Beautiful Manali

We finally got out of the heat and found ourselves in beautiful Manali. We arrived on April 24th, and found here many of our friends from Goa. It was a warm welcoming even though it was freezing cold! The journey to get here was very long. A 30 hour train ride from Goa to Delhi, spent one night in Delhi, and hopped on a 16 hour bus to Manali. Junu was an angel the entire trip! It was amazing, the train just rocked her right to sleep. I think she slept 90% of the trip. I loved it because I too was able to catch up on my sleep, and it made the entire journey go by a lot faster.

It was raining in Manali for an entire week before we arrived, and rather cold the day we got here. A big shock from the incredibly hot weather we just came from. We quickly found a room, and crashed for the entire day under very thick blankets. Then, we woke up to the warm sun shinning upon the Himalayas, and welcoming us to Manali.

We are now technically staying in a village named Vishist located just above New Manali. It is a small mountain village filled with wood and stone houses, scattered with guest houses for the many travelers that find their way here. We already found our favorite Chai shop, where the Didi makes us hot water for Junu, and Dal Bhat for Sunil and I. We are still searching for a room with a kitchen so that we can do our own cooking, but it seems that even though we arrived early in the season all the rooms with kitchens are already taken. We might just have to buy a little propane stove to sterilize bottles and make hot water, tea, eggs, ect.

I have managed to capture a couple shots of the mountains, but since the screen on our camera is broken, I can never tell if my scenic pictures have come out or not. I dont think these shots are very good, but at least you can get a glimps at the amazing view of the Himalayas that we get to enjoy from our balcony. I have also included some pictures of Junu in her adorable winter outfits. Living in Goa I didnt think we would get to use them before she grew out of them, so I am happy we get to them. However, I do miss having her hang out at as a naked babe.

Things have been so wonderful since we got here. We have been continually blessed since we arrived, and the fresh energy is revitalizing for us. Junu is also really enjoying the mountain energy. She hates being inside, and always wants to be outside in the fresh air. We started going on evening walks, and she is so stimulated by all the fresh smells and sounds. She loves the mooing cows and the soothing sound of the waterfalls.

Even though it was a last minute decision to come here, we are happy we followed our hearts and decided to change our plans. Manali is where we are supposed to be right now. We can feel it in the air.

Baby Exercise

Sunil and I were wondering how many calories Junu burns a day doing her little baby exercises, so I told Sunil to exercise with June. Here is a funny video of him working out with Junu. As soon as he started, she just stopped and stared at him. It was so cute!

He could only do it for a couple of minutes, and she does it ALL day. lol Daddy needs more endurance!

Leaving Goa!!

Today we are leaving Goa, and we are headed for Manali and Dharmasala. For the next month or so we are going to be in Northern India. It is going to be beautiful!!! I am so excited!! New energy, fresh mountain air, and away from the heat for a little bit.

We are still planning on moving to Bangalore, but have delayed our move by a month or so. Next month is the hottest month of the year in Bangalore, and since we are already miserable and melting in the heat in Goa, we figure it wouldnt be the wisest thing to try and move to Bangalore right away. Plus, I am really happy to have at least another month or so at home with June before trying to find a job. Sunil has some work to do in the north, and wont be able to do it after we go to Bangalore. So, going north is now or not for a very long time.

We are getting on a very long train to Delhi today at noon. Then once we reach Delhi its another 12 hour bus to Manali. Its going to be a long journey, but I think we are ready.

Update on June: We went to the doctor yesterday. She is 4.5 kg, and growing well. She is super healthy, and doing great!!

Keep us in your thoughts during our long journey to the north. We need all the good energy we can get!!

Daily Outings to the Beach

So even though we live in Goa, we don't actually live ON the beach anymore. Since we moved to Siolim village at the beginning of March, we are now a 5 min scooter ride to the beach. And since I wanted to have Junu in Goa to be near the ocean, we decided that we needed to start actually taking her to the beach.

Now that June is a month old, we have started making daily outings to the beach for the sunset. Its been really nice for all of us. Sunil and I enjoy getting out of the house to do some yoga and meditation, and June loves the ocean breeze and sound of the waves. She usually sleeps through the whole trip while she is in sling, but yesterday she was wide eyed, and smiling while we were walking down the beach.

Here are some pictures of our outing to Morjim beach.

Trip to Mumbai

Mumbai, the largest city in India, and a place like no other in the world! I like to describe it as a glorious combination of 3 amazing cities thrown into India; Los Angeles, the glamour and spark of Hollywood meets Bollywood; New York, the awesome train system, sky scrapers, and mass amounts of people walking the streets; London, with the old British architecture, taxi cabs, pubs, and brick roads. It is such a beautiful, lively city that is always changing, and offers you an adventure around every corner.

This past weekend we took a trip to Mumbai. It was my third time to the city, and I have to admit, I was a little intimidated by the thought of taking our one-month-old baby there. We traveled from Goa on a nice Volvo bus 12 hours north into the city of Mumbai. The bus ride there went by quickly, and before you knew it we were getting into a cab to search for a guest house in Colaba (the area of Mumbai where the Taj Hotel and Gate of India is located). Once we found a very tiny, but clean room to stay in for a night, we checked in, took a breather, and headed out into the blaring heat. We walked around and did some window shopping for a couple of hours, and treated ourselves to a delicious meal at a restaurant with A/C! Then we headed back to the room to feed the baby, and to take a breather from the heat. Around sunset we headed back out to explore the streets of Mumbai, and enjoy the cooler night air. We had an amazing time just walking around, exploring, and people watching. Mumbai has my dil (heart).

Junu was so amazing the entire trip! I have this awesome sling called a Maya Wrap that my sister gave me. Once I put June in there she is fast asleep. However, after 3 days of being in the wrap I was tired of wearing it, and June was tired of being bundled inside. However, without a stroller or car seat it makes caring June around the city and riding on a 12 hour bus a much easier task. Our purpose for going to Mumbai was to declare June’s birth at the US Embassy and apply for her passport. Once we finished all of our work, we headed back home to Goa, and completed our first big trip with little June.

Here are some pictures of our trip to Mumbai with Junu.