Well, what a horrible place Delhi was. We thought we would leave all our troubles behind us by going to the Himalayas, and we did, but not before Delhi had the last laugh. We arrived to get our bus to Manali with plenty of time. After half an hour our 'sleeper' bus turned up. It wasn't a sleeper at all but the normal run of the mill bus - this for a 18 hour, overnight, journey. When we got on the bus, the driver tried to put us in seats which didn't recline, so he could sell the good seats for a bribe. We refused to move and they threatened to kick us off, but in the end just gave up. The journey was horrible and the driving was scary. Overtaking lorries on corners of mountains with no lights on and no barriers to stop you falling off the edge.

Eventually we got to Manali and boy was it worth the effort. The scenery on arrival was utterly breathtaking. The hotel we found was superb, with hot running water and TV. We got it for 400rps per night (ca. 5 quid). After the journey we had had the night before we decided to have a chill-out day. We wandered round the local village and met the charming locals and found a place to eat. We booked on to a trek for the next day with a young lad called 'Lalu'.

The trek started at 10am and was to finish around 6pm. We set off up the steep hill and after 10 minutes began to think it was a bad idea. Sophie in particular was looking pretty forlorn. We broke through the early pain barrier though and after seeing a couple of temples and snowy mountain tops (in the distance) we stopped for lunch. Since we forgot our money, the guide bought it for us from a local place he liked. It was far cheaper than anything we could find but probably one our most appreciated meals. We then continued up the other side of the valley to arrive at a beautiful waterfall (pictures are better than words). From here we proceeded down to the village of Vashist where pressurised sulphur pits beneath the mountain create natural hot springs. The villagers there have channeled the water into free baths and showers - men and women separate though, of course. We stopped to meet a yoga friend of the guide and met some other travellers whilst drinking a complimentary 'chai' tea (very sweet). Re-energised we went back to Manali. Back at the hotel a man we had met the previous day stopped us to offer a full body, 1 hour massage for 300rps. This proved too hard an offer to turn down.

The following day was another Delhi misery. We found out that the seats we had booked back to Delhi were not really booked. So we went into New Manali to sort it all out. We can't wait to write our review of that bloody hotel! We ended up relaxing after the stress and finished our wonderful time here in a lovely restaurant. We only wish we had booked longer!

Today we are sitting miserably in a cafe waiting for the bus back to Delhi! I have managed to have one last bit of Himalayan fun though by climbing over the river on a rope and being dunked in!