My journey to the lap of Shivaliks
Caution the above account is that of an travel hormone headed girl. Rest.. happy reading!
It all started with the will to break the rut of the routine which i have forced myself into. So i packed up myself loaded with clothes to say hi to the mystic beauty of the lowest range of Himalyas (the shivaliks) halting at the most proffered choice of the economical honeymooners Simla (yes simla not Shimla cause i am a chichi and i know it )
To carry is to the destination the HIMALYAN QUEEN awaited at the Kalka station but due to unknown reasons the UNESCO world heritage , the small gauge train started off 2 hours late. It monotony of the small station was broken by the thorn haired, apple cheeked, red clothed monks who instilled within me the patience to endure 1.5 more hours before the train started carrying the Me + Cupid hit couples + headphones headed dudes.
The journey was one of the most tranquil and pleasant I have ever had. Apart from the winding routes, breathtaking views and tunnels ( wink! wink! for the love smitten couples ;) ) the highlight for me, were the little stations which came in the journey. Such stations with mesmerising views, chilly wind and hot tea coupled with open hair and awesome songs made me feel like a heroine starring in some fancy "self analysing" song video. So reaching late in the night there was nothing much to do except watch TV and sleep and dream.
NO there was no snow in the morning so no fairy tales there, But the morning mist and the chilly winds took my breath away. With the sun peeking from the mountains, conspicuously waiting for its turn to shine and take the glory away from the morning frog, I felt a tickle of sun rays softening my cold cheek and making me feel the warmth of the mother nature.
I am not afraid to say I did not take bath! So with unbathed body, food filled tummy and cap covered head, I headed to see my share of scenaries which were painted on this himalyan canvas.( is this too philosophical ? whatever just deal with it!! :D ).First we were off to some ARMY ka museum which had all the gallant things to see. So many weapons for a person like me who does not believe much in violence ( ask this from my brother :P ) but it was situated near a beautiful golf course with a
nice little cactus glass house. The highlight of this place is that you get to know how clean can old things be kept (its not like you learn to clean them or get motivated about it but you just KNOW.. -_- period! )
Next stop was yet another museum (call me boring I won't mind, call me a geek I would be happier :D ) the highlight of this place was an amazing collection of paintings! yes painting !! Pretentious as am, this place was a paradise for me to show off my artistic tastes and to soothe my eye palate as if the mountains were not enough! But the collection here was winsome(yes !! I googled this word -_- .. toldya that pretentious thing! :/ ) but the cherry on the cake was the most amajjing (yes amajjing NOT amazing ) chapo (chapo=chai pakoda) with the amazing wind caressing my hair and amajjing chapo tingling my taste buds I was in seventh heaven!
Next stop IIAS the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies. This is the building where first draft of partition was shown and where viceroy of British India resided. This building is now used as an institute for people who want to pursue research after Ph.D ( yes people do that too :) ). This building is what hogwarts would look like had it been in India and hence the dream to live in this place was obvious.
It was love at first sight! and the insides of the palace was oozed, deep fried, roasted and cooked well in history..
Moving on, next stop was the tourist stereotypical Mall Road and Ridge, I have not expected much from this place and it stood on my expectations. Girls flaunting long coats and ray bands and guys with pierced ears and weird gloves filled the street. The main attraction for me were Krishna bakery ke momos and chocolate brownie and Indian coffee house ki hawt caaffee. To shop if you have money ( of which i suffer a deficiency of :o nevermind !! ) there is one stop that is Himachal Emporium. Here you will find the native goods at okayish prices.
Next day was the time to come back, I took a bus to enjoy the views which I might have missed in the train ride ( I am greedy that way B| ) and it met my surmise (googled this one too). With each turn I could see a different panorama which in itself is commendable. But the human settlements prove to be kind of blot on an otherwise perfect picture on the natural canvas.
Top 5 Things I liked about SIMLA:
1.) Scenery.
2.)Apple cheeked, thorn headed, tiny eyed monks.
3.) It is a smoking free area.
4.) Cleanliness.
5.) IIAS <3
this is all there is .. okbye!!
