Why Do We Run to the Mountains?

Mountains on the Kuari Pass Trek, Uttrakhand

At the first opportunity, Sesha and I head to the mountains. And winters are no exception. Recently it was my husband's birthday and hesulks and cribs if taken through the restaurant and movie routine. However, as his birthday came squarely in the middle of the week there was no way we could travel. So, this time around it had to be the restaurant and movie routine or nothing. As soon as we entered one of numerous malls that have mushroomed in Gurgaon, he told me, "You know what? I never feel relaxed at this place." And by this place he meant malls in general. I had to agree with him. I think that is why we run to the hills, it is very different there, quiet, peaceful and relaxing.

One of these days, a colleague of mine was also joking, "Why do you have to walk all day to feel relaxed, I mean I need all the creature comforts to have a good vacation." I agree, on a trek creature comforts are actually missing but then that is the only time I when I try to think about things that are of earth shattering importance to me :) With a big flat rock and miles of serenity I manage to think better, in fact that is the only time I manage to think and gain some perspective :) That is another reason why I long for treks and mountains.

And this is part nostalgia and part crib too, as I said after five long years it has happened that I am not sure if I am trekking this summer or not. I better manage it somehow or I will die with envy when others come back from some trek and show me the pictures.

In Search of a Wash Room at Dubare!

Dubare Elephant Camp, Coorg

I remember the trip to the Dubare Elephant Camp for many reasons. One, I am afraid of animals (I know bad of me but that is how it is) and I was wondering how would I the trip go. I did not go near the Elephants but otherwise quite liked the place and watching the giants from far. Actually I took an elephant ride too, I am not so afraid if I do not touch the animal.

Also, in the picture above you can see the Nariyal Paani (coconut water) stall where Sudhir and I struggled to buy the coconut water.

But I remember it for another reason. This was one of those trips where I miscalculated the water intake and needed to use a wash room. Those of you have traveled in India know that wash room at times becomes a luxury at various spots and one has to keenly look at the intake of water on road trips.

I asked our Club Mahindra friend Joy if there was a loo on the premises. He said, "No madam. But I know a lady here and she would let you use her wash room." I was quite apologetic but agreed to inconvenience the lady. I am quite thankful that she let me use her facility but that too was just a makeshift thing.

But even more than this what stands out in my mind is her kindness. I consulted Joy if I should pay her money. He told me, "She won't take money, so why don't you buy something from her shop?" I was quite OK with that and took a chocolate. To my horror she refused to take money, and however much I would plead, she refused to budge. At last I conceded defeat and with a lot of guilt took the chocolate too!

My Travels in 2007- May We all Travel More in 2008

Kanchanjanga- Pelling, Sikkim

I guess I liked 2007 a lot and would not change too many things. 2007 started on the right note as we spent the new year eve in the train coming back from Sikkim.

Shringi, Himachal Pradesh

Then in February we went to Shringi Vatika in Himachal Pradesh. I went along with my younger nephew there in March again to retrieve my cell phone from Shringi.

Prashar Lake, Himachal Pradesh

Then in May we visited Prashar Lake again in Himachal Pradesh. Both Sesha and I consider it as one of our best trips in 2007.

Magnificent Spiti, Himachal Pradesh

June was time for heading to trek in the magnificent Spiti with Sesha and my elder nephew.

Naini Lake, Nainital, Uttrakhand

In September I headed to Nanital with my younger nephew and the trip was sponsored by the Shervani Hilltop Resorts. This was the first sponsored trip that happened to me because of my blog.

Tower Bridge, London

Then in October end November beginning I was in UK and though this was related to work I did manage to roam around a lot and thoroughly enjoyed the trip.

Dubare Elephant Camp, Coorg

And then came the Club Mahindra Travel Blogger's Coorg trip. This was another sponsored trip and I guess I got extremely lucky this year.

MAY WE ALL TRAVEL MORE IN 2008!

To Coorg with Club Mahindra!

