We went on the bike to Parvati Valley with our friend Dave who also has a Royal Enfield. We stayed in a place called Manikeran (the place on the photo), that Colin has stayed in before. Just before Manikeran is a place called Kasol which is very popular with Israeli tourists and probably a bit too lively for us.
You have to cross a rickety bridge to get to Manikeran so I got off the bike and let Colin drive it across on his own. I think it was the raging river that gave me the heebie jeebies.
We had a lovely drive to Manikeran with some fantastic scenery. The sky was blue for most of the way and we just cruised and took our time. A wee pit stop in a local Dhaba for lunch was required and we found this wee gem of a place. Full of dhal, vegetables and chappatis we set back on our way.
Not before using the toilet though.
On the way we met an English guy whose motorbike had broken down. Dave is quite good with motorbikes and we stopped to help him out. He had just left Parvati Valley and was driving to Dheli to catch a flight home. Dave tried a few things but couldn't get it started so the guy had to go up to the village to see if someone could repair it.I hope he made his flight!
The miserable lorry wouldn't stop and help us - very unusual in India.
Manikeran is a pilgrim centre for Hindus and Sikhs and the Sikh temple is in the centre of the photo.
This is just beside the Hindu Temple in the centre of Manikeran. This structure is a small temple on wheels so that their god, who lives in the main temple in Manikeran, can be transported to other villages.
We found a budget guest-house and checked in.The view from the balcony was lovely - mind you I did manage to avoid getting the local rubbish dump that was directly down below me in photo, as it really would have spoiled it. The star of the show though was the mattress. It was filled with horsehair and with probably 10 years of bodily fluids put into the mix it was like sleeping on concrete. We were only staying for one night though and what do you expect for 2 quid a room.
Just beside the Hindu Temple is the hot springs, The water is even hotter than the hot springs here in Vashisht.
We found a great wee fresh juice cafe where the old guy squeezed every glass by hand. It was lovely as there was no added sugar - very unusual for India.We met a lovely Indian couple who live in the Punjab and were on holiday in Manikeran. The juice cafe was probably the best thing about Manikeran. It was very different from the last time Colin has been there. It used to be a hangout for backpackers with loads of nice eateries and guest-houses. Now it is mainly Indian tourists visiting the temples and has very few eateries. The shops are all geared towards the Indian tourists. We managed to find somewhere to eat a very crappy meal. We should have stayed in Kasol and joined a party or two. Really enjoyed being away for a few days though. Check out the old guy in the photo behind Dave. Anyone recognise who he looks like?
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