Anyone else get random e-mails out of the blue? I got one just last week, just a one liner.
"Did you know it is 10 years since you took me up the Rohtan Pass"
It was from a former playmate, I replied to her
"I have never heard it called that before! I know how to put a smile on a gal's face"
Days went by then a reply
"Still as smutty as ever then"
I mean come on people, butter wouldn't melt in my mouth?
"Old habits die hard, why change the habits of a lifetime"
That was the end of that email chain, no wonder it didn't last!
Anyways the trip from Amritsar to Leh will be presented in no sensible order over a few weeks here in #throwbackthursday
It is 10 years on, I have got to do a lot of thinking and looking shit up
Anyways let's start with taking Megan up the Rohtan Pass.
BEHAVE!
The name 'Rohtang' translated from Persian means 'pile of dead bodies'
A subtle hint to the pass's treacherous nature, many have gone to meet their maker, shuttled off their mortal coil, fallen to their demise due to the unpredictable weather and difficult terrain on the pass....and I could see why.
The weather changes in an instant the further up you go the more treacherous the drive, land slips are common due to the naturally melting snow, winter becomes summer.
Trucks in the sub-continent, often highly decorative, use the pass on a regular basis.
Even at low altitudes the scenery the was amazing and not far in to the pass the roads began to look exciting
Then the real fun started, the "road" and I use the term lightly, carving its way through banks of snow
The Rohtang is part of the Manali-Leh highway, Himachal Pradesh, taking you over the eastern Pir Panjal range of the magnificent Himalayas. At its highest point it reaches an elevation of 13,050 feet above sea level.
It is only open to tourists between April and October; and to travel along it a permission permit must first be obtained from the Indian Army.
Often the road is nothing but a morass of mud, due to the naturally melting snow
Where every inch is coveted during passing manoeuvres
Yes it is a long way down
As the pass takes us eventually to Ladakh, referred to as "Little Tibet", there were many Buddhist prayer flags along the road side, these colourful cloths are hung in The Himalayas, not as an offer of prayers to their god, but to spread positive energy
The five Buddhist colours represent the five elements, – Blue, the sky; White,the air and the wind; Red for fire; Green for water and Yellow for earth
When the wind blows, it's believed the words and mantras printed on them to promote peace, compassion, wisdom, and strength will be blown and spread to all living creatures.
Reaching the highest point, there was a hive of activity, an obvious stopping point for tourists and travellers alike.
A snow house, built by some enterprising locals, with a welcome message for "Snow Point Rohtang"
Donkey rides, not just a feature on british seaside beaches
...and if you want, wellies for hire!
Not much in the way of snacklets available
and so Megan....what goes up must come down!
When approached by two lorries, especially bearing warning triangles it is always best to get out of the way.
Oops! landslide, the water coming down off the mountains taking some of the road with it.
Running repairs to another stretch
Eventually the adventures comes to an and and a return to "civilisation", the pass has been crossed.
The Chandra Dhaba, for breakfast lunch and dinner....yet to appear on trip advisor
A few enterprises offering u their goods
From chocolate biscuits....
.....to fags and WTF Huggies disposable nappies LOL
The Govt. is on a crusade towards sustainability (yawn) with the proposal of a ropeway connecting Kothi village in Manali to Rohtang. Why? there aims are to reduce carbon emissions from vehicles, making the journey to the pass more eco-friendly.
Fuck all that bollocks the road trip is the reason to visit.
So yes it is fun going up the Rohtang Pass, whats next hmm?
Maybe
Megan gets moist in Manali
