Soliloquy of a Wandering Pilgrim

After getting stranded again on Rohtang Pass road, finally reached Kaza last evening. A gruelling 11 hours on the road and a well earned rest at the Himachal Tourism Hotel Spiti. It was good to see the young cook from Kullu is still there and he almost made us feel at home with a fantastic meal.   We seem to be lucky weather wise this time, though the September wind is already biting cold. Its going to be some cold nights up ahead at Parang La I am sure. Arranging transport to Kibber and permits is on top of my agenda today. Shopping for 12 days for 13 people is also happening right now. Off to Kibber tomorrow. The highest village (4250m) connected with a motorable road and electricity.   Some of us have gone to visit the nearby Dankhar Gompa, while the not so lucky ones are happily roaming in the streets of Kaza.   Since we were lucky enough not to get stranded in Kunzumla due to untimely snow fall ( read in the newspaper at Losar Police post that this snowfall broke 54 year...

Kolkata to Delhi.The train journey was a nice surprise. Actually. Rajdhani Experess, haven't been on it for long time. And now I must admit that the experience is better. It has improved, the whole experience. Remarkable food especially, when this is included in your train ticket price; matters. But what matters most is panctuality of the train. And this time it was a ten on ten.   Whenever I am taking a train ride, all these comparisons come into my mind. The European trains ( especially the Swiss, French and German) are great. They are meticulously perfect on time, they are clean and look modern. The one long distance Russian train I was on was a train from Moscow to MIn Vody. It was great and different experiemce altogether. It lacked the look may be, but there was no shortage of quality of service on board. I was particularly impressed by the one lady conductor who was literraly taking care of everything in one coach. From checking our tickets to cleaning the floor. The look...

http://picasaweb.google.com/anindya.adventuremania/ElbrusRace?feat=directlink Here is the link to the images from Elbrus Race 2008. I have added some new pics to this album from the Speed Climb organizers website. Here you can see the almost photo-finish between me and Martin on top of Elbrus. -- Adventure Mania official website: www.adventuremania.com Upcoming Trips blog: http://adventuremania-india.blogspot.com Raja's personal blog: http://himalaya-raja.blogspot.com Real Adventure Journeys Across Himalaya Call Raja:  +91 97487 61139 Optional Number :+91 92305 11139

A boat. looks ordinary from outside. Just like the boats that ferry tourists on river cruise in the Sundarban, bringing thousands each year to it's famous Tiger Reserve. Not like the huge ones used by the West Bengal Tourism. But the smaller ones which are more efficient. I am planning to buy one. and then, I am going to convert the interior of this boat into a medical unit. Not a very sophisticated one. It will have only the basic gears and facilities of a primary health center. why? while working at Cyclone hit (Aila) Bali island and its neighborhood, I was shocked by the sheer access problem to the remote islands and villages. Villagers have no access to primary health care in some villages. In most of the cases, they have to travel a long way to nearest towns; either to a private doctor or to a Government run clinic ( which is either un-manned or ill equipped in most cases). What if I can start a project that will run this boat; which is in effect a 'mobile medical unit...

There is this restlessness back on my feet, back on my mind and soul. It happens. Always. Without fail. It has been happening to me since I was a kid. A kid with no concentration on syllabus and classrooms. A kid with distant, dreamy eyes lost in his own journeys in his own head. That restlessness has not left me. Not yet. I remember one night when a camping trip was canceled and I was depressed. I had to go pitch my tent in our backyard. Man, it gave some outlet. I just had to go outdoor! Literally! And so I kept on sleeping in a hammock ( and when it rained, I moved inside a 1960s Japanese ridge tent that belonged to my uncle). Now that I manage to make a living out of the great Indian Outdoors; that restlessness has only increased. I want to see more, I want to learn more from whatever is out there. Off to Spiti and Ladakh next week. This time I will be leading a German group over Parangla and finally to the Tso Mo Riri. From Delhi we will be driving to Manali and then to Kaza. Tw...

http://picasaweb.google.com/anindya.adventuremania/MonSoon?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCpoqLHw8bPtAE&feat=directlink click on the link above to go to the album -- Adventure Mania official website: www.adventuremania.com Upcoming Trips blog: http://adventuremania-india.blogspot.com Raja's personal blog: http://himalaya-raja.blogspot.com Real Adventure Journeys Across Himalaya Call Raja:  +91 97487 61139 Optional Number :+91 92305 11139

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKIqGYRuvbk I loved this. You will too! -- Adventure Mania official website: www.adventuremania.com Upcoming Trips blog: http://adventuremania-india.blogspot.com Raja's personal blog: http://himalaya-raja.blogspot.com Real Adventure Journeys Across Himalaya Call Raja:  +91 97487 61139 Optional Number :+91 92305 11139