Vacation hangover seldom dies

‘The tan has faded but the memories will last forever’.

This day last month I was up in the mountains of Manali feeling the mountain sun….This day today I am up at 3 in the night working on my travel blog feeling Delhi rains.

Elbert Hubbard has very well said – “No man needs a vacation so much as the man who has just had one.”

Call me obsessed or whatever, but the hangover refuses to die. Delhi weather is making it worse. It rains every second day and you cannot forget the mountains. And of course dad keeps reminding us of all the vacay shenanigans (hi-fi paaa). 

So whether you the ‘loner’ or the ‘honeymooner’, there is something for everyone in the dainty pretty town of Manali! I hope that these five things help you make your vacation as distinctive as the mountains themselves. For the honeymooners though, there would be lot many things adding spice.

• Adventure Sports

I usually prefer beginning my articles and lists on a rather romantic note. But then I thought ‘aaj kuchh toofani karte hain’. Don’t go by the quintessential laid back look of the city, it is home to some great adventure sports activities - rafting, parasailing, river crossing, rappelling, rock climbing, hot air ballooning...

Ropeway at Solang Valley

The stretch between Kullu and Manali is best for river rafting. Jittery at the start, my heart was racing until we hit the first rapid. And it all gets washed away in a jiffy. The water, chilled even in the month of June is sheer pleasure. And that feeling of accomplishment when you cross the river all by yourself (okay! guided) is unexplainable in words. You have to experience it yourself and believe in the powerhouse stored deep within.

Taking the adrenaline rush to the next level is parasailing in Solang Valley. It is an amazing experience, as told to me by my daring cousin who attempted it and enjoyed it thoroughly. 

This is what real adventure looks like!

• Visiting Rohtang Pass

When in Manali you have to visit the gorgeous Rohtang Pass. The ride itself is quite a pulse raiser. The twists and curves of the road and the unabridged size of the snow covered (for most part of the year) mountains is awe-inspiring. 

इस मोड़ से जाते हैं, कुछ सुस्त कदम रस्ते। कुछ तेज़ कदम राहें 

The small tea stall bestows the much needed break. Chai and Parle-G – perfect combination and perfect setting. 

This and a lot such prettiness awaits you in Manali... 

• Sinful indulgences

What’s a vacation without lots of yummness. Cupcakes and bacon pizza and vodka and ice cream, the list is endless.

Vacation Glee :)

There are numerous cafés in Old Manali that serve delicious European and Continental delicacies. Add to that freshly brewed coffee and heavenly muffins…what else can you ask for? But my favorites  are Cafe Johnson's on Old Manali Road and a picturesque Italian restaurant, Il Forno on Hadimba Road. It is a delightful place in the wilderness. Thin crust pizza, tiramisu, beer and the view of the beckoning mountains, didn’t I tell you life is happier in the mountains. 

Vacation Vibes

• Mall Road

Vacationing in the hills would not be the same if there was no Mall Road. Manali’s Mall Road is the hub of all activity. Walking the length is sheer happiness. There is shopping, gol gappas, softy, delicious cherries and meeting new people and of course the very pretty monastery. There is never a dull moment on the Mall Road. 

Needs no filter!

Open Happiness

• Doing nothing at all

A vacation is having nothing to do and having all day to do it.

Of course if you are on your honeymoon you would not like this idea, but as a breather it may work wonders. An ideal vacation is when you follow your heart and not an itinerary. River Beas is in full flow in Manali. You can sit by the river to soak up the mountain sun, get tanned and enjoy a picnic like never before.

P.S – That feeling of taking beer/ mangoes and chilling them in the river is unmatched.

After all the fun, furor and flurry, you should sit back and relax. Or rather sit and pack your memories into that big treasure box. I suggest you also pack some fresh mountain breeze and the ever changing hues that’ll keep you going till the next vacation.