Went on a trip to Coorg that was sponsored by Club Mahindra for travel bloggers (will update on the gang soon). As of now swamped with work.

And even though I am no foodie, the highlight of this trip was the wonderful food that was served. I actually polished off all the sweet dishes you can see in this picture. I am sure I will gain at least 3 kg because of this trip.

A Trip to Nainital and the Stay at Shervani Hilltop Resort

Some trips are fated. That is how I view my recent trip to Nainital with my younger nephew Sunil. I almost could not believe it, when the good folks from the Shervani Hilltop Resort (they own Rodeo too) wrote to me about a possibility of my staying with them as their guest and in return, I had to blog for them! Can you imagine such a good deal? I anyway blog about all my travels! But at that point, I remember thinking, “Now this sounds good but let us see if anything comes out of it actually.” After all, there are so many blog leads that turn out to be nothing in the end. However, this turned out to be one fine trip and a break I desperately needed. They also offered that I could bring a guest as I may not feel safe alone. Sadly, that is true, I do not venture out alone in India. As Sesha had already planned to go to Bangalore, finally Sunil and I went together.

Reaching Naintal

I am so used to traveling by bus that it felt a bit strange to be going by taxi this time. Our journey was smooth and the driver (I somehow never asked his name) a very decent one. We started around 5am in the morning and after a while both Sunil and I feel asleep. I woke only when we were nearing Moradabad and requested that we may stop for breakfast somewhere. Soon after, the three of us had breakfast and then started again. The road was in a bad shape (they always are after the rain) and whenever we neared a town, they were chock-o-full too. However, when Nainital was 30 km away, the road became narrow, empty and flanked by forest on both the sides. We switched off the AC and stuck our necks out. The first sight of the mountains again made me realize how I had missed them. As we were 10 km away from Nanital, a small mist descended on us making everything more beautiful.

Naini Lake, Nainital

The Shervani Hilltop Resort

We reached the resort around 12 noon and frankly the Avomine (anti nausea medicine for motion sickness in the hills) had taken its toll. I announced myself at the reception and was wondering if everything would go right? The person at the reception immediately greeted me, made me fill a small form and handed me the key to our room.

The room was big and well furnished. Once again, we were attended to and informed that our welcome drinks are on the way. I requested them if they could make it tea? They readily agreed and in a short while we were drinking it. After freshening up a bit, it was time for me to admire the flowers around the resort, they really have a lot of beautiful flowers hanging from different corners and some kind of cactus literally growing from the walls!

Soon, we decided we were hungry and headed to the dining hall for lunch. Some good food tucked inside and we headed back to our room. I thought for a fraction of a second if I should catch up on sleep but we decided to head out.

Flowers at the Resort

A Walk to the Naini Lake

The resort is really up a small hilltop and the road to it is steep. But as we are used to walking, we just decided to walk to the Naini Lake. When I went to the reception to give my room key, I told them my plan. They were a bit skeptical and told us that the resort jeeps go to the mall road at regular intervals and we could hop into one. We told them about our motion sickness and our preference for walking. Then we were told, “OK, do let us know when you want to come back” and I replied, “Don’t worry we will walk that way too.” I thought some eyes were rolling upwards at this reply.

Well, we headed out, and soon reached the lake. This was the first time for my nephew at Nainital and soon we decided to go for boating. Our boatman was Harish and he is from the nearby town of Almora and has been coming to Nainital in the season for the last 20 years. In the middle of the lake, we requested him to take our photographs. We offered him the Nikon 3200. Then after taking the picture, he asked for my camera. My face was full of hesitation. Sensing it Harish told me, “Aap de do ye camera, meine ek se eak camera chalaya hai.” (You can give me the camera, I have used really state of the art cameras). Still all hesitation, I gave it to him, and no wonder he handled it like a pro! So much so for my city bred assumptions!!

