Sep62016
Chandra Tall Lake in the Himalya Mountains

Dancing with the Whims of Nature at 15,000 feet (Part 3 of the series)

Culture, PlacesLeave a comment

I stood there feeling high, not from marijuana, although it was readily available in the area, but from the sheer ecstasy of the profound beauty before me. Perhaps it was the altitude of 15,000 feet that made me feel high. Kirti and I had journeyed by car, then by bus up Rohtang pass, known for being one of the deadliest roads in the world.

We hiked the last six kilometers to reach the khajana (Hindi for treasure) of nature known as Chandra Taal Lake. The soaring mountain peaks and lush green fields surrounding the lake made it look like a painting alive with the whims of nature.

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Rohtang Pass: Experience of a Lifetime! (Part 2 of a 3 part series)

Places, Safety & Health, TrafficLeave a comment

A  year ago if you had told me I would be standing in a bus, at an elevation of 13,000 feet in the Himalya Mountains, trying to decide if it was safe to get off  and help push it out of the mud, I would have thought you were crazy!  Fast forward one year later and you might think I’m the crazy one! One thing is for sure, traveling up Rhotang Pass was the unforgettable experience of a lifetime.

Why it’s famous

Rohtang  Pass is about 51 kilometers from the hill station of Manali on the eastern Par Panjal Range of the Himalyas.  The roads are rough and steep with no guard rails. Typically only one car can fit at a time even though there is two way traffic.  It is such an adventure that the History Channel has featured it on Ice Road Truckers and Deadliest Roads.  Major traffic jams are common due to accidents, poor road conditions and snow and ice. In fact it is only open from May to November.  

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Aug282016
Aug222016

Manali: Little Town of Big Surprises

Culture, Festivals, PlacesLeave a comment

We were super excited about our trip to Manali so we left Delhi around midnight on a Friday night. It was a holiday weekend and we were hoping to miss traffic, but we didn’t. Instead it took us five hours to get out of Delhi! Finally the roads cleared somewhere around daybreak and we welcomed the clearing air, blue skies and quaint villages, along with the first dawn of our nine day vacation. We drove through the cute towns of Mandi and Kullu where we stopped at a fruit stand for some fresh apples. I eventually took my turn at the wheel so Kirti could take some much deserved rest before navigating the steep winding roads of the Himalaya Mountains. Finally, 18.5 hours later, we arrived in Manali. Little did we know that Manali is a little town full of big surprises.

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10 Fun Facts About India that will Blow Your Mind (or at the very least entertain you)

Culture, Environment, Lifestyle & HobbyLeave a comment

India really is a fascinating country! They call it incredible India for a reason, and here are 10 fun facts that emphasize just how incredible India truly is.

Weather

1.  It’s soooo dusty here and water is so precious that most people dust their cars instead of wash them.

2.  The monsoon season is from July to September and it can rain inches in just a couple of hours. Delhi typically gets about 75% of its annual rainfall during the monsoons. Other parts of India get 90% of their rain during that time.  

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Aug82016
Jul262016

You Won’t Believe the Cause of Traffic Problems in India

Culture, TrafficLeave a comment

So you think we have bad traffic jams in America huh?  Well, just like everything else, it depends on the basis of your comparison. Traffic in India can be some of the worst in the world, but there are different causes depending on whether you are in city or rural traffic.

In the city:  Probably the biggest factor leading to the awful traffic jams is the sheer number of vehicles on the road.  There are over 8 million vehicles per day on the roads in the greater Delhi area.  Many commuters take metro, ride share in a tuck tuck, or ride a bicycle, but the roads aren’t designed to handle the volume.  Many Indian workers commute over 2 hours each way without air conditioning and arrive to work already dirty and sweaty.  

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7 Things That are Different Between Getting a Massage in the U.S and Getting One in India?

CultureLeave a comment

One of my favorite indulgences while living in India is getting a massage.  It only costs me $15 USD!  However, there are some significant differences between a massage in India and one in the U.S.

1. The first thing I noticed is that they give you disposable panties to wear. They look like a paper shower cap with leg holes. I guess they give them to you so you don’t get oil on your underwater.  They look funny but are adequate for the purpose.  

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Jul192016