My First Journey to the Himalayas

Sometimes, to break a routine or get out of a rut that seems impossible to escape, a change is essential.

Nothing brings that change better than travel.

And it is even better when you travel to a place you've never been before.

Whenever I think of the Himalayas, I remember my dear friend Sadiq. He told me many times, "Come with me to the Himalayas at least once, Manu. You'll understand what you've been missing. The Himalayas will give you as much happiness as the ocean does."

Sadiq is no more.

That's life.

We never know how long we are here. So, do we really need all these tensions, arguments, misunderstandings, masks, egos and complications in such a short life?

There are things we simply cannot believe until they happen to us. Until we experience them ourselves.

How frustrating is it when something that could once be done with a single phone call now takes a whole year and still doesn't move?

I don't care about the reasons. Things must move. Work must get done.

Cut to - 

Unexpectedly, I had to travel to Chandigarh and Delhi. I decided to connect this Himalayan journey to the same trip.

My destination is the Dhauladhar mountain range, part of the Middle Himalayas. I will be spending about a week in this beautiful region.

After hearing my entire travel plan, my sons gave me their green signal too.

"Have a happy journey, Daddy!"

I'm travelling alone. I'm not carrying my laptop either. Until the 22nd, I won't be using my mobile phone. No calls. No messages.

Just a few sheets of blank paper, some pens and one or two books to keep me company.

I've already written, published and scheduled my blog posts for the next ten days. They will appear every day without a break, even while I'm away.

I'll upload a few photographs on Instagram whenever I feel like it.

See you again on the 22nd or 23rd!

“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”
— Sir Edmund Hillary

"Fitness first. Everything else follows."
— Rich Monk

— Manohar Chimmani