Drenched Roads Towards Rohtang Pass

Cloud cover en-route Rohtang Pass

The drizzling was still on and we stocked the luggage and food inside car and off we went. In next 20 minutes we were on the same spot from where we returned in the night. As we crossed those narrow turns on the edges, the heart was pumping due to slipperiness and after around 200 Meters road was fine. We crossed Palchan, then Gulaba came and till now apart from few rough patches the drizzle had very little effect on our progress. Our dZire was holding on just good and drizzling was getting more and more as we continued to ascend. Suddenly, on a hair pin it was all slush with steep ascent …

We parked our car aside on the hair pin curve and watched the other vehicles pass by. The sumo touched the rocks below , I went low on confidence on how to manage it now in our dZire. The slush was deep and with ascent it meant even more tough crossing it. We were waiting and deciding our path when a bus came , which meant we have to move as there was not enough space to give it a pass. For the first time I was nervous and with the nerve getting more of me I opted out to negotiate it and gave keys to Deepak to cross it. I knew it theoretically that how it should be tackled but I also knew the fact that if underbelly will get hit, I will lose focus (being a new car for me) on carrying with momentum and I may jam the car right in the middle of slush. Deepak attempted to cross it and whoooo!!! it got stuck in the middle. Unfortunately, he gave the acceleration too much when stuck and right front wheel spun a lot in the slush and got some part burnt … We immediately asked him to stop. Then, the driver in the bus suggested to push the car from behind so the it can get some traction and force to expiate the slush. We obliged to his suggestions, pushed it hard and in one go dZire was out of that slush. We parked it aside, thanked the driver, let the bus pass by and waited to get the tyres cool for about 15 minutes.

As the tyres cooled we were thinking of the way ahead and I had certainly in my mind the pictures where Oil Tanker got stuck, that place was steep uphill and with full on slush in one of the picture on net (perhaps one of the drawback of being updated, it eliminates instincts). But, we had no choice instead to carry on. We managed 2 KMs more and there we were, trucks down in the gorge, one standing tilted in deep slush track … This is it and it was the exact point which we were afraid. We parked our car aside and went down to see what we had our disposal and we were shocked to see what we need to cross now ….

Oil Tankers in the Gorge

First negotiate the truck stuck in mud

Do we need to cross all this on ascent?

The truck that was stuck had only chance of recovery if the crane comes so it decided to overtake. As we were examining the path and area around, one monster truck overloaded to its capacity tried to surpass the stuck one. The truck tried it’s level best to reach the top and there brrrrr brrrr brrrr , it just refused to climb ahead right on the top. The driver pulled the brakes to the core but truck started to skid down in the deep slush present behind, the hearts were pumping to see what will happen and truck helper decided to jump out. He quickly picked a big rock and placed it behind the rear wheels. Now, the truck stopped from being toppled down into gorge … However, it was not over yet… The truck tried to push and climb again but no luck again, it even tried harder but this time the front wheels were up in the air and again everyone’s heart was in mouth… everyone shouted and the driver released the pressure, the truck skids down again, this time till the rocks… The driver takes the truck downhill and now we had our path closed as well … I think if he pushed more, the axle would have broken. He kept cooling it and after giving three tries at least with lots of people pushing it from behind it finally manages to skimp ahead of the top point. The DRAMA ENDS…

The Truck Drama…

Meanwhile a big jam had accumulated there and we were stuck too, luckily we could sneak in as we were right in front, whenever we wanted to move. We decided to watch few cars tackling this stretch. Ever car that came got stuck at the same point and the rocks were hitting the under bellies of Sedan and Hatchbacks… some needed to be pushed to rise ahead. We were having a sedan too and seeing the whole drama we were also confident of making it at least by pushing the car from behind… After about an hour and half being stuck there, we decided to move… We signaled Deepak and he got the car till the middle without any problems whatsoever. We were running aside on the pavement to lend some help immediately, if required. He forgets the points where underbellies of other cars were hitting and he got the hit too and the car stopped right in the middle. We immediately jumped in the slush to push it from behind and with two three pushes we were through as well. Hurray!!! …

