Life goes on...

Started raining for a bit it late afternoon.  Enjoying the change in weather, doesn't seem to phase the locals.  Life goes on.

Strawberry & Cherry Harvest w/ local handmade chocolate. :)  The local chocolate is not bad.

Climbing everyday, enjoying my super sweet setup. I love village life, people working off the land, kids going/coming from school and all the new farm animals that just came into the world. :)

New room is great. Windows on 3 sides with views of the North South and East side of the valley. Daily treks with pack are killing me. Pushing my body beyond it's limits has been fun. :) Took a needed rest day today. Off at 5am tomorrow to do it all over again.

Rest day today, chilled out mostly.  Found my new room just down the way.  The place is called Karma Cottage, and it is less money with a better room with TV and a better view.  Went into New Manali to eat at Chopsticks. considered one of the better places.  Ordered the Vegies w/ bean curd in black bean sauce.  Cruised around town a bit, pashmina sure is expensive here.

On the mountain finally...

Went trekking today.  Hit the west side of the valley.  Found a trail at the river in Vashisht.  Ended up going to a house that had tones of weed.  The lady at the house wanted to know where I was going.  I told her to the top and she pointed up and said not nice.  She was right.  I managed to probably get up another 1000 meters and then ryan out of water,  It was really tough vertical with terrible footing.  Obviously I was on the wrong trail at this point.  Decided to head back down and try another day.  I was super exhausted by the time I got back.  Next time auto rickshaw to the trailhead and ask around a bit.  It was 9km round trip just to get to the trailhead.  I didn't mind so much because I got a chance to take it all in.

Manali

After 24 hours, 2 buses and an auto rickshaw, I am finally here.  Checked into Drifter's Inn.  Such a gorgeous place.  A beautiful valley with vertical walls and snow capped peaks.  lovely waterfalls cascading over the vertical walls down to the valley floor.  For the first time I feel at home.  I think I am going to love it here.

On my way

Left Bhimtal for Haldwani.  The train did not work out.  I was 6th on the waiting list and did not make the final chart.  Opted for the bus instead.  7 hours later I made it to Delhi.  Arrived in a Bus depot and could not get a hold of any of the Manali bus operators.  Took an hour to connect with someone and find an address.  First auto rickshaw guy wanted 350rupees.  Here we go rip off the white guy time.  Walked across the lot, went to the next guy and he said 150, sold.  This crap reminds me of Africa, always having to haggle with the drivers.  Lame.  The auto rickshaw drive through Delhi is even crazier than Bangkok.  I think I am going to lose a lung or two.  Made it to the bus on time, off to Manali, should be there in the morning.

Finally starting the trek towards Manali.  Packed up the bag and heading up to Bhimtal for the night.  Trying to catch the Haldwant to Chandigarh bus at 6pm tomorrow.  It's going to be a two day bus adventure just to get there.

Woke up feeling a bit sick, not even as bad as last time.  Picked up some medicine at the chemist, now that I am a pro.  I think  am slowly getting an Indian stomach.  Drove to Rampur to pick up my papers, which are finally ready.  I am now officially a resident of India.  :)  I can stay 10 years if I want and even then I can file for an extension.  Back to the farm.

Woke up at 5am to look for animals.  No tiger, but spotted more deer, a mongoose and a peacock.  Feeling a bit sick, must have ate something bad last night served at the guest house.  Back to the farm, might try again in the winter time to see a tiger.

Went to Jim Corbett Park, what an experience.  Bribed some guys at the gate with whiskey, so we could stay at the government guest house.  It was a 20km journey on a dirt road that was meant for an SUV.  Luckily we made it in the Skoda, our trusty steel stead.  The guest house was amazing.  The forest came alive at night.   A collage of various sounds from the wildlife,  Gorgeous night for stargazing and trying to figure out what animals were out there making all this noise.  Went for a drive at 1am to the waterhole, hoping to spot a tiger.  Saw plenty of deer, but no tiger.  :(

Went into Rudrapur and played some pool to escape the heat of the farm  Picked up some diesel to run the generator ago keep the fan on during the day.  Electricity is now coming for just a few hours a night.  Super hot without the A/C.

Travel papers are almost done, got the money to the bank.  My copy should be ready tomorrow.  I don't really need it until I leave India.  Getting ready to bust a move and head up north to the mountains to get some trekking in.

Drove up from Bilaspur to Nainital.  Beautiful Himalayan mountain town on a lake or "tal".  Rode a boat in the lake for a bit.  Nice to be in the cool mountain air.  Had a great lunch at the Alka hotel, best meal yet.  Back to Bhimtal tonight.  Hoping to talk Vinkey into going to Jim Corbett park tomorrow to see some Tigers.

Registered with the local Foreigner Field Registration office in Rampur. Visa should be good for 10 years as long as I keep informing the local office of when I leave and come back to India.  Only white person here, so no lines.  Still took 2 hours to fill out all the paperwork and call the regional office to make sure everything is legit.  Just need to make a deposit to the bank and bring back a copy of the paperwork.

Headed into Bilaspur this morning to get gas for the stove, took 3 hours.  Still trying to get my wire payment verified for my Manali mountaineering class.  Back to my bank to determine what happened.  They did reserve a spot for me on July 1.  Only problem I think my visa is 120 days and then I have to leave for 60.  Going to the visa office tomorrow to try and sort it out.

Did some business with Vinkey in Haldwani.  Shopped a bit in Rodrapur.  Back to the farm for a chill evening.

Woke and got a little work out in.  Waking up around 6:30 now instead of 5am.  Quiet on the farm.  Hanging out with Jimmy and looking after Ronnie.  Jimmie was in heat last week and Ronnie and some other dog were fighting for dibs.  Flys and opens ores in India equals maggots.  Got some medicine and treated Ronnie last night, he seems a bit better this morning.  Jimmie is fine, my new best friend.  Today's forecast hot.  Electricity forecast minimal.  Spoiled Americans.

Went with Vinkey and his uncle into Rodopur to do some banking and went to the market.  I wrote down  the prices so I do not have to haggle when I am on my own.  Sopped off at a popular South Indian restaurant in Haldwani on the way back to Bhimtal.