May 24th 2009 :- We checked out from the Hotel Wood Castle Resort and were set to head to Nainital which is at a distance of about 63 kms from Jim Corbett National Park. On the way there was a halt at Kaladhungi, where the museum of Jim Corbett NP is located in a bungalow that was once occupied by Jim Corbett himself.
There were quite a few maps and descriptions of tigers slain by Jim Corbett in the Kumaon hills. We purchased Lichee fruits from a vendor who sold them by plucking them fresh from a tree within the bungalow boundary. As usual we shopped for mementos in the form of a magnet, T-shirts, caps etc.
Just past Kaladhungi is the ghat that takes one to Nainital and stretches for a good 35 kms. This time all those susceptible to vomiting on a ghat road were well prepared. As we went higher, we could witness the expanse of the forest cover, most of which was a part of Jim Corbett National Park. As we went further it grew darker due to cloud cover. Soon it started drizzling and by the time we reached Nainital it was raining, although not that hard. It took a while to get to the hotel as buses are not allowed in close vicinity of the town. Jeeps run by the hotel staff picked up groups of visitors to get to the hotel, Arif Castle.
We checked into the hotel just before lunch time. After lunch we spent time playing ping pong. One Mr Ghag joined me for play and seemed to have good skill at ping pong. He had played at the state level in his youth and had also represented Mumbai in a couple of Ranji trophy games. It was interesting to talk to him about his interests and achievements.
After tea time, we headed to Naini Lake which is the main attraction within the town limits. the lake is surrounded by hills, cosy cottages peeping from the greenery of the hills. At one end is the only open field within city limits. It was a lake before but has now been converted into a playground, parking lot. At the other end is a bridge connecting two ends Mallital and Tallital. The lake was named as such since it is shaped like an eye (it currently did not resemble one but was so in the past). We spent time in a quick boat ride in the cool waters of the lake.
Nainadevi temple is located just beside the lake. It wasn't late in the evening but it appeared to be close to sunset due to the presence of hills around the lake. We spent some time shopping for some items but then left back for the hotel.
Once back a few energetic families amongst us enjoyed dancing to the tune of music at a hall next to the hotel.
It was the birthday of the son of Mr Bangale, who probably turned 15 or 16 on the day. Dinner was preceded by a small celebration of the youngsters birthday. The cook at the hotel was an employee of Kesari and made sure to cook to the taste of families from Maharashtra.
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