The Truck Stuck in the Mud Got Rescued…

Traffic Behind Increasing…

Gossh… The trip is not going to be easy that is for sure now… If our family sees it, they will say we have gone insane but I feel we had. The misery was not over yesterday, it will hang on today as well… We were feeling short of breath so we rested and watched others topple and cross that stretch in one way or other similar to us … We took and deep breath and said we are not alone here … Now, it’s time for enquiry about road further ahead. First as the weather cleared we saw big queues of traffic Jam far ahead near Rohtang. One truck was coming down with few taxis as well and we stopped one of them to enquire. The driver said jam will last more than 5-6 hours so they are coming back. It starts well before Marhi and continues till Rani Nalla most probably, he added. He further advised not to attempt the road in this car (dZire) as it rained too much last night and our car will not make it at all. Now, we started to have butterflies in our stomachs as a Himachali is not advising to venture ahead, there must be something seriously wrong with the road. Now, we had a quite discussion and we said let’s give it a try anyway’s …

We marched ahead and as we crossed the half curve on the hill we found three back to back similar stretches. There was an instance when one driver wanted to get passed us and almost thrashed the back of his truck in our car. We had to shout on him to stop and get it saved. That moment was gone out of the three we needed to push in just one this time. However, as we went ahead and enquired the road condition ahead by one of the trucks coming down, he said : “You will kill this car, if you take it ahead . After Marhi, the slush is as deep as 18 inches and there is no chance that you would make it through. Half of our truck tyres were floating into it and it require skills to cross those hefty silt stretches, which we certainly lacked.” The big fat dream of drive to Ladakh was finding its way into gutter … We also trekked uphill to see how much more the road condition was like the same and found that the road was much like the same with patches on almost every ascend of the curve. We stood there and enquired from few others who confirmed the fact that there was almost 18 inches high slush and our car cannot negotiate it at all. Now surely the dream was fading or perhaps have gone away. We looked at each other faces and decided that we don’t want to kill the car … We decided to move back to Manali and look for taxi at least to complete the trip …

View from above…

View of Rohtang Pass…

Oops..thats me and friend Neeraj..stuck but still smiling …

The downhill drive had couple of breaks too due to some film shooting going on somewhere in the woods and people breaking the queue. But, overall driving down on those slush stretches was far easier than climb, I believe due to traction of front wheels. (I saw an episode of Perilous Journey where the ascent was so steep that he had to climb that in reverse due to 4X2 power transmission) I had that in mind too while climbing but never tried …

We reached Palchan and decided to rest at Solang Valley. We took the turn and reached Solang. There we tried few hotels but found the prices to be quite high as compared to what we got last night in Manali. Also, we wanted to have parking for our car now and save money, as hiring the taxi meant doubling the budget . So, we decided against the acclimatization and headed Manali again

After reaching Manali we knew now the full day would be a waste so why not first fix the taxi and then booze up. We parked our car in front of taxi stand office and were analyzing how we need to go ahead with the plan. We were left with only 3 days in Ladakh now and had to cover Nubra Valley as well as Pangong Tso Lake. We discussed the plan had some biscuits inside the car as we skipped the breakfast in a failed attempt to cross Rohtang. Meanwhile, we were disturbed by the traffic police who asked us to leave the place as we cannot park the car at that place. But HP numbers were parked everywhere … Anyhow story of every poor tourist there and we were forced to park the car near the Beas bridge…

It was decided that we are continuing with the tour now and it was time to book the right economic taxi. We enquired first from the Tour and Travel shops on mall road. Best price we got Rs 13500 for a drop to Ladakh in a private hired Sumo. For the second option they offered best was Rs 1450 per seat (Rs 5800) in a shared taxi carrying 10 people which will start 1.00 AM in the night and reach Leh at 6 PM in the night. A packed seating nonstop cannon ball run through treacherous roads, high altitudes without any acclimatization and skipping all the beauty, hang on . I was totally against it and continued to show my disagreement even being abused a lot by my fellow colleagues . After a fight a private taxi with one night stop was the agreement now among us.

