While staying in Amritsar I was not sure which nearby hill station should I head next. After a casual discussion with the owner of that bygone era homestay, where I was living, I got to decide the destination eventually. Dharamshala it was!
I started for Pathankot around 11.30 and reached the place at around 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. The bus conductor’s uncle has been exceptionally helpful and kind towards me. I was a little skeptical about how that place would be where I was going. He assured me pahadi (mountainous) people generally are very decent and keep a respectful attitude towards women. He further helped me board the Dharamshala-bound bus at the Pathankot bus terminal.
The bus started around 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. Maybe sometime earlier I don’t not remember exactly. The journey was beautiful but I was really tired as I already had mentioned in my previous blog.
Beautiful scenes didn’t just show up to sensitize my eyes the moment the bus hit the road leading to my hilly destination. Construction work was being done along the highway so the surrounding was a bit messy and quite dusty. As the journey progressed, the hills welcomed me with their charming beauty and soothing environment, which I was craving after silently adjusting to the heat of Delhi and Punjab.
It Got, Really, Late to Reach!
I was a little nervous as the journey continued because Sun was in no mood to change its timetable to make me feel safe and better. It maintained its routine.
It was dark everywhere and the bus kept pushing forward to its destination. One can understand it was not a very pleasant situation for me as I knew nothing of the place and it was getting dark. Those who have read my previous blog are already aware of my not-so-friendly attitude to roaming around late at night in any place new (in my hometown also I need to follow the curfew my parents decide). So, I was tense.
It was 8:00 p.m… Yes, friends, it was 8:00 in the night when the bus transported me to its final destination- the Dharamshala bus stand. I was completely clueless about where to go and how to reach any hotel nearby. Nope, didn’t make any hotel reservations online. It was completely dark surrounding the place except for the little light of hope illuminating the bus stop. Earlier, when I boarded the bus the conductor of the Pathankot-bound bus talked with the conductor of this one. He had made it clear that the lady (it is me)was traveling alone, please take care. So, I was a bit open with him (this new conductor uncle) regarding my anxiety.
He also assured me there was nothing to be scared of as there were plenty of hotels available for safe stays only a few minutes away from the bus stand. But, the part -‘ I just needed to walk 5 to 10 minutes’- got me panicked!
I Was Scared to the Bone!
Oho! That was the scariest part. I needed to walk around 5-8 minutes in the dark in a mountainous area to reach my hotel or any hotel that where there. I was feeling very tired, and scared, lost all enthusiasm while carrying my luggage and dragging myself surrounded by darkness on a hilly road. Clueless about where I was walking to in the darkness and what kind of accommodation choice I get there.
As I was walking, big vehicles were passing by. And, you all know how roads in the mountains are. Narrow paths with one side wide open, suitable for anyone who wishes to jump down and die instantly!
Imagine someone not that apt with hilly regions walking those swirling roads alone ( a few co-passengers and cab drivers were at a distance going their respective ways) with a heavy backpack and an oversized vanity bag!
Sigh of Relief Awaited Me!
To my surprise, I didn’t need to torture my legs and self-motivate myself for a long time. I got quite a few good hotel options, willingly welcoming me standing tall in a row on both sides of the narrow hilly road. I took a sigh of relief!
I checked in one of those and my room was cozy with a big veranda from where I could see the Dhauoadhar hills on one side and the market area that was there. It was reasonably beautiful and quite spacious. I freshened up, ordered my meal, ate, and dozed off. Was I completely exhausted by then and was every cell of my body crying for a deep sleep? Yes, and have no shame in admitting that!
Geared up for an Exciting Day, Again!
The next morning, I was bubbling in excitement with the anticipation of exploring the hill station all by myself alone. Then common sense struck me and got me disciplined.
I needed to hire a tourist cab or seek the guide of a tour operator to do one-day sightseeing there in a proper way. Not everything I could or even needed to do all by myself, on my own. A gentle slap to ego and overconfidence is always necessary.
I went downstair to the reception and talked with the guy sitting there who helped me to check in the previous night. When I told him I wanted to tour the place he asked me “okay, if need a cap then I can arrange for it”.
Oh yeah! Job done and it was a piece of cake. The cab booking price was reasonably charged for a whole day tour of around 8 to 9 major tourist places in Upper Dharamshala (better known as Macleodganj) and in Lower Dharamshala where I was staying.
The Sightseeing Begins
My driver bhaiya came with his well-maintained car ( don’t ask me which model as I suck in remembering and even identifying car models!) and I stepped in to ride to paradise and discover the beauty of Dharamshala.
One by one I had completed all the major tourist spots that Dharamshala is known for.
1) Dhauladhar View
2) Dharamshala Lake
3) St John Church
4) Bhagshu Nag Temple and Trekking to the Waterfall
4) Dalai Lama Monastery
5) Dharamshala Museum
6) Dharamshala Cricket Stadium
7) Dharamshala War Memorial
8) Tea Estate
9) Local Goddess Temple
In between the sightseeing, I also stopped at a local restaurant to fill my tummy with yummy Vegetable Momos and Vegetable Thukpa. No, I’m not a vegetarian just there were no other options.
Due to a shortage of finances and my constant tiredness (it happens when you are on a tour all alone and are constantly on the go with a little rest in between), I didn’t go to Dalhousie the next day. Instead, I took the whole day to rest in my hotel, enjoyed the scenery around me, took a stroll in the market (Kotwali Bazar), and, most importantly, pampered my tummy with Himachali Dham.
Steamed rice with 5-6 side items (veg thali kind of serving) is provided. Had to look for the place for a few minutes and then I got to the eatery that serves Himachali Dham every Sunday.
Guests could ask for other items as well like the local delicacies and bakery items but I opted for pure Himachali Dham. I couldn’t eat much as I wasn’t feeling well so I had to waste a little food. I liked the experience and the food. Not every dish that was served suited my taste buds but overall it was nice.
That day was allocated by me for my complete rest so that I could take the journey back to Amritsar the following day. On that day only while I was checking the market area I went to the bus station and booked a ticket for Amritsar. It was a very early morning bus. The boarding time was 4.25 am.
I did all my packing that same night and, a little before dawn, went to the bus station accompanied by that front office or reception gentleman (hotel boy you could say). I had previously asked him to accompany me up to the bus stop as that time it was very dark and was drizzling a little bit. I boarded the bus at the assigned time. The journey back to Amritsar was smooth, pleasant and stress-free. To my surprise the journey was wrapped-up and I reached my new homestay within 4 to 5 hours only. It took me around 7 to 8 hours while traveling from Amritsar to Dharamshala. Maybe less traffic at the dawn did the trick. Anyway, I reached Amritsar as my flight to Kolkata was from there.
Around this time I stayed in Amritsar for 2 days in a new homestay, which was closer to the airport. On the scheduled day, I boarded my homebound flight.
My solo trips have always been my biggest therapists in life. Yes, they heal me (though physically exhaust me) like any professional therapist would do.
This journey was extra special to my heart and my overall being.
So,
My question remains the same as I did in my previous blog- where and when you are planning to travel to get your dose of therapy in life?
Let me know please in the comment section. One-way interaction feels boring sometimes. Do let me know!
