Sunday, June 6, 2010

Eat, Love, Pray!


I know I've been gone for a while... but I'm gonna make-up for it BIG TIME! I was busy travelling to Dharamsala/Mcloed Ganj, beautiful l'il hill stations nestled in the heart of Himachal Pradesh! Delhi heat has been attacking us poor morals for quiet and this plan was a spontaneous result of our idle deliberations. I had to work really hard in the days following up to the travel dates to make sure I earn this little break.

When I call this trip a 'plan' i'm exaggerating, really... it was anything but! How we get there... no idea??! Where we stay.. mmm, we'll find something!! It was so last minute we took whatever closest train station we found aka Chandigarh and took a cab from there and checked into a hotel at 10pm ( after nearly 3 hours of walking up and down the streets , climbing infinite flights of stairs and negotiating tariffs or cleanliness!). Anyway, we woke up next morning to a cloudy grey sky, crazy cold breeze and fluttering colorful prayer flags. Our prayers for a 'Cold' summer were answered!

Our Hotel, ' Pema Thang' at Mcloed Ganj was as perfect as it could get... clean room, spacious and a view to die for ...AND a balcony!!! There restaurant served delicious fresh food too. Lets just say finding a great place to stay ensured nearly 5o% of our trip's success (c'mon you know comfort is important! IT IS!!)

While we were busy walking up and down the streets to Bhagsunak, sightseeing, getting a taste of the local cuisine, shopping, meeting new people, in all this crazy hyperactivity we were at ease. SO much ease that I can't even begin to explain. Tibetan refugees living in this part of the country are truly inspiring people - they are gentle, polite, earnest, proud and friendly. They have been fighting for Tibet's freedom for years and have been living away from their homes and their people for more than 30 years now but are still fighting this battle.

The love and regard they have for Dalai Lama keeps them going through their lives hoping that good karma will help them cross this endless tunnel to find a happy and peaceful existence. I was really in love with this place, its people and its life... no wonder travelers from across the world have settled down in this quaint town and fallen in love with its unassuming beauty.

Here's DAY 1 :


The gorgeous l'il guest house that hosted our stay!


Looking out from the balcony and taking in the mesmerizing beauty of himalyan ranges..


The prayer flags ruffling into the breezy winds as the clouds swallowed up the sun!




Me and my friend Madhur sitting by the Bhagsu waterfall... we took a crazy and spontaneous trek down into the valley!

Joey, Anjani and Madhur -- Super tired after walking back up on the road!! the trek was awesome and the water flowing was FREEZING!!!


Kangra Valley - Gorgeous view form Bhagsu trek


Me and Madhur outside a punjabi dhaba cafe.



Did I tell you that we got invited to a private party at Merina's Lost World Cafe @ Bhagsunak and danced till our calves hurt and drank till... well till the time drinks kept coming! :D

Went back downhill @ 2am and a 45 minute walk later reached our hotel.... it was dark, cold and scary!!!!!

haha

P.S. - i love that outfit... can't believe i'm repeating an entire outfit on 2 consecutive posts.. but who cares! ;)

P.P.S - that Blue brocade bag came from Sikkim, gifted by my friend Garima. (Though I did find plenty of such bags in Dharamsala too!)

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Awesome! I am excited to see these photos. I've forgotten where this expensive Pema thang was..is. Is it a little after Kareri Lodge..close to the club..up on that road..that goes up..between Jogibara and the Temple road?
Anyway...you should go to Tibet hope center...where i volunteered. Take part in their conversation class with monks/tibetans...and give a hug to Kusang/Kunga.
Also, eat at Carpe diem, Common ground cafe, Do ke bi and Lung Ta - the japanese restaurant.

Manou said...

Awesome! I am excited to see these photos. I've forgotten where this expensive Pema thang was..is. Is it a little after Kareri Lodge..close to the club..up on that road..that goes up..between Jogibara and the Temple road?
Anyway...you should go to Tibet hope center...where i volunteered. Take part in their conversation class with monks/tibetans...and give a hug to Kusang/Kunga.
Also, eat at Carpe diem, Common ground cafe, Do ke bi and Lung Ta - the japanese restaurant.

Spardha Malik said...

@M - Yeah, Pema Thang was ahead of kareri lodge... loved the place! I really wanna go for atleast a month next time.. volunteer, introspect and some daily adventure! I did go to carpe diem but the rest of the places definitely go down on my list for next time.

@Bollywood Stardiaries - Would you believe madhur's studded Gladiators are from Liberty!! Thanks!

Hippie Holly said...

I do love this outfit of yours, it lovely and merits being repeated! The bag is lovely too :)

Bhushavali said...

This place is so good!!!

My Outfit at My Best Friend's Engagement

Spardha Malik said...

@ HH - Thanks a ton!! I was feeling soo weird posting it.. haha
@ Mitr - Yup, This place is by far my favourite hill station... the best part is its people... they are just lovely!

My Unfinished Life said...

mc leodganj is just amazing...i had a fantastic experience there , loved gorging on the delicious food available at the various restaurants and cafes there, and trekked & trekked taking in the natural beauty...though dint get invited to any party!! :P