Lansdowne-ideal weekend from Delhi

A long weekend and the itch on our wheels struck again. Now where?? uhmmmm...short , sweet, non tiring, no trek, relaxed...so many criteria. And Lansdowne was chosen. I had great memories of the place, mostly form an army kid perspective though. Anyhow Lansdowne - locked and we shot off.

Weekend fun for the elephants too. 

A short drive and soon after crossing habitation and entering the foothills we were rewarded with a herd of wild elephants, frolicking. They gave us a godd show showering mud on their backs and dipping in the water. Good going fella, we will do the same..

Dugadda to Jairikhal 

Take me to heaven 

The ride is pleasent, smooth and soon after hitting Dugadda we took left and the road is pure pleasure from here on. Smooth lazy bends, confiers for company and the breeze is cool. I always miss my cycle here. Some day perhaps....

Lazy road

Our red ridinh hood 

Soon enough, in less than 5 hours we reached Jairikhal, Oak Grove Inn. Dumped our stuff, siesta time till noon. Had a hearty lunch and an evening walk followed. 

Our room balcony

I like the texture and frame 

Tea time---wake up guys 

The Oak Grove Inn is designedd to have a great Hang out on a parapet overhanging in the valley, the fog and clouds engulf it completely and the feeling is supremely etheral . 

 The next morning, we left our laziness behind and went off walking, planning to take a small hike . Enroute we small countless kids going to school, but these 2 young girls captured our attention for their "road presence",,if u may say so.

We went along till the T point, from where the road to Srinagar bifurcates. Went along a small stroll up, up along the ridge we meanderedd and walked. Had some supplies in our day pack. So we stopped on the ridge top with an amazing view, refuelled on our energy. Listened to the song of the birds and the insects. Felt the sof breeze caress our face. Dozing off under the Pine trees in a surrounding so relaxing was much expectedd of us and we obliged.

The kaledecope to the ridge

 Soon we were moving on, imaging bears attacking us and having a great time. The trees and hills get the best of humor out of you. Its rejuvenating.

Trek buddy-also my wife

Chrysanthemum in full bloom 

We then headed back for Oak Grove and after becoming more presentable to Mrs&Col Bikram, we settled in the Hang out. Great gossip and snacks followed. Then the clouds engulfed us completely on the Hang out and the feeling was as if being suspended in air with clouds around us and only the four of us could see each other, that too in the muted light of a solitary lamp. 

Tree pot not flower pot 

Morning when we started to leave back from Lansdowne

 we were treated to some amazing paanch aanaj ka parantha and meat of deer. Amazing stuff, the taste yet lingers after these years.

I dive perfect-Olympics material 

The drive back was fun and short. The secret of Lansdowne lay in our hearts of the small dip pool and stream.

Lansdowne we shall be back and soon. Again and again. 

Triund-Indrahar pass- March 2011

The mersmerising Triund view

A Monday holiday, is heaven sent. Friday evening packed by knap-sack and alone I set off for the Dhauladhar snow line. The ordinary HPTDC bus started off on time but at Majni ka Tila the driver went looking for his majnu it seems, took forever. I tried reading a book but the drive was far from reading friendly and so I gave in to the gossip that accompanies the bus rides. The odd angle of sitting/sleeping allowed no reprieve either.

Looking up to Indrahar

The morning tea stop was with a view of the hills and the excitement built up, soon enough we were in Dharamshala. The ticket and the board on the bus specified that the bus ended here, but the driver continued and voila-we were in McLeodganj. WOW. Got off the bus, tied my sleeping bag on my knap sack and trudged along till Dharamkot, the walk set my limbs free and got the blood circulating again. Enroute I saw a old Volkswagen van with EU numberplates and clothes lines tied from its roof to the surrounding trees. Clothes drying. Love the spirit of these travelers


. Reached Himalayan tea cafe, enjoyed my cuppa and omlette and Anil, my local contact appeared. We were both ready to get footloose in Himalayas. The trail was an easy ascend early on with good pine cover. By the time we reached Gallu a few ten min's lter the rain started pouring. Ponchos out, bags water cover out and on we march. Rest a while- the name of the dhaba, makes u rest a while, u cannot ignore such a name and walk on, especially when it offers a small respite from the cats and dogs heavens are pouring on your blessed soul. After the rain we started again, the going was fairly comfortable and soon we were at Triund.
As soon as I reached there, it was as if the scenario opened up and the peaks seemed in touching distance. Sat there mersmerised for some time and painfully missed my beloved wife.




 We carried on till Ilaqa glacier absorbing the views. As soon as we started pitching the tent, torrents of rain and hail slammed down and we decided to shift base to Triund. The storm went on howling and screaming. We set up the tent but turned up in the solitary dhaba there, spent the night on his floor.

