Day 1 - Delhi to Manali (3rd Aug 12)

Beautiful Hand greeting us when we arrived at the New New Delhi Airport.

The old airport was in such a bad shape (limited retail shops, dirty, cramp, small etc...), and this a pleasant surprise as we would be spending a lot of time in the airport (we bought 4 domestic flights and Delhi airport is the point of transit for these flights).

American Express Lounge in Delhi Airport.

We left Singapore at around 11pm and arrived in Delhi airport at 2.15am (2.5 hours time difference between Singapore and India). Our kingfisher flight from Delhi to Manali was delayed from 6am to 9am, so we decided to spend our time in Amex lounge (Thanks to a friend's Amex Centurion card).

It was quite a small lounge, but at least there is wifi, free flow of food & drinks.The gals were sleeping on the sofas and I was sleeping on the floor. 

Showing discontentment. Haha...

Our flight to Manali (supposedly 0615am) was further delayed and we waited until 1130am when we were informed that the flight was canceled due to bad weather in Manali (it was the monsoon season). Terrible news, as our schedule was already very tight. 

There were no other flights available on that day, so the alternative plan was to either take the next day Kingfisher flight (which might be canceled again due to bad weather, and if that's the case, we were screwed) or travel 12 hours overland from Delhi to Manali.

Getting a refund from Kingfisher airline is a pain too. We had to queue up at the sales counter to get official letters from the airline (to claim travel insurance), and after that, I had to call the customer service hotline to explain my situation to get my refund. I questioned the sales counter: why do I have to call the hotline? Why can't they process everything? Why do they have to further inconvenient me? Why can't I use the airline phone to call the hotline? May be I am used to good customer service and efficient system, but I am also aware that I am in India and it is how it works there.

Ying called their previous driver to arrange a ride from Delhi to Manali.

The overland trip was 18,000 rupees (S$418, US$334), very expensive for India standard. However, on the hindsight sight, it was okay and we tipped the driver more as the road was more precarious and difficult than we anticipated.

Buffaloes crossing road.

Incredible India!

Sunset...

We had lunch in Delhi and left Delhi at 2.30pm. We stopped at around 11.30pm for our dinner in a small eatery in the mountain. Everybody was exhausted (partly due to lack of sleep the previous night and 2.5hrs time difference). Our driver was lamenting that he was very tired as it was difficult driving through the winding mountain roads and the headlights from the vehicles were hurting his eyes. 

(Taken by XF)

Well, the most dreadful thing was to know that our destination was around 200km away, which meant that we were still 4 hours away. We left the eatery at 12 midnight and we decided to play music to keep our driver awake. As the journey continued, it started to rain and it became foggy. It was really dangerous. Imagine driving in cold winding mountain road in a dark and foggy night at 2-3am in fatigue. I had many experiences of traveling in mountainous region, this is the most dangerous and worst experience so far.

Fire on the road

(Taken by XF)

At around 4am, before we reached Manali town, we were stopped by a road block. There were trucks parking by the side of the road and fires burning (as warning signs) on the ground blocking the traffic. Apparently, there was landslide in front (the road collapsed into the river), but we could not see it as it was very dark.

Fortunately, there was a Quality Hotel nearby and we check-in for a good rest at 4am+.

It was a terrible night. I was very exhausted and worried. Luckily, nothing terrible happens.