My India Travels is a blog that quells your crunch for fanciful places in India. To the hilly regions, sunbathing in the sand by the sea, or falling off the map in hunt for silent vacations, every fancy is answered in the blog. Each place that I have put my foot on and every corner I have fancied, my blogs aims to feature them. And some under covered destinations, photographs and blah ... read on
For years I have been watching my mom preparing Bacardi Rum Cake for us on my behest. It was some counted years back I was able to thorough her cake-making-didactics. This is a time-tested recipe known only to get better with age. An irresistible temptation, Bacardi Rum Cake is prepared out in advance and happens to be the best to parcel or mail (short distances) to friends or relations. Try out this special cake recipe to make your Christmas extra-ordinarily special. Interestingly, I have taken help from Q n A section of IndiaHotelReview site to prepare the cake. Time: 25 minutes Ingredients ---Cake--- • 1 cup fine-chopped-toasted pecans or walnuts • One 15 ounce (4 serving size) vanilla pudding mix • Four eggs • Half cup cold milk • Half cup vegetable oil • Half cup Bacardi dark rum ---Glaze 0r Icing-- • Half cup butter • One fourth cup water • One cup sugar • Half cup Bacardi dark rum Cooking
Cake: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour 12-cup Bundt pan. Sprinkle nuts on bottom of pan. Combine all cake ingredients. Beat for 2 minutes on high with electric mixer. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool in pan. Invert on serving plate. Prick top with fork. Drizzle glaze over top of cake. Use brush or spoon to put extra dripping back on cake. Glaze: Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in water and sugar. Boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in rum. Note: The rum will cause steam. Be careful not to burn yourself. Note: Although I have prepared this cake n number of times, I feel it is just not a Christmas dessert but also a breakfast delicacy. The cake never dries out fast enough but the fiat is: The longer this cake sits, the better the taste. In any case, watch your rum cake drying out beautifully, and freezing even much more beautifully.
The “jingle bells” time of the year is back as Christmas is knocking on the door. Just few days away, the Christmas pomp and lights have started showing in the air. A traditional way of celebrating Christmas is at home, with friends and family. But with tourism department’s material contribution, festival trends have changed. This Christmas check out the places where you can ladle your Christmas celebrations to perfection. Shillong, Meghalaya 104 km from Guwahati, Christmas in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, under the snow-clothed pines, golden oranges are a pure fun. You can evidence the festive processions of people singing and humming Christmas Carols with colourful lamps in their hands under a starry sky.
>> Darjeeling (West Bengal) Darjeeling revs in a good chance of having a cool white Christmas. You can participate in the festivities of Windamere Hotel where entertainers from London West End Theatre perform every Christmas. Don’t miss to take ride on toy Trains—World Heritage Site.
>> Goa (West) Christmas at Goa is pitched in with a different hue. By the side of the sea, under the clear sky, Christmas celebration is zingful at Goa. You can witness the celebrations that spill out on roads from the church. Markets get a new makeover and processions are marched out on the street. Christmas food in Goa such as Pork Vindaloom, Rum Cake, Sorpatel, Babinca, Prawn Balchao are too yum to gorge on.
>> Pondicherry, Union Territory Xmas celebration in Pondicherry is all about huge-herd-cathedral mass and regale celebrations as well.5/6 hours from Chennai, Christmas is all about binging on the Christmas and going greedy-guts. Laze by the stony beach side and share in the Christmas Carols tune.
