Day 13:
Riverside Getaway: Cocoon of Coziness
The soft rustle of the river Beas provided a lullaby for my night’s sleep, and as the first light of dawn painted the sky, I was awake. Nestled by the riverbank, the tranquility of the surroundings wrapped me in a cocoon of coziness that made the morning all the more special.
To make the morning extra special, cooked up some Maggi which turned out to be super delicious. The incredible scenery and piping hot Maggi gave a kickstart to my most awaited destination.
After bidding goodbye to my new friends, I packed everything and resumed the journey. On NH3, just 40 km away from Manali, I slowly and steadily started climbing the steeps.
Affordable Accommodation On Locals Suggestion:
After a decent climb of around 15 km, I spotted an eatery and decided to make a stop for some food. As Maggie alone wouldn’t sustain me for such steep climbs.
Over a cup of chai struck up a casual conversation with a few locals. One among them recommended staying at their hotel in Manali, offering a rate far more reasonable than the exorbitant ones I’d seen online.
Though I was a bit skeptical initially, the assurance of a confirmed booking and the proximity of the place to Mall Road persuaded me to agree.
I can’t deny the fact that I’m still a noob traveler, I have no idea about backpacking hostels that could have added more flavor to the journey. Nonetheless, I’ve got zero regrets, staying here ended up being a huge part of what made my upcoming adventure successful.
First-time visit to healing hot spring near Manali:
Now that I’ve finally sorted out a significant uncertainty, before I get all cozy and settled decided to explore something exciting. Curious about a natural hot spring in Shalin, maintained by Govt, just 7 km away from Manali.
This was my first time experiencing a natural hot spring, and the fact that it’s famous for its healing characteristics left me super intrigued.
Upon arriving at the spot, I noticed monks sitting in a circle in front of a local café, gesturing a water spring around. With the help of locals, I was guided down a small lane that led to a tiny room with a bathing pool inside.
Observing the monks bathing, especially the older ones, coping with health issues genuinely worried me. The thought of stripping naked to take a dip seemed like a bit of a hassle and left me feeling a tad uneasy. So, instead, I settled for dipping just my feet in the incredibly warm water and took in the scene around me.
Eventually left the place, although the place didn’t meet my high expectations, it was something new, and could never forget the scene.
Pondering Human Existence Amidst Waste Accumulation:
As I’m just a few KM from the abode of Manu, my eyes landed on a shocking sight—a towering pile of garbage, almost resembling a small hill. It left me ponder deeply about our existence.
Are we here merely to create such massive waste? pursuit of our innovations sometimes comes at the cost of environmental degradation. If we continue down this path something far worse than COVID could be awaiting us.
Upon reaching the entrance, I noticed someone who had been gazing at me for a while. Using the opportunity, I approached them and asked if they could take a photo of me by the “Manali 2 KM” signboard.
This individual greeted me warmly, initiating a conversation. They delved into questions about my relationship status and accommodation, dropping hints about hanging out, which made me uneasy. I tactfully mentioned that I was staying with a friend, and not alone. It seemed to disappoint them, but before they left, however I managed to capture the desired picture with their help.
Prioritizing Personal Autonomy in Travel:
As I reached the mall road around 6 PM, darkness was settling in, transforming the atmosphere into what felt like a whole new country. I encountered a diverse array of people :Russians, French, tourists from around the globe, and locals from various parts of the country.
Hungry and hoping for an inexpensive meal, I strolled while pushing my bike along the mall road where vehicles of any kind were prohibited.
Suddenly, a person approached me with a broad smile. Introducing himself as a fellow cyclist, he offered to guide me to a decent dining spot.
He shared his extensive cycling experiences, visiting spiritual places like Amarnath and Badrinath, contrasting with my interests in culture and nature. Although I acknowledged spirituality as an integral part of culture and daily life, his nine-month cycling journey limited to Jammu, Kashmir, and Uttarakhand left me baffled.
At his suggestion, we dined at a place of his choosing. I ordered a South Indian thali, which turned out to be the most expensive meal I had on this trip, priced at 250 rupees, despite not being particularly enjoyable. He mentioned that he had only spent 800 rupees over the past eight months, however 250 rupees for one meal seemed absurd to me.
At one point he suggested he would move in with me which would help on cost sharing , suggested we go on expedition of Ladakh together , however I wanted to maintain the independence of my exploration and it was very much clear that our travel styles didn’t align. Politely declining his proposal, we bid adieu.
Sometimes, despite genuine intentions, the dynamics between fellow travelers may not match, and it’s essential to prioritize personal comfort and autonomy, learning to graciously decline and establish boundaries is something that every traveler should know.
The Maze To My Room:
As I contemplated which sweet to savor before checking in, an elderly person in his 60s took a keen interest in my setup. In a delightful conversation, they generously insisted on covering the cost of the Gulab Jamun I picked. We exchanged contacts, and they enthusiastically insisted I ring them up if I’m close to their hometown Hubli, Karnataka.
Navigating through the dark and confusing narrow lanes was challenging , especially with Google struggling to guide me. I had to call the manager for assistance, and with his help, I finally reached the stay. The hotel workers were kind enough to help me lift my cycle to the first floor.
As I parked the bike in the room and inquired about hot water, only to discover it’s exclusively available in the mornings left me disappointed. Despite the day’s adventures and navigation challenges, sinking into the cozy bed made it all melt away