The Himalayan Hangover... Harshil

As usual we had discussed and pondered over our travel plans before we embarked on this journey. Harshil wasn't my first choice, I was looking for some lush green valleys in Himachal but then settled quietly succumbing to my husband and his friend's enthusiasm. They kept watching blogs , finalised the cottage after we blocked our dates.

Apart from planning mine and daughter's attire, contemplating the chill there, rescheduling dates because of personal, professional commitments I didn't do much of research, I usually depend on others for that.... but followed posts and pictures shared on different groups. Bit of googling told me Ram Teri Ganga Maili was shot there.. gradually I was gearing up for the trip. Husband was raving about ' Gartang Gali ' and ' Neylong Valley ' and was busy arranging passes for all five of us. As usual I didn't pay  much heed as he can be really excited for weird things! Though Gartang Gali seemed intriguing some ancient wooden staircase beside river Bhagirathi and into the mountains...the staircase used to be old Indo Tibet route for trade. We were ready after lots of upheavals on the personal front and started for Jolly Grant, Dehradun for night stay in one Friday afternoon, reason for choosing Jolly Grant was to avoid the maddening rush in Rishikesh.

Day 1: Gurgaon to Jolly Grant, Dehradun
The drive was uneventful except that it was the beginning of a coveted trip and we chatted and stopped for tea, I played loads of eighties songs which we hummed together. As usual roped in so
me drama , by urging Dada to stop for a roadside sunset in the farm fields.

Jain Shikanji turned out to be pretty ordinary

Jolly Grant stay was comfortable, cosy with excellent food at a hotel named MJ Suites. We had a fabulous dinner before slumping off to bed. Next day we were prepared for a marathon drive after a hearty breakfast at the hotel.

Day 2: Jolly Grant to Awana Cottage, Sukki

We knew it would be a long tedious drive but so long really! With my daughter and friend not feeling well, aggravated things a little more! But then the Himalayas!

Stopping at roadside joints first for tea and some awesome milk rusks which we loved so much that we bought the entire jar from the shop 🫣! The husband had glared as me and Dada swooned over the rusk and bought the entire jar much to the shopkeeper and the other associates' shock!

Beautiful Tehri!

Next stop was near Dharasu, which had a helipad nearby. We had Maggi and some fiercely oily fries!

By the time we reached Uttarkashi, we were a bit exhausted but the thrill of what lies ahead kept me beaming! Besides the first sight of Bhagirathi was like meeting with the myth... mountains on its side, we were on the gateways of real ' Devbhoomi ' where myths and gods played with the mountains and rivers! Registration because of ' Char Dham' yatra was a bit tedious, I think it can be done online as well, would save one from the hassles. The drive from Uttarkashi though was smooth, it was getting dark and narrow stretches made us wait for the vehicles from the opposite side. Besides the darkness gives the feeling of getting delayed and made us a bit paranoid among the mountains! Are we going to reach really!

It was almost nine when we reached Awana Cottage and it was chilly outside. We had no idea on the view save the gigantic dark mountains standing tall as sentinels! The resort manager kept in touch with us as kitchen would close by ten! And I had no wish to starve at night! Food was warm and veg as expected and we conspired how we'd convince the owner to get some non veg food the day after!

Day 3 : Into the mountains... Gartang Gali and Neylong Valley

Morning was amazing with spectacular views that we had watched for the first time! Streams, springs flowing through the distant mountain, sound of the stream near by , also buzzing choppers for Gangotri.

View from Awana Cottage

Harshil

Bhaironghati

Amazing Neylong Valley near China border

For those for whom mountains are well.. mountains, they might not find the valley worth a visit amidst all the defence people and not much to explore after getting those expensive passes for self and vehicle. Entries and loitering is quite restricted there. We found the view spectacular but yes would have loved more! Husband also informed you can get passes for the Naga Valley ahead...that must be more exclusive!

Lunch was near the wayside bus stand. Roti/sabji, Maggi...was a bit dusty but the simple warm food made us overlook as we set for the much awaited Gartang Gali.

