Day One was more of relaxation and checking with the guests and the guide as to what can be done in the coming days at Sethan and implemented on the following days. The main activities were trekking biking, camping, and so on. Trekking was more with a group that extends to more than two days and the guy in charge (Let's call him Bhai as I might be mentioning him at all times.) said that I don't need a guide and can go on my way for a day hike by walking till the end of the woods. 

I also asked about camping and wanting to do it on my birthday eve so I can see the entire Manali City at night I turned 25 and Bhai suggested that he would set up it the day before I leave as that would have been much more convenient. 

I was all prepped for the day hike after breakfast and walked towards the woods passing by a Dhaaba and a group of youngsters who were walking up the hill led by a guide and some vehicles passed by. There were some tents set up on the way by men who came from Manali and also shepherds tending their cattle and their dogs. I walked as long as I can till it started drizzling and I had to head back soon and reached the Dhaaba where I found the guy who picked me up from the station. He made me Chai and told me about the cave and also the paddy fields right opposite the Dhaaba which I could check out. 

I then walked up to the top of the hills which was very steep and I had to step on rocks for support. It was quite a pleasant breeze even though it was sunny. I sat on a huge rock relaxing and watching from the top. My mind was free, I was so relaxed. I felt so positive. I didn't reach the top of the hill but I climbed as higher as I could. I can't describe what I was feeling but it was good, like really good. 

I returned after some time and relaxed in my room after lunch. I go for walks in the morning before breakfast and in the evening after Chai so, in a way, it is a hike for me every day. There are people telling me that I haven't gone far enough but that's because they have a vehicle and I go by foot which is more than enough. I wanted to go more but then have to take a U-turn when it starts drizzling. There was a bonfire that night where Bhai invited the guests and we were chatting and listening to music till late at night. He made me coffee since I don't drink and I chilled there at night listening to them chat about politics and films, mostly in Hindi which I didn't really have any idea about or wasn't interested in. 

On the last day in Manali, the Dhaaba guy (also the driver) agreed to show me around the parts of Manali before dropping me at the station. I strolled around Sethan one last time before saying goodbye to it. I don't remember the names of the place I visited but it was a tunnel and also the glacier reaching and we also passed by a hot balloon. It was cold and raining and there was a lot of traffic and a lot of people and so we didn't stop for too long. The Dhaaba guy asked if I wanted to take pictures of it. Everyone else was taking it and some are waiting for their turn to take at a particular spot. Well I didn't want to be like them and I did click some pictures of the view and that doesn't include me. 

That is one disadvantage of a solo trip. You don't take many pictures of yourself that aren't selfies. Maybe you can ask them to click for you and they wouldn't mind. But at a place away from people and noise, what do you expect. Maybe not all moments are meant to be captured so I will take it that way. Selfies also aren't that bad. I have got good ones. 

I had a really good time and I am so glad that I made it happen. Now is the time to make many things happen rather than waiting for them to happen. This was a much-needed break since the beginning of the pandemic and it finally happened in 2022. A lot of other exciting things are going to happen this year and I am so looking forward to them all.

And the camping thing didn't happen because it rained really heavily that day and I stayed in my room the whole day under the blanket and didn't even go for the walks as it was so cold and foggy. That is the only thing I have missed in the whole trip which wouldn't have happened if not for the rain as it was close to the beginning of the monsoon.

That's all for the trip. It might not seem exciting to you as it seems that I haven't done that many things in Manali as I am supposed to do. But I am satisfied and had a really good time. One reason I couldn't do much as the rain and there were limitations during monsoon as the trip is mostly outdoor and the only time you be indoors is to sleep. 

That's all for my first solo trip, thank you so much for reading. Hope you enjoyed it. I will see you in the next one folks.