Now, it was turn to go to Taxi Stand, bargain hard and get the driver with taxi on our own. The effect was favorable, immediate and quick . We got the deal for a private Sumo in Rs 10,500 with one night stop at Keylong / Sarchu. The second option they offered which we already declined was at Rs 1100 per seat for cannon ball run. The third option was private Sumo with Cannon ball run at Rs 9500. The choice was obvious and after checking the tyres condition, we finalized the deal at Rs 10,500 with a night stop at Keylong so as to acclimatize a little. We asked Biru (driver’s uncle) to come to hotel and take advance Rs 2000. Our driver’s name was Ravi and I must tell you that he proved to be a real skilled gem of a driver

Now the taxi was fixed so we were free on mind for tomorrow and it was confirmed that we would be visiting Ladakh this year for sure. I shall tell you that last year our plan couldn’t materialize due to my engagement . Already it was 3.00 PM and we didn’t have any food apart from biscuits since morning. Having done too much exertion that too without food, we were tired. The best thing we did was we kept ourselves hydrated by drinking the ORS water in quick but small successions. It was now time for the booze and food. We went to Chopsticks at Manali, Mall road and ordered food and beer there. We had food like hungry dogs and finished it as soon as it arrived. But, beer did something and at least for me it initiated the headache which remained for next day as well. It was over on food and we headed to the same hotel River View, near Beas bridge on Naggar road.

First step was to visit the manager and ask about the parking for next 5 days . If he agrees and the room is still there at Rs 800 for four of us then we will take it immediately. To our luck he agreed for a safe parking in their branch hotel named, Chichago Holiday Inn, a few 100 Meters odd ahead on the same lane. Chichago hotel had bigger space then River view and appeared much safer. Meanwhile, when I was asking for parking and room stuff, my two travel mates went into the hotel aside (Just before River Hotel, name I forgot) and found the family suite at Rs 1000 to be very, very comfortable than what we had last night. But, I had already confirmed in the River View and didn’t found courteous to leave now. So, I told them firmly that we will not leave this Hotel now as they should have told me not to finalize things before checking that hotel. Well as expected with some frustrated sounds and words from them the story ended.

Biru came within half an hour to take the advance and share the number of our driver Ravi. He called and asked Ravi to be at our hotel on time at 5.00 AM in the morning. At around 5.00 PM, we went to sleep and this was very much the day for us. We had the dinner and coffee later in the night in the Hotel itself and this time the service was much faster than previous day. Finally, again with some dreams in our minds we went to a good night sleep to complete the day and set for early morning departure to Keylong.

In an official communiqué issued here today, Chamba Deputy Commissioner Devesh Kumar said two heli-service operators namely Shiva Heli Service (AS-350B3) and Virat Heli Service (VEL 407) had been pressed into service. He said the helicopters were taking off from Chamba and Bharmour helipads and each helicopter was shuttling seven pilgrims in one go, including pilot.

The helicopter service started on Sunday and it makes around 10 trips in a day. They operate from 6 am to 6 pm daily, DC said. He added that fare was fixed at Rs 14,500 from Chamba to Gauri Kund and Rs 7,500 from Bharmour to Gauri Kund, to and fro.

Source: Chopper service for Manimahesh

Read More Here:

With each passing day, worries of Leh cloudburst and flashflood victims rendered homeless in the August 6 catastrophe are increasing. Despite the Prime Minister’s announcement to complete reconstruction of houses before winter begins, they still don’t know when and where they will get a house.

Reason: The Leh-Manali highway is still closed nearly one month after the catastrophe. “The work of rehabilitation is hit due to closure of this highway, as this is the most suitable route to get the construction material from the other parts of the country,” said Jigmet Takpa, Chief Relief Coordinator, Leh.

