I should have gone to Manali to take part in mountaineering training but that dream remained unfulfilled. So when we planned our trip in the beginning of May this year, I was keeping my fingers crossed. After more than 30 years I did not want to miss the chance again, of course not to do any mountaineering or even trekking but just to visit Manali. And I can say that it was like my dream of seeing Himalayas come true. The place is just beautiful. We could see the Snow crest from our hotel window all day long. The cold weather was a respite from the summer heat of South and North India. Even walking and climbing was fun. The surrounding Pine forests gave a cozy feeling. Even to watch the antics of the Birds in the apple orchard near our hotel was a joy and we could spend hours in that activity. The river Beas is a constant companion as you come up to Manali from the plains of Punjab. Manali also has ’hot springs’ coming from the mountains. These springs have sulphur vapours coming out which are visible even from a distance. People bathe in these springs and the ponds created to catch the spring water, they wash their clothes in it. They are said to be medicinal. To add to the scenic beauty there are the good natured and friendly people. As I live in South India, my mother tongue being Hindi, I particularly enjoyed good Hindi spoken in Himachal Pradesh. I think all the beautiful sights and other attractions of any Hill station are more enjoyable if the people of the place are friendly. And I can say that for Manali. I would certainly like to visit again.