We huffed and puffed as usual as we started the trek. Both husband and me swore silently this is the last time...with rebelling knees and heart literally trying to jump out of chest. But then Bhagirathi and the mountains and the whisper of the river! My daughter's remark ' Maa the sound of the river... amazing na'...indeed the sound of the singing river echoed deep as we moved into the depth of the mountains!

Renovated Gartang Gali... ancient trading route to Tibet

With such a stage and mountains and river as the audience... husband was set for some drama.

The trek took us around two and half hours and we relaxed with Maggi and tea wayside after that. Dinner was chicken that we bought from Harshil gaon and cooked in our cottage. It was home style cooked and we savoured it after a long day.

Day 4: Harshil and Gangotri

Sometimes weird plans make it super fun. Such was my idea of draping saree with my friend and convinced our spouses for a half day photo session besides the river! We stumbled in the uneven pebbles, posed , bathed ourselves in the dust blowing across the river and giggled like girls. Wind played haywire with our hair and dust crunched through gritted teeth! Well Instagram reels can't be more unrealistic! Actually husbands did co-operate and shot some reels...who could imagine!

My favourite from the trip

We flaunted our sarees, shot reels. I did team saree with a pair of sneakers!

Lunch was at a local joint in Harshil village. We had delectable mutton momos which were washed away fast and yummy egg noodles. Locals do have non veg, only in Gangotri it's vegetarian without onion, garlic. After lunch we started for Gangotri around 30 km from Harshil village.

Not being religious minded, I shy away from temples and public religious gatherings and also dread long queues of devotees! But Gangotri with mighty mountains standing tall as sentinels guarding the river flowing from their womb was mystic , majestic and overwhelming! It could transport the soul to ages behind in search of self! I was reminded of Edmund Hilary's ' Journey into the mountains ', from my class ten English Rapid reader, the journey from Gangasagar to Gaumukh, from inception to oblivion the story of the river. Luckily the crowd was sparse and I could soak in the river flowing from the mountains! Also marvel at Gauri Kund and Suraj Kund!

Gauri Kund

Suraj Kund

After a long day, the drive towards Awana Cottage seemed extraordinary long after picking up raw mutton from Harshil for dinner. The chefs arranged a fabulous mutton and we slumped into bed after shower. Needless to say tonnes of dust and sand accumulated within hair and face which needed a massive struggle for a wash! Perks of running after insta reels!

Day 5: Drive to Rishikesh

It wasn't easy leaving Harshil! The terrain was mystic, majestic, magnificent. The drive to Rishikesh was picturesque with springs at every other curve...so true to the lyrics of the Ram Teri Ganga Maili song, ' Chote chote jharne hain...ke jharno ke paani chukar kuch waade karne hain!'

I longed for some green meadows, ' bugyal' as they call it...

Beautiful Jacaranda on the way

When we stopped for tea

I was gazing lazily out of the window near Chamba, humming ' Parbat ke peeche Chambera gaon hain, gaon mein do premi rahte hain!' I remarked to husband, ' You know after the Harshil mountains, I can't pay attention to these hills of Chamba, my favourite picture postcard village, the hills seem you know babies!:

' Oh the Chamba mountains really got dejected by your remark! ' the husband sneered!


We reached Rishikesh at around nine, checked in to a hotel near Laxman Jhula, at the heart of the old city. The view from the balcony was soothing, the river, mountains and the temple. Though it was hot and humid, we were inside the room just staring at the river, weaning off vacation hangover slowly.

Day 6: Rishikesh to Gurgaon

Morning sight of the river and mountains was a breather to the soul.

Breakfast was sumptuous at German Bakery near the now closed Laxman Jhula. We ordered for Spaghetti Aglio Olio, Banana Crepes and they just tasted awesome.

Potato cheese croquettes

We loitered in the old lanes for some shopping. Junk jewelleries, fridge magnets, few bohemian tops and dresses! Finally some shopping in the trip...as my mother had remarked hearing about our stay away from the civilization, ' This time it seems you'd return without any useless shopping you do!' I didn't disappoint my mother 😜.

The drive to Gurgaon was uneventful as we reeled from the Himalayan hangover!

