Our fourth ode to Manali – May 2014 trip

Yes you bet, this was the fourth time that we set out to Manali in a span of 10 years. And believe you me, we would still keep going there year on year (not that Uncle Sam has been meherbaan on us with a special Green parcel) but it’s absolutely worth every bit of it!

It’s this visual treat claim of every snowpeak mountain and pinecone forest that “jahan tak tumhari nazar jayegi , tum humain hi paaoge” it’s beautiful. Ofcourse, mind you, the location where you are put up, is of prime importance as well, ours had a mindblowingly fantastic view, but with a compromise on the size of room. We lived with it, i mean life itself is a compromise, aint it? It was the pure hospitality of the people who ran this place that also seconded our decision of staying back. Thakurdass village resorts – sajla.

This trip was a first ones for a lot of reasons – Kabirs (my 6 month toddlers) first Manali trip (first outdoor trip was Igatpuri ) , Ishus ( my son/grandfather of 6 years ) first own seat pe bethne wali flight trip , our first 10 day long trip , our friends first Manali trip – there s a certain spirit when you are going with the first timers to Manali , of showing off and owning all of the beauty that comes with Manali.

So apart from the awesome view and chill weather, were the elaborate lunches – Johnsons cafe , the fat plate , nightingale , jhana falls – local himachali lunch , chopsticks and the amount of khichdi dinners at our resort ! Obviously to balance the entire days food flow. Oh damn , totally cannot forget the one day of shopping , its a fact , given a chance we can shop , i mean really shop , had there been no leash on the purses , we would ve bought the entire manali market! But an absolutely satisfying experience!

Not to forget the superbly amazing mornings with a continuous flow of lemon ginger tea ! Man it was a hit! Also would be unfair not to mention the snow ball throwing 10 kms ahead of snowpoint. We were dressed to literally parade in 5ft snow , gum boots , jump suit but the snow at snow point was just as much as clean water in the ganges. But a horse & auto ride upwards – 10kms more .. we did get enough snow for the kids to be absolutely snow kicked about it.

Equally thrilling was the paragliding attempt made by our elder kids .. a short one in the very literal sense , but a full hands up on the daringness. There s so much to learn from children indeed , weather or no weather , small or big room , they had the entire resort to themselves in terms of exploring , playing , coming up with the most silliest of games , trekking in the forest lanes .. all satisfied and accepted with the way things were. To break away from the sudden rain weather was a small time attempt of bonfire and eating hot marsh-mellows .. oh wow , just the thought of it is making me go slurp slurp.

Though it wasn’t all hunky dory all the time, the untimely blessing from rain god for continuously 3 days .. , the freak bike accident, the last minute pressure of reaching airport on time, it was still a trip to remember and go down the memory lane as a wow one, the one wherein the moon peeped through our window all bright and lit up the room showering its moonlight on my little and big bundles of joy, from between the snow peaked mountains.