Simla-Manali-Delhi Tour - Volume 2 - Simla

So, that is how the first day went... Then we came and slept here in the Chaman Palace - which was not a palace of any kind.

It was a very good hotel. The only problem was that you had to walk the below stairs / slope, for up to 50 metre at an angle of 30 degree, then another 50 metre at an angle of 45 degree, then another 100 metre at 50 degree and then a small distance at 70 degree.

After the breakfast on day 2, we set off to see what Simla has in stock for us. On the way, we had a small break, where people could go to ATMs. But, our tea lover had a great tea at that time.

And thirty minutes from there, we reached Naldehra. You could see the signboard behind Vishnu. He smiled at the photographer, because he was on a horse and he would miss balance any time. If it was a enclosed vehicle, he would have slept in any possible position.

The tour to watch the China Border (350 km away from there), a golf course, a kali temple and the top point on that mountain cost Rs.390 on a horse. So, we all started. My horse's name was Badshah. Badhshah was very strong to carry a 120+ kg thing on his back. I gave him a Rs.100 extra for an oil massage, for the tour was worth it.

Uhhh... Finally you saw me. The man who took over exposed, good for nothing photographs.

In the middle we stopped fora small break, and this is what happened. around six people put that snake around their neck and posed, off which these two smiled at the correct time. The 'thambi, vaaikulla poidaadha' look from Anand and 'nallavangala aandavan kaividamaattaan' look from Vishnu were good. Me clicking at the time when snake's toungue came out, surprised me.

Thus the Naldehra tour ended. Now a small history lesson. Those who don't want  history can skip the next few lines.


History : Lord Curzon built the Golf Course on top of this, which is the most scenic and beautiful Golf course in India. This was a favourite outing spot for Lord Curzon and it is just 22 km from Shimla. Lord Curzon is known for Partition of Bengal in 10th standard History books.
Lord Curzon loved this place so much that he named his third daughter Alexandra Naldehra.

That is a glimpse of 'The Tour Party' returning to the starting point to go to the much talked about Kufri peak.

By that time, I tried some clicks and some proved good too.

On the way to Kufri, we stopped at a place for lunch. The Gulab Jamun there was the best I have ever had in my life. Two guys among smart boys, ordered second plate of Jamuns and ate. I was one among them.


Now that you know two smart boys, I'll tell the name of the other two guys. They are, Prabhu and Siva. Will tell about them later.


A hot soup becomes cold in approximately five minutes or under in that climate. There, snatching from a person who always thought I was getting the soup for drinking, I took the below photograph. A hot bowl of soup in Shimla.

Kufri was a very Bad experience because of the horse ride. This time the roads were even muddier and more than the enjoyment the fear or precaution that we must not fall took over.

There our coordinator and organizer Mr. Muthukumar wore dress of the locals and took a few snaps. 

There was rope sliding, Yaks, a temple and much more we hated to see or do because of the travel upstairs. The roads were mainly waterfed manually and were made muddy, so that trekking could happen only through horse. Incredible India.

Only option left was what you see below!!! 

This Yak is one of my two favorite yaks during the tour. I am not telling about the one above. I'm talking about the one below. It had all equipments for a hunting ride into the forest in cowboy fashion.

Footnote : About the second yak, will tell you on the fifth day of the trip.
Smart boys is no more a secret. But, lots of secrets to get unfolded. Stay tuned...

Simla-Manali-Delhi Tour - Volume 1 - The beginning.

That is how it all started. We all loaded into that Innova and started to the airport.

The aeroplane took off and this being the first time for us, we didn't know how to react. We took some photos. Then we ate some sandwich and drank a lot of water, as water was the only free thing to consume.

On landing at IGIA, we were welcomed by our beloved driver Rajpal, whose vehicle went nowhere. He drove through the Delhi city and....

on the road to Chandigarh...

And reached a restaurant.. The restaurant is what you see in the backdrop, but it withstood because of what you see in front - The lemon and seven chillies...

By the by, it is my pleasure to introduce the people in the tour party. The below is the 'BLADE TRINITY'  [ BT ]who are like the rook, bishop and the queen. It is sure checkmate on any conversation, with they winning.

And people very close to one of the member of BT are the people in the below photograph. The person on the right is Sivaraj and to the left is Ramgji ( he joined the 'Smart Boys' group by the end of the tour. Now the group has four members)

Now you could easily spot the BT in the below picture. The rest are the people who came for the tour, making Mr. Rajpal's 'hamara gaadi nahi chalega' vehicle a 12 seater.

Yes.. You have counted correctly. One more person is missing. And he is the one who is taking all these good for nothing, over exposed, photographs. Well, he is not in the following photographs also.

These are the natives of Shimla. By the time, this photograph was taken, the toll got cleared and I had to go into the van.

On the way to Shimla, we stopped for a coffee/tea (our wish) and I spotted this house, where they parked on the terrace and later found out that all the houses in the mountains did this. And one more lesson is that, if you construct a house like this, there is no use of you buying a car.

Amidst all this nature, Humans have laid concrete posts and are distributing power. I didn't know how to respond - be happy or sad - so took it, as those who interfere don't click.

Don't you want to see our Driver Rajpal???
Here He is...

Photo Courtesy : Revathi Thangavel

                  

Thus ended the first day tour. We went to Shimla, checked in and slept. 

Footnote: About the 'Smart boys' and Kufri tour will be told in the next post

Click on the photos to view real size.