Manali and Vashisht

This bus is not full. You don't want to see full.... its not pretty. If you get a seat its likely to be wedged between your travel companion and a sweaty armpit. Just when you thought it was a two seater, turns out it is a three seater that can fit four if you really, really squeeze!!

It is a beautiful drive from Tso Pema to Manali, through green valleys with rushing river waters (sometimes right next to the road).

Yep, that's me in Manali main street.



The best restaurant in Manali, Johnson's lodge.

Manali is a popular tourist destination for Indian locals. We heard that Vashisht was a bit more of a tourist hang so we thought we would check it out. And it is set in a valley of beautiful mountains (see below).

Turns out Vashisht is a hang, mostly for stoners. Why? Because it is literally growing in the streets, EVERYWHERE!! This not being our thing we moved on pretty quick, mostly because we prefer to go to bed early, wake up early and not be disturbed by the party goers.

Old traditional house and hand weaved shawls.

The best thing about Vashisht is the natural hot springs!! They are so hot, you have to dip in really slooooowly. They are meant to have healing powers due to the sulfur in the water (you can really smell it). I just tried to relax, not put my head in the water and ignored all the little floaty bits......mmmmm

This is the outdoor spring. This is for men, women get stared at enough with their clothes on!!

There is also a part for washing clothes and collecting hot water for bucket showers.

Photography isn't allowed inside (the local women completely cover from head to toe outside but when they get in here.....). So the greeny is in the front (pic below - look close and you might find a 'special' plant), behind that is the mens section and the walls behind that is the womens. The springs are actually inside a temple so I think the water may have some religious (Hindu) significance as well.