Internet failed, power failed intermittently, all cell coverage was down this morning as was the local satelite feeds. So we had only sporadic coverage by which to contact the ERA team.
We heard this morning that a few hardy souls walked to the hotel and others found a school in old Manali to park their cars at and then holed up in some local hotels. Since we were very low on petrol we decided to take the car to search out a place to refuel while it was still possible to get fuel. We also thought we might searched out the town for signs of other teams / cars. ERA sweepers put signs up (kind of like a trail of crumbs) that lead us on a twisted route through town until we came across a large school were a dozen or so competators had parked their cars. When we saw, however, that many of the cars are being climbed on and played with by the locals, we are very happy where we are parked at our hotel. We felt quite satisfaction driving back to our hotel.
Hopefully they will have no damage.
Our last contact with ERA was about 1 hr ago. Nothing working. Did I mention we keep having blackouts. There is no internet, due to storm no TV and cell is intermittent. Even the satellite can’t get through.
This morning We thought we would try the back route into the hotel but now that route has had a slide that took out the road a two bridges are down so the hotel is isolated. We thought we would hike in with a knapsack but the last message said absolutely not it’s too dangerous. So here we sit.
Tony snoozing beside me. I think exhaustion has hit him heard.
Thankfully the only thing electrically in the car, which is sooo surprising, that has given us issue is the Monit (trip and speed monitor for the race) and the broken right headlight.
Surprisingly the car has been running like a charm all in one piece a few more rattles and one panicked ‘why won’t she start’ and then VOOM she purred. Tires are holding too.
When we arrived in Delhi we were introduced around as the couple with a zillion flats on the Peking to Paris race. Interesting That’s what we are remembered for.
So now safe and sound we sit. We drove out a little this morning and passed where we had stopped to talk last night. Tony has put in a picture. That part of the road is gone now. Bits hang over. The bridge is up by a thread and obviously closed.
When the internet is up and working we can publish this. The rain continues to fall. I have heard that some think that you might find some remnants of Noah’s ark here. Could be right. The rain is relentless. Right now ERA says we are stuck here till further notice. We may have to give up one of the super high passes as the roads are just too treacherous and possibly snowed in. Today was a down day to recoup. We aren’t going anywhere tomorrow now either according to them
Not sure if the news out of India has captured any of this weather here, probably not but it surely gave us a shock to see how quickly and intensely Mother Nature can throw stuff at you.
The locals are shocked too.
Till our next travel day.
