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Welcome to the Far Side
The sculptures at the Chandighar Rock Garden are one man's creation - a bizarre dreamworld sculpted entirely from trash. Could this mysterious artiste be Gary Larson of Far Side cartoon fame? |
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It's fun to stay at the...Y, M, C, A!
The Himalayan hill-station of Shimla was summer capital for the British Raj, where fragile Brits rushed to escape the searing heat of the plains. Met by an horrifically howling storm we sought shelter at the local YMCA. Why we were shocked and surprised by awful weather and freezing conditions in the Himalayas during February remains a puzzling mystery. |
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Waking in a winter wonderland
After a masochistic journey yet further north we reached Manali at the end of the Kullu Valley. The hair-pin bus route was treacherous and the last mile barred entirely by downed power-lines dangling across the road. Relieved to make it safely to our lodge we then had to contend with carbon monoxide poisoning due to a blocked log fire chimney. Waking the next morning to this view we were glad just to be alive! |
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Have you seen the Abominable Snowman Yet(i)?
Rising high above the Kullu valley the inaccessible road to the Rohtang Pass climbs up to above 12,000 feet. Trudging along the snow-bound ridge through knee-deep snow we explored exiled Tibetan colonies, rustic villages with hot springs, old stone temples and even (accidentally) stumbled into an Indian army base where we were courteously directed to the exit. Sadly, our plan to meet the Yeti was not successful - though we did spot strange, huge footprints in the snow... |
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Off piste at Vashisht
Local kids make the most of the snow on improvised skis - tying wooden planks to their feet with pieces of string and transforming the road up to mountain village Vashisht into a temporary black run. No quarter was given to any tourists foolish enough to try to use the 'slope' as a footpath. |
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Granny and Grandpa
After a hard day cultivating frostbite we got the fire going, hung our socks out to dry and sipped on a nice cup of hot chocolate. In absolute confirmation of incipient old age, we even ordered hot footbaths - ahhhhh bliss! |
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Indian hospitality
Back in the thawing warmth of the Punjabi plains our incredible Indian host, Sunil took us to dine with lovely friends the Mathurs and Vippin. Fortunately we get the chance to return the favour when they visit Scotland in a few short months. |
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Punjab Slum School
In a poor area of Ludhiana Sunil took us to see a school he started to give children from the slums a chance at an education. Through diplomacy with local community leaders and extremely dedicated staff these kids are (so far) coming regularly to school despite the pressure to drop out to help their families make ends meet in the short term. |
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Armed escort to the Pakistani border
On a roll of Smart Places To Be we headed to Wagah, the only land border crossing between perennial rivals India and Pakistan, accompanied by a VIP police escort. At the lowering of the flags the border gates open and the Indian and Pakistani army chiefs briefly shake hands. An indescribable show of strutting peacockry follows as the guards on each side posture and pose, trying to out-do each other (to a bellowing chorus of approval from thousands of screaming partisans in the grandstands on either side). |
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The Golden Temple of Amristar
The holiest place in Sikhdom, this incredible building is inlaid with 100kg of gold. Here Cheryl towers improbably over her teeny boyfriend. |
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Sending out an SOS
An Indian bridegroom sitting inside (and boy did he look petrified) sends out a last desperate message to the world...before it's too late! |
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