernity-technosphere.html","title":"J Zerzan on Modernity \u0026 the Technosphere"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Clyde"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/01669673801388370223"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"03853968794718094216"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SexiCGFO9jI/AAAAAAAAMJM/6WCNTNTfMic/s72-c/John_Zerzan.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-1333938843212747896"},"published":{"$t":"2009-04-16T16:31:00.023+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-04-18T02:45:03.672+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Drugs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Peyote"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Shamanism"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Travel"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"More Psychedelic Vacations to Inner Space II"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I wouldn't want to keep you waiting for long before you decide to take off. Here are the remaining six places where you can go on a mind-altering holiday. If you haven't seen the first five places, then go through \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/04/psychedelic-vacations-on-earth-to-inner.html\"\u003ePsychedelic Vacations on Earth to Inner Space.\u003c/a\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://www.oaxacainfo.com/oaxaca/temazcal.htm\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 281px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SejQAt8bTrI/AAAAAAAAEj0/L3FJaqBp0Ic/s320/temezcal_sweat_lodge_mexico.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Temezcal or a Sweat Lodge in Mexico\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325735270117232306\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eTemezcal or a Sweat Lodge in Mexico\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYou don't always need substances to feel elevated, a purification ceremony can help you achieve higher levels of consciousness. A ritual happens in Mexico that originated with pre-hispanic indigenous people in Mesoamerica. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTemezcal or sweat lodges are small round stone or mud structures which look more like old fashioned beehives, and are used to cleanse your mind, body and spirit.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn fact the word Temezcal is taken from the language of the Aztecs and its oriented according to the cosmic directions, its very interesting how this entire ritual works, will speak more in detail later on the blog. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003eParticipants lie on the floor gazing into a central fire while a shaman creates a steam with medicinal herbs and guides you through the one-to-three-hour ritual, where temperatures range from 90 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. You can expect total euphoria at the end of it.\u003cbr /\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eBhang in India\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SejRE-wZZXI/AAAAAAAAEj8/Jy12aYIcQm4/s1600-h/Bhang_shop_holi.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SejRE-wZZXI/AAAAAAAAEj8/Jy12aYIcQm4/s320/Bhang_shop_holi.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"bhang shop in India during Holi\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325736442861282674\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e During the festival of colours, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2007/03/holi-festival-of-spring.html\"\u003eHoli,\u003c/a\u003e in March nearly the whole of India in stoned on bhang, which is synonymous with holi. This drink is made from leaves of cannabis mixed with almonds, spices, cold milk and sugar. Technically, cultivation and consumption of marijuana is illegal in many parts of the country, but during holi cops turn a blind eye. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBhang is widely available at roadside carts, small shops and restaurants. There is only a mild social stigma attached to consuming bhang as compared to smoking marijuana, which is outright. Many people consume bhang (a marijuana drinh) while others get drunk. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAlthough some places like Jaisalmer in Rajasthan you can get Bhang any time of the year. It does a couple of things apart from making you laugh, its an aphrodisiac, as well as helps you sleep like a baby after the come down, although you get a mighty heavy head. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003ePeyote in Mexico\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://www.nativeamericanchurch.net/NAC/nachistory.htm\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 320px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SejSCdE0LUI/AAAAAAAAEkE/Jutv4PqJhF4/s320/peyote_cactus_mexico.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Peyote in Mexico\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325737498972007746\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eAn old song by The Eagles 'Bitter Creek' goes, \"Oh, peyote, She tried to show me, You know there ain’t no cause to weep, At bitter creek.\" \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2008/11/peyotism-and-native-american.html\"\u003ePeyote has a long history of religious and medicinal use\u003c/a\u003e by indigenous Americans during pre-Columbian times; possibly as early as 300 BC.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWithin half an hour of ingesting peyote, you begin to feel the effects. Initially  you might feel muscle tension, nausea or queasiness, but within an hour it disappears and then the real trip begins to manifest itself, as there is a shift in consciousness. There is a feeling of inner peace, heightened awareness, rapid thought flow and oneness with life.   \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs time passes the trip intensifies and it enhances visually, colours become more intense, halos and auras can form above things, objects begin to seem closer, big or small. Your experience can last from 6 to 12 hours depending on the amount you consumed. Peyote cactus grows like weed in the deserts and mountains surrounding Real de Catorce, a town in central Mexico, where it's totally legal!