After the ride, we took a walk around the periphery of the lake and then we felt real hungry. We found a place called Bawrachi (that turned out to be not so great) at the mall road. While I ordered something fancy called noodle cutlet Sunil sensibly went with an omelet. As we were having tea, the skies opened up. The lake and the clouds met and the people, who were out there boating, really had it. We also panicked and called the hotel and asked if they could pick us up. While we were waiting, the rain went off and we were impatient to start again. I called them again and asked if they had not already sent the vehicle, we would like to walk. I was given the best wishes for my walk up. Of course we managed it with a sweat. I told some good folks that just in June we were trekking at the height of 14000 feet in Spiti and this climb was a cake walk.

Later, it was time for us to play some TT and to show Sunil that there is still a game left where I am better than him! Later, after dinner (I am not a foodie but Sunil is and he liked the food) and a big helping of the sweet dish later (I have a big sweet tooth) we sat out in the well lit corridor and I was reading my book. But then, I was just too tired by now and started feeling cold, and I decided to turn in. A little bit of TV and book and it was time to call it a day.

Shervani Hill Top Resort, Nainital (Picture courtesy the Shervani Hill Top resort)

Day 2

We got up late and hurried for the breakfast. I liked it a lot when they asked me for tea for a second time and gave it to me promptly! There were a lot of guests around and I thought the staff tried to chat up with everyone. Then it was time to hand over the key at the reception again. We mentioned that we may not turn up for lunch as we had ambitious plans for the day. We wanted to take the rope way and then from there walk to the China Peak. And that is what we exactly did. The end point of the rope way is too crowded and full of shops and with clouds and all there was no view, so we were waiting to get out. We had an interesting ride though, where they haul you up to a point and them the ride comes crashing down at an enormous speed. I have to say both of us enjoyed it. We then had a cup of tea and off we went to China peak on foot.

This was the only time when we were ale to leave the crowds behind. We must have taken around 2 hours to reach there and we were lucky that it rained lightly on the way. I am not really worried about us but more about my camera! The way was green, with flowers and some slugs too (that Sunil promptly photographed and wants me to put on this blog! No way is my answer).

At the top is a canteen run by the forest department and we had more tea and omelet. We got busy taking picture and then once again the skies really opened. We took shelter at the other side of the hut. The rain showed no sign of stopping. Soon one of the persons from the hut approached us and asked if we would like to have some food with them! We tried to be polite and said no once. But when he repeated the offer we took it up gladly. We were served Kichdi (A dish of rice and pulses) and it tasted so good. The rain still continued. We once again started getting a bit worried and asked the people more than once, “Ye barish rukege na?” (Will the weather clear up?) and the answer was always in the affirmative. After a long time we headed back again to the Naini Lake and this time we had to walk all the way down as the rope way tickets are valid only for an hour.

We headed to another shop at the Mall Road (Sakley’s Pastry Shop) and polished off a lot of stuff which was good. Then we decided to take a stroll around the lake again. But after walking for a while we decided to take a peddle boat out to the lake. Later, Sunil and I both cursed our decision to row on our own as we were already tired. Yet, in our allotted hour, we managed to peddle to the end and come back. It was almost sunset now and after taking a few pictures it was time to turn back.

Back at the Resort

Guess what we did after coming back? It was a bit late and with a lot of guilt I asked if we could get a cup of tea at that time. They readily served it to us in our room. While I was waiting for it, sitting outside, the door to the room was open. A few of the guests passed (they did not notice me as I was quite close to the wall) and peeped in and claimed a loud Wow! I guess they liked our room. After tea, we played TT again. Then we attacked our dinner (I really liked the Shahi Tukda, that is bread made sweet with a lot condensed milk and garnishing) and Sunil enjoyed his chicken. There was a huge group of kids at the resort on a school trip and were enjoying themselves at the disco. We once again sat out, me with my book and Sunil with his MP3 player. But once again I started feeling cold quickly and it was time for some TV again. The next day after breakfast we were heading back.

Sunil summed up the experience for me when I asked how did he find the trip? He said, “See, we like to go out and really walk a lot. But there are people who want cold weather, good food, drinks, a relaxing environment and a pickup and a drop to the mall on their holiday. Surely they are going to enjoy it. And admit it, for a change it was good for us too.” I agree. I should also mention that I realized that it is really the attention to the small things like asking how our day out was or realizing that I like tea a lot, which are going to remain with me for a long time.

