So we finally left Dharamkot and were adamant that we would try and find a more authentic side of India.
We spent 2 weeks travelling to Mandi, Rewalsar, Jibhi and then Vashisht. This was still not 'hardcore' India but it certainly allowed us to see more of the local way of life, spend time on public transport (which is always a great way to get to experience the local culture) and explore more Indian nature.
We started by taking the Kangra Valley Train from Kangra to Baijnath Paprola, a 3 hour train journey on this 1920s British-built railway. Apparently, as a gesture of gratitude given that 4 of us are British passport holders, we were entitled to 1st Class treatment, so on boarding the overcrowded little train, a kind station master shouted at some locals to move and they pretty much cleared a carriage for us, albeit some locals remained, if only to stare at us for the duration of the journey.
We then spent a night in Mandi, a traditional Indian town where we seemed to be the only foreign visitors but which gave us the chance to enjoy some real traditional Indian food. Chapatis wrapped in newspaper took me back to my childhood of chips wrapped in the previous day's Daily Record.
We then headed to Rewalsar Lake which we had read was a nice stop for a couple of days. We didn't like it, left after one night and headed to Jibhi.
Jibhi is a small village at the start of the Kinnaur Valley, a beautiful part of northern India. We stayed for a week, relaxed by the river, hung out with David, Sivan and their girls who we had met in Dharamkot, and just enjoyed the peace and quiet.
From Jibhi, we headed 100km north to Vashisht, a village close to the busier and more well-known town of Manali. We spent over a week here, staying at the noisy and atmospheric Rasta Cafe, which reinforced the kids love of Bob Marley. We ate samosa, ate pakhora, ate curry, ate tali, ate parantha and generally just enjoyed being in this vibrant village.
We also met the Cohen-Zamir family, went out together on the brilliant 3 day Solang-Beas Kund trek, enjoying the views and the snow. Sleeping in tents for 2 nights in such amazing surroundings was a great experience and a great first family trek in India. It was a great way to mark the end of our first month in India, things hadn't got off to the best start but certainly ended with us in a much better place, both literally and metaphorically.
We spent 2 weeks travelling to Mandi, Rewalsar, Jibhi and then Vashisht. This was still not 'hardcore' India but it certainly allowed us to see more of the local way of life, spend time on public transport (which is always a great way to get to experience the local culture) and explore more Indian nature.
We started by taking the Kangra Valley Train from Kangra to Baijnath Paprola, a 3 hour train journey on this 1920s British-built railway. Apparently, as a gesture of gratitude given that 4 of us are British passport holders, we were entitled to 1st Class treatment, so on boarding the overcrowded little train, a kind station master shouted at some locals to move and they pretty much cleared a carriage for us, albeit some locals remained, if only to stare at us for the duration of the journey.
We then spent a night in Mandi, a traditional Indian town where we seemed to be the only foreign visitors but which gave us the chance to enjoy some real traditional Indian food. Chapatis wrapped in newspaper took me back to my childhood of chips wrapped in the previous day's Daily Record.
We then headed to Rewalsar Lake which we had read was a nice stop for a couple of days. We didn't like it, left after one night and headed to Jibhi.
Jibhi is a small village at the start of the Kinnaur Valley, a beautiful part of northern India. We stayed for a week, relaxed by the river, hung out with David, Sivan and their girls who we had met in Dharamkot, and just enjoyed the peace and quiet.
 |
| Old woman in shop who looked surprisingly like Shoshi's late grandfather! |
From Jibhi, we headed 100km north to Vashisht, a village close to the busier and more well-known town of Manali. We spent over a week here, staying at the noisy and atmospheric Rasta Cafe, which reinforced the kids love of Bob Marley. We ate samosa, ate pakhora, ate curry, ate tali, ate parantha and generally just enjoyed being in this vibrant village.
We also met the Cohen-Zamir family, went out together on the brilliant 3 day Solang-Beas Kund trek, enjoying the views and the snow. Sleeping in tents for 2 nights in such amazing surroundings was a great experience and a great first family trek in India. It was a great way to mark the end of our first month in India, things hadn't got off to the best start but certainly ended with us in a much better place, both literally and metaphorically.
כל הכבוד על המסלול המקיף. הילדים גדלו ממש במהלך השנה הזו ובטוח קיבלו פי מליון מכל זווית אפשרית מאשר בחיים השגרתיים.
ReplyDeleteתמשיכו להנות ...יש עוד חופש....