Back To Rishikesh

After my Gulabi kantha trek, I took a taxi to Rishikesh. I reached my hostel at around 9PM. My friend Ankush was in Rishikesh doing a course on aerial yoga for a couple of weeks and he was available to meet me at that time. So, I met him at a cafe where I had my dinner. I had met Ankush on my Gaumukh Tapovan trek. We spoke a bit about our planned trek in Nepal and decided to discuss more on it the next morning when I meet him for breakfast. 

I shared my dorm with three 19 year old boys. They were very friendly and they asked me to join the on their rafting plan the next day. I politely declined. I was in no mood to socialise. I preferred my solitude and wanted to relax while I was there. 

Next morning, I woke up early and headed to the Sai ghat - my favourite place in Rishikesh. It was windy, but I stayed by the Ganga river for about 30 minutes. I took a walk on the new bridge which will be inaugurated soon. I got down to the Ghat on the other side and had tea there. I had visited these places during my first visit in 2021. Much has changed since then. 

The new bridge is fine but I prefer the old charm of this place. They could have built another bridge somewhere on the other side instead of building it right next to the old one. I had Bun Maska at the shop I regularly visit. 

I got ready and met Ankush at Secret Garden cafe. We had some Shakshuka and sandwiches for breakfast. We sat on the ground, under the sun and discussed a lot on random topics. Some other folks around joined the conversation. Ankush and I discussed about our trek as well. At noon, Ankush dropped me near my hostel. He was leaving to Dehradun to visit his family that day as he had a day off. 

In the evening, I went back to Laxman Jhula, crossed the bridge and walked to Ram Jhula via Ganga beach. Form there, I continued my walk to the Paramarth ghat. I am not particularly interested in the aarti anymore. So, I sat by the ghat for sometime and headed back to Tapovan area. I had my dinner at Tattv cafe - another regular stop in Rishikesh.  

Next morning, I went back to Sai ghat. Crossed to the other side of the river and had tea and Bun Maska. Had aloo paratha for breakfast, got ready and headed to the airport. I like to unwind in Rishikesh after a long trek in the Himalayas. Rishikesh feels like home.