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eAyahuasca in Brazil\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFrom Mexico we move further down to the jungles of Amazon where the Shamans have been using Ayahuasca for centuries as a window into the soul. Ayahuasca is a psychedelic combination of plants and chemicals which varies in potency, depending on the maker. \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e{The brew is a traditional South American preparation most commonly combining the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banisteriopsis_caapi\"\u003eBanisteriopsis caapi vine\u003c/a\u003e (harmaline/harmine as MAOI) and Psychotria viridis leaves (DMT)}\u003c/span\u003e \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://www.joelharrisstudio.com/shamanism.htm\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 270px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SejXw6WlFdI/AAAAAAAAEkM/HeHw3BtQ3rQ/s400/ayahuasca_pounded_before_cooking.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Ayahuasca pounded before cooking\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325743794663265746\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://www.joelharrisstudio.com/shamanism.htm\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 270px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SejXw83udZI/AAAAAAAAEkU/IUrV3DTNJco/s400/ayahuasca_cooking.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Cooking of Ayahuasca\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325743795339163026\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sejvbrh2dFI/AAAAAAAAEk8/qUDTsLOliP0/s1600-h/ayahuasca_strained_into_separate_container.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 270px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sejvbrh2dFI/AAAAAAAAEk8/qUDTsLOliP0/s400/ayahuasca_strained_into_separate_container.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Ayahuasca brew is strained to leave out all the leaves\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325769818185823314\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e The shamanistic ceremony is quite intense, there is chanting, songs in tribal languages and of course drinking the tea. It induces vomiting in many users, considered to be the curative part of the process. Music shapes the visions as it gets more complex. Ayahuasca is known to heal several ailments, depression, or anxiety disorders and even cancer. \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://www.daylife.com/photo/05nw8XweSseAZ\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SejbNyWdCZI/AAAAAAAAEkk/xlir3076KS4/s400/ayahuasca_healing.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"The healer offering ayahuasca to a participant to start the ritual\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325747589266344338\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Its known to be a powerful mind-changing entheogen, because it evokes profound state of altered consciousness, its like a divine manifestation. If you are up for the Ayahuasca experience then there is Heart of the Initiate that offers ayahuasca workshops at an eco-resort on the coast of Brazil.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eCobra wine in Vietnam\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sejfs4yBChI/AAAAAAAAEks/o7oxUTdGaEU/s1600-h/cobra_wine_vietnam.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 211px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sejfs4yBChI/AAAAAAAAEks/o7oxUTdGaEU/s320/cobra_wine_vietnam.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Cobra wine in Vietnam\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325752521615018514\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e From the highly spiritual experience, lets come down to a few mellow options as compared to the rest. Rice wine poured in over the body of a snake and left to ferment for some weeks to make snake wine, found in most of the decent bars in Vietnam. Now a serpent to get you high!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThere is a snake wine festival that takes place in Le Mat, a village close to Hanoi in northern Vietnam, where a glass of potent rice wine is served with a still beating heart of a cobra. If not wine there you can also opt for fermented snake blood or snake liqueur. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eAbsinthe in Paris\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sejhl-EvfNI/AAAAAAAAEk0/m8DkNoYxC-Y/s1600-h/absinthe_alcoholic_drink_paris.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/Sejhl-EvfNI/AAAAAAAAEk0/m8DkNoYxC-Y/s320/absinthe_alcoholic_drink_paris.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Absinthe alcoholic drink of Paris\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325754601799908562\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWe move across the globe to Europe now. Have you heard of Absinthe? The hallucinogenic drink found in Paris, that led to bizarre behavior among artists like Baudelaire, Van Gogh, and Oscar Wilde. It has 45%-74% alcohol and is made from herbs and leaves of wormwood. Absinthe became a part of bohemian Paris in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many artists thought it gave them visions. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWith suspicions that the drink is too potent, it was banned in Paris for nearly a century, until 2000 when the ban was lifted. There is nothing wrong with Absinthe, as \u003ca href\u003d\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absinthe\"\u003eportrayed in the 19th century,\u003c/a\u003e its merely an up tempo drink that make things around you look brighter. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe best way to enjoy this alcoholic drink is to dilute it with ice water. You also get Absinthe mixed with fancy cocktails. What more you can enjoy this drink during the three-day absinthe booze-fest every October in Pontarlier in eastern France.