Another Monsoon

Asmita struggled with the cloth dryer stand, half pulling, half lifting with the heap of wet clothes stumbling upon her, dragging the stand through the narrow balcony door, then bedroom , finally dumping it in the guest room. The house was blissfully asleep basking in monsoon glory. She sighed deeply..the phone buzzed just then. Who could be at this time.... looking at the number on the screen...her heart sank! No...not again!!

' Didi...it's raining here since night ' Asmita felt like crying, ' Aaj nahi aa paungi Didi'
Her head did a quick spin, the sink full of dishes gleamed at her, ' Yeah...ok...Gita' She agreed feebly, ' May be in the evening Gita...' she had lost hope by then....Gita's mumbling was almost inaudible after that , Asmita hung up in despair.

Breakfast, dishes , cleaning... where would she begin! Wasn't this her holiday as well... wasn't monsoon meant for her... Slowly she mustered up courage for her chores, glancing through the newspaper and checking today's Sudoku. She opened the kitchen window ajar, it was raining heavily. Gurgaon doesn't witness this kind of rain always... every monsoon they wait eagerly for bouts of showers...chai pakoda, the romantic oldies, quintessential bong khichdi bhaja platter and the mystic monsoon memories!

Asmita turned on the radio in the old mobile. Monsoon and old mushy movie songs. She started chopping, peeling for breakfast humming along with radio. Her high school college days did a quick flash back. The mud ridden roads, her flip flops, the pattern of mud in the back of her suit... Asmita fumbling with umbrella, books! Was that when she met Rajat first...on a madly monsoonituous morning. Boys were hollering about staring at the girls of course. Asmita's flying umbrella, mud ridden suit...she could hear the group near her hooting. What a patriarchal time it was back then... conscious and irritated, Asmita had glared hard at the boys, trying to take shelter under roof. He was there among others smiling, though the eyes had a kindness and glint in them.

Their romance bloomed in the twirling monsoon of the city. Romance without mobile phones or social media, romance with a landline and public call booths, romance without text or messages, romance with exchange of audio cassettes! Rajat had wooed her as best as he could! Come to think of it there were many guys back then...but Rajat won hands down! Was it his uprightness..honesty....


Should she have chosen someone else... someone who'd have been in the kitchen with her now nineteen years later! Helping her with dishes, humming along with her!! Humming part still he could do, Asmita smiled to herself! Was she complaining really! It's not that Rajat wouldn't step in the kitchen but obviously it wouldn't be regular. He would insist on hiring more helps. He would cuddle his daughter, take her to the pediatric but he wasn't a hands on dad.. They had love, trust... little bit of romance at times...how whining brooding nagging wifely she sounds!


She was tampering the spices, washed the potatoes in between  and then next job was to make the dough for the luchis ready. How can they sleep so long....baap beti both. It was high time she called them..she was alone wading through the chores. On the hindsight them sleeping more would allow her to wrap up the chores. She dropped the potatoes in the pan and continued stirring. The wind from the window was blowing away the flame, she had to shut the window. Ah it was humid , she began to sweat. Now the dough for luchis. How the domestic helps do it so fast...and their luchis turn out as good if not better! Come on she chided herself...do I need to mould myself like Roopa, her cook!! Deft puris, perfect sabji and the smile on her face! It's a matter of one rainy day, Gita would be there tomorrow and Roopa would join soon after her annual leave. She can be her own self then. With her profuse sweating, hollering chimney the radio was turning out a cacophonous outburst! Asmita pulled the plug in exasperation. Next in line were the dishes peeping from the sink.


She should ask help! Shouldn't Rajat help, her temple throbbed in frustration. Just then the object of her thoughts was seen stretching in the living room.


' Uh what a mausam Asmi...just like..'

He stared at her with the pile of dishes.

' Where's Gita...'

' It's all water choked, the roads to juggis!' Asmita sighed, ' Happens every monsoon"
She turned towards the dishes..
'Go and freshen up, brewing tea'

The tall frame hugged her from behind...

' Remember...our first monsoon in college '

Asmita stirred.... next moment she wondered if she was stinking ..the sweat..

' How you were Asmi then...' His warm voice swept over her... and a sheepish smile slipped out .