>>Kochi, Kerala A melting potpourri of Portuguese, Dutch and English influence, Kochi is enfolded with starry lights during the Christmas season. Kibosh at the famous market called the Broadway market to pick some of the glittering Christmas tree embedded with famous names of Bollywood. Fairs, firework and ornate home are just some of the distinct flavor of the day. Special seafood is a must for all. A Merry Christmas to All
On Saturday, after I blogged Kaziranga, the very thought of slipping out of Assam within next 24 hours made me revert, view and review the camera screen for elephant photographs again and again. Nevertheless, my idea of Assam winters got a ‘thud’ and carrying a bag full of woollens starts feeling shunt. Winters usher in pleasant time here; I could combat it with a thin shawl. Shunting to Majuli from Kaziranga NP I travelled back to Jorhat from Kaziranga NP to Nimatighat (on the bank of Brahmaputra River) in a hired car for a decent amount of Rs 250. Subsequently, an hour ferry services transports you to Majuli Island. It feels great to be a part a colossal, unending river—the mighty Brahmaputra River— while on a ferry boat. Aquaphobics should tad guard themselves against untamed waves of waters here. Accommodation Here and after, accommodation was no-way-a-trouble. To the sheer delight of readers, Majuli has two localities, Garmur and Kamalabari, lined up with accommodation facilities. However pre-designed holidays help in booking these properties through Assam State Tourism Corporation or www.indiahotelreview.com Majuli River Next morning brought me outstanding view of Majuli clad in a foggy garb, so heavy so that piercing a gaze was impossible. A quarter later, everything fell in place, the sandy shore, the gloom and the palm trees. The island is one of the largest in the world and it appears large only when seen from right angle. Majuli is frilled with ghats through four sides. I take a launch across to the Island’s Kalambari Ghat where a four wheel drive awaits me. The scenery I passed through was too gentle and bucolic: a patch work of tiny boondocks, some of which has oxen harrowing and ploughing up the rice stubbles. The birdlife is prolific, with lines of egrets working the freshly turned plough lines, adjutant storks sentry as motionless as statues and multi-hued kingfisher. Large stands of banana and giant bamboo give evidence to island’s fertility. Auniati Satra The ferry was heading toward the Auniati Satra, one of the most important of that 20 or so neo-vaishnavaite monasteries found on the island. This monastery had small museum dedicated to island’s culture that has curious set of artefacts harboured inside. Leaving Anuiati behind, I move back to Kamalabari Village, being lead through the monk’s living quarters. That was all for the first day. Amguri Village The very next day, I revisit the island in the hunt for Amguri, a tribal village on Majuli Islands. This beautiful village belongs to Mishing tribe that make up around 40 percent of the total population. Mishings have large and pronounced feature than other tribesmen on the island. Next, I was led to the stilted house where a group of women are weaving on flat-weave looms from here I picked up handicraft. Farming and fishing are the premier occupation here and rafting and boating are best mode of transport. The government of India has tried twice to have Macula recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site—first in 2004, and again in 2008—but failed narrowly on both occasions because of the ineffective lobbying.
(This post also appears in an article section of some other site.) I have been on a NE spree! After Gangtok and Lachung, I set on to explore Assam’s Kaziranga National Park. Reaching Kaziranga National Park from Guwahati is a day’s affair. And Why Not? Of all the living beings elephants have appealed me the most. Possessing some predilection for elephants, I was throughout haunted by idea of visiting their land. Thanks to my office PC that granted me one chance to visit Kaziranga National Park. It was on my PC that I got stuck with an outstanding photograph of a group of elephants on Flickr uploaded by India Hotel Review site.
Zipped to Kaziranga from Lachung Took a taxi from Lachung hotel to New Jalpaiguri, which took me 8 hrs to reach the destination, followed by 8 hrs train journey, Dbrt Rajdhani (2424; all days) to Guwahati! I stayed overnight in one of the Guwahati hotels. Next morning was the commencement to Kaziranga National Park (4 hrs); and to mention with a break at Nagaon district. It took me a day to reel off to Kaziranga from Lachung. Kaziranga National Park lies on the NH37 that cuts the park across.
Accommodation I entered Kaziranga National Park at sharp 12:00 followed by my check in at the Bagori Rest House. Kaziranga has ample of accommodations with ITDC’s guest house to forest rest house’s and forest lodges for the tourists.
Kaziranga Elephants The greens did appease me but going by the notion of visiting with guides was not my idea of vacation. My desire made me go a long way. I decided to go and catch some of them in their proclivity, hiding myself, as my presence would have been deterrent to their god made frolic. After going through the swampy lands of Kaziranga and enjoying the jeep safari, I was still not influenced. Climbing the elephant and spotting one or two hither-thither made my sedated desire, to a lesser extent find a gushing vent on the second morning of the trip.
