Shailendra was also planning to come along but was still a little dicy to decide.
It took a couple of days, and as soon as he said yes, we got our bookings done with GMVN, Ganga resort in Rishikesh. It is the most fantastically located place I have ever stayed at. Right on the banks of Gangaji, it gives a fantastic view, cool breeze.
For me, Monday was holiday, but Shail didn't had this luxury, but anyways he used to go to office around 2 O clock.
Now, the plan is , start early morning 5 AM from Gzb and reach Rishikesh asap, check in to Ganga resort and have fun.
Soon, the day came and we tried to slept asap, still I could only get 2 hrs sleep, the anxiety creeps in, u know. Shail generally comes home by late nite 2 or early morning 4-5 AM or so. So, it was me who would be driving, although its not long, I think only 230 kms or so from our place till the resort.
So, we got up early, spoke to Shail at 4, they are also up and getting ready. Down by 5, we are bang on time, start around 5:20 AM from Gzb. I had forgotten to get the tank full at Delhi, so thought we will have to do it en-route. All as per plan, except, the kids. We thought both the kids would be fast asleep at 5 in the morning and we would be able to cover much distance pretty soon. But, both of them were wide awake fighting for space and enjoying the drive, and it took more than an hour of cool breeze for both of them to go into deep slumber. It was a huge traffic drive, it seems whole of Delhi was going towards that direction. In fact, I have seen it so many times now, Delhites throng to the nearby tourist places for weekend outings almost all year round and on long weekends, it becomes a mad rush. Now, we are also a part of it.
Little less than half an hour from Haridwar, the kids were moving a little, and it as evident they would be up any minute. We were also driving non stop for close to 4 hours now, yeah traffic is that huge, the avg is 45 kmph max, so we also thought of taking a stop. After many thoughts, Patanjali, the huge palatial ashram of Baba Ramdev was chosen as the place to halt at.
It is a magnificently made place and we enjoyed our time there. The kids got fresh and we had something to eat and drink.
Photo-ops time in front of the artificial water fountains there and we took almost 2 hours loitering here and there and enjoying.
Then, off we go towards Rishikesh, re-fuelling the car in between and reach Ganaga resort around 1 PM after much windings through the narrow lanes, phew the main road route was so much better, which we discovered later. The location and view from the hotel are fantastic, I can't describe enough.
We got 2 adjacent rooms on the first floor, they have huge balcony where you can sit and enjoy the view, evening tea. Keep sitting on there and you would loose the sense of the time passing by.
All of us were already very hungry, kids hadn't eaten anything at Patanjali and so, we ordered some snacks immediately. Went to take shower alongside, and then went downstairs in the restaurant to have lunch. Had a sumptuous lunch and we all were full to brim, much tired and thinking what to do now.
Gangaji is just flowing down there a few steps touching the wall of this resort And it is chilling hot outside. Shail and party were in a pretty lumber state, but we decided that we should be now going to Ganagaji and take a dip. And so we went down there, and soon they also joined. That was a good time there. Shailendra also after much deliberation, jumped in with his jeans on and we enjoyed the cool shallow water there for around 2 hours. Nanna was so ecstatic and was enjoying water like anything, we were happy. Shikha couldn't take a dip, nevertheless she enjoyed with all of us.
There after, we came back to our respective rooms, changed and then thought of going out to check the city, the famous Ram and Laxman Jhula. We spent a long time standing near and on the Laxman Jhule. Then we went to the famous Chotiwala's restaurant to have food. The food was ok, nothing great about it. But the chotiwala's are real treat to the eyes. Esp, our kids were very happy to see them. There are two of them now, I think they must be kin and are now running two Chotiwala restaurants adjacent to each other. And can believe, they always have a person sitting outside the restaurant on a high chair with proper getup and a feet long choti standing like a ruler. Wow, that is a sight.
In the late afternoon, when we were cossing the Ram Jhula, we saw a lot of rafters coming through, below the Ram jhula. It was a fantastic sight. Then we went back to our resort, took a good night sleep. We had decided to go to Shivpuri in the morning.
Sunday morning, we got up early, got the kids ready as well. Had breakfast at the restaurant and left for Shivpuri.
I don't actually know, if we reached Shivpuri or not. But it looked like we did. While going by, we saw a couple of shops on the right side and a little hustle bustle but we didn't notice much.Half a km ahead we asked someone and he said, go back, just before the bridge go down on the left side. So we did, and we parked almost at the river banks. Here she is, Gangaji mildly flowing with serene looks. And lots and lots of camps there, white sand beaches all around and unbelievably hundreds of people getting ready to go rafting. Every few minutes, there was a raft starting from that place. And the people were very enthusiastic about it. We soon took our positions in the river Ganaga, bathing and splashing water. Kids were a little reluctant today, so they kept out, so did Shikha. But, we were enjoying the weather, Gangaji, the rafters doing jai jai kar before embarking on the unknown 3 hr journey towards Rishikesh. These rafts would take around 3 hours to reach Rishikesh, these are the ones we were looking at yesterday also from Ram Jhula.
After spending a good time, we went back to the city, stopping in between at a lot of places , clicking snaps. All the time, it was actually Shailendra only, as I had as always not got my camera here.
Back i
Came back to the hotel, enjoyed in the evening with n town, had lunch, guess it was pretty late already, and then kept sitting on one of the ghats idly for many hours, till the time the beautiful evening aarti was over. Then went back to the hotel, had some masti, some food, and good sleep.
Early morning around 5, ready to start from there, Unevevt ful jouorney back home, midway ate like hippos at "The Grand Cheetal". It is a hugely expensive place but all the food material is of good quality and good taste, can stop here more in future as well.
Reached home before 12 in the noon and phew good long 4 hour sleep. :-)
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