Nako

Trip Start Jun 30, 2008
1
6
15
Trip End Jul 28, 2008


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Where I stayed
Galaxy Guest house
(Mumbai (Bombay) hotels)

Flag of India  ,
Saturday, July 5, 2008

Now I have a permit to travel in the "Inner Line" which is the area close to the Tibetan (i flatly refuse to say Chinese) border. I'm doing a circle through first Kinnaur Valley, then Spiti and Lahaul, ending up in Manali. All of Spiti Valley is like a piece of Tibet, the only difference being the lack of Chinese soldiers destroying the culture. This is probably as close to the Tibetan life style as I will ever get.

The five hour bus trip from Peo ended up taking about eight, due to a flat tire, earthslides, avalanches and hordes of mules crowding the narrow "road". But it was absolutely fantastic. No words can possibly describe the beauty, and for once I'm not even going to try. I just hope my panoramic photos will somehow do the scenery justice. I just can't stop smiling. I have never, and I do mean never, had such a view from any balcony. It is as if all sounds, sights and smells are magic around here. The local mountain people look so happy and beautiful with their sun-scorched and weatherworn faces. And how do they get their teeth so white?
I helped the guest house owner's wife carry a large tank of gas up to their private apartment and was invited for lunch. Wonderfully authentic experience, with three generations of women chattering in Hindi while I ate a delicious pilau and felt very much alive.

M
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