' Maaa...'. the second voice echoed in the hall now....' Maa breakfast '

Rajat was at a safe distance now.

' Luchi and alu dom Disha' Asmita turned towards the dough, making balls. ' Brush and wait in the dining table...I will fry the luchis.

' Tea first please ' Rajat spread the newspaper in the dining table.

Another monsoon! Traffic snarls, water logging Asmita was sure Gita would not make it tomorrow as well! Puris were not swelling as she would like them to. She tried all tricks she knew! Well finally they were taking shape!

Did she know in the first monsoon she met Rajat... this was how it was going to be! Was she cribbing... could it have been otherwise...


Ah the luchis, just the right amount of flame they need! No time to ponder...Asmita rushed with the plate of hot luchis to the dining table. Would they learn to help her in the kitchen, she watched the duo munching away the luchis merrily.... She had to insist, ask... Rajat would understand...

Seventeen years she didn't make much sense to him! Asmita sighed.... you don't ponder and nag over such things, the feeble voice inside spoke slowly. Yeah... Asmita brushed the voice off in a distant corner and joined them on the table.

Gulzar

 Yeh saaye hain ,yeh duniya hain parchayion ki

Bhari bheed mein, khali tanhayion ki

Gulzar's songs would echo through the house..in our tiny radio and my limited knowledge of Hindi and more limited knowledge of Urdu couldn't stop me from flowing in the ocean of feelings...somehow there was a magic which held me...the magic of poetry coupled with mesmerizing music. Music has no language...and poetry has a language so strong that even without grasping the full sense it leads to a door half open and a world unknown. The power of his words led me to this world of film music...

Yahan saare chehre hain maange huye se
Nigaho mein aasu hain taange huye se
Badi neechi raahein hain unchayion ki

And the sultry voice of Asha Bhonsle, which would invariably bring me to the music of Ijazat. R.D , Asha Gulzar...

Mera kuch samaan tumhare paas pada hain
Sawan ke kuch bheege bheege se din rakhe hain
Aur..mere ek khat mein lipti raat padi hain
Wo raat bujha do... mera wo samaan lauta do

Haunting, gives me goosebumps and when alone...some moistness in eyes, never fails...
Songs are endless and the poetry captivating.

Humne dekhi hain un aankho ki mehekti khusbhu
Haath se chuke ise rishton ka ilzaam na do
Sirf ehsaas hain yeh rooh se mehsoos karo
Pyar ko pyar hi rahne do...koi naam na do 

I cannot dare to translate.. simply breathe in the soulful music and wonder at the magically woven words.

And more...

Yeh soch ke baithi hu...ek raah to wo hogi
Tum tak jo pahuchte hain
Is mod se jaate hain

Ahh this is love as I love it!
And my favourite road song

Raah pe rahte hain
Yaadon pe basar karte hain
Khush Raho ahle watan
Hum to safar karte hain

And the song I love to hear in the hills

Phir se ayo badra bidesi
Tere palko mein moti jadungi...

It is difficult to share what I feel in this script and I am unable to upload the videos as well...but I know all Gulzar lovers we share a bond...bond of music and poetry...eternally.I have left out so many...only few 

of the innumerable jewels...a world of its own..his compositions.

Yes I know ' Jai Ho' got him an Oscar...and his magic pen weaves dreams in the contemporary songs as well...

Hasti rahe tu hasti rahe

Zulfon ke neeche gardan mein

Subah sham milti rahe!

Really! Only Gulzar can!

The man who brought poetry to Hindi movies...

The man who wrapped love in words!

Our favourite bard Gulzar!

Chalo bulawa aya hain!

At the onset of the post, I think I need to confess that that I'm not a believer and visiting shrines for wishes fulfilled or to be fulfilled aren't in my 'to do' things actually! Then why did I embark on this journey... I read somewhere when someone asked Edmund Hillary why did he embark on such humongous journey after Everest his answer was ' Because it was there!'