Here is the contact information and the off-season package prices for the Shervani Hill Top Resort-

Tariffs at Shervani Hilltop Nainital:
Rs.2333/- to Rs.5833/- per person for 2nights and 3 days on twin sharing basis inclusive of Breakfast & Dinner + Taxes

Please note-The above-mentioned tariff is valid till March 31 2008 and not valid from December 29 2007 to January 02 2008.

Address: Shervani Hilltop, Mallital, Nainital 263001.
Phone : 05942 - 233800
email Id :nainital@shervanihspl.com

Now this is What I Call 'Taking the First Road Out'

Nainital- Photo by Sunil

My younger nephew Sunil and I took a trip to Nanital this weekend, and came back today. A few months back I got a mail from good people at Shervani Hilltop Resort, Nanital. They invited me to the resort as their guest, in return I had to blog about them. Now how could I ever pass over such a deal -)

But as the academic session had started, it was only now that I could manage to take leave. The detailed blog post about this trip will have to wait till tomorrow, as I am too tired today. Anyway I can't load the pictures from my camera as Sesha has removed the DSLR camera software and the CD is lying at my office. And no, this is not what I mean by 'taking the first road out.'

While Sunil and I were walking around in Nainital I saw a girl whom I recognized from my IIT days. She too stopped and said, "I know you." When I asked her what she was doing here, an interesting story unfolded. She and her husband after working for 5-6 years in software industry decided that they like the wildlife too much. So what do they do? They write IFS (Indian Forest Services) together, get through and get posted in Uttranchal! They leave their software jobs behind. Now this may not be taking 'the first road out' but I consider it as taking the proper road out.

Now that I have told this to Sesha, he is after me, why don't you apply to one of the Hill universities. Well, the problem is I like my job a lot and have no intention to change it in a hurry. But as a long term plan, the idea of applying to a hill university is certainly attractive.

Time to take a Short Break, Again!

It is the time to take a short break, again! Would be back by Monday. No going very far away but still to the hills.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Some More Images from The Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal and some of the work on its walls.

I took this day trip to Taj Mahal a year back with my two nephews, and it was the first trip to the Taj for my elder one. I still remember his expression when he actually saw the monument. 18 year olds don't drop their jaws at most of the things these days. But that day his jaws almost dropped to his knees. And yet, the Agra city has earned such a reputation.

The Highest Point on the Spiti Homestay Trek- Komik

And I guess if you just take one step after another, you reach somewhere in the end!

Day 3- Manali to Kaza

Spiti Trip, Day 1- Delhi to Manali

Spiti Trip, Day 2- At Manali
Practical Information about Home Stay Trek in Spiti
Pictures from Spiti
A Note on Acclimatization

So, at Manali I set the alarm clock to 3.45 and soon fell asleep. It felt as if the alarm went almost the next moment. I got up first, gulped Avomine (anti-nausea medicine for motion sickness on hill roads) and let the others sleep while I captured the wash room. Soon, it was the turn of the others to gulp Avomine and get ready.

The lazy bones made it 4.30 by the time we left. We walked to the bus stand and located the Kaza bus and found ourself three seats. We were given the start time of 5.00 am but the bus moved at 5.30, though at that hour 5 or 5.30 hardly makes any difference.I wake up like a dead fish in the mornings.

We Stopped for Tea at Rohtang Pass, near Manali

I was wide awake till we stopped for tea at Rohtang Pass around 7.30 in the morning. At that hour the place was empty but otherwise it is known for attracting huge crowds. Had a nice cup of tea in the chilly weather and soon the driver gave his customary honk to let us know that he was about to start again. By now the Avomine was taking its effect and I was getting zonked. Yet I remember opening my eyes at Gramphu and I was stuck by its beauty. But I was too sleepy to take out the camera and take a picture on the moving bus.

