Sightseeing Around Manali - India
There is Old Manali, New Manali, and areas in between. ...View image... Old Manali street was loaded with shops selling clothes, Internet, small guesthouses and restaurants and prices were a little less. It's possible to buy a blouse (typically Indian style) for less than $3.00 U.S. But bargain, and walk out of the shop if you have to. They usually will come after you. ...View image...
Up to the Manu Temple, a new Hindu Temple, then a walk down and up to the Dhungri Temple (Hadimba Temple) through the pine forest. Dhungri is a four-story wooden building dedicated to the goddess Hadimba and had very intricate wooden carvings, the inner sanctum was stone, and old horns of bulls and other animals were on the outside walls. The animals were (and are) sacrificed once a year to the goddess. ...View image... This Temple was different from the ones we'd already seen, and that made it interesting.
Then a visit to New Manali to visit the local ATM. This decrepit machine did not want to work and it took a lot of time (and many tries) to coax out some money. Finally, heard the magical "chugging" which meant it was working. There were ATM's all over India and we always recommend using an ATM rather than traveler's checks or cash. The best conversion rate. Regarding credit cards - a reminder (thanks, Dora)...don't even think of trying to use your DISCOVER Card. DISCOVER is only usable in England.
New Manali was nothing special (our opinion)...got our money and walked back to the Banon Hotel looking in shops, reading signs and noticed one village home with a loom sitting on the balcony.
The Johnson Cafe (also part of the Johnson Lodge) was close to the Banon Hotel and had some very good food. They also have a Lodge that looked quite nice and was crowded with lots of travelers.
The best part of arranging an individual trip vs. group tours is the ability to change your plans. With our trek monsooned out, we decided to visit the Spiti Valley through Lahaul, and if the roads were open from Spiti into Kinnear Valley, proceed in that direction. For true adventurers, there are buses from Manali to Spiti leaving daily.
A tentative plan, and off the next morning into the Spiti Valley...
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Comments
Sheila,
I live vicariously through you and Steve. When I get to work each day, I open my email and read of your latest trek before I begin my work day.
The information that you provide has been very benefical for me, and reading your postings is like reading an adventure novel.
Thank you for giving me this to look forward to each day and for giving me a dream and a goal to replicate at least some of your adventures.
Posted by: DORA WYNN | March 8, 2007 09:27 AM