Got done the motorcycle trip today, so Im back in Manali. It went pretty well. My friend went over his handlebars once and his bike broke down yesterday. He is taking a bus back today because they cant fix his bike in Kasol. He's ok but they are probably going to charge him to get the bike back here and fix it.
We ended up going from Dharamsala to Shimla and then looping back here. Everything went fairly smoothly. It took me a few days to get used to the bike and it was difficult to start in the mornings. Some of the roads were next to steep cliffs so it was a little stressful at times. There were also a lot big trucks, cows, buses, and other obstacles on the narrow roads.
It was a nice ride because we spent a night or two in small towns on the way to reaching the more traveled destinations like Dharamsala, Shimla, and Kasol. The Dalai Lama got back the day we were in his town. We saw him drive by in his car. It doesn't really count as seeing him, but it was something.
This trip is pretty much over now. Two more nights in Manali, one night traveling to Delhi, and then one night in Delhi.
Overall it was a really good experience. I have never been to a country that I loved and hated so much throughout the trip. There were days when I wanted to just leave. Then there were days I thought that I could live here. Its more diverse then most places. Every state in India is almost like a different country. The Himalayas have been spectacular. Driving through them by bike was one of the best ways to see them.
There is no way to see all of India in the amount of time I spent here. I feel like I saw a good amount but I would do things differently next time. It would be better to focus on one area and doing more of it by motorcycle. Anyway all is good and Im excited to get home and enjoy some time with the family.
Until next time, its been good.
We ended up going from Dharamsala to Shimla and then looping back here. Everything went fairly smoothly. It took me a few days to get used to the bike and it was difficult to start in the mornings. Some of the roads were next to steep cliffs so it was a little stressful at times. There were also a lot big trucks, cows, buses, and other obstacles on the narrow roads.
It was a nice ride because we spent a night or two in small towns on the way to reaching the more traveled destinations like Dharamsala, Shimla, and Kasol. The Dalai Lama got back the day we were in his town. We saw him drive by in his car. It doesn't really count as seeing him, but it was something.
This trip is pretty much over now. Two more nights in Manali, one night traveling to Delhi, and then one night in Delhi.
Overall it was a really good experience. I have never been to a country that I loved and hated so much throughout the trip. There were days when I wanted to just leave. Then there were days I thought that I could live here. Its more diverse then most places. Every state in India is almost like a different country. The Himalayas have been spectacular. Driving through them by bike was one of the best ways to see them.
There is no way to see all of India in the amount of time I spent here. I feel like I saw a good amount but I would do things differently next time. It would be better to focus on one area and doing more of it by motorcycle. Anyway all is good and Im excited to get home and enjoy some time with the family.
Until next time, its been good.