.

Batal- Our Lunch Point

The only time I properly opened my eyes on this was to eat food at Batal. The rice and rajma
tasted heavenly and the tea after it was just what I needed. However, once again the bus started moving and I became aware of myself at Losar, another beautiful village and another stop for tea, some hours later.

I also remember Kunzun-La vaguely and I took a hazy picture too. I became quite awake at Rangrik, and that is quite close to Kaza. Sesha told us that at some point a well built (probably intoxicated too) man boarded the bus and refused to pay his fare and made quite a ruckus. He says, after looking at the man's built the conductor and the driver let the ticket issue pass. Well, I slept through all this.

Finally, around 4.00 in the evening nearly 11 hours after we boarded the bus, we were at Kaza. We saw two hotels quote close to the bus stand and checked in at the first one (Delley Hotel) and it was quite OK. We always promise ourselves that we will explore a lot of hotels before we check in. But the reality that almost always we check into the first acceptable option because we have no energy left.

Later, we went for a cup of coffee and soon had food and once again called it a day.


Other related posts-

Spiti Trip, Day 1- Delhi to Manali

Spiti Trip, Day 2- At Manali

Practical Information about Home Stay Trek in Spiti
Pictures from Spiti
A Note on Acclimatization

Lazy Sunday Photo- On the Way to Demul, Spiti, India

Wild Rosebush is Quite Commonly Found in the Spiti Region. I took this picture on the way to Demul, Spiti.

Spiti Trip, Day 2- At Manali

Spiti Trip, Day 1- Delhi to Manali
Practical Information about Home Stay Trek in Spiti
Pictures from Spiti

So, we finally reached Manali after 20 long hours of starting from Delhi (that account is available from the first link above) once again on a private bus.

The first thing we needed to find was a hotel. We wanted to try our luck at Sunshine Guest House in Manali as it was recommended at Indiamike. Sesha offered that we take an auto (that means he was too tired, otherwise it is always on foot) to the place. However, on reaching there we found it was completely booked.

Sesha once again asked us to guard the rucksacks while he would find us a room. So, off he went and quite quickly returned and walked us to D'Chatel (picture below). When he started paying for our room (he just loves lousy hotel rooms) I was quite surprised that he took out multiple 500 rupees notes to pay. The room was large, had an extra bed for Dilip (my nephew) and I guess it was Sesha's way of saying he was sorry he dragged us through 20 hour Delhi-Manali ordeal.

D'Chatel at Manali

The room was just fine at Rs 1500 and the next thing to hunt for was food. The hotel had a restaurant called Mom's Kitchen and we wanted to grab something quickly. With hindsight I can say we were lucky that the restaurant was not serving lunch at 4.00 in the evening. The people at the hotel pointed out the Shanti Dhaba and we had an excellent late lunch there, of course followed by tea.

The Shanti Dhaba

After lunch, it was time to book tickets for Kaza. We were not sure if the buses had started plying on Manali-Kaza route but our first stop for inquiry was the government bus stand. We were in good luck and buses were running and we bought three tickets for the next day 5.30 am bus.

Cars at Rohtang Pass- Manali

After the booking the bus ticket we were free to roam around but we are not very fond of Manali. It is just way too crowded in the season. And anyway we were too tired to do much. So, we came back to the hotel. Dilip and I had another tea session. Then for dinner Dilip and Sesha decided to have dinner at Mom's kitchen ignoring my advice against it. Well, the food was very ordinary and quite overpriced. The patron too was acting quite pricey and we did not enjoy the meal at all.

After the meal, it was time to read our books (all three of us were reading different books) and set the alarm in my mobile for 3.45 am.


Other posts related to Spiti

Spiti Trip, Day 1- Delhi to Manali
Practical Information about Home Stay Trek in Spiti
Pictures from Spiti

Hardly a Week and the Memories of Spiti are Already Fading

View from Dhankar, Spiti, India

I know life has treated me really kindly and I really have no right to crib but one week into the plains and all these beautiful memories of Spiti have already started to fade, sigh... I realized it with a start today when I was worrying about trifles, like a perceived slight when probably none was intended, a little of this and a little of that. And how easy it is to forget that just a week before I was in the paradise!