\u003cbr /\u003e \u003cbr /\u003eHope you enjoyed this mind-altering article on taking an vacation to inner space.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eResource:\u003c/span\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30076809/?pg\u003d1#Travel_CNT_MindAlteringVacations\"\u003e11 mind-altering vacations\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-1333938843212747896?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/1333938843212747896/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/04/psychedelic-vacations-on-earth-to-inner_16.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/1333938843212747896"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/1333938843212747896"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/04/psychedelic-vacations-on-earth-to-inner_16.html","title":"More Psychedelic Vacations to Inner Space II"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Bhavika"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04875107049846989706"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12044440207294747186"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SejQAt8bTrI/AAAAAAAAEj0/L3FJaqBp0Ic/s72-c/temezcal_sweat_lodge_mexico.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-9002050201872080073"},"published":{"$t":"2009-04-14T23:06:00.023+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-04-18T02:40:46.839+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Drugs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Travel"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Psychedelic Vacations on Earth to Inner Space"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SebB4lJnZmI/AAAAAAAAMIU/G4RBgAGgpA8/s1600-h/go-LSD.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 193px; height: 267px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SebB4lJnZmI/AAAAAAAAMIU/G4RBgAGgpA8/s320/go-LSD.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Go LSD the only way to Fly\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325156787201468002\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eSometimes a vacation filled with sun, sea and sand is not enough, you need mind-altering experiences to make it worthwhile. A vacation to enter a new dimension, tread the unknown path and explore the immense power of the human mind and the cosmos. This would be no ordinary holiday, but one to free your mind and expand it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThere are destinations around the world that take you on a journey of the mind, legally of course, and it can be in the form of a ritual, cultural immersion or simply getting high. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI stumbled upon this list of places where the use of substances is legal or decriminalised, as its generally termed, or part of their culture. For all the people who want to open new doors to their perception, let me guide you on a mind-altering trip across the globe. (The laws can change, so please check before you set out on that much-awaited trip, and be aware and alert).\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003e \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eKava drink in Fiji\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eKava is a plant that is consumed by many island communities in Oceania, that includes New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, Marshall and Solomon islands. In Fiji its an age-old tradition to drink kava, for social and medicinal purpose. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://becksposhnosh.blogspot.com/2008_01_01_archive.html\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 211px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SeYuSHmWc2I/AAAAAAAAEjU/GmYd2iXtozg/s320/fiji_kava_ceremony.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324994498224616290\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e  The root is ground into a powder, mixed with cold water and then strained through a cloth or sometimes even a sock to make a pinkish-gray drink. Locals sing folk songs as the drink is prepared, then its poured in a large bowl. Everyone sits in a circle as the cup is passed around, you have to clap and down it in one go.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter a couple of rounds you can feel the effect of the potent drink, your mouth and throat turns numb and slowly your body tends to feel relaxed. With Kava you can have lucid dreams, and it is also known to cure insomnia, relieve stress and anxiety. The ceremony can last up to 5 to 6 hours, where drinking 2 to 3 bowls in half an hour is not unusual. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eEven the late Pope John Paul II had it on his visit to Fiji, so go ahead have a cup of the Pacific elixir. Its always best to experience it with a local community instead of a hotel, which won't be that potent. Recently Alcohol bars were banned on the islands as it led to fights, violence and other crimes and in place Kava bars were set up, bringing in a more peaceful island and community. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003ePot in Amsterdam\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAmsterdam is known for its open culture towards marijuana and its notorious coffee shops, where the some of the finest greens are available. It would be the only European country where marijuana is legal in limited quantities. Club that with some great music and you are on your trip to space.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIronically, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2008/06/smoke-cannabis-no-tobacco-in-amsterdam.html\"\u003etobacco smoking was banned\u003c/a\u003e in 2008, a good move, especially since smoking \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2006/09/smoke-cannabis-fight-cancer.html\"\u003ethe herb seems to fight cancer\u003c/a\u003e, rather than cause it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eMagic mushrooms in the British Virgin Islands\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SeYuql0bY2I/AAAAAAAAEjc/3NYz07xVjrU/s1600-h/magic_mushrooms_british_virgin_islands.