The (Elephant) E-Day... I left my Forest Rest House in a complete mess, hurrying my steps to way out exit of hotel while some wild thoughts acted as fillers for my empty mind, which was about to be flooded with ferocious faces of a tiger or some melodious rhythm of a sweet cuckoo. Owing my concentration to these elephant I could not have allowed other images to engross my psychoactive plane.
While I tried making my way into the dense forest I caught one or two uprooting a tuft of grass with their trunk and dusting it off against their knees. Those, of course, made me stop for a while, only interrupted by the rumble of young tuskers who romped on the bank of a breathtaking watercourse at Kaziranga National Park. The tusker show was to commence as it gathered the initial froth. Soon after this I encountered the sight of the wild herd that pranced their way towards us. My eyes got fixed on one bull (the male elephant) who seemed to be the Don. He pulled a mouthful of vegetation and casually flapped his ears, played some acrobatics and trumpeted on a regular interval. The other gang members played mischievously, in a free reign, with their trunks and plucked a trunk of green leaves from the tree. Interestingly, the younger most was not comfortable to share its space with the birds of Kaziranga as it often rolled its trunk upwards on a chorus perch. On account of viewing my hidden day time jungle matinee, I candidly take the pleasure to announce my liking for the bull for the reason that it was the 'Don'. And the Don exulted as he talced himself with the dust of the forest floor. I captured one shot in my camera which is now a desktop of my Lappy.
Seeing an elephant in the wild was one unforgettable experience, more of watching an entertaining drama on TV. When a herd of elephants feed themselves together, it can be like a giant kitty party, with dozens of trunks reaching out to pluck the most succulent leaves. Feast apart, sitting on the back of the elephant made me realize that an elephant can carry you places where 4x4 vehicles can't across rivers, through dense grasslands and jungles- an indomitable 5x5, counting its four legs and trunks. Despite their bulk, these animals move with a remarkable silence. Elephants are much more interesting to watch when they go out for bathing in groups. A flying glimpse of elephants under water turned to be an hours drama show, reminding me with a humanly emotion mother- child affection. While under water the matriarchs do exercise their limits of control with a great degree of affection by jostling and twining their trunks. It was a scene that lends great penetration into elephant's emotional plane; their tears, laughter, and incredible memories they have. Just when I was dwindling for these thoughts, i caught a glimpse of an elephant playing between an elders' leg, rolling in the mud and spraying them in water. The ele-babies are raised and nurtured by their so called 'aunties', or just to say the elder elephant’s cow. The tedious task of capturing the sight of elephants in a mood to celebrate was really adventurous when serendipity pronounced on me and soon …
In the evening I spent an hour watching an elderly bull wallowing in a backwater pool. He kept lifting a submerged tree with his tusk, then letting it fall with a splash providing entertainment for him and us. Back, after jungle feast, in our resort, we re-counted many new discoveries about the elephants. Some of them goes like this an elephant's trunk can get very heavy and it is not uncommon to see them resting their trunks on the tusks. Elephants are sensitive beings where the entire family rumbles when the baby elephants complain. I forgot the most important to share that elephants do not drink with their trunks, but use them as a tool to drink with.I went to sleep with the idea of gifting a travelogue to my much eager and yet interesting idea of visiting Kaziranga National Park.
As Mumbai—the corporate and commercial nerve centre of India—has been terror-stricken and left consternated, tourism in Western India is seen sloping down. The density of foreign visitors, including the domestic visitors, to these destinations is experiencing de-escalation in the recent times. Well, in the cataclysmic or traumatic terror time as today, which India is passing through, there are several destinations where entrants and tourists can visit and enjoy. My post aims to enlist the major southern destinations in India that are in season, currently.