More on Spiti

Pictures from Spiti

Practical Information about Home Stay Trek in Spiti

Acclimatize, Acclimatize and Acclimatize

Chhang- the Local Beer

Spiti is a high altitude region. Kaza, the base of the trek we did this time is situated at 3660 meters. The starting point of the trek is Langza and we were dropped there in a jeep. Langza is at the height of 4400 meters. Langza is beautiful and Chocho Khang Nilda (the mountain below) is a befitting backdrop. You can imagine if we went a little berserk at Langza.

Chocho Khang Nilda (translation: Chocho is princess, Khang is mountain, Nilda is sun facing) at Langza

I head started feeling a slight headache almost within half an hour of reaching there. Still, we had to go to the Gompa and see the fossils at a short distance of a kilometer or two. Sesha and Dilip (my elder nephew) wanted to visit a near by lake too. Our guide Anjan told us it is dry but those two still wanted to go.

A Fossil near Langza- Evidence of Sea Life

After looking at a few fossils I decide to drop out of the lake plan. I was feeling really tired and weird. I told the gang that I would wait for them at the Gompa and headed that way. It was quite windy and I crawled under the staircases of the Gompa to keep the wind out. After quite sometime, Sesha and Anjan came back and Dilip had went back to our home stay. We saw the Gompa leisurely and headed back.

A while later it started. Sesha started complaining of nausea. And soon enough, he started throwing up. It was still evening and we hoped it will stop. He skipped the dinner and went to sleep. At midnight I awoke suddenly and saw Sesha munching on a chocolate cookie. Relieved I thought he is feeling better. But a while later he started throwing up again, anything and everything, including water.

After the fourth time, I was really scared. After all, it feels like being in the middle of nowhere and the last thing I would like is to see Sesha getting really sick. All those horror stories of AMS (acute mountain sickness) started playing in my head. He was much calmer and said if it doesn't stop by the morning maybe he will go back and Dilip and I could complete the trek. Not a merry thought at all. I had started wondering if Ecosphere had a cancellation policy!

I was also reminded of our Ladakh trip where we tried to trek through Markha Valley but had to turn back after three days because I had a badly upset stomach that showed no sings of getting better. I said to Sesha that it seems our high altitude trek attempts are jinxed. Anyway, he took two Avomines, vomited both, and finally went to sleep. He feel asleep quickly and I was a lot relieved. Because even my head was aching furiously at night and I was not sure if I could take a sleepless night without falling sick myself.

In the morning, it was another day, bright and beautiful. Sesha was much better and the nausea of the night had completely vanished. He was raring to go. And here we are after completing the trek.

Moral of the story- don't take the altitude lightly, even if we are feeling fit and fine. If you are not used to it, treat it with a lot of respect.

Oh! and Dilip slept peacefully through the night, never even turning in his sleep!

Pictures from Spiti- Warning there are Way too Many!

So if you want to look at just two, here are they below, for the rest visit my Spiti page at Picasa.

View Near Komik, Spiti

Sunset at Komik

Two Pictures from Spiti

Till I upload more ...

Update- More Spiti Pictures here.

Dhankar Lake, Spiti, India

Chocho Khang Nilda at Sunset, Langza, Spiti

I am Back from Spiti

A Signboard in Kaza, Spiti

I am back and bone tired. Vacations are always nice. While I wish I too were as quick as the board says, it will take me a few days to get back to regular blogging.

Time to Fly ...

Well, not literally but it feels like it. Should be back in two weeks :)

Picture Taken at Bharatput Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan, India

Some Pictures from Prashar Lake and Mandi

The Temple at the Prashar Lake, Himanchal Pradesh

I have now uploaded some of the pictures from the trip to Prashar Lake. And this time I did not leave my cell phone behind. Though I wish I had! The small hitch was that unlike Shringi Vatika, the cell used to work here at many points and twice people borrowed it to make phone calls. I am planning to pitch this story to Gonomad first, so bear with me.