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SeYuql0bY2I/AAAAAAAAEjc/3NYz07xVjrU/s320/magic_mushrooms_british_virgin_islands.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Magic mushrooms in British Virgin Islands\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324994918653584226\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eLocated in the Caribbean, British Virgin Islands is one of the places where the magic mushrooms grow naturally, and it is legal to possess and consume these psilocybin mushrooms, however, their sale is illegal. Does that means you need to either barter or plain old share them?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf you have heard of shrooms but don't know what they do, then here you go. These mushrooms grow in the wild and as many psychedelics how good your trip is depends on many factors, your state of mind, atmosphere, people, music and how much you have consumed. It generally leads to enhanced visual perception, hallucination, colors seem more brighter and clearer, euphoric and sense of time is distorted almost sums up the experience.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTortola is the main island where shrooms can be consumed freely. Bomba's Surf Shack on the beach in Cappoon's Bay where mushroom tea is served instead of straight shrooms. That's also where the Full Moon \u003ca href\u003d\"http://psychedelicharmonics.blogspot.com/\"\u003epsychedelic music\u003c/a\u003e parties take place, so you can look deep in and get far out on the sandy beaches of Tortola.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eCoca Leaves in Bolivia\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://www.daylife.com/photo/0bYT7yq6VS9ln\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SeYxNRuCNJI/AAAAAAAAEjk/3--XEBROYoE/s320/bolivian_woman_chewing_coca_leaf.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Bolivian woman chewing coca leaf\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324997713576735890\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eBolivia, the third largest producer of the coca plant, they follow the centuries old traditions of using the coca leaf for religious, medicinal and cultural purpose. Coca leaves are legal and not the processed cocaine or crack cocaine. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo virtually every culture has its indigenous and preferred mind-altering substances, which are used for social events, religious ceremonies, etc. Still, they are tagged as \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2008/10/smoking-pot-part-of-indian-culture.html\"\u003eillegal in many places even with a rich cultural background\u003c/a\u003e with plants.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eCoca leaf is held in the side of the cheek, that gives a mild high, a sense of well-being and a buzz which can last all afternoon. It also helps to relieve altitude sickness, stave off hunger and cold. There are several coca carts found on the street in the capital city of La Paz, where you can buy leaves in bulk.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eThe Moroccan Hash\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SeYycjHQ2QI/AAAAAAAAEjs/doxvtjkHbWs/s1600-h/moroccan_slate_hash_kif.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi7AIQ22soI/SeYycjHQ2QI/AAAAAAAAEjs/doxvtjkHbWs/s320/moroccan_slate_hash_kif.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Moroccan slate hash or kif\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324999075455621378\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eThe Moroccan hash or locally known as 'kif' is of excellent quality, delicious, very inexpensive and concentrated. Although its illegal, there are plenty of people smoking, and if you find a local to smoke with, then you can also be assured of a decent spliff. Since it is Morocco's biggest foreign currency earner after tourism, it has been decriminalized.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe best part is you don't have to go looking for hash, there are plenty of young men offering hashish to you on the streets. Towns like Chefchaouen, close to Tangier, are a haven for stoned backpackers. So it's a mellow town with a good atmosphere and one of the safest places in Morocco for visitors. The different variety of hash aka kif available here is astounding! Besides the medieval landscape of Morocco is appealing, an interesting add on to the potent kif. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003eThese are five places you can visit for a mind altering journey, there are more \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/04/psychedelic-vacations-on-earth-to-inner_16.html\"\u003eintense trips coming up\u003c/a\u003e in the continuation of this article, not to forget our motherland India!\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-9002050201872080073?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/9002050201872080073/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/04/psychedelic-vacations-on-earth-to-inner.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/9002050201872080073"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/9002050201872080073"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/04/psychedelic-vacations-on-earth-to-inner.html","title":"Psychedelic Vacations on Earth to Inner Space"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Bhavika"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04875107049846989706"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12044440207294747186"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/SebB4lJnZmI/AAAAAAAAMIU/G4RBgAGgpA8/s72-c/go-LSD.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789831.post-5458083534300725356"},"published":{"$t":"2009-04-09T16:18:00.005+05:30"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-04-09T16:51:17.323+05:30"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"War"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Israel"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Oil"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"India, Where are We Heading?"