living in a quiet town near manali

kullukid

Hi Scotsman, Hope you're still with us? Here's a pic of the house & landlady of Bahadur family guesthouse. The guesthouse (which i sent you a pic of in an earlier post) is to the left of this across a path. When you follow the path through the orchard you will come out from behind the owners house. I know this looks totally isolated but the trees to the right of the house are the orchard & after about a 3-5min walk the orchard ends & you drop down the hill into Kashol village which is hidden from sight from this guesthouse, which is what i like about it, you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere, yet still have all the facilities Kashol has to offer such as banoffee, bananna lassi etc. KK

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cyberhippie

Looks nice KK, definitely my kind of place!!

scotsman

Hi folks sorry I feel like a wido for not acknowledging the great replys I have been at work and when I get back to my accomodation the internet is shut (its 9-5!) Long story...... but I'm getting more boosters on friday ( ) oo no!

Its getting closer though, I aim to be away about the 22nd of october, just more than a month as my passports away getting replaces as the old one is a bit crumpled! I wanted to leave 15th but this way it gives me a safety net if my passport takes a wee bit longer than the "1 month maximum"

I gotta book my flight which il do this weekend when im at my mum and dads house (who have internet all day) because the £330 offer from trailfinders has to be booked BEFORE 26th of september!

Ive got lots to say and lots more to ask about my impending trip to the north of India, I am so excited and that guesthouse is an absolute belter kullukid. I look at it and it makes me excited to think il be staying in such a STUNNING place! Im only on the net at the momoent cause i had the dentists at 4 and ive nipped on just before it shuts at 5 (its 4.55 now!) and the replies are awesome, thanks! im getting such great info from this thread i really appreciate it

anyway I'l say more on saturday and hope il have the flights booked then too!

lata
Kieran

scotsman

Hi there!
I'm just back from recieving more boosters this morning! The japanese encephylitus one gives me a bruise and apparently you can suffer even worse reactions from it (which is why this one has a 10 day period of no travel after you're last booster) I said to the nurse I want to travel at around october the 20th, actually 4 weeks from now... and the time is passing so fast.... but the jap B needs 0-7-28 days of injections. ie 3 weeks after the 2nd booster before final booster, then 10 days of staying in the country to check i dont get a reaction. Welllll Im not waiting for that so we took the fastrack innoculations which means instead of waiting 3 weeks between 2nd and 3rd innoculation im getting them week after week, the last innoculation of jap B is on the 6th so i am free to go from the 16th! It just means the protection wont last for quite as long, but I really dont want it to be 6 weeks

Theres loads of jags to get and i have another 3 appointments to finish up (ive had 3 already)

Im also sorting out my malaria tablets next week (need 2 types. 1 to be taken weekly, one to be taken dailly)

Booking my flights this weekend. £330 from trailfinders.com .... heathrow direct to delhi and now I know my jags appointments are all sorted I will be booking. I hope to get one from october 18th - 22nd

Kullukid I read you're directions to the guesthouse again and I find they're very detailed and easy to understand. Just to double check though... I didnt actually see this thread from getting the bus to manali from delhi. What forum is it in?
I am though aware of these "volvo busses" which leave from delhi dailly about 17:00 if my memory is correct. And it gets you to manali like 10am was it?
Is this the bus I take to get to Kashol yes? The way I took the info was... Take this very Delhi to Manali bus. Except get off before it gets to Manali at Bhuntar bus station. Then ask in Bhuntar where there is a bus going to Manikran? When I get on this bus it should go over a bridge crossing a river and when it has done that I am in parvati valley. Midway through the bus journey to Manikran I will pass through jari, then come to Kashol. Dont get off at Kashols first stop, go to to main Kashol bus depot/station. Then walk down the main street where I get refreshed at a nice restaraunt on my right which is situated immediately after the grocery shops.... When I come out of the cafe, turn right, walking further up the street.... I then come to a the Green Palace Hotel. Opposite the hotels sign there are 2 shops which has an alleyway in between them. When I go through the alleyway and come out on the other side.... there is a grass bank. Go to the top of the grassy hill and I come to a single house. Go right round the house (with the house to my left obviously) and go streight forward and i come to an apple Orchard. There is a dirt track and keep to the left (Is there different directions the path goes? is it like a T junction or something where theres more than one track? or does the path automatically lead left) There is 2 huge rocks to my right on this path then I approach 2 houses. Walk on with the houses to the left of me, and I will see another house which is the owner of the guesthouse just next to it! (Does it look like with my directional interpretation I will arrive at my destination? )

How easy will it be to find a tollah in this area? Is asking other tourists who look like they enjoy the herb my safest/best bet or asking at the guesthouse.... or should I trek to another nearby villiage to get some do you reckon? I definitely got to take a walk to manali thats for sure.
Despite sounding like a hashead im a very avid jogger too and this whole area looks like a totally brilliant place to jog with endless routes would that be true in the valleys here?
Also is it pretty safe to walk about these areas on my own or is it "advised" to allways be with other people, or try to be as much as possible.... what do you honestly think about this question in terms of did you go by yourselfe and feel pretty safe from "rogue" indians who are after you're money? youve been there and id prefer your opinion rather than reading the embassy propaganda or asking Keri... who is now back at uni but I'l be seeing her before I go im sure to see if theres anywhere apart from Koshin she would reccomend seeing. Ive not payed any notice at all to her and my mums warnings! my mum keeps saying "find out about it more.. look up what the embassy says about it.... those people on the indian website will tell you anything" ... thats right, people who are writing about theyre FIRST HAND experience and have been directly in these places! I know who I trust. Keep the info coming plz.... I am definitely using it. Kullukid this is the first place I will be going to in India which is why I am doublechecking/making sure. I will make sure to give you a menchy to desi too!