PS. Saw a picture of the Lake in winter and I thought I wanted to go to Diu this December! I should remember that I hate walking on snow and I slip and slip and slip ....

May Seems to be so Far Away ...

I am going to miss these roads all through April

By my standards I have traveled a lot since December 2006. First there was this college trip to Khurpatal, then we went to Sikkim at the end of the month and were in a train on the new year eve (loved it!). Then in Feb we went to Shringi Vatika and then I went back to Shringi Vatika again in the beginning of March with my younger nephew to get my cell phone back.

Now there are no trips planned till mid May (hopefully we will go to Prashar Lake in May). And there is lot of work to be done in between. How am I going to survive in April? Well, maybe by taking it out while playing table tennis.

11 Story Structure and I Missed It!

Priyank writes about a small village near Shringi Vatika that has 11 story structure devoted to the saint of the same name. He has a wonderful picture of it too. Gaurav has also been there has a picture too (Both the pictures of the tall structure are quite similar, the same three people but in different poses, I wonder if they were part of the same team?)

Now if there is such a tall structure near Shringi, I really need glasses now. Why couldn't I see it? Priyank, Gaurav, if you happen to read this post, do tell me more exact location of this beautiful structure. And I think I need to go back once again (but no cell phones or cameras left behind this time, what to do?) The big qustion is when?

The Cell Phone Saga

Sojha, Near Shringi Vatika, I Surely Would Like to Go Back!

By now, I have told to countless people that I left my cell phone in a taxi on a trip to Shringi Vatika in Himachal Pradesh. The next thing that I tell them is that the taxi fellow gave it back to the hotel owners and I have to go back to get it back :))))))) No, it can not be posted back to me for ... insert a good excuse here, the owners of the hotel are old, there i no post office nearby, I do not want to trouble them, etc.

When I told this story to a friend he said, "The taxi guy gave it back! Now that is surprising." The first time it happened I ignored it.

Then the second time my father's colleague well in his 60s, replied' "Write about it, tell people there is still hope for India. Many have given up on our country." That made me aware of the fact that what I was taking for granted, i.e. the taxi fellow returning my cell phone was quite surprising for others.

Then yesterday while having lunch at office, two of colleagues said the same thing again, "So the taxi driver returned it?"

Now is it that so surprising? Only one colleague, who himself has traveled a lot said "Well, it is quite possible in Himachal Pradesh." Why, at Shringi, I would leave the room open with my DSLR lying around. I will of course not do this in Delhi or many other places but a small town in Himachal Pradesh is still safe enough.

Lovely Windows

Sangacholing Monastery, Sikkim

Shringi Vatika, Ghiyagi, Himachal Pradesh

I have already written about our journey to Shringi Vatika. So, I will continue from there.

I remember finding the weather very cold and it was raining lightly almost all the time. We had many cups of tea and sat next to the fire that the owners had got going. It was followed by soup and dinner and we retired early the first day. They did not had any hot water that night (as there was no power) and it was a task to use the freezing cold water for anything.

Shringi Vatika, Himachal Pradesh

Next day, I got up late, around 10, I guess. Sesha was out before me. When I surfaced it was Grey with a fine drizzle in the air. Sesha told me we were taking a small hike. The youngest son of the owners, Raju, was coming along with us as our guide. After I had gobbled my bread and omelet with tea and we started walking along the stream. That is when I noticed the smashed up car for the first time.

After a very short distance, the way started creeping uphill. And it kept on going uphill till we reached our destination, Sojha. I am usually very comfortable walking even if it is uphill. But on this one I was not. Initially, when we started walking, I opened my jacket and later on realized that in spite of the climb I was shivering. Once I zipped it up again, it was a bit better. We had lunch at Sojha and later we started walking toward Jalori Pass.