Source: Rebuilding in Leh stares at winter and roadblock

My suggestion is to avoid these dates and +/- 5 days as well to better enjoy what valley offers best, NATURE else the experience won’t be less than Indian Trade Fair

For more information on Kullu – Manali, do check the Manali Travel Guide

Queues of Traffic Jam…

But, the saddest part was, this time I won’t be with my beautiful and lovely wife. It was tough to leave her for such number of days for the first time and it’s tough for her to stop crying. I was not feeling good too and it was getting very hard for me as well but we have to leave giving false hopes to each other for not worrying much about each other , that could never happen. I knew, it was the first and last time I would be traveling without her and taking her would be much more pleasing than leaving her at home. For the first time going on any trip I wasn’t feeling well and deep inside I was regretting the decision not to take her along. The signs of omen were there but we were unaware of that fact.

Finally at 11.35 PM we left for Gurgaon to pick my cousin, who was about to finish his shift in office. Out of all I was the one with a heavy heart and feeling really sad. No one spoke for next 20 minutes when eventually the shackles were broken by the music. Finally in half an hour we reached my cousin’s place, had a quick glass of apple juice and clicked the ignition for the start of the trip.

Time was 12.30 AM and place was Gurgaon, Sector-14. Odometer was set to zero and it had to run more than 3000 KMs in next 10 days to get us back home. The first target was to reach our favorite ZhilMil Dhabha at Karnal. Monsoon was officially announced but there was no sign of rain till now. We had planned our stay in Solang Valley for the night to get properly acclimatize. Manali being at lower altitude does not help in acclimatization but Solang Valley does help in acclimatization. So, it was in our mind that we would reach Manali by 2.00 PM as it takes around 13-14 hours to reach Manali from Delhi, will have lunch at Manali and leave for Solang Valley which takes around 30 minutes from Manali, to sleep for the night.

It was 3.30 AM in the morning and we reached ZhilMil Dhabha, Karnal NH-1. We ordered our usual mix paranthas and all famous tea. Enjoyed it a lot and off we were for the journey ahead. The traffic was slow as we reached Ambala and suddenly it was raining heavily. Immediate effect was on progress which went down slowly as rain increased the tempo and decreased the visibility. Finally, we reached Chandigarh at 5.20 AM and the part was devoid of Rain but as we entered the city, wow, it was raining like hell. Roads were flooded with water and deep pot holes were taking us with surprise. We managed to cross Chandigarh at 6.00 AM.

Clouds has followed us since we left Ambala and as we approached Ropar they were in dark glory. At Ropar the clogged water on roads were as deep as 2 feet and no one was ready to test the depth intially, when I believe a locale guided the path for all tourists vehicles waiting to get on the cross over turn to Manali. We had to wait at least more than 3 places for some vehicle to cross the clogged water on the roads. Roads were seriously in miserable shape after Ropar.

As we exited Ropar around 7.15 AM and joined the highway, the rain stopped. In Punjab, it was time to enjoy the most pleasant weather of the drive so far. The enjoyment didn’t last longer as soon as we took the right turn towards Manali and hills started , the rain was waiting for us in full glory. Everyone was driving painfully slow as visibility was very poor due to heavy rain. The road was full of fallen rocks all around and it was pretty scary to see such big boulders or rocks right on the highway you are driving

Driving in such visibility was difficult…

Big and Small but Fresh Leaves…

We reached Bilaspur around 8.00 AM and a traffic jam was waiting for us. One hour past and we didn’t move a single meter , we enquired and got to know that Jam is there since night… Since night … DAMN!!! The signs of pain and difficulties were flowered from the sky, the road to Ladakh won’t be easy was the message inside. The traffic started to crawl slowly and slowly, inch by inch, meter by meter…It was 10.45 AM, we reached Swarghat and JAM is not over yet. More than 3 hours have past and we are still crawling… Lots of broken side mirrors were shattered on the roads… Police were braking the side mirrors of these vehicles braking the queues… The Jam was for no reason, just a boulder or rock on the road here & there topped by idiots braking the traffic queues, flooding the other lane to create a traffic deadlock. Everyone suffers!!!

