Manali was a plug-in to our holiday, it enhanced it.

We had originally planned to do a longer trek but realized that we were tending to be a bit over confident. This was the first time that any of us had done a major trek so, I suggested that we do a short trek and then spend a few days in Manali.

The journey from Uttarkashi to Manali was a bit uncomfortable because we were cramped in hard wooden seats for 18 hours.
We almost got beaten by two Sanyasis because Mouneet caressed their bald heads and then shoved the corner of his muffler up one Sanyasis nose when the bus had stopped at Chandigarh.

But Manali was mind blowing fun. Mouneet enjoyed the place on the whole. Chetan just couldn't keep away from the Tibetan girls selling stuff in the Tibetan market and I had my fill of mountain motorcyling.
We decided to go to the Rohtang Pass on motorcycle, so we hired motorcycles from Raju Bhai in the Tibetan market. Chetan and Mouneet hired Yamahas and I tried my hand on an Enfield. We all had to really clad up quite heavily because it was pretty cold. The ride from Manali to Vashist is pretty simple with only one stream to cross. In the photo we have stopped to adjust a few things in the motorcycles. I did a good deed and gave a Dutch girl a lift to Vashist. I guess that was what caused my first puncture, less air and too much load.

Fortunately when my puncture happened we were close to a puncturewallah, unfortunately there was a power cut hence he couldn't operate his compressor so I had to remove the wheel and take it to Manali on Mouneet's bike. I had remove all my layers of clothing because all that work made me start to sweat. Anyway after about an hour we were ready to leave and so we started. This time an Indian man asked me for a lift so I patrioticaly obliged. Result: Second puncture.

This time we were quite far from Manali (20 kms) so Chetan suggested that we dump the bike and continue,but the Yamaha could not handle two people on those steep slopes. Chetan and Mouneet went back to Manali to get a mechanic. They had a real ball racing against each other while I was pushing and sweating away. Then when it got too much of hard work I sat down and started to write my "memoirs". Ultimately my friends returned with a spare wheel and so we went back to Manali because it was too late to make it to the Pass and back.

The next day I went by bike
The ride to Rohatang was one of the most amazing biking experiences in my life. It was like my previous ride from Dehradum to Mussorie last monsoons. I have really begun to respect the Enfield. Previously I used to think of it as a vintage that has been given a lease of life, but after riding it through snow, sand, streams and log bridges, I salute it.

Rohtang pass is again very breathtakingly beautiful. It is surrounded by snow capped mountains and is open for only about 3 months in a year. Chetan and I wanted to ride to Keylong but unfortunately the weather did not permit that.
If you ever go to Rohtang go by bike, don't take the bus, only the eldery and weak-hearted go by bus. That road is meant to be done by bike.