Tamil Nadu One of the most prominent South Indian state and heartland of Dravidian culture and tradition, Tamil Nadu is a land with divergent beauty. Sharing boundaries with states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala, Tamil Nadu has an unbroken coastline, edging the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. There are more than 30,000 temples here, henceforth, begetting Tamil Nadu the sobriquet “land of temples”. Popular Temple town in the state are: Madurai, Trichy, Tanjore, Kanchipuram, Palani, Tiruvallur and Mahabalipuram. Most of the Tamil Nadu is hilly. To the north lies the Nilgiri Hills, to the west lies the Eastern Ghats and in the South, the Anamalai Hills. Other crucial cities include Kodaikanal, Kannyakumari, Udhagamandalam, Madurai, Rameshwaram, Thanjavur, Tiruchirapalli, Chidambaram, Yelagiri, Yeracaud, and Mamallapuram.
Crime Rating: 4/5 Terror Strike: None so far. Single Women Traveller: Tamil Nadu is low on crime on women. There are women forums and women helpline member for women. Kerala God’s Own Country, the attractive epithet to Kerala well-befits the greenest state of India. A huge southern state of India, Kerala is blessed with abundance of greenery, backwaters, beaches and hills. Kerala is the most popular tourist belt that sees huge of foreign tourists round the year. Gastronomically, Kerala is long sought for its coconut-flavoured-mouth-watering dishes such as idli, sambhar, dosa, uttappam, upma, pohe and so on. Some of the enchanting tourism places in Kerala are: Munnar, Kerala, Thiruvananthpuram, Kasargod, Varkala, Wayanad, Periyar National Park, Kumarakom, Kovalam, Kollam and Alleppey/Allapuzzha. Best take of Kerala lies in its houseboats and beaches.
My Rating: 5/5 Terror Strike: Kerala has not expericned any terrorist attack and is the safest zone in India. Single Women Traveller: Keralans are polite, non confrontational, respectful and hospitable people. Proper dressing is a must at Kerala because the state belongs to hard-core tradition buffs. Kerala is the cleanest city for girls.
Karnataka
A large state of India, Karnataka is the jewelled with many wildlife sanctuaries, beaches, hill stations and temples and numerous destinations over all. Bordering the neighbour states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Karnataka is most commercial state of the nation. It has 3 main regions categorised as the coastal plains abutting the sea; Western Ghats running parallel to the coastline; and the inland plains of the Deccan Plateau. Tourism zones incorporates of Mysore, Hampi, Belgaum, Mysore, Aihole, Coorg, Hampi, Badami, Chikmagalur, Pattadakal, Mangalore, Shravanabelagola, Belgaum,Belur,Bijapur, Halebid and Bidar. Best buys are sandalwoods, silk sarees and handicrafts and so on.
My Rating: 3/5 Terror Strike: Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka has experienced first time blast on 9/7/08. Single Women Traveller: Karnataka is not too safe for women in some places. Buses and public transports are still safer option for women. Moving in mass is advisable for girls.
Andhra Pradesh
Largest state of southern India, Andhra Pradesh is “rice bowl of India”. Alongside, the state is home to one of the most prominent pilgrimages, the Tirumala Tirupati Devsthanam. Andhra Pradesh shelters some of the most celebrated from of arts and crafts evident in the dress materials show items, jewelleries and so on. Key destinations points in Hyderabad are Secunderabad, Vishakhapatnam, Vijaywada, Rajamundhry, Puttaparthi and Tirupati. Adorned with natural riches in the form of beach, wildlife, natural forests etc, the bright and diverse state of Andhra Pradesh has double distinctions of being a tourist zone and Information Technology hub of India. My Rating: 3/5 Terror Strike: Like Bangalore, Hyderabad too has fallen in the trap of terrorists on 26/08/07. So far, it has been a single and only blast in Hyderabad. Single Women Traveller: Single Women travelling is not-so-uncommon and except some parts of capital are not very safe for women. Overall, the city has less crime records and can be considered safe for women.