Cheers!
Kieran

Nick-H

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kullukid

Hi Scotsman, Yes your interpretation is good, just to clarify a few little points:
Here's a link to sabbys post for HPTDC bus http://www.indiamike.com/india/showthread.php?t=24894
"Dont get off at Kashols first stop, go to to main Kashol bus depot/station."
It's not really a station, you could call it the town square if you like, but even that's an exaggeration, let's say it's a slightly wider bit of road, you will be going up hill most of the way but it flattens out at that bit just after you cross a small bridge the conductor will tell you when you are there.

"There is a dirt track and keep to the left (Is there different directions the path goes? is it like a T junction or something where theres more than one track?"
Yes when you get to the top of the hill the house is on your left walk straight ahead, you will see the dirt track goes left & right you take the left one which sort of takes you straight ahead if that makes sense

"then I approach 2 houses. Walk on with the houses to the left of me, and I will see another house which is the owner of the guesthouse just next to it!"
When you see these 2 houses you are there, but yes keep these to your left & then turn left at the end & you will come out where the landlady is stood in the photo,just shout hello someone will appear. They actually own 2 G/H the green house they live in is btween the 2, but try & get a room in the blue 1 i posted the photo of with sunflowers outside.
"How easy will it be to find a tollah in this area?"
Your best bet is to go back into Kashol to where you got off the bus, there is an English wine shop next to the german bakery follow the path down the side of the bakery & you will pass the rainbow hotel on your right follow this path down to the wobbly footbridge that crosses the Parvati river,once across turn left & walk along the river, you might bump into someone here if not follow the path to Chalal as i described in a previous post.
It is o.k. to smoke at the G/H but Desi doesn't sell although he'll gladly talk to you about it he's from Pulga village originally,he's a really cool cookie!
Yes it's a great place to jog, if that's your thing!(you could jog up the road to Manikaran & back).
Yes it's very safe to walk alone, except as i mentioned earlier try & tag on to someone if you do the trek to Malana village (not Manali this is another town higher up the Kullu valley which you should also visit) people have disappeared there in the past.
Also you won't find any "rogue Indians" up here trying to get your money, it's really not like that at all.
Last but not least Keiran will you please please please get your sister to join or send NickH a P.M. He's dying to know all the Gori details! Yes Nick it's a play on words

OtherBeaumont

here is a tip that may be total bs...but i found from the streets of mumbai to the street of manakiran...the best smoke comes from women...middle age ones old men also have good stuff...the younger dudes are just hustlers selling crap and hi prices...

robotvoice

kullukid, are those plants in that photo (next to the woman) what i think they are ?
is it common to see them in the open like that?

dilbharatmain

scotsman, I just love the bees nest you have stirred up with your thread, which started out with simply wanting to get some cheap charas in India.

think you have been given plenty of info on that, and it should all lead you in the right direction.

Just wander a bit off the main trails - for instance, I was staying in Naggar Castle (treat yourself sometime...), the manager there asked me if I needed a bit of a hash fix up - thought buying from a Govt hotel manager not too kosher, however saw his stuff, asked his price, walked a little up the trial, ended up in the lovely village of Rumsu, within 2 minutes a lady asked me if I needed lunch, next thing was sitting on the balcony with a good dahl baat and being shown every quality of hash you could imagine... bought a lovely tola for 170rps, kept me happy for a few days that is for sure - and the manager of the Naggar Castle helped me to get through it on the balcony there, telling me "definately the best" and where did I get it from!

Mountains all cool - a bit of shit has been going down over the years around the Kullu valley, the major local dealers up there are not stupid, you have to keep your wits about you, but you will have a blast, although, Nov/Dec will be getting a bit snowy - so be prepared for that. Great to hear that Pulga sounds still chilled out - what about Tulga, there was a great hash supply in that village - had 4 months there, but in 1996, so suppose things may have moved on in the past 10 years.

Re North /south divide - yeah, definately think that parts of the south are more chilled out, but think it is probably cause of the toppo atmosphere - and the great southern parantha - thing most missed in North India...

North south East west, all is good when shanker is around. Enjoy. dil.

grizzlyofalaska

Hi All,

i am glad i came across this post. this is perfect!! Kullu kid thanks for all your advice very helpful. I wonna ask you few more silly questions but you can have a laugh at my expence.

