Sumdo to Tabo: Travelling with Monks!
After deciding against going to Kaurik, I resumed my voyage to Spiti from Sumdo at 10:15am.
Welcome to Spiti Valley. There is road going up on the right side of photo which goes to Kaurik.
The road looked quite good.
I am going to pay a visit at Giu village where a mummy of Monk is preserved. 3 guys asked for a lift, having a local company will prevent me from missing a road to Giu. They wanted to go to Hoorling, I told them that I am heading to Giu, they said it's OK, they will go down on the diversion to Giu. The guy sitting in the front even wanted to join me to Giu. He is actually monk, work in Dehradun, coming home in vacation! I never thought monks goes on vacation. Also, he is dressed up like a dude!
After driving about 2kms from Sumdo, I arrived at the diversion to Giu Village. Welcome gate to Giu:
The other 2 guys got down and we started our journey to Giu. We have just drove 200ms into the road, and we got problem! Rocks are falling ahead, so the road is blocked! Now what, reverse; Giu trip prospond, I will try to make it while going back. The road is too narrow to take a turn, I had to reverse all the way down to the Gate! And thank got I got a navigator with me!
Giu cancelled, now I am heading to Tabo. The road turned into a dirt track, but it is ok, better than my expectation.
Photographers delight! Red sandstone!
These rock formations just reminded of the last year trip to Nevada!
The road was quite narrow, many a place I have to stop to give pass to the coming vehicle. I am going down, so the car has the right go first!
The monk told me the story of the mummy of Giu, "
the mummy was found when army personal are making the road to Giu. They saw blood coming out of the ground when they were cutting into the rocks. So, they excavated and found the mummy of the monk!" The monk is studying in a monastery of Dehradun, in summer they get a leave for two months and come home. Now, he is going to Hurling to meet his friends.
By 10:45am I arrived at Hurling. Hurling is much greener with lots apple cultivations.
I dropped off the guys and 2 more monk asked for lift to Tabo, I never mind giving a lift to locals as I can get some insight of the place. Also, with monks around I will get a wild card entry to Tabo monastery.
![Big Grin](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.png)
I was about the start, when the monk i just dropped off took a ride again, this time to Tabo. In fact, the friend he wanted to catch up; happened to just jumped into my gypsy!
The guy who sat on the co-passenger seat is more chatty than others and I liked that. They are heading to Tabo for a cricket match! Yes, cricket match. There is Cricket Premier league happening at Tabo, where teams from entire Spiti Valley is participating. They are going as cheerleader boys for Hurling! They also let me know about the results of IPL semi-finals which made me happy! Chennai into finals and also Mumbai into qualifiers defeating KKR. Double bonaza! Now, I want the Chennai Vs B'lore final!
Dirt track continues!
As Giu dropped, I have ample of time to reach Kaza, so I took a break when and wherever I wanted!
A waterfall coming from melting ice
Thats me with the dude monk from Dehradun
One more pic with dude, Zuki badly needs a wash! Looking very sad.
Trust me, the sky was much more inky blue than what the photo suggests! Problem is, if I try to get the sky colour, the photo will be underexposed.
The Himachal govt is doing an excellent job giving local a chance to work! As employees they have to work for 100days per year. Road blocked, the supply tractor dropping rock boulders!
I utilised the waiting time to click some snap:
A bridge across Spiti river. The monk said the river on the other side comes under Kinnaur District, so the people over there need to go to Recong Peo for any administrative work.
The monk who wears a Ferrari Cap!
Beautiful vista
Spiti river bed. I saw some tractor down there, I would have like to do some off-roading down there! Off-roading alone in such terrain wont be good idea!
Dirt track and gypsy! A deadly combination
Effect of Devastating flood!
This view will turn greenish in coming months
Some cruising section!
Smooth slopes, potential of skiing in winters?
Stupa: Trademark of Spiti
It is 11:45am on the clock and we are entering Tabo
Welcome to Tabo
Keep quiet, I can hear the sound of live commentary of cricket match!
Cheers!