Mandi

 An overloaded porter.

 The roads we were driving on.

 All those vehicles are moving and jockeying for position.

Then there is animal traffic.

 The beautiful foothills and valleys.

 Right beside the temple is a tent city.

 Two young men who were checking out our guide as she talked to us.

 Cremation on the banks of the Brea River.

 A couple of shops.

 Watching the world go by.

 If this face could tell a story.

The town of Mandi.

Friday, March 16^th.

We left the hotel by 9:00 and I was very happy that Prerna had arranged for the porters to carry our bags up the steep hill from the hotel to the parking lot. But, then I was amazed when one guy went up the hill with Prerna’s on his back, mine on his head and pulling Stephen’s.

Today the drive was about 160 km and took five hours along a series of narrow roads that circumnavigated around the hills. The views were beautiful and watching the traffic and how they manage to get by each other is incredible. We stopped at a series of roadside cafes where we could get a snack or use the toilet. I am feeling really bad for three of the guys on our trip. Michael, Stephen and Mark are all over six foot, with Mark at six eight (the young boys stare at our beautiful guide and everyone else stares at the giant). All three of them are experiencing cramped quarters on the toy train and now the toy van with little leg room.

Several times on the drive as we twisted and turned around the hills, we could see the snowy peaks of the Himalayas off in the distance. They were magnificent, but unfortunately, there was nowhere to spot and take a photo as the road was just too narrow, hopefully tomorrow.

We arrived at the Rajmahal Hotel about three, ordered lunch and checked in. This is a heritage hotel that is still owned and operated by the former maharaja family. In fact we were supposed to have dinner with the 90 year old ‘king’ tonight but apparently he is ill. For lunch I had a delicious vegetable korma.

After lunch we went for an orientation tour. We walked through the narrow streets, past all manner of shops and stalls, down to the Beas River. This is a holy river for Hindus. There are several temples to Shiva here, including a granite one, Panchvaktra Temple, built in the 1770’s. Mandi has a rich cultural heritage of both historical and theological significance. Once part of the salt route to Tibet, today it's the gateway to the Kullu Valley. We crossed the river on the one lane Queen Victoria bridge that was built in her honour when she visited in the 1800’s.

Then Prerna lead us to another market area and gave us a couple of hours to explore on our own. I went people hunting, looking for faces. When dusk came I headed back to the hotel to meet the group for dinner.

The meal was included and was a set menu of Indian dishes from butter chicken, to a paneer dish, daal and a korma, with naan and rotis. All good. Then off to bed early again.