The Road to Jalori Pass

There was some snow around even on the last stretch to Sojha and at many places Raju literally took my hand and helped me walk on snow. As we were walking on the road to Jalori, I saw light snowfall and it is the first I have ever seen. Sesha once again acted superior and said this was nothing, they had to abandon a trek in Manali (student days, I was not into trekking then) because of excessive snow that came down at night. After some distance, there was too much snow on the road and we decided to turn back. Finally, the road started going downhill.

When we were quite near the Vatika (and we had walked in all for about 5 hours) , Sesha in a big singsong voice told me "If walking all day in the rain is your idea of holiday, please start taking them alone." I laughed my head off, he dragged me all the day in rain (it was raining moderately all the day through this walk) without even asking me if this was what I wanted to do. Anyway, we were soon sitting back in front of a fire and I was drying my wet jacket, sipping tea. This was also the day of Kungis soup (Nettle soup) and Sidu (a Himachali Dish).

Snowfall at Shringi, Himachal Pradesh

The next day, thankfully it was raining hard from the word go and Sesha could not drag me anywhere. For the whole day, we were sitting in front of fire and reading and chatting and eating (I wish I would do this more on my vacations). In the afternoon, three other guests came and one of them started chatting with us. In the meanwhile, many of the surrounding regions that were green before were turning white. For a while, wind was blowing, and making the rain and snow run lightly with it. At this point the guest remarked "aap ke liye tou plasma TV laga hua hai samne hi." (It is like a flat screen plasma TV for you and the images keep changing constantly). I was watching the changing scene with my mouth open and how I agreed with him. That is how the third day passed.

After a nice dinner it was time to turn in and look ahead to get up at 5.30 in the morning to start the journey back to the world of 21 inch TV which I rarely watch.

I am definitely going back there in March to get my cell phone back.

The contact details of Shringi Vatika

Manohar Lal
Phone: 01903 227029

Shringi Vatika
Shringpur Ghiyagi
P.O. Jibhi Teh. Banjar Distt. Kullu HP

Another Trip on the Cards

Looks like I might travel again in February if everything goes fine. In all probability, we would be heading to Himachal Pradesh for four days sometime in Feb. Yippee, another opportunity to use the camera.

A Small Incident From the Road to Yumthang Valley, North Sikkim

Getting Back on Track after the Tata Sumo Skidded about Half a Meter: Yumthang Valley, North Sikkim

The picture above was the most popular picture with the folks I met on the Yumthang Valley trip in North Sikkim. We were returning from Zero Point to the Yumthang Valley. Pankaj, our driver for this trip told us later, "I was tried to change the gear but it did not happen, so I braked and the jeep skidded." That is how we ended up about half a meter off the road on snow. He asked everyone of us to get down. The fellow travelers were really supportive and all of them decided to push the jeep back on track. Apart from me, the only female member on the shared jeep was a young girl of 11-12 years of age and both us were shooed aside. That is how I had the time to click the picture. After a few shouts of "Jai Bajranj Bali" (loosely translated God Hanuman be Praised) by the crowd (Sesha excluded, he is almost a non-believer) the jeep was back on track.

Later, on our way back to Gangtok, we stopped for tea in the evening near Pankaj's village. The young girl who served us the tea was a stunning beauty, and not in the rural sense. She was young, pretty, dressed in jeans and a shirt and knew how to use good makeup. Someone you are more likely to meet in a mall rather in a remote town of Sikkim but many people in Sikkim have wonderful dress sense, even in the remotest corners. We also had lunch at the same place on our way to the Yumthang Valley.

So, on the way back, I started showing her the pictures on my camera. Suddenly she shouted, "Pankaj, come here and see, there is a picture of the jeep in snow." Pankaj came running (and who will not at the bidding of such a beautiful girl), he anyway had been talking non-stop about the jeep skidding incident. Soon, Pankaj called others in the kitchen and everyone else wanted to have a look too.

When we reached Gangtok, Pankaj and a friend of his helped us find a hotel room. The favor in return? I showed Pankaj's friend the same picture on the digital c