Manali

Each place we go to is better than the last, and Manali is no exception. We splurged on a nice hotel here, which means about US $40. You couldn't even stay in a Motel 6 for that. The place overlooks an incredible rose garden, and we have a great balcolny. Our room has a back patio that overlooks a forest reserve, pine trees towering over our hotel. Beautiful polished wooden ceiling and floors and a fireplace with a cedar mantle. We are staying in an area where wealthy Indians stay, we've been told.

Up the road is essentially a hippy/trustafarian area. We are so happy to see Westerners! I can't lie. We've met a woman from Toronto. She's a journalist; she and her husband quit their jobs to travel for a year and a half!! They are in their 8th month here in Manali. We've met another couple from Vancouver who are travelling for 3 months. We've seen lots of Isrealis here and some Europeans. Stares are far fewer in Manali, maybe because of so many tourists.

We can see the snowcapped mountains of the Himalayas, lots of Robin Hood-like forests; we can hear the Beas river gushing nearby. It's gorgeous. We've also seen Yaks, angora rabbits, pashmina goats (being herded!). Manali is in the region where pashmina shawls and angora woolen textiles oringinate. We are also in the land of apples and plums, and we've walked past many orchards. Yesterday, after walking through a mountain village in Old Manali, we discovered a quiet and secluded area near a rushing river from which we could see the mountains and trees. Shimla was nice, but Manali kicks its ass, by far.

Incidentally, a glass of wine cost more than a lamb kebab dinner here. 2000 rupees for the wine ($40) or 300 rupees for the lamb ($6.00) - seriously! So we didn't have any. Ha.

P.S. Note to Elise. The white dreds in Manali are out of control. We passed a place today that had a huge sign offering this service: Make your hair Rasta.