Week 60: to Sarahan - 2200m: cycle to Jeori, then a taxi to see the Shri Bhima Kali Ji temple
Through towns, the side of the road used to be lots of food stalls, now we see parked and wrecked cars lining the street. Today was a short ride in distance yet still took effort with 400meter elevation gain rewarded with fantastic scenery. We stop for chai and finish the fruit cake with apricot preserves. Again we see the tall snow covered mountains in the distance.
At Jeori, we've decide to take a side trip to Sarahan to see the Shri Bhima Kali Ji temple. But not cycling the 17 kms with a 700 meter climb. Patrick negotiates a price of 600 rupees to take us up by taxi. Otherwise, we would miss seeing this Temple. We have arrived at the junction at 0900, so we will have time to sight see and consider this half a rest day.
We survived the harrowing ride, as the driver took the twists and turns speeding up the mountain. We are dropped off at the temple guesthouse and are hoping there is a room. There is a room available but we have to wait for it to be cleaned. A family from Calcutta are interested in us and many group pictures are taken. This is what cycle touring is all about, meeting people.
The room is huge and overlooks a courtyard in front of the temple, hot water for a bucket bath, and internet service. For 550rupees, this is the best value room we've had in India. We eat lunch across the road at a Tibetan Cafe, for 160 rupees ($2), we had soup, momos, and shared a chow mein. Later in the afternoon we visited the temple. Eat dinner in the canteen downstairs and relax.
