Our Trip Thus Far...

We’re both recovered now, after a whole week hampered by a travel bug. We arrived in Manali today, where skiing, zorbing and fruit ciders await. Below is where we’ve been so far:-

Haridwar

- Arriving 5am, enjoyed sunrise over the Ganges watching pilgrims and locals bathing & performing puja – whilst eating Aloo Paratha
- Lots of flies – really, lots of flies
- Watching a religious ceremony in the evening – along with thousands of others

Rishikesh

• Striking Ganges valley
• Miriam sick – flowing almost as fast as the Ganges itself

Mussoorie

- Miriam still sick – Brad in sympathy joins her
- Antibiotics taken – recovery follows
- Great Tibetan meals consumed – minus chilli
- Relaxed tourist town – great walks & views

Chandigarh

• Something out of the twilight zone – stayed in Sector 22
• Most western shopping mall we’ve seen in India
• Fast food fix – McDonalds & KFC
• The Rock Garden – a recycled wonderland

Shimla

- Relaxed tourist hill station – former summer capital of British India
- Buzzing night life
- Thighs of steel required – lots of walking, steps & inclines

Top 5 conversations

• Indian student attacks in Australia (many discussions) – one drunk guy even called us murderers
• Gender bias & female infanticide in India
• India’s Civil Service exam: on three separate occasions met people undergoing this exam in Shimla
• Round Australia trip planning for an Indian-British national
• Australia losing T20 World Cup to England (actually least favourite conversation)