First Solo Trip- Dalhousie
I had been longing to go for a solo trip since the last 6 months.But recently when I turned 24, I promised myself to go on a solo trip.15 days after my birthday I decided to leave on June 8 2017.
I had several doubts regarding the place to travel and items to carry with me.To clear these doubts I took my friends advice. He eradicated my fears and even helped me to decide the place to go on a trip.
I decided to go to Dalhousie, Khajjiar and back to Delhi(India). Dalhousie is a hill station in the uphills of Himalayas. Khajjiar is also known as the mini Switzerland of India. I booked an evening bus ticket from Delhi to Dalhousie on June 8 2017 morning. I left the office early , packed and started for ISBT Kashmiri gate Delhi (bus stand). I was joyous but highly cautious due to insecurities involved in travelling alone.
I arrived at 8:30pm on bus stand. This gave me a complete hour to feed myself before the bus departs.Parathas stuffed with a spiced mixture of mashed potato, served with butter and sweet lassi made my day at punjabi ka dhaba. Usually this helps for a sound sleep during travel.Finally I was ready for bus at 9:30pm.
Soon the information flowed around that buses are running late due to an accident in parking area. I was agitated. While waiting for the bus, I noticed two persons in a family was keenly watching ICC Champions trophy cricket match between India and SriLanka over smartphone.I asked them to let me join in also.SriLanka played a solid innings run chase for 322 runs and India lost by 6 wickets.
It was 11pm but no news of bus. At around 11:30pm passengers started yelling and blocked any Himachal tourism bus to leave stand.To be distant from this situation, I asked for cardboard from a shop. I opened it on floor and having a good rest on bus stand.Nothing was going right on that day.
Finally the bus arrived around 12:30am and my journey starts.I sat beside a very interesting person.We had long conversations till 2am then we slept. Around 7am i rejoiced myself with a tea at a local dhaba in Una (Himachal).I reached Dalhousie at 1:30pm.
Dalhousie is a hill station and getaway place to Chamba and Khajjiar.I had lunch and then began looking for a hotel for the night.This is a peak time of tourists, therefore all the hotels were charging very high.I checked in at Dalhousie club at 3pm. It is a beautiful place having breathtaking view of the hills.
I started for the city at 3:30pm. I reached Dalhousie mall road with a 2 km walk.It is a beautiful place for eateries and shopping.After this I started for Panchpula. It is a place having beauty of nature and waterfall.I walked half distance 2.5km on foot, other half i had a lift in tempo traveller.
Panchpula is a place of activities also.It has a children park for swings.For adventurer it has sports like ziplining and pull crossing. Rest seekers and nature enthusiasts can sit in a nearby cafe and enjoy the waterfall and serenity.Enjoying all, I returned back to Dalhousie. I visited one of the churches also.
After a buffet at a local dhaba for 50 rupees, I went back to my room to plan for the next day.Also I booked my return bus from Dalhousie to Delhi for the next evening.
In the morning I filled myself with parathas and tea. I asked local car service providers for Khajjiar. They were charging high as 1500 rupees.I opted for a local bus at 9:30am (10th June 2017) going to Chamba via Khajjiar. It costed me 35 rupees only.Bus was full of passengers , It was a tiresome journey of around 1:30 hours and 25kms.
Khajjiar is also known as mini Switzerland of India. It has a large open plateau like a park surrounded by hills of peak trees. In the center of it there is an small stream-fed lake. Three rest houses are here for nightstay.For delicacies local dhabas are present. Sports lovers can have zorbing, paragliding, horse riding.Local photographers lets you capture some of best perspectives of the place.
Capturing all I decided to return. I was already late for my bus. I waited for a lift and soon a gentle car driver offered me to drop to Dalhousie for just 100 rupees fare.
In this 1 hour long journey to Dalhousie, I asked all of the questions my curiosity can ask regarding the lifestyle of people at Dalhousie.
He dropped me at the Dalhousie bus stand 45 min prior to bus timing.I was having a feeling that is out of the world because I was nearing to end of my trip and everything worked well.Doubts and fears regarding going solo has turned into a joyful experience.
I took my evening bus to Delhi and reached my home in the morning. Looking back it is an experience of a lifetime.
