Pictures From Manali!

Some of the friends I made in Manali

Store in New Manali

New Manali

The trees are so tall here!!

The dog that guided us on the trek! - Followed us round for 9 hours!

Me after trekking - feeling on top of the world!

View From Manali

Me at An ancient temple monument

Manali! Coming and going...

Manali! Wow what a beautiful place!

Got here early Monday morning - and it's flown past already! Have met a lot of people here and done a lot of things. Have visited the temples and did a one day hike, climbing a mountain and cliffs, and going down waterfalls for 9 hours! Resulted in severe sun burn - but nicely recovered now!

The scenery is amazing here, the mountains are all snow capped, and we are surrounded by huge alpine type trees! I am going down to Shimla tomorrow for one night, then on to Rickishesh!

Will post more photos soon!!!

Luv me -x-

Raindrops keep Falling On My Head...

Hello :)

I was guttted today - found out that the Dalai Lama is not is residence - and that it was th 2nd guy giving the lecture today - so did not go. But am going to apply for permission to meet the Dalai Lama - something all foreigners have to do.

Last night we had a really big storm - there was thunder and lightning all night, and the rain was torrential - never seen anything like it before! We were stuck in an israeli restaurant unti 3am waiting for it to calm down a little.

It was like something from a film! Every time the lightning flashed the monkeys started screaming, and to add to it we then had a power cut lasting all night and this morning. It was pitch black last night, climbing up a mountain at 3am with a tiny flashlight - well it was hilarious!

News just in:

I was told last night not to walk alone, or try to avoid walking at all during the night as there are mountain leopards here. They don't tell tourists becuase they don't want to scare people! ha ha... been lucky enough not to bump into one yet!!

My guesthouse

I am staying in a guest house in Mcloedganj - in Upper Dharamsala. It is away for all the fuss and hassle - surrounded my beautiful scenery and the air is so fresh!

It is close to the buddhist temples, and a lot of the monks live up here - it is so peaceful. Had a shock, after 2 weeks of only meeting one other foreigner - this place is awash with white people! Had a shock, after the crazy fortnight I have had!

So just to make you a litle jealous! Here is the view from the back of my guesthouse:

And this is the view from the front of my balcony:

I have been told that the Dalai Lama is attending a teaching with an audience, so I can go on Wednesday! I am very excited! Possibly going on a trek tomorrow, scaling a large mountain, the one in front of snow mountain! Chat soon!! -x-

Photos of Dharamsala

View Of Snow Mountain, Upper Dharamsala

Mcleodganj, Upper Dharamsala Views

Tibetan Prayer Flags

Some cute friends outside my guesthouse!

Buddhist Temple Mcleodganj

The Aruveydic Beautician

Just thought I would break up the photos with a short but true story - please keep the giggles down to a minimum!! lol...

When I was in Jammu, I got pulled into a beauty parlour ( a grotty shaving shop/barbers). this guy had noticed the 2 spots I had on my cheek (he said i was infested with pimples), and offered a face pack n massage for 300 rupees. No problem said me - it worked! They cooled down and my face was left looking refreshed and not spotty!

I noticed he had brown hair dye, in light and dark shades - now, I was planning to do this myself, but thought for the sake of 100 rupees - it would be easier to let him do it than dye my hotel bathroom!

So.. I picked the colour - and he was fine. He gave my hair a trim at the back - which was cool, it hasn't been cut in about 5 months. Then he went to trim my fringe - and chopped one side of my hair up to jaw level!!!! AAArgh!! I told him to sort it out, so he did the same to the other side.

By this point my patience was failing, in fear of a basin cut I told him to stop there!! So now I have two bangs/ chopped bits eiher side of my head. It looks like a cross between Abba and a mullet!!!

Now for the dye... I could see my hair getting lighter - so I said to wash it out, to see what on earth was going on.

The result?? Bright yellow hair with pink streaks! (As He described: Golden with burgundy shades). By now I was fuming!! He had bleached my hair and put bloody pink streaks in!! When I told him I wanted brown he explained to me that he couldn't do that because it didn't match my personality.

He said that hair should match personality and I am like sunrise - hence the yellow and pink colours!! Roooooaaaaarrr!!! I paid him and ran away before he did any more damage!!

THE MOTTO OF THE STORY IS, NEVER GO TO AN ARUVEYDIC HAIRDRESSER!!