Queues of Traffic Jam…

Irritation of Jam Written all over …

The traffic Jam irritated us completely that we didn’t even wanted to click any photograph anymore … We need to make up for the time lost. Finally, after almost 4 Hours stuck in that traffic jam queues, we made up a little for the time lost by skipping the breakfast and deciding to have brunch at Mandi. Some time also got wasted in searching for a Petrol Pump which can accept Credit Card. After starting enquiring a lot right from Sunder Nagar, we finally got one Petrol Pump that accepts credit card at Mandi, just after crossing the Mandi Bus Stand.

Rain Followed us Everywhere… Roads were all drenched…

Aftermaths of Rain in Hills…

Finally, we reached Mandi around 3.00 PM and stopped at the Roti Restaurant which offers a side view of Beas River. We had already eaten once at this place on our trip to Chandertal. The restaurant offers good food and being on the highway itself just on the brinks of Mandi exit, it even help saving time. It has a parking for 4-5 cars in front only. As we had tanked up our tummies, we were ready to go. It was around 4.00 PM and expected time of reaching Manali was 3 Hours from here which was fine for us.

Brunch at Roti Restaurant…

Four souls on the way to Ladakh…

Our Car Parked at Roti Restaurant…

It was not over yet and more misery waited us as we ventured ahead. Just after driving 3 KMs or so there was again a big traffic JAM. News was, there is a landslide and expected time of clearance is more than an hour. But, tragically 2 people have died as one Scorpio has been caught in the action of that landslide. The Scorpio kept rolling and falling at least two curves to enter into all time violent Beas River. Luckily it got stuck in some rock or boulder and was not washed away. There were five passenger of which two died on the spot and one was seriously injured. God’s grace two of them were saved!!! It’s heart of a Himachal guys and salute to them for their valiant effort, who were there before anybody else and rescued the three souls even before Police came with ambulance. Meanwhile landslide was cleared after more than an hour and it was 5.35 PM there only.

Trying Different Angles… .. Views of Beas River enroute Manali…

Ooops.. What’s Butterfly doing on Rocks… No Flowers Here…

Now out of four I was really taken aback from this incident of people dying there. On all my previous trips I saw landslides, even being the first one to be on the landslide but never heard of / saw someone dying. This scared my soul or you can say I was scared because I wanted to reach back home this time as my lovable wife was waiting … This time feeling was different and I was different too… Don’t know but it was different me.

As we approached Kullu, we missed the bypass again on this trip and entered the city . Another misery but this time it was self made and as expected it took pain to get out from those narrow roads with everyone on them in a herd. It was tough passing through the market but finally we did pass it. As soon as we exited Kullu, the road towards Manali was really in bad shape at least till Raison. It was no going fast on the road and we knew the rest of 40 KMs to Manali from Kullu will take more than two hours, if it continues like this i.e. we will reach only by 8.30 PM. But, after reaching Raison the road finally improved with only few bad stretches and we reached Manali at 8.20 PM and paid Rs 300 for green tax. The first question I asked, Bhaiya: “Is the road to Rohtang Pass towards Leh Open?” He replied: Yes, sir…. and that’s it. We were happy and forgot what all happened at the back throughout the day. We are going to Ladakh was the feeling inside the car…

Now, we wanted to reach Solang and since it was dark we decided to have dinner at Solang only. We didn’t even book the Hotel, so wanted to search the Hotel as well. Without wasting much time we head for Solang Valley, we said goodbye to Manali Mall road, feeling in our minds that it would be explored on the way back from Ladakh. We crossed the Beas bridge and were on the Manali Leh highway Now. The feeling was getting more and more fresh as we saw traffic coming from the other side and the buses of Udaipur as well, which confirmed that road to heaven is open for us.

Again as we approached Palchan, a good 6-7 KMs before there were big boulders right on the road and visibility was poor due to rain, so we were having difficulty negotiating them. The traffic from the other side was too much including so many buses, trucks hurling down like evils on our little car. There was a point where the road was very narrow on the turn, seems there was a fresh landslide. We stuck on the spot for more than 15 minutes giving the pass for so many vehicles and we were standing on the edge. Rain and darkness were making it more tough, one driver said Road is not in good shape ahead. After giving a thought and eliminating the risk factor we decided let’s go back to Manali and stay there only. It was 9.10 PM as well and we were afraid of the fact that we don;’t have hotel, we are late fi we don;t get hotel like our previous trip to Kinnaur and Tirthan Valley, due to reaching late in the night then surely in rain we will again struggle to reach Manali back. Hence, the decision was on and we took a U-turn and headed back to Manali.

