Day 1 – Bangalore-Delhi-Manali journey
Date: 19-Apr-14
Our honeymoon adventure officially began on 19-April-2014, but the preparations started much earlier. Just a day before our departure, we had completed a long drive from Udupi to Bangalore. Thilak had driven throughout the journey and was understandably exhausted by the time we reached Bangalore at around 6:00 PM on 18th April. Despite the fatigue, there was little time to rest. We quickly finished our packing, booked a taxi for the next morning, and got some much-needed sleep before the big day.
First flight experience
Our flight to Delhi was scheduled for 8:30 AM, and the taxi arrived promptly at 5:30 AM. By then, we were ready and eager to begin our honeymoon. We reached the airport around 6:45 AM, completed the check-in formalities, and settled into the waiting area. For me, this was a particularly exciting moment as it was going to be my very first flight journey.
Since our Volvo bus to Manali was scheduled to leave Delhi only at 5:30 PM, we needed a place to stay for a few hours after landing. While waiting at the airport in Bangalore, we searched for budget-friendly accommodation in Delhi. After comparing a few options, Thilak found a hotel called Sahara International in Paharganj. The hotel had received positive reviews on TripAdvisor and was conveniently located near R.K. Ashram Marg, from where we would be boarding our bus to Manali. It seemed like a practical choice, so we decided to stay there during our short stopover.
Our flight departed on time, and my first experience of flying finally began. To be honest, I found the journey less exciting than I had imagined. At cruising altitude, there was not much to see outside the window, and after a brief conversation, both of us ended up sleeping for most of the flight. Things became more interesting as we approached Delhi. At around 11:30 AM, the cabin crew announced our arrival. We immediately looked out of the window and watched the city slowly come into view. The aerial perspective was fascinating, and the city below almost resembled a live satellite image.
Like many first-time flyers, I found the take-off and landing to be the most exciting parts of the journey.
An unexpected introduction to Delhi
The moment we stepped out of the airport, we encountered our first challenge of the trip. Although we had purchased a prepaid taxi ticket, finding a driver willing to take us to Paharganj proved surprisingly difficult. One driver redirected us to another, who then sent us elsewhere. Even after showing the prepaid receipt, nobody seemed interested in accepting the ride. After several unsuccessful attempts, we approached a security guard for help. He firmly instructed one of the drivers to take us, and although the driver was clearly unhappy about it, he eventually agreed.The taxi itself was in poor condition, and the driver’s aggressive driving style made the ride somewhat stressful. Nevertheless, we reached Paharganj in about twenty minutes.
Our troubles were not over yet. The driver had no idea where Sahara International Hotel was located and showed little interest in finding it. Fortunately, Thilak had noted down a few nearby landmarks, which helped us get closer to the area. Unfortunately, our GPS stopped working at the worst possible moment, making it difficult to locate the hotel precisely. As soon as we stopped in Paharganj, a group of cycle-rickshaw drivers surrounded us. They informed us that the road leading to Sahara International was too narrow for taxis and offered to take us there for a small fee. Since the explanation seemed reasonable, we got into one of the rickshaws.
Paharganj was unlike any place we had visited before. The narrow lanes, crowded streets, and constant activity created a very different atmosphere from what we were used to. Soon after the ride began, the rickshaw driver informed us that Sahara International was supposedly closed and repeatedly tried to convince us to stay at another hotel instead. He first showed us a hotel called Le Benz, which looked decent but was far more expensive than we wanted to spend for a stay of just a few hours. We repeatedly asked him to take us to Sahara International, but he continued insisting on alternative hotels.
As first-time visitors to Delhi, the situation made us somewhat uncomfortable. Eventually, he took us to a hotel called Tushar Continental, which fit our budget. The room was reasonably clean and perfectly adequate for the few hours we needed. At that point, we decided not to waste any more time searching and checked in.
A short break before the overnight journey
Once we settled into the room, we finally felt relaxed. By then, we were extremely hungry. Apart from some Maggi noodles early in the morning, we had not eaten much. We ordered lunch from the hotel restaurant, and the food arrived within half an hour. Although the meal was fairly average, it tasted wonderful simply because we were so hungry. After lunch, we spent a few hours resting and freshening up before the next leg of our journey.
At around 4:30 PM, we checked out and took another cycle-rickshaw ride to R.K. Ashram Marg. The bus pickup point was only a few minutes away. Thilak contacted the representative from Apple Bud Cottages, who in turn shared the contact details of the Volvo bus operator handling our Delhi–Manali transfer.
The bus agent directed us to the Palika Palace bus stop, where we arrived and waited for the bus. We soon noticed several newly married couples waiting there as well, all seemingly heading to Manali for their honeymoon.
The journey to Manali begins
Our Delhi-Manali bus arrived at around 5:45 PM. The bus agent was present and helped passengers locate their assigned seats. The coach looked luxurious compared to the buses we were accustomed to. Each seat even had its own television screen. As soon as everyone boarded, the journey towards Manali began.
The bus gradually made its way through Delhi, giving us an opportunity to observe the city. We were impressed by the wide roads, relatively organized traffic, and the greenery lining many of the streets. Delhi looked far more beautiful than we had expected. Unfortunately, I developed a severe headache and fell asleep around 6:30 PM. Thilak spent some time watching a movie on the onboard entertainment system. When I woke up later, the headache had disappeared, and we spent the next few hours chatting and watching the city lights pass by outside the window.
At around 9:30 PM, the bus stopped for dinner at a restaurant called “Gali Paranthewali” in Haryana. The restaurant was located within a mall complex and appeared quite upscale. There was even a large banquet hall hosting an event that evening. Initially, we were unsure whether the restaurant was intended for bus passengers or whether we should look elsewhere for dinner. A few fellow travellers seemed equally confused. After waiting for a while, Thilak decided to walk in and explore. A few other couples followed us. We ordered butter rotis and a simple meal. The food was delicious, and the restaurant’s ambience was surprisingly elegant. It turned out to be one of the better meals of the day. Soon after dinner, we returned to the bus and resumed our overnight journey.
As the bus continued through Haryana and Punjab, we occasionally caught glimpses of brightly lit hotels and event venues along the highway. Many appeared to be hosting weddings and celebrations. The elaborate decorations, colourful lights, and grand setups looked remarkably similar to the lavish Punjabi weddings often portrayed in films and television shows. For first-time visitors to North India, it was an interesting sight.
Eventually, fatigue caught up with us, and we drifted off to sleep.
Ending the day far from home
It had been an incredibly long day. We had started the morning in Bangalore, taken our first flight together, navigated the busy streets of Delhi, boarded an overnight Volvo bus, and travelled hundreds of kilometres across northern India.
As we settled into our seats for the night, one thought stood out. Just that morning, we had been at home in Bangalore. By nightfall, we were travelling through an entirely different part of the country, on our way to the mighty mountains of Himachal Pradesh.
Our honeymoon adventure had truly begun.
- Route Travelled: HSR Layout > Bangalore Airport > Delhi Airport > Paharganj > Palika palace (R K Ashram Marg) > Manali
See also: