Landsdowne, Kulu, Manali, Dalhousie, Goa, Kashmir...all these places came up on the drawing board. The aim was to make a trip of the Route #13 gang to one of these places in the month of September, 2010. Well, finally Dalhousie hit the bull's-eye. Thus started the planning, packing and discussions on the Dalhousie trip. The final trip members (name initials) were - KM, RP, BK, YS, SG, SM and PD.
Day-1 (Friday, September-10-2010)
Today we had the train (Malwa Express) at morning 6:00 AM. The initial plan was to have everyone depart from home and meet at the railway station. But, as luck would have had it one of the trip members (YS) had a grave-yard shift in office. Well, a baby-sitter was assigned (KM - was 'volunteered') who could accompany the trip member from Gurgaon to the railway station in the earlier hours of Friday.
Thus Friday, at 3AM in the morning, in some of the apartments alarm-clocks started ringing. Last minute packing was done, folks refreshed and started giving updates (SMS) to get the other folks to hurry-up. Not to forget SG had tucked into her baggage a torch with new cells (mind it !) at the last moment - in case required. Gladly, we also accepted SG bro's offer for a lift to the railway station :-)
Thus Friday, at 3AM in the morning, in some of the apartments alarm-clocks started ringing. Last minute packing was done, folks refreshed and started giving updates (SMS) to get the other folks to hurry-up. Not to forget SG had tucked into her baggage a torch with new cells (mind it !) at the last moment - in case required. Gladly, we also accepted SG bro's offer for a lift to the railway station :-)
Finally, the gang (KM, RP, BK, YS, SG, SM and PD) came together at the Railway station. The train, as usual was around 50 min(s) late. While we waited, snacks and fruits were packed up at the railway station. A slight drizzle followed, but could hardly dampen down the enthusiasm of the Route #13 gang on their way to Dalhousie.
Thus started the train journey to Chakki Bank (nearest rail station to Dalhousie). Off course there were Rummy, UNO [well, need I say that out of the initial 10 rounds of UNO - PD won 8 rounds ], dots-n-dashes. Then off-course there was the getting off at pit-stops and trying to take a few snaps here and there.
As we approached our destination, the greenery of the nature greeted us. The pollution, dust and honking of the city were no more there.
The quite and peaceful surroundings greeted us.
Reached Chakki Bank, and hired a Innova till Sunday. The gang piled into the Innova and off we started for the 4 hrs drive uphill to Dalhousie, via Chamba.Off-course, there was a stop-over for chai-pani (and also to stabilize YS - who seemed to be having rounds of motion sickness!!).
Near the chai-pani (tea) stopover, a steam was seen and everybody ran away to the stream (well, and photo session followed). After photo-shoot and snacks, we continued with our drive to Dalhousie. Reached there around 7pm, and check into the Dalhousie Circuit House (near Ghandi Chowk). Accommodation arrangements, courtesy of KM :-)
We refreshed a bit, and went down for a stroll to Ghandi Chowk (~2 kilo-meter from Circuit House). Did a bit of window shopping, had sizzling bread-omlette, chilled Khulphi and smoking hot tea. Finally, we walked back to the Circuit House following the Figure-Of-8 from Ghandi Chowk to Subash Chowk, via bear trail to the Circuit House.
Off-course, to pep-up the moment there we discussions of Bear, Leopard and Monkeys all the way ! Not to be forgotten even in the city (bear trail) stroll, at least 3-4 of the members had their fear-factor fall flat on the ground. Also, to be mentioned SG's torch (with new cells) which failed to light up even 1 cm of the path !!
Came back to Circuit House, had fresh home-made dinner (made by the Circuit House cook), gossiped a bit (about ghosts, ghouls and the super-natural) and packed up for the day. SG even spotted a light-bulb flickering on it's own (with no power on) at mid-night in one of the rooms !! Boooooo...
Day-2 (Saturday, September-11-2010)
RKP, BK, SM and PD were up and awake in the early hours. They were ready and waiting for the lazy sleepy-heads (read KM, SG and YS) to get ready. The ready folks went for a stroll to watch the Dalhousie morning. Once all were ready and waiting for the Innova to arrive, photo shoot followed in-n-around the Circuit House.
The Innova arrived and we started of for the day's sight-seeing, trekking and hiking adventure. First was a quick stop for breakfast (after all, as the saying goes - an army cannot march on empty stomach !!). A forest trail was spotted (trekking site) was spotted near the area, but for greater good to cover the day's itinerary we finished breakfast and went ahead.
First stop was the Kali temple, and as per our driver it was a 1 kilo-meter only. We all started off fresh to cover the distance in a wink of an-eye.
Later we came to know that it was 1 kilo-meter distance apart in altitude and not by distance. BK got the first shock ..when he kept walking on and on, and there were no signs of the temple. He gave his golden remark.... "Oh Bhaisaab !! we should present distance measuring equipment to these local folks" :O . On the way, we met areas of echo-point and SM and SG shouted out to listen to the echo from the surrounding hills !!
Our next stop was Khaijjar - the meadows that are called the Switzerland of India. It is a low lying meadow surrounded by conifer forests and hills. The view is quite amazing. Off-course to add to the scenery, there are horse-rides, balloon-rolls and para-gliding !
The group had a lazy walk in the meadows (off-course with continuous photo shoots) and had snacks of bhel-puri, chilled milk and bhutta (corn). Here in the romantic meadows of Khaijjar, KM also have induction to SM on some specific herbal medicine he was inquisitive to learn about !! :-)
Had a late lunch at Khaijjar, and around 5pm we departed for Kala-top. After reaching Kala-top and the initial refreshments, we started the hike to the hilltop. Kala-top is a forest reserve and is a dense forest infested with bears and other wind animals.
It was a 3 kilo-meter hike and we reached the hill-top just in time to view a eye-catching breath-taking sunset. Well, post sunset came the issue of returning to base...in the dark, through the forest with bears and leopard (here at the hill top, at sunset we came to know that the forest also had leopards!!).
The wild-animals scare did not dampen the spirits. We had our quota of hot Maggi noodles, sizzling bread-omlette, tea and coffee at the hilltop. By the time we started the trek down, it was pitch dark. The path was hardly visible and the trees and shadow's created illusion of wild animals to the eyes.
With no light, out came our cell-phones - with whatever light we had from the displays/LEDs of the cells and lots of singing of "po po po po po po" (no time to dance !!), we marched down the hill. The path was now slushy and some of the areas were pitch dark...when even the person walking in front was hardly visible !
What took more than 1 hour to climb up, we climbed down in 22 minutes flat ! Down-hill climb was accelerated with a sprinkling of fear-factor as everyone was expected a bear or a leopard to spring out from the next turn or from the dense jungle. Courage was put to test - finally we reached base (but not without a few hair-rising yells here and there from YS !!!), where BK delivered his million dollar outburst - "Yaar, Koi mere ko ...(call of nature)" .
As we approached our destination, the greenery of the nature greeted us. The pollution, dust and honking of the city were no more there.
The quite and peaceful surroundings greeted us.
Reached Chakki Bank, and hired a Innova till Sunday. The gang piled into the Innova and off we started for the 4 hrs drive uphill to Dalhousie, via Chamba.Off-course, there was a stop-over for chai-pani (and also to stabilize YS - who seemed to be having rounds of motion sickness!!).Near the chai-pani (tea) stopover, a steam was seen and everybody ran away to the stream (well, and photo session followed). After photo-shoot and snacks, we continued with our drive to Dalhousie. Reached there around 7pm, and check into the Dalhousie Circuit House (near Ghandi Chowk). Accommodation arrangements, courtesy of KM :-)
We refreshed a bit, and went down for a stroll to Ghandi Chowk (~2 kilo-meter from Circuit House). Did a bit of window shopping, had sizzling bread-omlette, chilled Khulphi and smoking hot tea. Finally, we walked back to the Circuit House following the Figure-Of-8 from Ghandi Chowk to Subash Chowk, via bear trail to the Circuit House.
Off-course, to pep-up the moment there we discussions of Bear, Leopard and Monkeys all the way ! Not to be forgotten even in the city (bear trail) stroll, at least 3-4 of the members had their fear-factor fall flat on the ground. Also, to be mentioned SG's torch (with new cells) which failed to light up even 1 cm of the path !!Came back to Circuit House, had fresh home-made dinner (made by the Circuit House cook), gossiped a bit (about ghosts, ghouls and the super-natural) and packed up for the day. SG even spotted a light-bulb flickering on it's own (with no power on) at mid-night in one of the rooms !! Boooooo...
Day-2 (Saturday, September-11-2010)
RKP, BK, SM and PD were up and awake in the early hours. They were ready and waiting for the lazy sleepy-heads (read KM, SG and YS) to get ready. The ready folks went for a stroll to watch the Dalhousie morning. Once all were ready and waiting for the Innova to arrive, photo shoot followed in-n-around the Circuit House.
The Innova arrived and we started of for the day's sight-seeing, trekking and hiking adventure. First was a quick stop for breakfast (after all, as the saying goes - an army cannot march on empty stomach !!). A forest trail was spotted (trekking site) was spotted near the area, but for greater good to cover the day's itinerary we finished breakfast and went ahead.
First stop was the Kali temple, and as per our driver it was a 1 kilo-meter only. We all started off fresh to cover the distance in a wink of an-eye.Later we came to know that it was 1 kilo-meter distance apart in altitude and not by distance. BK got the first shock ..when he kept walking on and on, and there were no signs of the temple. He gave his golden remark.... "Oh Bhaisaab !! we should present distance measuring equipment to these local folks" :O . On the way, we met areas of echo-point and SM and SG shouted out to listen to the echo from the surrounding hills !!
Our next stop was Khaijjar - the meadows that are called the Switzerland of India. It is a low lying meadow surrounded by conifer forests and hills. The view is quite amazing. Off-course to add to the scenery, there are horse-rides, balloon-rolls and para-gliding !The group had a lazy walk in the meadows (off-course with continuous photo shoots) and had snacks of bhel-puri, chilled milk and bhutta (corn). Here in the romantic meadows of Khaijjar, KM also have induction to SM on some specific herbal medicine he was inquisitive to learn about !! :-)
Had a late lunch at Khaijjar, and around 5pm we departed for Kala-top. After reaching Kala-top and the initial refreshments, we started the hike to the hilltop. Kala-top is a forest reserve and is a dense forest infested with bears and other wind animals.
It was a 3 kilo-meter hike and we reached the hill-top just in time to view a eye-catching breath-taking sunset. Well, post sunset came the issue of returning to base...in the dark, through the forest with bears and leopard (here at the hill top, at sunset we came to know that the forest also had leopards!!).The wild-animals scare did not dampen the spirits. We had our quota of hot Maggi noodles, sizzling bread-omlette, tea and coffee at the hilltop. By the time we started the trek down, it was pitch dark. The path was hardly visible and the trees and shadow's created illusion of wild animals to the eyes.
With no light, out came our cell-phones - with whatever light we had from the displays/LEDs of the cells and lots of singing of "po po po po po po" (no time to dance !!), we marched down the hill. The path was now slushy and some of the areas were pitch dark...when even the person walking in front was hardly visible !
What took more than 1 hour to climb up, we climbed down in 22 minutes flat ! Down-hill climb was accelerated with a sprinkling of fear-factor as everyone was expected a bear or a leopard to spring out from the next turn or from the dense jungle. Courage was put to test - finally we reached base (but not without a few hair-rising yells here and there from YS !!!), where BK delivered his million dollar outburst - "Yaar, Koi mere ko ...(call of nature)" .
After reaching the base and on our way back, it was a remembrance of the fact that - A Cat has 9 lives, wonder how many a human being has ?- We reached Circuit House, refreshed and had dinner.
We reached Panjpulla - known for the waterfall, Ganji Top (hill top with only grasslands and no trees) and a temple. A moderate trek (in slight drizzle) took us to the waterfall. A photo shoot ensured that all remembrances were captured digitally. , with the fun-n-frolic over, we started the trek to the temple ~2 kilo-meters (or so we thought !!).
The rest of the gang moved on for the final push to reach victory - Gangi Top. The top was breath-taking. One would watch the surrounding hills, the clouds giving the fly-past and the green pastures at Ganji Top (this top derives it name from the fact that it has no trees here). A Photo-shoot ensured.
Cheers !
