The tracks to Shimla
The start of our summer vacation in Himachal Pradesh: Plane to Delhi, train to Chandigarh, and it was now time for a train (special one, though) to Shimla.
Off we headed from a hotel in Chandigarh to Kalka station. The auto zoomed (a bit shakily) on the Chandigarh-Shimla highway toward Kalka, often overtaken by flashy cars. We held on tight until our route turned off the highway and onto the narrower road to Kalka.
On a previous vacation, we had fallen in love with the mountains and forests of Uttarakhand. So when summer came calling again, an escape to the Himalayas was the first idea that crossed my mind. This time around, B and I voted for Himachal Pradesh, and Junior readily gave his stamp of approval.
The call of the mountains. Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India.
After much thought (grey cells in action!), research (Google at our command!
View from Fort Tiracol. Tiracol, Goa, India.
From atop a hillock, we gazed at the shimmering waters of the Arabian Sea below. To the left, the Terekhol (Tiracol) river (hidden from our view) proceeded to its rendezvous with the sea. And beyond the river, in the distance, lay a clean sandy stretch of beach. We squinted our eyes and thought we saw a couple of tourists ambling along in the sand.
The long stretch of sand is (almost) as flat as a pancake. Small waves crash in the distance and leisurely withdraw from the shore. Beige-colored crabs scurry along, visible one moment, out of sight the next. A couple of starfish lie still on the shore. Dozens of hungry plovers dig feverishly into the sand to find their meal. High up in the sky, a sea eagle flies home victoriously, with a struggling serpent held firmly in its talons.
A crimson sunbird perched among red gladioli. If that isn’t camouflage, what is?
Beyond the garden adorned with flowers of various hues lies a calm lake. Surrounded by gently sloping hills. A man rows a small boat across, creating beautiful patterns of ripples. Welcome to Naukuchiatal, the lake with nine corners.
Naukuchiatal is a brief stopover from Nainital for many tourists. At the end of our summer vacation in Uttarakhand, we chose to spend a couple of days in this small town.
Where you can forget about “to-do” and “to-see” lists.
Where you can leave watches and phones behind.
Where you can (temporarily, at least) disregard worry and hurry.
Where you can set out to stroll with no specific destination in mind.
Where you can pause on a narrow village trail to gaze at the beautiful valley below.
Where you can rest your feet at a small tea stall and engage in a lively conversation with a local resident.