The final adventure

(31st December, 2020)


Shot from paragliding take off spot, Dobhi, Manali

At dinner yesterday, Ronnie suggested paragliding. I had been enquiring about day treks from multiple trek agencies that lie on Old Manali slopes. Some suggested Lama Dugh as a day trek. Beas Kund is a dream but it's a 2-3 day affair, which was impossible for me, along with office. So, paragliding emerged as winner. It was something roomie and I had never did. Ronnie also helped arrange a Bolero camper to pick us up at INR 350 per person. The paragliding itself costed 2500 each. 

We were told to be ready for pickup by 0830hrs. But, our driver Bobby got stuck in a jam downtown, and we were awarded with yet another 2km walk downhill with stomachs satiated from tea & Parle-G.

The camper picked us, and halted at Highlander's camp for another pickup - 10 boys & girls. Chatting up was flavor of the time, and we got to know that highlander's camp was not up to the mark in terms of facilities. The frozen water added to the woes for morning needs.

We, at Basecamp Nirvana, never faced such issues. In fact we had hot water available every time, except for when electricity went out - that too was rare.

Bobby drove us uphill to Dobhi takeoff spot, negotiating snow laden roads with dexterity. The guys & girls at the back of camper shrieked every time there was a sharp turn, whereas roomie and I had taken comfortable mid-seats on a first come, first serve basis.

I know what pictures / videos / memes you're conjuring up when thinking of Dobhi paragliding. Still need a hint ? During my flight, I told my pilot  : "100-200 zyada lele par extend karaa de" :P

(The line is loosely based on the paragliding video that went viral recently.) 

Paragliding may be one of the best adventures one can ever have, but for an acrophobic person like that in the video, it's a disaster!

Happy landings !

I'm at a serious loss of words to express what I felt during my 8-10 minute flight. The dry apple and plum trees growing alongside river and the Dhauladhar range in the background. It was a perfect day!

The video sells at INR 500, and the pictures at 200. Both of us chose to get the video only. I made some friends over tea after paragliding, and they all are still in touch :)

~ Mall Road

After all the fun, we decided to roam around the place which we crossed daily but never explored - the Mall road. To my surprise, my friends from back home were also in Manali ! We all met & ate. 

If you're someone who loves shawls, Manali Mall road is the place to be.

Shawls on display


We later celebrated the new year in our own, wild ways. The next day state roadways bus dropped us back to Delhi, but the travel was awful. I'd recommend travelling by Volvo only, not by HRTC buses!


~

People buy things, we collected memories,

In the cold that chilled even the bones, I collected a few precious stones ;

Be it the famous temple of Devi Hadimba, or the lively Jogini,

We made it through with woolens and few shots of shaken, not stirred Martini,

Sulphur water at Klaath may claim itself hot & appealing,

But in these 6 days, I felt nothing warmer than the people of Himachal, their thoughts, and their feelings

~