Well so because it's there and I did not have any trip in the pipeline and when my colleague remarked that she needs to do Vaishno Devi, automatically the traveller inside me jumped in. ' I'm ready...let's plan'. She wasn't of course a travel freak as me and me with my reel and real memories interspersed as always...with staple Chitrahar song with Rajesh Khanna walking into the cave with his infant and ' Chalo bulawa aya hain ' in the background and my real memory of the six year me limping, sometimes in Baba's shoulders, wading through the night to Vaishno Devi and the following morning found myself slung in the back of professional human carriers called ' Pitthu 's for the way down hill! Me and my cousin wailing when the Pitthus stopped for a puff as we felt lost and forsaken!

But those were way back in early eighties, now with a quarter approaching past twenty first century and two independent women deciding for a visit to the shrine is almost well not a cakewalk but so doable. We booked tickets via Shree Shakti express to Katra from New Delhi and a flight from Jammu for our return journey. And following my travel gurus and convincing my friend, booked two nights in a JKTDC cottage at Patnitop. Saving leaves, squeezing in Patnitop in the itinerary we started from office for catching Shree Shakti express at seven in the evening.

This was our first trip together  though we have travelled in groups earlier, mid forties aren't a good time to adjust I guess and we were a bit apprehensive. But for me it's the joy of traveling, the preparation beforehand, the salon visit, planning outfits, checking itinerary and I tried to inspire my friend as well! A trip is a trip..we will trek, make reels so what it's Devi darshan! My colleague remarked ' Your preparation doesn't seem for Vaishno Devi 🤭'..hair cut and facial and the colourful outfit I assembled in the day of departure. We planned to leave tad bit early from office and catch the metro to New Delhi station. 

Bharatiya Rail always romanticised me and yes the vegetarian meal in the train was a bit disappointing. I mean I've been traveling in Bharatiya Railways since time immemorial and always knew I had to choose between veg, egg and chicken. This train had no such option and I was whining to my colleague ' Is this a vegetarian train!' The remark was overhead by the aunty sitting opposite and pat came the gyan , ' Beta...don't have non veg before Mata Rani ke darshan!'

This is so familiar in our country, plenty of advice galore everywhere. Though I know aunty was just offering what she felt was good faith for us. Anyways after the heavily spicy , devoid of taste meal, we tried to drift off to sleep. I made a huge fuss and was unable to climb the upper berth of AC 2 ( 🙈🙈), my athletic colleague offered me the lower berth! I was wondering how I'd make the fourteen kilometres to the top and back when the upper berth seemed like Everest! We huddled off to sleep, I tried some reading since the reading light was not working had to give up in sometime!

Day I

The train ran before time much to my surprise and irritation.... It was barely five in the morning! Beautiful view of the shrine atop the mountains welcomed us and we boarded an auto to Army Cantt where we put up in a guest house, courtesy my friend's Left Colonel brother. 

After freshening up and a breakfast of alu parathas and tea, putting our stuff in the cloak room...we chanted Jai Mata Di and started our journey. Our pass was issued from the Army office and also we were informed that if we can make it by ten thirty in the morning to Ardhkumari, we can catch the battery operated car to Bhawan. I was sure we can't make the steep climb of six kilometres within two hours. Here I need to inform all the battery cars can be pre booked around two months in advance. In our case my friend's brother used some VIP protocol to arrange our tickets in battery cars. To such caring sweet brothers 😍... with whom my friend like all sisters argued, groaned and didn't take him seriously at all! Like ' oh he's irresponsible and useless '

Somehow the initial climb wasn't comfortable, felt warm in sweat shirt and jacket, also my friend was in a rush for catching the battery car and the non believer me felt like giving up and there wasn't the Himalayas or anything to stop me dead in my tracks!

That's when Baba called, like many times in my life with the much needed ' You can do it ' mesage. The sun , the breakfast beforehand I was beginning to have a slight chest ache with all the huffing and puffing. Vaishno Devi wasn't that steep comparing to the smallish Himalayan treks I've done...that's what Baba said as well but then those trips were done and this just began! Besides I wasn't here for a race and also there was hardly any breathtaking view and with my friend in for some relay race I was clueless for sometimes. She asked me to take a horse or a palki, well with little bit of ego I had I refused and also because they won't be comfortable as well. Gradually we understood that we won't get the ten thirty car, my friend relaxed, we clicked photos, shot reels and I was coming to form 😎.