Huhhh…It was 9.30 PM and we reached Manali to sleep for the night. Plans of acclimitization are over as we have to stay at Manali. It is the most treacherous drive out of five times I have visited Manali. The drive to Manali alone took more than 20 odd hours which earlier never took more than 14 hours. This was a very very tiring and big day and it defined that path to heaven won’t be easy enough. The first day turmoil on road was over for us and we got check in at hotel near Beas Bridge, Left Bank, Naggar Road. The Hotel name was The River View and was very near to the Beas Bridge. We parked our car and ordered food which took more than 90 minutes to come … At last, the cry for food was over, tired to the core we headed for a night sleep. Morning plans was to leave at 5 AM for Ladakh.

Munnu(Me): Saurabhhhhhh (shouting), leave the F***** Guitar and Run!!! Leave the F***** Food and just Run!!!… Flood has come … F**** you guys… Army guys not allowing to cross the bridge…now we will die right here…

Saurabh: F****… Munnu!!! Bhai (Brother), What should I do? Where should I run? Should I climb to terrace of this Hotel in front?..Runnnningggg…. Bhaiya, Bhaiya!!! can I go to terrace, will it save my life? … Munnuuuuuu(shouting)

Bhaiya: I don’t know, go to terrace but the Hotel is not mine… Bhaiya runs away downhill…

Munnu: You As*******!!! I told you guys not to cross the river but you wanted Pasta!!! F**** Pasta now…

Neeraj: Let’s run, run over the bridge and go uphill…  

"…CHAOS ALL OVER… FEAR ALL OVER… PEOPLE WATCHING ALL OVER… PEOPLE PRAYING ALL OVER… PEOPLE SHOUTING ALL OVER… PEOPLE RUNNING ALL OVER… SOME TO PUT BARRIERS… SOME TO SAVE THEIR SOULS… BARRIERS WILL NOT DO MUCH… BUT CROSSING BRIDGE WILL RAISE THE HOPES…"

Neeraj –> Run Munnu –> Munnu –> Run Deepak … Run Saurabh … We need to cross the F****** bridge …

People: Stop Guys, Stop… Don’t run over it … Don’t Runnnnnnnnnnnnnn …

"…RUN FOR THE LIFE WAS TRIGGERED… EVERYTHING WAS FALLING APART IN OUR HEARTS… JUST 60 SECONDS AND WHOLE 26 YEARS OF LIFE WAS IN FRONT OF THE EYES BUT WE WERE RUNNING… RUNNING TO SAVE OUR LIVES…"

TO BE CONTD…

Welcome on Path to Heaven…

Getting Closer to Heaven…

WHOAAA!!! My journey to Ladakh, is finished way past 15 days but I am still having the dreams of deep blue skies, scrambled white clouds like pop corns, mesmerizing high mountains, red cloth draped lamas, desert in the skies, aqua green water lakes, vibrant rainbow like never seen before, rivers flowing all over the road, darkest of the clouds, loudest of the thunderstorms, heaviest of the lightening, trucks in the gorges, knee high slush stretches, hours of traffic jams, one legged man on top of the world on his cycle and the list goes on.

Dangers to Heaven…

Flower of Heaven…

Reaching God Who Saved Us… The Glorious Lord Buddha…

The journey to Ladakh had a never matching adventure, soul mesmerizing vistas, heart pounding and back braking drives, severe headaches, hair raising lighting and thundershowers, nail biting nights, mouth watering cuisines, heart breaking tragic events and what not. But, we never imagined that this action packed journey would end on such tragic and sorrowful historical event that will shook the Ladakh region. Unluckily, we witnessed the mass destruction that  hit the paradise on earth called Ladakh.

