Solang valley | Do you wanna build a snowman? [Part 2]

The next morning was delightful and filled with excitement to be wrapped in the snow. We had already made the arrangement of the trip the night before, everything with timings was set. Funny though even with my rushing speed I wasn’t finished with my breakfast [expected, but hot chocolate was really hot] and so I grabbed it with me to eat on the way. And again we meet the road now close to our heart. Walking that trail brought us joy beyond words could ever describe with the sound of the river the magnificent glowing snow peaked mountains.

The way to the Solang valley was a treat to the eye. Upon reaching we walked around, looking for options to get a little closer to the snow. Came across the ropeway and ski center and turned away only to find a sweet ride on a mountain climber car [wanted to drive, but of course losing a limb over it wasn’t very wise. Sigh] and instead of taking three separate ones we climbed on in one. It was hilarious to be on it, with all the undulations a steep mountain could offer, oh my, the thrill. And finally in a matter of a minute or two – there it was, the long awaited touch of the snow. But before the next phase began, we were to cross a stream with few wooden planks laid over it, such blissful little moments.

There were many people around but somehow the crowd wasn’t chaotic as the further we went along the snowed ground the scattered everyone got. And for a long time we just kept on walking pausing at many points admiring the whites before us, heard about a temple way up, and thought about the view it would unfold. So we followed people going up [and no, we weren’t stalking, for we couldn’t follow any particular group – too many distractions, though we did follow a group with a music speaker for a while]. And so, we decided to hold onto the now known long stretch we walked with our [failed] attempt at making a snowman and [fun fun] attempt at snow fight in a winter wonderland where we left our handprints and yes, we did taste the snow [loved it – not insane, just curious or the other way around]. Turning back was hard, to leave a place which was nothing but pure magic with the bluest sky. And one last ride [just second] in that mountain climber car filled with laughter.

And back to Manali, I and Bhagyashree dropped out at the mall road while Prachee went back to the homestay to keep the camera on charge. Until she got back we had already feasted upon cinnamon bun and a muffin [delicious, I must add] and wandered around with a complete circle around the mall road. When Prachee finally joined us we went on a hunt for beads to make our own jewelry, it was quite exciting and had the most amazing five flavored softy before setting off to Old Manali to continue our search for more beads and explore the steep sides of that slope a little better.

And so we did explore it more, came across leather and jacket shops, saw traditional weaving back in those pretty streets and went up furthermore, climbed a few steps to the height from where I and Bhagyashree saw the river, a place in isolation, a view straight out from a fairytale, breathtaking and peaceful running while Prachee waited at the foot of the steps. Walking down the slope we came across many cafes, but at last we tried cookies from a bakery, a choice well-made and Prachee got a beaded hair extension [real gypsy]. And we went back after staring at the river in the dark for a while, contend with the day.

For dinner, we had big plans – eating cup noodles in our dorm while making bracelets and a choker, again a choice well-made. But before that we sat in the cold and in the dark, outside our dorm in the cozy looking setting of a mattress and blankets gazing at the mighty mountains and blinking stars, shivering but not yet ready to take our eyes off of that scene. Well, but soon we had to withdraw and take shelter in the warm dorm.

Soon came the morning, and for our time to move on, leave Manali behind, but before saying our goodbye we wander in and around the homestay, capturing it and its craziness.

So, off we went to the bus stand, and with perfect timing caught the bus to Naggar. Ahead awaits the castle.