Boom...
The dreaded alarm went off at 6.30. We quickly did our morning rituals and left with our bags packed. It was a short 10 minute walk to the bus stop. We wanted to get an early bus as we had a long journey ahead and we are never exactly sure of any bus timings, though we always ask about 10 people. 10 different answers come back our way!
First bus came soon after we arrived at the stop and this took us down the mountain to Bhunter. We did get a little stuck when a big coach full of weekenders arrived from Delhi on a narrow section. Old school Indian bus driving featured heavily today. Slightly crazy, totally erratic.
Next bus from Bhunter to Bir. More crazy driving but for a lot longer. We went through huge tunnels and in one of them a bus had stopped. We assumed it had broken down until we saw the front of it. There was a small car, well half a car embedded in the front. We couldnt see a lot but if anyone walked out alive, they were super lucky
We pulled into Mandi for a short break. The town looked huge but littered with old Jain temples and a mini London Bridge. We ate aloo paratha and drank chai at a bargain basement price.
The next 10 minute stop was interesting. We went for chai but changed our minds as they were clearly ripping us off. We turned around and there was a huge bang!
Our bus tyre had exploded in the middle of the bus station. Wow, it was on the cliff side of the bus and if it had happened a few minutes earlier the consequences could have been really bad, maybe even 'bus in ravine' scenario!
In no time huge bars for leverage appeared from inside the bus and a spare tyre. The tyre had no tread of course and it looked like an old fashioned remould.
We were soon on our way again and after 20 mins our stop appeared. We were dropped on the main road, a short walk to Bir-Billing. The paragliding capital of India.
We grabbed a chai as we walked along the quaint country lanes. We found a cute homestay, dropped our bags and went to adventure. The little town was not far away and was very quaint. Christine found a beautiful little puppy to play with. We then drank Lassi, dahi and tried a variety of teas in a small tea tasting shop.
We continued our walk and soon came across the paragliding shops and then onto the landing field. There were plenty of paragliders up above and many coming into land. We sat for a while on the grass and watched lessons taking place and perfect landings. The sunset in front of where we sat was very beautiful but as soon as it disappeared over the edge of the hill, the heat went with it and it got cold real quick.
A quick stop back at our accommodation to pick up our coats. Just as we were leaving again there was a power cut. We walked through the town and found a little cafe in a side street which was full of monks enjoying their evening meal. A quick check and.yes, they did a veg thali. We needed a big feed as we had missed lunch. The food was delicious.
As we ate a number of very cute little dogs came and sat by the door. They seemed to know they were not allowed in. The monks threw them some food and the lady who owns the cafe told us she gives them leftovers so they keep coming back.
After dinner we walked through the town and came across a mini supermarket, not something we have seen before in northern India. It was interesting to see all the international food, much of it high protein, we assume for the paragliders.
We headed back to our accommodation but the power had not come back on so we decided to wander through the other part of town. There were a couple of restaurants with live music which we listened to and then headed back again...the power still wasn't on. We started wandering down the hill and suddenly the power kicked back in so we headed in for the night.