Bus Journey Sringar to Jammu

A Hindu Shrine

River at Jammu (prob the nicest thing there!)

The Kasmir Valleys

The Rally/road block that held us up for 2 1/2 hrs

View of mountains on my bus trip to Jammu!

Photos of Srinagar - Dal Lake

House Boat I stayed on Dal Lake, Srinagar

Boats on Dal Lake - Floating Shops and Transport

Botanical Gardens - Srinagar

View of Himalayas from Dal Lake

Dal Lake - Srinagar

Rest of photos from delhi!

India Gate

The Lotus Temple - For all religions to meditate and pray in

The Old Fort - Delhi

A Sadhu praying at Gandhi's memorial

Lal Quila - The Red Fort in Delhi

Sorry, there's been a lack of internet cafes in Kasmir!

Hello people! :)

I am safe and well -so no panicking please! lol. Last Sunday I went up to Srinagar in Kasmir. It is a beautiful place, surrounded by himalayan mountains. I stayed in a place called Dal Lake, it's hot in days and cold at nights - but had a fab time there. Stayed with a family on a house boat, they are family of friends I met in Delhi. It's an 80% muslim community, so hearing the imaam calling from the mosques was amazing. Also the Kashmiri people are very beautiful/handsome. A lot have green and blue eyes, and pale skin - very romantic looking!!

On Thursday I travelled down by bus from Srinagar to Jammu, was a hectic 12 bus hour ride, and was white knuckle for most of it!!! We were finely skimming the edge of roads with about 3000-4000ft drops!! And to add to the bumps in the road which sent my flying about half a metre off my seat, there was a road block and demonstration in a hot valley which brought us to a standstill for about 2 1/2 hours! Mmm...lovely! They managed to clear it with wate canons - phooph!

Stayed in Jammu for 2 days, not overly impressed -vey hot n humid, 10 billion flies and open sewage running through streams and gutters. Managed to get Amoebic Dysentry - which is now going thanks to antibiotics!! Saw a fab festival there though celebrating Punjab, and the reaping of crops.

Yesterday caught a bus to Dharamsala - in Hinchal Pradesh - also known as the home of the Dalai Lama. was another 7 1/2 hr journey, extremely hot, dusty, packed and uncomfortable! But so beautiful getting to Dharamsala - it's green and lush.

I am am staying at the top of a mountain, of Mcloedganj (which check spelling on that later). It's here that the tibet government in exile live, and where the Dalai Lama also gives his teachings. I will stay here for about 3/4 days, hopefully get to meet his holiness at one of his audiences!

It is so beautiful here - am coming back tomorrow to put rest of photos up - just wanted to let you all know where I am and what I'm up to! Can't believe I have only been here 11 days. Wish you were all here so I could share it with you, I've never felt more at home!

Am planning to go to Manali after this, down through Shimla and back to Delhi (which is about 41 degrees C at the moment!) - then off to Rajasthan.

Chat soon, more photos tomorrow!!

Vicy -x-x-x-

Some Photos!

Sufradhungs tomb - sory spelling is lousy but I dont have info to hand - it's based in Lodhi gardens - very beautiful.

This is me outside a Hindu temple - it's built on 100 square acres, and has fantastic tribute gardens to the women of India, halls of worship, and much more..

This is Ghandi's memorial - a truly touching place.

A Snake Charmer - It doesn't actually work (the poor snake got whacked about three times and dragged out of it's basket, and the guy can't play the flute)

First Week :)

Hiya!!

After 2 broken planes, and a 12 hour delay I finally made it to Dehli on Wednesday night, approx midnight. It is beautiful here, but a little crazy!!

Thursday and Friday I have been sight seeing in Dehli. Have taked loads of photos. Have seen lots of old temples, mosques etc Lal Quila - The Red Fort, Tombs and been to some very special places.

Found going to Gandhi's garden where he was shot was very stirring, there is a flame burning there which never goes out, and his burial/cremation slab. many people go there every day to pay their respects, and beautiful music is played around the garden.

It is really warm here, about 35+ degrees C in day and about 28 at night - it's a dry heat so I am very happy!

Food is fab, people are really friendly and hospitable, and have learned my lessons after being ripped off about 5 times in my first 24 hours here!

Chat to you all soon - I'm off to Kasmir tomorrow! -x-