They say unexpected happens sometimes.
Our car covered with snow
I was travelling to Manali…Taking one of my groups.
Month- October 2010
Dates- 21st- 24th
Leaving Delhi in the wee hours, we crossed Kullu at 12pm next day.
Soon after, it started drizzling.
Difficult to drive on the slippery road, we slowed down our Innova car.
To our surprise, the rain grew heavy, pulling down our enthusiasm.
We drove past slowly.
Rain often spoils plans, confining you to the hotel room.
We managed to reach Manali covering a 1 hour 30 minutes journey in 3 hours. All thanks to the heavy rain, fog and slippery road.
Catering to the choice of the group, mostly Indians, I had booked 6 rooms in Hotel Park Balluchi, located very near to the famous bridge connecting the Circuit road to Old Manali.
Our rooms were huge… Huge would be an understatement, as it was big enough to play a cricket match!!
Having decided to rest for a while, we went to our respective rooms. A short nap was a must.
I woke up after 30 mins, to some unusual noises outside, stepping into my balcony.
What I saw was hard to believe….. Everything was white!!
Manali covered with snow- from my balcony !
Yes it was snowing!!!
I jumped in excitement, calling the rest, out of their rooms.
Snowfall in the month of October, in Manali was a very rare feature…told by the locals.
We got dressed, as soon as we could and stepped out.
We somehow managed to borrow 3 umbrellas, requesting the hotel manager.
Facing great difficulty to walk, with our shoes and socks wet and feet frozen, we headed towards the Mall Road.
Most of the restaurants in Old Manali were shut, October being a lean month.
Mall Road was buzzing with excited faces- locals and tourists.
We headed straight to the Nescafe kiosk to grab a much needed cup of hot coffee.
We spent about 2 hours at the mall…playing with snow, buying woolen socks and caps and eating local snacks.
Manali was covered under 2 feet snow, 1st time in 50 years!!
It soon grew dark.
We decided to dine at Johnsons Café.
Johnsons offers you excellent Italian food, delicious desserts and a fire place.
Sitting next to the fire place with the chill outside- indeed bliss!!
After a sumptuous dinner and some great wine, we went to our rooms by 11 pm.
