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Hello people. It seems like a decade has passed by since the last time i wrote a blog-post. And it seems very weird writing one after so long, because quite simply, i don't know really know what i'm going to be writing on! There is so much that has transpired between the last time i wrote a blog, and now, that i'm struggling to determine what i should write on. But that obviously won't be a deterrent in my efforts to finally break my period of "blog-silence", if you would so call it.

Life has been hectic to such an extent, that it actually hardly ever struck me during the past two months that i had a blog of my own, and that i had to update it. From being a person who used to look forward to writing a blog-post at any given time of the day, on any given day of the week, in any given week of the month, in any given month of the year, to being a person who almost completely forgot the existence of his own blog. Haha, now THAT is what i mean when i say i have been busy as hell.

Exams were, as is the norm now, abysmal! Couldn't be worse. One full month of torture. Utter torture. But what kept me going was the beautiful thought that i would be going for my college I.V. to the scenic locales of Manali immediately after my exams. The amount of fun i would have there, the amount of quality time i would spend with my friends there and dare i say it, the amount of pics that i would be able to click there, all kept me going. One month, though, can be a pain in the ass if you ask me. We had 5 exams spread over the course of a month, and between two exams, we had a substantial holiday, in some cases, extending up to 10 days. Now some might think that having 10 days before an exam can be a blessing, because you can finish the entire subject in that period. But trust me, it isn't so. Out of the 10 days, you're bound to waste at least 4, which leaves you with 6. Out of those 6, you're going to take at least 2 days to get back into the so called "groove". And before you know it, your exam date approaches. And the "uh-oh" feeling creeps in. And the rest is history, of course.

The college I.V. was amazing though. It was my first and quite sadly, the last I.V., and it was quite simply brilliant. We set off 2 days after the last exam got over. Our itinerary was a bit demanding, since we had to travel for almost 4 full days out of the 8. But when you're with your friends, nothing else matters. Chandigarh was the first place to be graced by our presence, after which we set off for the place I shall never hesitate to call "Heaven on Earth". That is Manali. Though we were slightly disappointed that it wasn't snowing there, we couldn't complain much because the cold out there was biting. The view from our hotel rooms was captivating, with snow-capped peaks dominating the background, and the Beas River dancing its way in the foreground. A perfect setting for nature buffs, like me. Our trip to Solang Valley was the highlight of the 2-day stay in Manali. The place was overflowing with snow, and the mountain slopes there were perfect for adventure sports like paragliding and skiing. It was a beautiful setting, one which took time to devour to the fullest. The sun was shining down right upon us, and there was snow all over the place. So we were neither too hot, nor too cold, and that, according to me, was perfection in every sense of the word.

The steep mountain climb for paragliding was tiring and treacherous. I could have slipped and literally rolled my way down the slopes no less than 5 times. But luckily, somehow, i reached the top from where we were to set off into the cool mountain breeze. With our glides of course. The experience was second to none. I had only performed this sport once before this, and co-incidentally, it happened to be at the same place, though i had done it when it was May and the climate was no where close to what it was when I went there now. It was the most refreshing thing I have ever done in my life to be honest. From the top of the hill, the glide-instructor and I gathered momentum, and in no time we were completely airborne. I swear to god i have never seen a more beautiful sight in my life before. I was just overwhelmed. Everything back on the base seemed so small, so miniature. Every tree, every human, everything seemed a mere speck in the distance! Every worry, every small disappointment seemed secondary. Almost non-existent actually. As i gulped down the beauty of the surroundings, i couldn't help but feel that there was nothing in this world that could beat this. Nothing. It isn't everyday that you get to fly like this, almost like a bird, with no care in life, no worries, no tensions, no exams, no nothing! I could remain airborne the entire day if i wanted to, but the thrill got over in about 2 minutes or so. But i lived every second of those 2 minutes to the fullest, knowing fully well that i'd hardly ever get another chance to take a break from the hustle and bustle of life to come back here and do this thing again. It was a breathtaking experience, one which i'll cherish for as long as I live.

River-rafting was next on our agenda. I had my doubts if i'd be able to do it since i'm not quite a water-loving person if you know what i mean. But the Beas was relatively calmer than i expected, so i thought it was worth a shot. And i was glad i made the right decision. It was really good fun, especially the rowing part of it where you have to sit at the edge of the boat, lean TOWARDS the water, and literally dig the water backwards so that the boat propels forward. It would have been very very deadly had the waters been wild. But owing to the winter months when the Beas was quite dried up, it was do-able. By the end of the 6 km stretch, we were wet from top to bottom, and the look on our faces was that of immense satisfaction and pleasure. It was fantastic to say the least, and one which i shall never forget, because again, it is not everyday that you get to do this.

Two days in Manali was not enough according to me. Three would have been a good deal, but we don't schedule the trips do we? The only regret is not having made it all the way up to Rohtang Pass. That is the single most breathtaking place i have ever visited(the last time i had come to Manali). The mouth of the Beas, a beautiful expansive view of a part of the Himalayas, lots and lots of snow. You possibly couldn't ask for more, could you? What took my breath away the most when i had been there previously, though, was the treacherous ride all the way to the Pass. The snow-covered, swirling mountain roads were the most dangerous roads i have ever traversed in my life. One wrong turn or a sudden unintended acceleration of the car would most definitely see you plunge to your death down the valley. I can bet my house on the fact that not even Michael Schumacher would have been able to drive his way to the top. It was dangerous in every sense of the word. And just for the sheer thrill and excitement, i wanted to go there once more. But owing to the fact that it was the month of January, there was too much of snow and the roads would have most certainly be blocked. Oh well!

We visited Chandigarh once again, before we boarded the train for our return journey from Ambala Cantt. The trip was ace! The amount of fun we had was much much more than I had ever expected. Being with your friends for almost 8 days on the run is the best experience you can have, without the shadow of a doubt. My "pic-crazy" pals, with me in the lead obviously, had taken no less than 2500 pics. We didn't care if the pics were repetitive. We didn't mind posing on every rock and under every tree back there in Manali. But we clicked and clicked till our fingers were sore. Some of the pictures clicked by us were amazing, and ones which we will cherish for the rest of our lives. After all, these trips do not come often do they?
The trip couldn't have possibly been better. It was perfect, and it was the best way to shrug off the exam fever from ourselves. The amount of stress we had experienced during exam time faded in comparison to the amount of fun we had on this trip. Brilliant stuff! I've still not gotten over this trip, because it was THAT good.

Well, that's going to be it for today. I need to go sort myself out for the new semester, if you know what i mean. Speaking of the new semester, it is 5 times worse than the previous one. Trust me when i say that. Though i shall leave that for the next blog-post. Else i'll be running out of topics to write on for crying out loud!!
Jaysus! Anyway, before leaving, i'd like you guys to get a glimpse of my visit to Manali, which is why i shall leave you with a few of the best pictures taken by my friends and myself. I hope you enjoy them! Until next time..