Marwar was so absorbing that it left no time to pen down oh-so-romantic Lachung. I know missing out on pristine North East against Marwar is criminal. Well, out of that Marwar couch, I am back with a fanciful utopian head trip to Lachung. Tiring it was, but I can’t keep my mind and penning-urge off it. Back to work station, I try stuffing my BLOG with what I had engulfed in Lachung. Read between all that awe-inspiring lines the shreds of Lachung beatification.
Delhi to Lachung to Gangtok… the endless
The nighest airport lies at Bagdogra and further zipping and shuttling to Gangtok is done cars or taxi. Train journey takes 24-30 hrs from New Delhi (NDLS) to Jalpaiguri (NJP). Alas, I had to miss on that being hard-pressed for time. It took almost 3 hrs in flight to land on Bagdogra Airport. Expecting first glimpse of Lachung before 6 hours is prohibited, by rule. The exact destination takes 7-8 hrs of tiring journey, past gompas, colourful monasteries and arid air, in short strikingly expressive landscapes. Lachung lies at 9,600 fts above the sea level and 120 km from Gangtok.
The Booking, stay et al.
My friend had booked the Sonam Palgey Hotel at Lachung for me. It was through some indiahotelreview site. The hotel was located in the neck of mighty, majestic, scenic (go on adding more) Himalayas and so close that I could dig my hands in ice. Thanks to IndiaHotelReview for the itinerary they had sent me on mail. I was able to traverse the hinterland of Sikkim and more. Warnings and advice came along with the bookings; I was informed about the basic type hotels and rooms and to forget those luxurious cocoons. For God sake, the baths were clean and water was icy cold (stink Vs cleanliness; I was overtaken by cleanliness and asked god to grow furs on me!). At one of the Dhabas, unbelievably, I spotted Dal and Roti (new shape) and gorged on seamlessly.
Lachung—The Last Post on Indo-Chinese Border
Experience the sublime and sheer splendour of this magical village and last post on Indo-China border. The beautiful village of Lachung is a visual delight with two rivers, Lachen and Lachung Chu—the tributaries of Teesta, inundating the beauty quotient of Lachung. Spring bathes the valley in rainbow like hues of flowers—unseen, beautiful and unheard elsewhere. Come winters, and the valley dressed white with snow. Be it any season, never miss out Rhodondendrons and Orchids flushed inclines and gorges. I still have the dry Orchids in my travel diary as a memento from Lachung. During my evening stroll near the hotel, I deciphered the meaning of Lachung, which means ‘Small Mountain’ in their language, from a hotel guy. Lachung people speak Nepali, Bhutia and Lepcha.
Next morning, I began it from Hanuman Mandir and made it to Lachung Monastery/Gompa, Singba Rhododendron Sanctuary (24 km) and Jadong, all in one and half days.
It was pouring tips and advises.
It took me long many tips and advises to sustain a safe and beautiful journey as a visitant to Lachung. Sunglasses must be on where ever you go as I did it. Two sweaters, scarf, gloves and all woollen garments were given a try by me. It was nail-biting cold, the waves making it worst during winters.
Best Scoop
My romance with Lachung started even before I could lay my eyes on it. The whole stretch from Gangtok to Lachung enroute Kanchendzonga at Mangan, Seven Sister Fall and many smaller falls is breath-stopping. My heart almost skipped the beat on seeing Lachung as it was so immensely beautiful. Well, it is difficult to choose best of all but Lachung Monastery is the most colourful celebration of inhabitants here. The Monastery is the axis of all religious activities and celebrations in the state. Besides the prayer wheels and original murals, the best is the view of Mt Katao/Katua for which you need to have army permission to visit.
Reaching on cloud nine remains just not a phrase for me … It rained thrill and adventure after the clouds clashed the heat of our excitement on 25th May 2008 in Nainital. The lake flanked area Hill Station splashed a welcome to us.
Scroll on to learn what followed thereafter …
Tickets Bookings We were four on our trip. I, Jincy, Katty and Clara wanted break from our Delhi roasting; Gaush! It was too hot in Delhi. And, finally, we decided to take a break and nudged holidays lying in our almanac. It was Jincy of all who surprised us … we chugged off, gleefully, to Kathgodam in Ranikhet Exp—only train plying from Delhi to Kathgodam. The train leaves from Old Delhi Railway Station at 10:30 pm.