I chanted and played the Chitrahar song ' Chalo bulawa aya hain' ...it resonated in the hills and I remembered Rajesh Khanna Shabana Azmi again. The song sprawled to life amidst the mountains and gave me the much needed kick!

With little bit of drama, huffing puffing we reached Ardhkumari at around eleven fifteen and decided to wait for the next car at one thirty. The car would save walk upto five kilometres so we stayed put in the waiting area. Though Baba wanted me to climb the entire way like he did but may be that's what Mata wants...that we reach comfortably me and my friend were in mutual agreement! After having some below average Vada Sambar we waited for the battery car in between more pics and videos. The army people saw to it that we were seated in the battery car and we reached the temple in next twenty minutes. Queue wasn't much or may be because we entered through VIP gate sort, there wasn't much rush. Visit to the shrine was quiet and peaceful surprisingly and crowd was controlled inside the concrete cave. Infact the casual me took the main temple to be one of the subsidiary temples and when I heard the priest showing Kali Mata...I thought Maa Kali was so bong... Dakshineswar, Belur...Kali Badi at so many nooks and corners back home, I wondered what she was doing here in Katra! Later I was surprised this was the main temple...like all I joined my hands, closed my eyes thought about my loved ones for some fleeting moments...some power or some weaknesses what draws people since ages... questions were unanswered like life itself!

Next Bhaironath was easily done through cable car , the folklore about Bhaironath wasn't much much pleasing so I skipped the main temple. I was wondering how Maa, Baba did the entire trek in their sixties! The glance of Himalayas from Bhaironath lifted my spirits somewhat and was making my journey worth while ! Towards Vaishno Devi, entire road was fenced with net and hence no place to sink in the view. The unfiltered mountains from Bhaironath top was refreshing and for sometime I forgot my hunger pangs. As suggested by all we climbed after light breakfast , I didn't have anything on the way before Ardhkumari because of chest pain , also our Army brothers suggested to finish Bhaironath darshan by cable car timely and then stop for lunch at Sagar Ratna.

The warm crisp dosa at Sagar Ratna breathed life into me like nothing else 🙈. My own temple I guess, we devoured the food with our heart and soul. Might be one of the soul satisfying meals I ever had! After some mad rush at the queue for battery cars and prolonged wait, me and my friend hopped in to the vehicle. I was exhausted and sleepy. Even then the journey downhill was fast, relaxing...we chatted, had tea maggi in between, shopped for Prasad, walnuts and we were down in almost no time. We had dinner on the way and then walked to the army cantt guest house. My friend slumped in almost after reaching and me after phone calls and texts had a nice sleep.

Day 2 : Drive to Patnitop, Horse ride to Shiv Ghati 

Next day we were up in decent time , showered and got ready for Patnitop. We hired a car for the next three days for taking us to Patnitop and drop us at Jammu airport after one day.

From my travel freak boss and colleague I heard a lot about Patnitop and raved at the lush meadows and mountain ranges. As I heard from my boss quite a few years earlier about his stay at the beautiful JKTDC cottage I didn't think twice before booking one cottage there and convincing my friend it's just ' Dekho Maine dekha hai ek sapna ' wala cottage! Well truth can be stranger than fiction and let's see what's in store for us. 

Though beautiful from the car, the distance between two cottages seemed overwhelming. It seemed JKTDC got the entire deodar forest and some cottages were scattered over it and distance between two nearest cottages would definitely be more than one hundred metres! Finding the reception was a strenuous task as it was almost non existing, and when we could trace it finally, the caretaker seemed straight out of haunted bungalow in Ramsay movies. Some rooms were facing the small market, mostly two bedroom cottages, I tried to convince them to shift us there. But as it was we were shown a cottage in the remote jungle with other cottages around one hundred metres away and as we doubted correctly not a single one was occupied. That wasn't of course the end to our woes, JKTDC cottages did not have a restaurant, there was a kitchen with utensils, burner and of course no groceries! My friend chose one cottage with a neat washroom, though we had the feeling we were stuck in the deadly deodars but the breezy feeling made us drive away for lunch and some ride on horses towards Shiv Ghati.

