On four wheels, at the foothills of himalayas

I have criss crossed the North Indian state of Himachal Pradesh a couple of times now, often travelling the roads that a normal tourist wouldn't dare to take as they are dangerous.

And I have learnt one thin about the hills: These Hillmen hide the most beautiful landscapes to themselves, therefore they never take a tourist from a road less travelled. I have seen the most beautiful Hills, Valleys, Rivers and Trees in places where tourists never go. You will be hard pressed to find a decent meal in these areas, but there is no dearth of natural beauty. The roads are so narrow that one mistake and you can be 200 feet down the road in a few quick milliseconds, and no airbag can save you. The Laden trucks zip past you and leave you terrified, one touch here and you go flying down there.

And yeah the best part is.............I get paid to go where people pay to go:)). Yes, isn't it the most amazing thing. Well, if you ask me it is. Its true that I start my journey at hours that a normal tourist would not. At unearthly hours when hotel staff wouldnt serve you more than the ubiquitous "Butter Toast", and you relish them sitting in your car like it was Foie-gras served with bordeaux wine. But yes that is the time when you see the sun coming up and painting the hills with its rays in myraid colors which even Hussain would pay millions to get his hands on.

My suggestions to people looking to get away from the hustle bustle of city life and spending a rejuvenating vacation at any hill station: Don't Go to that hill station, ask around, go to a place near that hill station. I bet you will find that much more beautiful, relaxing and yeah not to forget the lack of harrassment at the hands of touts and tour guides. Take Shimla for example: Its called the queen of hills not for nothing with ever changing weather and verdant vistas all around. But yeah I am very sure that 90% of the people who visit Shimla never get to visit what they really wanted to. They follow the trodden path and come back with plastic smiles, saying they loved it, but deep inside, they know that the vacation was nothing more than an extension of the rat race they wanted to get away from. The never ending queues for one thing or the other, sky rocketing prices of everything, when water isn't free and where you dont want to relish the "Masala Chai" sitting in your balcony because it costs a bomb(The last one isnt true for everyone, but a rather overwhelming majority).

I know its easier said than done to find a place off the beaten track, something not mentioned in a travelogue, but trust me, the less mentioned a place is in a travel guide, less commercialised it will be and thus more beautiful. Search through "Lonely Planet" guides, ask the locals and it will be fun. Look for a place so goddammed that the Telecom giants didnt deem fit to place a tower there. Where the data card in your laptop wouldn't work( The laptop isnt supposed to be there in the first place, but knowing you, I know you will carry it along).

So pack your bags, but dont pack your home in them. Just carry along the essentials that you will need for the trip. Even if you are alone(Which is true in my case) you will find the drive lifting your spirits, invigorating your senses and rejuvenating your self to take on the Rat Race once again( I just love this fucking phrase, which is fucking everybody all over).

All the best for the vacation you will never have( I am wicked:)).


I know this one took a long time coming, but I promise my next post will be soon(Anyways not many people read this)