It all started with the will to break the rut of the routine which i have forced myself into. So i packed up myself loaded with clothes to say hi to the mystic beauty of the lowest range of Himalyas (the shivaliks) halting at the most proffered choice of the economical honeymooners Simla (yes simla not Shimla cause i am a chichi and i know it )
To carry is to the destination the HIMALYAN QUEEN awaited at the Kalka station but due to unknown reasons the UNESCO world heritage , the small gauge train started off 2 hours late. It monotony of the small station was broken by the thorn haired, apple cheeked, red clothed monks who instilled within me the patience to endure 1.5 more hours before the train started carrying the Me + Cupid hit couples + headphones headed dudes.
The journey was one of the most tranquil and pleasant I have ever had. Apart from the winding routes, breathtaking views and tunnels ( wink! wink! for the love smitten couples ;) ) the highlight for me, were the little stations which came in the journey. Such stations with mesmerising views, chilly wind and hot tea coupled with open hair and awesome songs made me feel like a heroine starring in some fancy "self analysing" song video. So reaching late in the night there was nothing much to do except watch TV and sleep and dream.
NO there was no snow in the morning so no fairy tales there, But the morning mist and the chilly winds took my breath away. With the sun peeking from the mountains, conspicuously waiting for its turn to shine and take the glory away from the morning frog, I felt a tickle of sun rays softening my cold cheek and making me feel the warmth of the mother nature.
I am not afraid to say I did not take bath! So with unbathed body, food filled tummy and cap covered head, I headed to see my share of scenaries which were painted on this himalyan canvas.( is this too philosophical ? whatever just deal with it!! :D ).First we were off to some ARMY ka museum which had all the gallant things to see. So many weapons for a person like me who does not believe much in violence ( ask this from my brother :P ) but it was situated near a beautiful golf course with a
nice little cactus glass house. The highlight of this place is that you get to know how clean can old things be kept (its not like you learn to clean them or get motivated about it but you just KNOW.. -_- period! )
Next stop was yet another museum (call me boring I won't mind, call me a geek I would be happier :D ) the highlight of this place was an amazing collection of paintings! yes painting !! Pretentious as am, this place was a paradise for me to show off my artistic tastes and to soothe my eye palate as if the mountains were not enough! But the collection here was winsome(yes !! I googled this word -_- .. toldya that pretentious thing! :/ ) but the cherry on the cake was the most amajjing (yes amajjing NOT amazing ) chapo (chapo=chai pakoda) with the amazing wind caressing my hair and amajjing chapo tingling my taste buds I was in seventh heaven!
Next stop IIAS the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies. This is the building where first draft of partition was shown and where viceroy of British India resided. This building is now used as an institute for people who want to pursue research after Ph.D ( yes people do that too :) ). This building is what hogwarts would look like had it been in India and hence the dream to live in this place was obvious.
It was love at first sight! and the insides of the palace was oozed, deep fried, roasted and cooked well in history..
Moving on, next stop was the tourist stereotypical Mall Road and Ridge, I have not expected much from this place and it stood on my expectations. Girls flaunting long coats and ray bands and guys with pierced ears and weird gloves filled the street. The main attraction for me were Krishna bakery ke momos and chocolate brownie and Indian coffee house ki hawt caaffee. To shop if you have money ( of which i suffer a deficiency of :o nevermind !! ) there is one stop that is Himachal Emporium. Here you will find the native goods at okayish prices.
Next day was the time to come back, I took a bus to enjoy the views which I might have missed in the train ride ( I am greedy that way B| ) and it met my surmise (googled this one too). With each turn I could see a different panorama which in itself is commendable. But the human settlements prove to be kind of blot on an otherwise perfect picture on the natural canvas.
Top 5 Things I liked about SIMLA:
1.) Scenery.
2.)Apple cheeked, thorn headed, tiny eyed monks.
3.) It is a smoking free area.
4.) Cleanliness.
5.) IIAS <3
this is all there is .. okbye!!
I loved it Kriti. You know Kalka is my birth place, my nani used to stay there before my nanu retired, let me cut out my family story. But, I love these places-Kalka and Simla.. I used to visit them so often earlier and now it has been 4 years. Anyway, to read ur blog was like reminiscing those beautiful days :-) (I smile a beatific smile :-P)Thank You!
ReplyDeleteReaaally !! I knew a face so pretty belonged to the mountains !! pardon me if i sound flirty ..
DeleteAnd thank you.. I really wish to live here !
You feel alive with the untouched wind brushing against you :)
thanks for reading and reviewing..
Much love !
beautiful!!!
ReplyDeletethanks for reading :)
Delete