Got into Manali on my overnight ice cold bus journey from Shimla. Got a rickshaw to a village close by which was said to be more "chilled out" than the town, and that it had a hot spring bath. Got checked in and went to soak my cold bones in the very hot spring bath... ahhh! Went to organise a trip out for a climb, but not really the season, so booked myself up for some snow boarding on the Himalayas!

Taking into consideration I had only about 6-8 hours worth of snowboarding lessons under my belt and having only practiced on the nursery slope at the chill factor e, I was potentially about to face the slopes of the Himalayas on a three day two night expedition!
Woke the next morning to discover it had snowed! This potentially made it perfect conditions for the slopes...

The group of 6 including me and the instuctor/guide, got a jeep up the side of a mountain, then had to trek for a least 2-3 hours until we reached base. It was hard work but surprised to see the high standard of camp, which consisted of a kitchen, a lounge area, a camp fire area, individual tents with sleeping bags, blankets, airbed and roll mats!
After a parantha lunch we headed up the slopes for our first ride! An hour trek up and the realisation of the gradients were sinking in... My first run was terrible! I kept on falling, so our french instructor/guide gave me a helping hand to get down to camp.

The hospitality from our porters (who carried our gear and equipment) was very warm, with everything taken care of, which made our expedition very comfortable. The downside was keeping yourself dry and warm! The outside toilet had spectacular views across the valley...! Waking up in the mountains was a sight for sore eyes, so much so, they really were sore (snow blindness).

My runs (snowboarding) were getting better with practice and was gaining more confidence. By the time of our final spectacular slope with perfect conditions, I was free riding and carving the slopes consisting of virgin powder. All this came at a cost... I lost a fair amount of weight and my body was sore from having to pick myself up from the numerous amounts of falls! But boy did I enjoy myself! The views, the slopes, the snow, the group, made it a worth while experience.

I've had two days to chill out and try and fatten myself up... Punjabi thali's are the way forward! I didn't realise how much more quickly you burn energy in cold weather, especially when you are climbing a mountain.

Tempted to accomplish Everest base camp...

I missed out on Mother's day (sorry mum, happy belated mother's day!)
St. Patricks day (not a pit of Guinness in sight let alone an Irish pub!)
Rohil's Birthday (Happy birthday and hope your tummy is feeling a lot better)

Getting a bus to Dharamsala and head up to Mcleod Ganj today. Another 10 hour bus journey, stopping off there to break my journey to Amritsar. Mcloud Ganj another backpacker "chill out" hot spot.

I'm doing well and as you can read I'm still alive and enjoying myself, bumping into an assortment of characters along the way...

Saw the cutest Tibetan/Indian girl while I was people watching in a cafe, gutted I didn't have my camera on me. I'm keeping an eye out for my Tibetan beauty, while I'm still up in the north!!!