This is now the second photo we have shared of the Himalayas. Oddly, both of the photos were shot through glass. This one is shot through the dirty windshield of a beat up van (the other was shot out of a plane window at 30,000 feet).
Will and I found ourselves in Northern India trying to make our way south to Delhi. We had read some blogs describing this crazy 18 hour drive you can take across the second highest road pass in the world south from Leh to Manali. In exchange for a small amount of rupees we were given two small seats in a cramped van and a driver who looked like he possibly had slept only a few hours that week. Off we went!
The ride was terribly uncomfortable – bumpy, cold, nothing great to eat, nowhere to use the restroom, and I swear the exhaust from the engine was being pumped directly into the car. Additionally the drive was just flat-out dangerous. For the majority of the trek we found ourselves riding along sheer cliffs with hundred plus foot drops. The “road” was not paved and it was covered with ice and snow on many parts. Absolutely nuts!
However, this ride was probably the most beautiful drive of my life. I highly encourage you to scroll through a photo-essay-of-sorts of the ride. I had my point and shoot in my hand for the whole ride and every 30 minutes or so I would take a snap out the front of the van. Enjoy!
