The climb to Marhi was through lush green hills, alpine trees and numerous switchbacks. Having done most of it a few days earlier, unloaded, there were no surprises and certainly made it easier. A few Dhabas on the way gave us welcome tea stops, snacks and time to enjoy the views.Marhi was our first introduction to basic Dhaba accommodation and the food we would be eating for the next week or two - dahl, rice and chapati. We were joined in Marhi by two French cyclists we had meet in Manali and shared our accommodation and the next days riding.
The next day the four of us eagerly started out for Rhotang La from Marhi. It was a stunning day but certainly with its challenges as this section of the road very narrow in places plus notorious for slips, lengthy sections of mud and permanent road works. Having said all that we loved the day and being on a bike gives you great advantages over the Tata trucks, jeeps and cars stuck in mud. At one stage it became one big road block with vehicles going up and down virtually wedged together as they tried to pass each other but with a line of vehicles behind nowhere to reverse. We just pushed our bikes through the mess and continued our merry way. I can't imagine why small two wheel drive vehicles would even contemplate this journey into the mountains here.As it turned out the road after this mess up was pretty good and as a result relatively free of traffic. It was a buzz to reach the pass and then compulsory chai and feed at one of the dhabas lining the road before pass. We could have even gone for a donkey ride or donned full ski suits for photos.
And then a wicked descent... but more on that next blog - off for some Tibetan food - momo's and vegetable soup - yum - Phil
Wow! Huge slip like has blocked main road from kaikoura to Chch but should be clear in a day or so. Aftershocks still happening in Canterbury but more gaps. People I know say the ground never seems to stop rolling. Most schools started back yesterday and the government has passed a law to fast track rebuilding. So much to do, the farmers facing huge cracks and hole sin their paddocks, many homeless, an architectural team are going to try and save some of the heritage buildings. But really compared with third world countries things kicked into action pretty well restoring power, water and sewerage to most in a phenomenal time. You cycling adventure sounds amazing! love to both Paula
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