En route to Rishikesh

SO the rain has not been in our favour. . . cloud bursting blocking our way to Leh, and putting the area in a state of emergence. . . too much rain, making the road to Kaza, Spiti opening and closing making it not the safest route or consistent route with only 9 days left on the trip.

Hanging out the past two more days in Manali after hearing the news, we all took it easy and slowing planned out our next move. After the news of Leh, my friend Sharon and I decided to go get an Ayurveda treatment, finding a good deal for a full body massage, head and neck and then a facial treatment. It was totally divine and blissful. Both of us were in a complete state of relaxation until having some chai to awaken ourselves. The next day we walked to a town on the other side of the two flowing rivers in Kullu Valley, Vashisht. We walked to this beautiful waterfall, where I obviously took the plunge and went swimming in the very cold but refreshing clear water. Vashisht is also know for sulfuric baths, and so clearly we took advantage of it. Men and women baths were separated. Picture steaming sulfuric water pouring out of a stone sculpture into a bath made of stone tiles surround by stone walls. It was like going back in time. This description doesn't do it justice but I wasn't allowed to take any photos, so its all you can get.
That night we all finally realized that we needed to create a plan. Me not really wanting to leave the foothills/mountains but realizing the only option was to go south with the limited time. . .due to higher then normal rains, and landslides happening on major roads. So we came to the decision to take the 16 hour bus to Hardiwar/Rishikesh. . . spend 2 days there and then head to crazy Varinasi (a spiritual hub for the river Ganges). . .spending a few days there and then for a day or two go to Gaya/Bodhgaya. It is the place where the Bodhi tree lives that the Buddha reached enlightenment under. It has been on my mind since getting here but being halfway from Delhi to Calcutta, I didn't think it was possible. Strange how the universe is clearing guiding this trip, and I just have to ride the wave.