Here, I kick-off the my Ladakh journey… some more teasers to give you an idea of the treat to your eyes…

Chicks Checking the Clicks…

Missing the Beauty of Deepak Tal…

Mesmerizing Suraj Tal…

Standing High and Handsome…

Volcanic Clouds… Aren’t They Beautiful…

World’s Second Highest Motorable Road…

Top of the World… World’s Highest Motorable Road…

The month-long Manimahesh pilgrimage began in the mountainous Bharmour tribal region of Chamba district yesterday.

It is for the first time that duration of the pilgrimage has been officially extended from 15 days to a month which would conclude on September 17 on the occasion of Radhashtami.

Pilgrims and devotees of Lord Shiva will take holy dip in the sacred icy waters of Manimahesh lake at an altitude of 4,170 m with a view of Kailash peak (5,656 m), the abode of Lord Shiva.

Meanwhile, local officials are on the job to carry out assignments allotted to them such as regulation of traffic, parking lots, transit health centres, huts for rest and stay, fuel, water and electricity besides toilet blocks en route for convenience of the devotees.

Source: Manimahesh pilgrimage begins with fervour

Srinagar – Leh Highway Restored

The key highway linking Kashmir valley with the Ladakh region was thrown open on Friday, a week after devastating flash floods had washed away number of bridges and damaged portions of 400 km long road, at various places.
The road was opened for traffic at 6 p.m today after completion of 100 feet span bridge at Nurla, constructed jointly by Army engineers and GREF, Deputy Commissioner Leh said.
According to official spokesperson, the bridge was built in a record time of 48 hours. About 150 vehicles including 60 light motor vehicles rushed for Srinagar. Senior Officers of Army, GREF, SDM Khaltsi and I/C PP Khalsi were present on spot.

Source: Srinagar-Leh Highway Opens For Traffic

Manali – Leh Highway Restored

The strategic National Highway-22, which connects Manali town in Himachal Pradesh to Leh in Jammu and Kashmir, has been reopened for light vehicles after it was shut due to landslides Aug 6, an official said here Sunday.
“The traffic between Manali and Leh was partially restored Saturday,” an official of the General Reserve Engineering Force, a wing of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), told IANS.
He said some stretch of the highway between Upshi and Rumptse in Ladakh region is still under landslides.“Currently, only small vehicles are allowed to ply. It will take some more days for the heavy vehicles to operate on the highway,” he added.

Source : Manali-Leh highway reopens

We are praying and hoping that life in this heaven on earth, Ladakh – Leh gets restored as soon as possible.

Overall, Raja Guest house is economic considering the remote conditions and cost incurred to keep it running with man and material. The owner along with his family run the guest house and I feel they do a pretty good job.

Bookings:

You can book the rooms at Raja Guest House by calling at the below numbers of its owners.

Contact Person: Thakur Elu Ram

Contact Numbers: +919418550549, +919459017592

Overall there are only 5-6 rooms and sometimes they allow you to have two extra beds in a single big room as well, but consider it an off season discount only I feel going to a place like Shoja, requires that you book the rooms in advance. At least I would suggest intimate the owner that you are coming, so that at the very least food products can well be prepared for you. Of course in peak season you will have to pre-book else due to tourist rush and less accommodation options you will find yourself in wanderer’s position.

Price:

The price is around Rs 600 – Rs 1000 per room depending on the size of the room and your bargaining power. The bigger room cost Rs 1000 and smaller Rs 800 to us but overall the three rooms (2 small and one big) costed Rs 2400 and we landed right at night (9.00 PM) with nowhere else to leave or explore.

Location:

The guest house is located right on the road connecting Banjar Town to Jalori pass at Shoja Village. It’s approximately 5 KMs before Jalori Pass, if you are coming from Aut/Banjar/Tirthan side.

Parking:

Parking is done at the terrace of rooms where the family running the guest house stays and there isn’t much space for too many vehicles. I believe 4 cars could only be parked. See the picture below to be a judge.

ATM:

The nearest ATM is downhill drive to Banjar town, approximately 22 KMs from Shoja.