On Old Delhi Railway Station
We landed at the station quiet sometime before the train could make its appearance. I liked Jincy for booking AC Compartments. Well, the scene of Toilets disheartened us. We reached Kathgodam the next day at 6:30 in the morning. Katty and Clara were surrounded by many taxi drivers, many of them started pulling our luggage when I and Jincy intervened and decided to pick the one most decent cab driver. Three Cheers for us. We all were happy later about our right decision as Kabir; the driver did double up as acquainted guide and expert driver, all in Rs 500.
Kathgodam Railway Station to Shervani Hill Top Inn
It was an Alto and we all snuggled into the car. Kabir, a chatterbox, kept our attention engaged throughout. Before getting into the car Kabir signalled us to toward a local dhaba. Well, we were not in mood to grab morning breakfast as we didn’t even brush our teeth by then. Our omniscient driver has every clue of it, and took us to a water resource. After finishing our brushing business and other things we hit the dhaba for Chilly Potato Pakoras and mouth-watering chutney. Jincy grabbed them as many as 7. Clara kept quelling her satiation for chutneys while Katty and I got drowned in our pool of water eyes and nose. It was all due to chilly pakoras. Meanwhile, Kabir waited patiently while we winded our spicy affair. He handed over Avomin Tablets after we entered the car, we didn’t know why. However, it was discovered later why. On our way see saw fellow travellers stopping near the car and vomiting their heart out. Jincy gulped her tabs and Katty puked despite the tablets. I could gauge Kabir’s kind-heartedness. Later Kabir ranted well about all places of importance on the drive way. Jincy felt sleepy on the drive while I, Clara and Katty started picking heat of the Kabir’s blah on Mallital, Naukuchaital, film hoot of Kaal, Corbett and what not aaagh … the Alto screech stopped at Shervani Hill Top Inn. It was a full 40 km drive for 2 hours. As I stepped out of the car I felt enlightened.
Shervani Hill Top Inn The hotel that Jincy booked for us was through www.IndiaHotelReview.com. Although the hotel was not a budget one, the cost we incurred were shared by all four us. Shervani was a good choice and woooosh … the edifice amid the green veil was really mesmerizing. You can see the greens to the end your eyes can see. Clowny Katty sipped his welcome drink and asked for more. We hated and mocked him for that. Our rooms were so well done up; everything was in match. Clara and I got transported to the future mode. We were deciding for our honeymoons even. Jincy rushed to the bathroom and came back smiling. I told you “finicky Jincy”. We took bath and gorged on our breakfast. Shervani Hill Top Inn provides the facility of free pick up and drop. So we got a drop to Mall Road.
Mall Road and beyond
Naini Lake We reached Mall Road at 11:30 am and decided to go for boating in Naini Lake. We had to obtain tickets and wear the life jacket before stepping on to the boats. I was overburdened and was reminded to not exceed more than 110 kg. Folklore has it that Naini Lake was named after Goddess, the divine-better-half of lord Shiva. Linked empirically to Puranas, Shiva’s Tandava Dance after Sati’s demise, Naini Lake is in the shape of eyes. The lake looks adjacent to the huge parking slot and flanked by mountain ridges on one side. A water terrain to succumb, Naini Lake is choc-a-bloc with boats tied to the harbour/stairs of the lake. We paid a handsome amount of Rs 400 for two boats. The boat rower was happy initially, but in haste later. He said, “Clouds are uncertain at Nainital”. And By Jove, we were drenched by the time we reached back. There are arrangements of photography in local Garhwali and Kumaouni attires by the lake side.