Reflections

The next morning greeted us with complete white-out. Snow everywhere, we rushed to Ilaqa and by there it was more than knee deep. Snow plodding continued till we were almost at Lahesh caves, but as the weather gods seemed to displeased with us and scared us, we scurried and scampered back to Ilaqa.

Careful, we leave footsteps when we tread

Next day we started lazy, abandoned the Indrahar pass idea and beat a retreat, took a different route that opened up at Bhagsu-nag falls. though it was steep but in meadows and pleasent. Hit Dharamkot by 2pm. Had some lovely pasta. Slept at bust station in McLo for an hour, boarded the night bus and back to work the next morning.

2 days and 3 nights of pure bliss. 

kuflon - our second home

Circa 2011: Kuflon???Whats that, where is it? I asked TT and bang came the reply "its next to the start point of our Dodi Tal Trek, simple clean and has good reviews". So it was decided, payments executed and off we were.Delhi to Haridwar to Chamba to Uttarkashi and then Kuflon. It was one of the most memorable places we visited. On returning spoke so much about it, that next when Shankh and Poonam were planning a holiday with us, Kuflon was pre-decided.

Our first impression of Kuflon on our first visit

The hub by dusk

Shree from 2011-contemplating our next visit

Anil - 2011, seeing the bright end of life!!

Circa 2012: Take II - Delhi to Dehradun to Suakholi to Uttarkashi and Kuflon. And how did we go?? The GYPSY...Yipeeeeee. With the new bikini top on and stunning performance, our mountain goat (bhural) gave us the thrills as we went.

The Bhural 

Bhural after Suakholi

Soon after crossing Suakholi we encountered a nice hail storm in the middle of the forest. Blasting time. Then came "Tingling Point", but alas Bunderpunch peak was not to be seen from here.

Tingling point - great masala maggi and its wind venturi point. Actually tingles senses

Wet roads make it fun to drive sideways - drifting as soul-food

Soon after as we entered the forest area we found heavy hail and rain , it only refreshed our parched souls. Zipping and drifting on wet mountain roads was the fun god had ordered for us, and we obliged.......



Making good time, we were at Kuflon for lunch. Anil, Shree and some one new- Mili........
Meeting our old friends makes life so great.


Shankh and Poonam were yet at Haridwar and in the zest of the spirit were told by one and all to make it , even if midnight. Shankh powered by the Spiti spirit of driving made great driving time and were here by dinner.

Cake for dinner and apple pie

Some dinner, some stars, some songs and off we were to sleep.

Next morning started with a jog till 2 kms from Sangamchatti - spotted Minivet and Niltava among others. The run was refreshing, clear crisp air in the nostrils. Huge trees that dwarf u and the sound of the river accompanying you. Nature at its charming best.

Back at K.Basics - breakfast at the hub, plans made for the day and off we go to the private pool. .

The divine pool 

ATTENTION

Serene and peaceful

Enroute some slips, some scares, some fallen binoculars and swears that follow.

Then the slippery way down, retrieval of the binox.

Poonam happily got wet and Shankh decided to be Mr Dry. Deepam had mixed luck.

Photography followed by some impromptu chameli dance by our omni talented Shankh the Indian Idol.

Sati pratha was repeated with Deepam being destined to a watery grave on the shoulders of her ever faithful.

Wanna dip?

Siesta and drama and more seista and even more drama.

Friends for life

Evening was a hike to the hills at the back. and some "nayab" pictures.

On our hill climbing expidition

Waah waah - highway aaya

More women on trees 

Next comes in a hapless victim of all witchery - Indrani Das Gupta. Yuck - these follows, I swear.
Next morning another run and a great biking ride and some Poonam's yoga off we are to Nachiketa Taal. Crossed some amazing saree clad tree scalers with guts (cannot say balls) of steel.

Women spotted on tree top on right up corner

 Baanjh Shankh sang all way long, interspersed by the heart rendering "jaanu-poonu".



 The tal itself was a let down and more so the greedy dum carp's. Naga baba and the nark ka dwar added some life.

HAHAHA

Knock knock - NARAK DWAR

Dumb carps

Next day Shankh and poonam were off and we went fishing on the now defunct forest road to dodi tal and by evening  fly fishing- amazing experience. It was as if the river acquired a life of its own and enticed me with seductive ways of her own. Evening was more star gazing, some chicken gone horribily wrong and sound sleep.

Forest road to dodi tal 

Dinner comes calling

Fishing in assi ganga

Drive back was hot and chilled simultaneously. Had piri-piri topping at McD for the first time and pocketed a few. Some memorable experiences at Roorkie with the Beatels for company and back we were.

Kuflon, Anil, Shree, Mili is our second family. Love the place and people and mostly we can go back whenever and feel the peace reverberating. And the love is mutual. Thanks google for showing up kuflon.