Trip to Nainital, Mussoorie and Jim Corbett National Park with Kesari Tours :- Day 10

28th May 2009 :- Waking up at 2 am and readying oneself so as to depart at 3 am was a challenge. It was almost 4 am by the time we left our bus after the short ride to the outskirts by jeep. It was a quick trip down the ghats from Nainital. Most passengers slept well but I could not manage a nap. The first halt was at around 8:30 am for breakfast, by which time we were in Uttar Pradesh (UP). The constant intake of supposedly sumptuous food, had upset my stomach and I was struck by an upset stomach. This had happened to many a traveller on this trip but fortunately I was hit on the last day. There was a delay at one point where the highway was blocked due to an incident involving shots being fired. This was UP and such incidents are very much expected. The driver then took us on dirt roads that were being constructed, along dry river beds which at points was so narrow that a single bus could go through. The drivers however managed to get cross traffic along these rudimentary roads.

We reached the restaurant at Delhi at lunch time. The change in temperature reminded us this was peak summer which we had not experienced in the cooler precints of Mussoorie and Nainital. I was in no mood for lunch and only managed to sip a drink. The bus dropped us at the domestic airport at Delhi. Our return flight was at 7:15 pm and it was just about 3:30 pm at the time we reached the airport. To our dismay, a short while later we came to know the flight was delayed by an hour. Prior to getting past security, we noticed Ishant Sharma checking in at Jet Airways counter. He was supposedly travelling to Mumbai to join the team leaving for England for the ICC 20-20 World Cup event.

I sat still at a place watching cricket on a big screen television. Nihar and Varsha entertained themselves at a chidrens play area inside the airport terminal. Further delays followed and the plane finally took off at about 10:15 pm. It was in the early hours of the next day that we reached Pune and almost 2 am in the morning that we reached home.

Trip to Nainital, Mussoorie and Jim Corbett National Park with Kesari Tours :- Day 9

27th May 2009 :- We headed to Ghorakhal temple in the morning around 9 am. It is the temple of Golu Devta, considered to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. It is located about 15 kms from Nainital and about 4 kms from Bhowali. Inside this temple, there are about 300,000 bells of all sizes, all of which have been placed there by devotees upon fulfillment of their wish. The temple is located on a hill amidst deodar and oak trees on a hill side that offers good views on the valley.

The bus then headed to Naukuchiatal, a lake located amidst mountains on all sides, that is fed by a underwater spring. There is supposed to be one particular spot in the lake that is visible from nine corners of the lake. It is said that a king who had nine wives used to get to that spot, such that each of his nine wives could see him from one of their nine corners of the lake. We spent time in a shikara in the cool blue waters of the lake. The corn for sale at the boarding point of the shikara was one of the best we had on this trip. It took a while for the entire group to complete their boat ride. The plan for the remainder of the day was of rest for the entire group.

Prior to getting back, a short halt was scheduled at Bhimtal, primarily for photography.

We were coming to the end of the trip and hence not many travellers were interested in spending time at other points of interest. The plan for the remainder of the day was for rest for the entire group. The return trip to Delhi was to begin the bus drive at 3 am in the morning. The distance back is 300 km with about two railway crossings, one crossing by road over the Ganges river at a ghat. Given the trafic in Uttar Pradesh and the average speed, meant there are plenty of chances to get delayed.

We organized a short sight seeing trip with the help of locals that included a trip to Bara Patthar and Tiffin Top (Dorothy's seat).

Tiffin top is the top of Ayarpatta hill (located at 7520 ft) that can either be hiked or one can take a horse ride to the top for a distance of 3 to 4 kms. It is the second highest point in and around Nainital. Dorothy's seat is a stonework bench built in memory of Dorothy an English artist who died here in a plane crash. Nihar, Varsha and I had a horse each. Varsha and Nihar were escorted on the horse by a small kid each working for the owner of the horse. I was left alone as the horse that I was riding was calm, well trained and was used to taking riders on this route many a time. The path was a paved one with rocks placed to form an uneven road. At the edge was a drop of a foot to the dirt road below. The horse preferred to walk through the dirt as it was softer than the hard road formed of rocks neatly placed next to each other. We stopped on the way at a few view points that offered splendid views of the valley. The forest cover was thick and the hill also houses some of the popular spots used for filming movies. As one went up the hills, horse riders were advised to put their weight towards the front, whereas on the way down one was advised to put ones weight towards the back. Nihar and Varsha made a quick trip down but the horse that I was on went along at a slow pace. We then walked further down the hill towards Naini lake, where the hotel jeeps took us back.

The evening being the last, the guides had arranged a few indoor games for adults and kids. A few prizes were given away for those that impressed in these games. It was also the marriage anniversary of Mr and Mrs Sawant, who are both a doctor by profession. A short celebration preceded dinner and then it was time to get whatever sleep one could prior to the early departure scheduled for the next day.