Mall Road
We took 45 minutes refuge under the roof of—the only cinema hall (Capitol Cinema)—at Nainital Mall. Jincy and I laid hands on the most gorgeous of the umbrellas; we desperately waited for the rain to stop. Nainital Mall is the quiet an attractive section of the hill station shopping wise! Clara shopped heavily for souvenirs and oh-so-pretty-girlie umbrellas under the roof refuge. Soon after the rains retreated we decided to walk the distended Mall. The Mall Road faces the lake choked up with shops of all sizes mastering the collections of souvenirs and decoration items. Fabrics, rosary beads, sweaters, caps, shawls and bangles, footwear, candles, dry fruits etc. Best buys are the candles and dry fruits. For the woollen garments the Bhotia Bazaar is the best place whereas the Mall road and the Mallital are places for good bargain of candles and wooden stuff. In the evening, the Mall Road was blocked for the traffic and we didn’t get a chance to stroll more. It was 3:00 in the evening by the time we decided to take a look and darshan of Naina Devi Temple.
Places surrounding the Lake: the northern side
After a stroll at 4:30 our gang embarked onto the flat area. This is a favourite strolling ground of tourist settled towards north of the Lake. Marked eminently with a huge statue of Pt. Govind Ballabh and parking slot. Here is a Chat and Bhotia Bazaar or Tibetian Market. A shoppers and bargainer’s paradise, there are umpteen numbers of sweet little mementos and keepsakes. Jincy picked many colourful glass bangles for a petty amount of Rs 25. Clara and I chose good footwear, but aaaaghhh!!! too expensive. Katty led us to Naina Devi to wash away the bitter feeling of paying extra bucks. Besides, there were new club, boat house club, masonic hall are in the periphery of the flat area for recreation.
Naina Devi Mandir We all went to Naina Devi Temple. It is situated on Shivalik Mountain and after getting down at a point we had to walk 2 km on foot. We took the pathway over the ropeway and enjoyed much. The priest smeared us with a teeka and offered Prasad and that we munched on the moment.
Trek to Snow View At 5:00 in the evening we still had time after a feast ful lunch and whole view of Mall area. At a place called “Barapathhar” pony men offered us ride and trek to Snow View point. Four of us bargained the ride for Rs 1000 and places to seen from an album. Katty took a copy of it with himself. We began our trip in Van that dropped us at a stable point. It was time to choose our riding four-legged friend. What else?? Our ponies. We started off one by one with the respective guides. I was somewhat frightened to sit on a pony and especially on the bumpy pebbled and rock filled treks. Well, with our share of frights and phobias we covered the whole of Suicide Point, Tiffin Top and Dorothy‘s seat etc… Everything went well but alas, the rains snatched our pleasure. It rained hard again for exact 40 mins. Again we had to seek a refuge under a dilapidated roof on the trot. The ponies also enjoyed a bath and Katty nearly fainted with cold mountain waves. However, the pony man contributed much and clicked many good photos too. We reach to Barapathhar and searched a tandoor to dry up out wet clothes. A round of hot coffee and tea soothed us. Back to Delhi I really remember the four some shower.
It is a whole galaxy of travel web competitors out there on net, who try wooing reader’s attention. All equally excellent in design, bookings and promotions, it was really difficult for me to choose and go for one in particular. Well, after a short juggle and tryst with the idea of choosing one to book my hotel and cab to Corbett, I finally settled down my mind on www.IndiaHotelReview.com. The name rung familiar in my mind. Last month one of my colleagues travelled to Manali through this link called www.IndiaHotelReview.com, on net. Just with that kind of familiarity I called the IHR office; I overheard this short form on phone. Some sweet voice of a lady answered my call. Believe me; the first impression was too good. I was asked about the journey details, date and so on so forth. My preferences were especially noted, hotel pix were mailed and the conversation was topped with extra dosage of guidance and suggestions, and I travelled to places of which I lacked the vaguest clue. One best thing which is really appreciative is their price quote and budget class hotel options. After I checked price on other sites…. I was relieved because I had to pay less, relatively.
Back home, I think it was not just Corbett rather Nainital, Ranikhet, Betalghat and Corbett.
Hi,a travel aficionado, I love zipping between various cities in India. Traveling is in my veins and India being an addiction to me, i have penned about many untrodden destinations in the country.
