Getaway

Our trip was due; though I have been on the move every now and then this year, but we together had not done any travels in 2024.

It boiled down to first week of October - and per my experience it's an ideal time to visit Manali. Looking at places to stay, we both have been suckers for old Manali properties and as Johnson’s had been done one too many times, it was time to try different. Year 2011 was when I had stayed at Baikunth Manali, and ever since then I have carried its impressions. Great place, cozy and wholesome green, excellent garden breakfast and expensive on wallet - had to do it with Sonia. Thirteen years later, I was back at Baikunth.

2011 post →  http://simranjeetgill.blogspot.com/2011/09/manali-2011.html

It was our first journey on the newly opened highway to Manali and man have the views changed. Altogether different route post Kiratpur all the way till Sundernagar, then Mandi bypass and post that you can relate to some old views of the Manali highway which will also not be visible for long, once a few pending tunnels are opened. The whole perception of reaching Manali and the time it takes - has changed. With Q7 it was fun negotiating the twists and the turns and the ups and the downs - to the extent that one of the cameras clicked a nice picture of famed QUATTRO in action, alongwith with a footnote demand of 1500 rupees for having fun. Repressive times.

with love from Auhar Bilaspur

The assessment so far to the rush scene in Manali, was spot on and we had no trouble reaching our stay negotiating the narrow stretch of Circuit House road. Quite a road has been damaged on the way to Manali, but one can see the real aftermaths of 2023 flood fury on Manali - Solang stretch. Entire sections of road have been wiped clean and one can recognize presence of earlier road only from remnants of one or two odd guard rail sections that stood the fury. Beas river bed is scattered with huge boulders which were not present earlier and now are at their new resting places.

beyond Sissu

One day we went across tunnel to Sissu and beyond, which has become more of a ritual as I would want to get a feel across Rohtang yet not having to negotiate Rohtang - more like cheating. For someone who has been browbeaten by mighty Rohtang one too many times, this feeling is epic. Night rituals would include shifting between Johnson’s or Lazydog, and walk or take auto on the way back depending upon sobriety levels. Hadimba Temple is always a soothing experience as is the walk through the nature park.

Baikunth breakfast lay

Baikunth treated us well. Besides us there was probably one more room occupancy which rotated throughout our stay of three nights. Since we were the constant guests, I believe we were treated well. The property though located in the middle of the town belies its location with complete green cover from all sides, with one side skirting the nature park. Thanks to less tourist traffic; the old manali road (which is usually abuzz with sounds of autos making there rounds up and down the road) was way silent, giving us the just right getaway. 

The stay was nice, as was weather, as was traffic, as was drive, as was companionship. Thank you for the opportunity and experience.

Manali - Oct 2024