Lunch was by the roadside, simple homely pahadi Rajma chawal and Kalari bread as in local cuisine as suggested by my husband. I devoured Kalari bread with Kahwa, it was warm at the roadside joint with delectable food. I repeated the Kalari bread with chutney.

Next though a bit hesitant initially regarding horse ride but at my friend's insistence and pony wala's persuasion we took the uphill ride to Shiv Ghati. Though we were scared stiff , the mountains lured us and we kept humming songs to ward off the fear of broken limbs if slipped from the galloping Sheru and Veer over the rugged mountains. 

Shiv Ghati was Bajrangi Bhaijaanish landscape where we tried to shoot a reel and fail miserably! The mountains were mesmerizing and the galloping pony ride was worth while!

Making a fuss over getting down from the pony , we let go of the pony walas , paying them. Our driver took us to the nearby Mansa temple and we winded up the evening with my favourite chai and pakodas on the roadside 😍.

Now waited the dreaded part in the isolated cottage ! Soon we discovered the cottage was dreadfully unhygienic, torn stained bedsheets complete with hair strewn all over! Curtains, walls had layers of dirt and stains. The caretakers appeared after call, changed the bedsheets which were as bad if not worse! Seems they were helpless! Luckily they brought us food from the market. The room was warm enough and we danced and made reels to ward off the uncanny feeling in the jungle. Called husband and daughter and showed them our plight, the eerie jungle, the one off cottage, the dirt laden upholstery, the torn stained curtains , they were squealing with laughter! Later sent me voice messages making eerie sound, the little and the big monster taking the life out of me. Finally after dance, reels and food...we slipped uncomfortably in the bed and with a resolve we will be shifting out the next day! Deodars peeped through the ventilators...it was some night! Morning was beautiful though with chirping of the birds and hooting of monkeys!

Day 3: Natha Top, Salasar Lake 

We checked out bag and baggage from the horrific place after having breakfast with the left over food, heated up in gas. My friend kept fast for Shiva Ratri. Our first point would be Natha Top and next was Salasar lake. On the way there was onslaught of guides, shopkeepers selling warm clothes and snow boots on rent. We hired some jumbo sized clothes and ended up looking hilarious! But few kilometres drive nature changed her course from snow peaks to roads laden with snow. It wasn't my first time, I remained cool but it was breathtaking and almost gave the feeling of first time!

We didn't hire any guide, but stopped car on the roadside and played with snow as much we liked. We slipped, fell, giggled...had all the girly fun we could.

After the fun filled day, retreat was at Army guest house few kilometres from Patnitop. We roamed in the serene surroundings, shot more reels and gloated over our pics. The trip was nearing finale now.

Sound sleep, decent veg dinner and a well furnished room what more we can dream of! Next morning we started for Jammu.

Day 3: Drive to Jammu Airport 

Shopping Kud ke Patise, some pheron type kurtas for me and daughter, shawls for my mother and house help. No trip is complete without shopping, they essentially remind you of the moments spent. So I always have these words for travellers...little shopping doesn't harm, they take you back to those moments, pricey stuff doesn't count, the moments return with the souvenirs 😍. Same is the case with trying local cuisine ...gives a real hang of the place. We stopped on the bank of  Tawi river, where our driver had lunch while we clicked pics.

Flight was uneventful only being air traffic controllers , my friend kept jumping from the middle seat ' Look Soma, traffic in reciprocal track 🙄' meaning flights from opposite direction probably departures from Delhi, her ATC mind working overtime 🤭.

Trip was well planned, executed...our pics were hit in office, so were the reels....we came back richer , happier souls. Though my cribbing for non veg might have irritated her...well that's me I guess.. irritating, hyper and a wanderlust at heart!

And yes from our pics people raved you two beamed after the climb, had fun in snow, look at the pics.. weren't you exhausted ! 

We weren't, there was slight body ache...may be the battery car, may be the unfiltered fun we had...we returned richer and merrier!

From believers, non believers alike...entire Katra echoes with... Jai Mata Di!