Scotsman, i am in the same boat as you but my trip to india (i leave on the 3rd Oct) is more about spirituality then hash, although sometimes they are interconnected

Anyways, to give you all my background i am 28 years old, male, Indian born, living in london for laST 12 years. 2 weeks ago out of the blue i decided to quit my well paid sales job and decided to go to india. It was spur of moment decision and yes like they say in japaneese i had a saturai "an instant awakening" The mountains are calling me, no more drunk nights in london, working 14 hours a day and sepnding all your money on posh strippers!! I am heading to Himachal.

My plan is to get to a place called Palampur near Dharamshala. There i am checking into a yoga retreat which is also like a detox centre. I plan to stay there 2 weeks and get rid of all the fast food, alcohol and other junk away form my body. Take some time out and contemplate. Then i will be heading to Manali, Kullu kid the guest house sounds perfect i am sure i will spend some time there. I am just wondering at the price you mentioned is it really clean? i am scared to go to indian toilets, i am sorry india is my birth place but the toilets are scary. Another sily question, can you get toilet paper? last time i wiped my arse with my hand and water was ten years ago. i prefer toilet paper.

Scotsman,be in touch and let me know if you come across any cool places, if you make it to the guest house then we might just bump into each other.

Anyways i have to go do some packing and stuff, empty my flat move into my parents for a week and organise my trip to himachal. This is emotional but this is liek the movies i quit my job left my flat to follow my dream of india. i love it!! sorry i am so excited!!! woohoooo
bye

Styler

Way to Go GrizlyofAlaska...
I promise you you won't regret it..
Styler

kullukid

Yes! it's normal, they grow everywhere, its a weed you know! My room was on the 1st floor & there was 1 that grew right up to the side of my door,scenting my room everytime i opened the door, better than incense! I remember the first time i visited the valley in '97, as we crossed the bridge into Manikaran there was a mini jungle of plants growing on the far bank, & the smell nearly knocked us over, WoW! we've arrived!
Grizzly, this guest house is in Kashol in Parvati valley near Malana, Manali is further up the Kullu valley, try & visit both places if you have time.
My favorite in Manali is Sunshine guest house it's real olde worlde set in apple orchards with a beautiful English country garden, it's sort of a mini farm as well with an whole menagerie of hens, doves ,pigeons etc, not to mention the cows & Tibetan terriers, it's in a very peaceful setting with wonderful views. It's located just above John Bannons nr the sign for log huts, try the homemade honey or apricot jam with your butter toast here's some pics.
http://picasaweb.google.com/kullukid...ySKq-KqmE96O6Y
The G/H in Kashol as an outside shared western toilet & shower & is spotlessly clean, the one in Manali as a very large Victorian bathroom + a changing room attached, you can get toilet paper in India but its a bit rough (like izal?) bring your own (Andrex) but don't flush it down the toilet, it blocks the drains, then some poor bugger as to clean it out! KK

neonknight

well kullukid ur information has been wonderful nd i plan to take up a similar kind of trip as the scotsman but in the month of december so could u please give me some info wheather kashol would be open and would there be some tourist around or would it be totally deserted. also i want to make the trip to malana is it possible in december.
ur help would be very much appreciated.

kullukid

I've never been there in Dec, mid oct is the latest for me & the days were very pleasant, but temps dropped quiet a bit at night.
I trekked to Malana @ 9000ft last Sept & again it was pleasant through the day but was very cold at night. I wouldn't recommend going in Dec especially to Malana, it will probably be snowed in. Here's some photos of Malana & the trek i took in Sept last yr it will give you some idea of the height. KK
http://www.theindiatree.com/forum2/i...album&album=14

scotsman

Whats hapnin? I have just BOOKED flights.

Heathrow - Delhi October30th Delhi - Heathrow march1rst. They did not have a flight on the 23rd (4 weeks from now) and that was the closest deal they did have. I could have flown to mumbai on the 23rd and arranged a flight for about £30 from bombay to delhi through air deccan (think its called that) but decided against this for the sake of a week, and it means i can save up a wee bit more!

So I'l have 4 months out there. Id have preferred an open air ticket and book approximately for 6 months in India, but this £340 deal is without changeable dates. and it costs an extra £200 approx to have that type of ticket. It means I'l have about £300 to spend per month! and more if I take my £400 overdraft (dont want a non changeable ticket 6 months down the line with me running out of £ beforehand)

I got a Megabus deal for £5 ticket from Edinburgh to London which I'm leaving on 29th at 11am and get to london at 20:35 so il stay in a cheap hostel overnight waiting for the plane at 3 the next day.

Some more excellent replies. I will take the advice sensibly Kullu and make sure I dont go to malana on my own, I have looked at you're pics on your own september trip last year and the scenery is absolute stunning! The route to that guesthouse is totally clear in my mind too and I will go there as my first port of call

So in a month im away!

Any more reccomendations of places to go in parvati and kullu valley are very welcome! I am really glad I have some sort of actual plan now when I get up there (thanks mate!) which gives me a trusted base to start from up there and find my way about things...... I'l keep you's updated on my plans and will probably have more questions soon

bye for now
Kieran

PS Grizzly Il be at the main mentioned guesthouse by kullukid for at least a week from 1rst of november ish, probably more if I like it..... when you intending to be in this area?