A Traveler's Memoir

I packed my luggage and rode towards Malana and Kasol. Being a stoner, it was something to cherish, to be there for the New year. With the present climate, I could not start early. I started around 9 in the morning and found a stay by 7 in the evening. On reaching Malana after 2 days, I ended up at a fake party that brought me together with a few boys from Kerala. We just smoked up and lazed. On the 31st we took a bus ride to Manikaran for a natural hot spring bath. My plan was to attend a party as it was the new year but ended up cooking dinner for 5 people.  Happy New year 2020. Yeah, Cheers!  The first day of the year was lazy and I didn't like it. Everything happens for good and good things take time.  The place was a mess. Torn blankets, filthy kitchen, dozens of bottles stocked up, ashes everywhere, with cigarette buds thrown around. Cleaning happened only once a day though. The guy running it, Regish was a lovely soul but in vain. He said he used to work in Dubai ...

I told Abhi about the conditions in Varanasi and Lucknow. I was in Nainital, a beautiful mountain painted with buildings and artificial lights that glittered more than the stars at night.  On my ride to Varanasi, I was accepted as a guest on Couchsurfing by a guy. I also had a minor accident when I banged into a bike that rode suddenly to the middle of the highway, I had no choice and my brakes weren’t just enough. Fell with a bang on my head, saved by my helmet and escaped with just a sprained thumb. I picked my bike up and some cops who stood nearby pounced on me for negligence except for one who had seen what had happened.  The Bike was okay and the two men on the other bike were mad at me. The cops asked me to leave as fast as I could and I did. Didn't stop for another 20 kilometres before I stopped to check on myself and the bike properly. Both were doing just fine. I pushed myself to the maximum that day and reached Varanasi at around 7:30 PM. This guy shared his locatio...

I rode along the border of Bhutan and reached the town called Phuentsholing which was the entry point to the country. The office that was supposed to issue my permit was closed, so I decided to spend a night there. India was just a 5-minute walk away but I decided to stay at the border town itself. Found a room at 500Rs. A room on the 5th floor, neat and clean with a TV and a fan. Dropped my luggage and went out to grab some food. A piece of chicken leg cost Rs. 100 and that wouldn't fill me. So I went around to find a smaller shop where a plate of momos was 40 and chowmein was 60. Ordered both, ate and grabbing a beer on the way, I went back to my room.  On reaching the immigration office, I found out that they didn't issue a permit without prior hotel booking and to ride in Bhutan I had to take an escort along paying him Rs. 2500 a day and take care of his needs as well. For once I thought of dropping the idea and going towards the North of India. But then I really wanted to...