Petrol Pump:

The nearest Petrol Pump is at Larji, approximately 32 KMs from Shoja

Pictures:

Views from Raja Guest House, Shoja

Experience:

Our experience here was pretty average although we stayed for just a night. We reached at around 9.00 PM and luckily for us rooms were available. After 10-15 minutes of bargain we got the rooms which were pretty average types but with clean bathrooms. Bathrooms had geysers to get hot water but volume was pretty low. Only one bath can be served at a time. They also had running power supply with the help of generator, I believe, because power was getting cut frequently but they turned it on pretty quickly. The hospitality was nice and after long hours of travel that day we had a nice warm sleep at this place. Rooms were not quite big but I think sufficient for two.

The only drawback I felt, restaurant was on outside block, just on the side of the road. In cold conditions with chilling winds at night, reaching there and getting back to room can get a toll of you in such cold.

Food:

When we reached, the milk as well as bread was not available so it’s very important that you intimate them in advance. Overall the food quality was average with mashed egg omelet being exceptionally tasty. So, if you are staying at Raja Guest  House, Shoja never miss the omelet or egg bhurji (or it was only our luck). I never had such an omelet and egg bhurji in my life. The tea/milk/coffee was below average mark but in that chill or cold conditions you will never say no to them. I can give 2.5 on the scale of 5 for all food items we had with exception being omelet and egg bhurji. The milk was mostly in powdered format.

Dining hall…

Delicious Egg Bhurji…

Conclusion:

Nice economic place to stay at Shoja for a day although nothing special in the hotel. All you will get is a place to stay if you are visitng Jalori Pass.

Candolim Beach Road…

Bookings:

Booking can be done by calling the old lady and he will keep your rooms ready. I think overall there are five to six rooms, so do book them in advance and ask for a room with Balcony. Here is the contact details,

Address: Mrs. Rose Desouza, Murrod Beach Road, Candolim, Bardez – Goa

Mobile/Contact No: +919637556065, 01793619430

Price:

Well we were charged 900 Rs per day with cost of water bottles extra but since it was the carnival and valentines time every hotel or guest house had a high price curve. The cleanliness, comfort, calmness and the lawn up front were just worth the money spent. I strongly feel it could be bargained anywhere between Rs 600- Rs 900 depending on the season time.

Location:

The Guest House is located just on the Murrod Beach road connecting the Candolim Beach behind Angaara Restaurant. When going towards Candolim Beach, you will see restaurant with two giant TV screens and it’s just opposite to that restaurant. The whole street is full of exciting dining areas and some very delicious ones. Don’t forget a meal or two at Angaara Restaurant which is almost in the premises of Ezue Bia Guest House. The cook there is amazing.

Pictures:

Pictures may better define the words and Here are some of the pictures which may help you judging the place…

First Look…Ezue Bia Guest House Behind Angaara Restaurant…

Ezue Bia Guest House Behind Angaara Restaurant…

Rooms at Ezue Bia Guest House…

Lawn at Ezue Bia Guest House…

Experience:

As far as our experience was concerned, it was just amazing. We had a great time staying there and the old lady was very helpful and compromising in keeping our luggage long after the check out on the final day. The only thing which I didn’t like and was common to other hotels in Goa was that “Even drinking water was excluded in the room rent”. Something I never saw anywhere in the past. But thank god that they don’t charge for bathing water . Overall the place was very nice, clean, calm and most importantly comfortable. The balcony was indeed a blessing to enjoy the soothing weather in Goa while sipping tea or coffee or in fact gulping beer …Well there is no arrangement of food in the guest house but the restaurants are just on the street as you leave the guest house premises. In fact you should definitely have a meal at Angaara Restaurant which is almost in the premises of the Guest House. The street in front is full of night life but keep in mind that at Candolim Beach you will not find younger generation of tourists. It’s beach dominated by old age people/foreigners but it’s very very calm due to lack of vendors/sellers etc. A nice to place to enjoy sea…

Conclusion:

The place is highly recommended if you are looking for safe, nice, very very clean, comfortable, calm, peaceful, lively and moderately economic option of stay in Goa and that too stone’s throw from Candolim Beach as well as a street full of restaurants offering multiple cuisine.