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://www.siliconeer.com/\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 320px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Sd3XhGNEqPI/AAAAAAAAMH0/d8OnwLRVVZk/s320/israel_india_deadly_embrace.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"India and Israel\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322647298222893298\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eHello friends, especially if you belong to this part of the subcontinent and here in India. In the news we had heard of the center launching a spy satellite built by Israel, we heard of a major amount of weapons sourced and \u003ca href\u003d\"http://jta.org/news/article/2008/02/25/107188/indiaisrael\"\u003edefense deals with Israel\u003c/a\u003e. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eA Muslim friend of mine, who observes Ramzan feels that its not a problem if the country trades billions of rupees for weapons with a country that \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/01/what-is-israel-doing.html\"\u003eripped apart the whole of Palestine\u003c/a\u003e.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe all wished and hope for \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2008/11/barack-steve-obama-wins-us-elections-08.html\"\u003echange when Obama came\u003c/a\u003e into place, while some were quick to say that Obama was a hoax as soon as he was voted president the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://rea1001.blogspot.com/2009/04/thousands-flee-bomb-attacks-by-us.html\"\u003ebombings on the Afghanistan Pakistan border was stepped up\u003c/a\u003e.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLike Iraq, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.ringnebula.com/Oil/Timeline.htm\"\u003eAfghanistan has oil\u003c/a\u003e, as stated by US sources it ranks 53rd in the world but estimated to be much more. But thats not the only thing, there is a very lucrative poppy trade that amasses huge amounts of revenue.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"fullpost\"\u003eToday Obama speaks to India stating, we are a superpower, we need to go to war in Afghanistan, but prior to this a devious plot has taken place, the Mumbai Terror Attacks. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Sd3YGOKa_GI/AAAAAAAAMH8/i4eS974VmOU/s1600-h/demolition_911.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Sd3YGOKa_GI/AAAAAAAAMH8/i4eS974VmOU/s320/demolition_911.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"911 Controlled Demolition\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322647936014416994\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eIf by now you have researched into the 9/11 incident, perhaps this list on \u003ca href\u003d\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9/11_conspiracy_theories\"\u003e911 Conspiracy Theories\u003c/a\u003e on wikipedia could help you get a kick start. If the chances that the 9/11 attack was used to shape the American people to go to war, then the Mumbai Terror attacks have been used to shape us to go to war.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf you remember, just after the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2008/12/mumbai-terrorist-attacks-time-for.html\"\u003eMumbai Attacks\u003c/a\u003e, we were angry and agitated, ready to lash out at Pakistan, Afghanistan whoever it was who brought our beloved city down, here's a video of the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.mumbaimania.in/2008/12/politicians-pakistan-protest-rally.html\"\u003eGateway of India Protest\u003c/a\u003e.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cobject width\u003d\"585\" height\u003d\"425\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/v/X1FDeHBu-9Q\u0026color1\u003d0xb1b1b1\u0026color2\u003d0xcfcfcf\u0026hl\u003den\u0026feature\u003dplayer_embedded\u0026fs\u003d1\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowFullScreen\" value\u003d\"true\"\u003e\u003c/param\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/v/X1FDeHBu-9Q\u0026color1\u003d0xb1b1b1\u0026color2\u003d0xcfcfcf\u0026hl\u003den\u0026feature\u003dplayer_embedded\u0026fs\u003d1\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen\u003d\"true\" width\u003d\"585\" height\u003d\"425\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhy is India being urged to go into the war zone, why should our soldiers die, why should our tax money spent on the rich getting richer. Do not forget that the evidence documents and related stuff from the Mumbai Attacks were provided by the FBI, USA once again. Are we being fooled on a level that is unbelievable? \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIs this just a conspiracy theory or are they dots that we need to connect. I don't have all the answers but something here does'nt seem to be heading in the right direction. We have over \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2007/10/india-ranks-high-on-hunger-scale.html\"\u003e40% of the people in our country under the poverty line\u003c/a\u003e, what kind of a superpower are we?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/31789831-5458083534300725356?l\u003dwww.fractalenlightenment.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/feeds/5458083534300725356/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/04/india-where-are-we-heading.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/5458083534300725356"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31789831/posts/default/5458083534300725356"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.fractalenlightenment.com/2009/04/india-where-are-we-heading.html","title":"India, Where are We Heading?"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Clyde"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/01669673801388370223"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"03853968794718094216"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z8mwJp4iSOo/Sd3XhGNEqPI/AAAAAAAAMH0/d8OnwLRVVZk/s72-c/israel_india_deadly_embrace.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"6"}}]}});