It was a hot summer evening when I decided to go on for a vacation to a hilly place. When I asked my wife and kids they couldn't believe their ears. They always insisted for a break, I was never ready for it. Having vacation always seemed like a burden to my mind and pocket. A vacation for fifteen days meant atleast fifty thousand rupees which were more than enough to buy a new laptop.

This summer we finalised our trip to Kullu-Manali as Kashmir was not the easy option for us now for many reasons. My wife, Meenal was now busy packing the bags for the tour. She also bought some sweaters for us keeping in mind the cold weather in Manali, although I knew that these will not be required in summers there too, I didn't interrupt Meenal.

We reached Manali by a hired taxi and checked in the hotel already booked by our travel agent. Earlier I had come here for honeymoon fifteen years back. We had so many sweet memories of this beautiful place. But today I felt very different here. Lots on bulidings had grown up in the peaceful valley and it was looking very much crowded than before.

The traffic was so much that it took almost one and half hour to cross the market and reach the Hidimba temple. The greenery was there but there was so much of the polythene spread around wastebins.

Next day we decided to go to Rohatang pass to touch the snow. We moved at about six in the morning  but there was so much of the traffic on the way that it seemed we were moving slower than on foot. Kids were so excited to touch the snow.

When we reached snow point it was very pleasent and beautiful.

There also the snow was mixed with mud and was looking darker at the points where people were walking and playing on it.

After touching the snow point and having lunch at Marhi we again came back to Manali.

Manali was beautiful now too but it was much beautiful and natural fifteen years ago.