Travel Tales By Tripper

  What happens in Kasol, Stays in Kasol...   Google maps were something that use to work in US of A, Digital Camera was something that we had seen form a distance & in the name of Travel Literature the only source were Travelogue sections of monthly publications like Reader’s Digest & Manorma Chronicles; not sure if you’ve heard about them. This was the time when S3X was safe & Motorcycles were considered dangerous.   It was 2005, when for the very 1 st time, we heard about this magical place called Kasol. The casually roaming Hippies, Cafes playing psychedelic music, Signboards in Hebrew & English & No Dilli Haryana ka crowd; this was the definition of Kasol before the term “Mini Israel” was coined. Well, that was the best, Rudra my cab driver could have explained. This reminded me of Goa of the ’70s; strange but true, still I was not ready to believe it. Inquest to know more; I asked for a few more details. “Manali ke route par, Bhuntar se ...

  Tête-à-tête      It had been snowing all night at Zojila Pass; the army convoy was still stuck & the traffic movement had been restricted on the Sonmarg – Drass Highway. This was what Prashant had heard from the BRO personnel at the barricade. It was 8:00 am & all plans to start early & cover a few extra kilometers; had to be put on hold. Waiting & wishing for BRO to clear up the stretch was all we could have done. As time passed by, vehicles started queuing up at the barricade. Trickling between the stranded cabs; a few bikers managed to move ahead in the queue & with them, came Gaston & Vanessa.   While everybody was talking to anybody who was available; the BRO commandant hinted that road was not opening anyway before 5:00 pm & even if it happens; the army convoy would cross first & later on the civilian traffic would be cleared.   With our plan down the drain, it was time to make the best out of the situation. O...

Thanksgiving 2018   Its 2018, November has just started. The Delhi weather has started changing; its pre-winters & the foggy Delhi mornings have just started to set in. One fine morning, enjoying the morning mist with a cup of hot espresso; I checked my phone. To my surprise, there was a Whatsapp message from my friend Anil, who was currently in Bangalore. It had been almost 5 years that we hadn't been in touch. I dialed him back & what started as normal conversation, ended up with a plan. Anil wanted to go for a vacation & the time was right; as the Thanksgiving weekend was right there, at the end of the month.   With his tickets booked, well in advance, Anil was done with his part & now it was time for me to get in action. Even though we still haven’t zeroed on the destination; it was time to arrange for a motorcycle for Anil. Now this is where your friends come for your rescue; a few members from the Zephyr Treads adventure touring group came forward. The o...