Vacation---pure bliss

Vacation : Leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure

Ah, I understood and felt the meaning of vacation for the first time, for real.

To start from the start....

We had been planning for long for a long trip, actually driving holiday. And in fact I had been dreaming of it for long now. These small Chandigarh, Jaipur trips are making me a highway driver, no fun in drives anymore.

My plan was to go towards Kinnaur and further Spiti during the Christmas and New Year holidays. I had already applied and got approved my leaves and so, I had from 25th Dec to 3rd Jan '2010. Total of 10 days. A lot of suggestions from the travel fraternity and the suspicious looks from my own family were making it clear, that Spiti was not to be, at least this time.

Again, the rest of the gang was also interested, when I had just mentioned the plan around 2 months ago. Fellas were serious and asli maja SAB key saath aata hai. And this time, out of five people working of the six adults, all five were in a situation of holiday and taken leave for those 10 days. That was an unbelievable
situation , so we had to be going together, all of us.

It was decided, we have to make this a vacation, rather than a touch and go, covered all points, typical holiday. And it turned out to be like that this time.

We were three families, each one typical nuclear family, 1+1 and a little one. All three kiddos between 6 to 7.5 years of age. All of us met on a get together 15 days before the start day. I was trying to pursue that we all go in our friend owned Innova, all in one. The Innova owner wasn't agreeing to this at all. She was adamant that this isn't a good idea. No avail, and finally we decided upon two vehicles to be taken.

An Innova and an Ikon.

I had to rush to get the Ikon serviced and get ready for the hills, I knew it is not good to go to service station around month end before a vacation for your credit card, but it had to be.

The plan as it looked like : The prime goal of this trip was to make a snowman. Kids had to make one, play in snow. We are three families, so started thinking about taking a cottage in the outskirts of Manali. Got talking to one Sharmaji from Special Tours (http://www.specialtoursindia.com/). He told us about a new property they had, the Pine Wood Cottages and gave us a good rate. The cottage had a care taker and a cook there itself. A little expensive, but what to do, we were going there from Christmas to New Year, and they jack up the rates by more than double during the time.

But with the experience of going to Manali, recently ( in Oct'09), in a direct Volve, we were determined not to to go to Manali straight. Looking for a midway break, I could see a place in the hptdc website showing availability of 3 rooms, just a small diversion from our route, REWALSAR. I read about it and thought, this is it. The hptdc Tourist Inn read like good, affordable and less than 150 kms from Manali for the next day.

So that is it, the rooms were booked online and customer IDs stored, for further use. :-). Also remitted some money as advance to Sharmaji, net banking has made life
such easy, isn't?

A few days into the plan and we made all the lists as well. Of the things to carry. One going to canteen to procure all
the liquor that we are going to need on this trip. Me going for all the snacks that we might need on this trip and one for
all the ration that we might need on this trip. One person preparing and taking all the necessary things for games that
we were to play there, what kids would be playing etc.


The D-day came, we had planned to start at 3 am, to avoid the early morning rush on NH 1. I slept early the night before
and my better half was left with a lot of packing. She did it till late.

Day 1: 25th Dec 2009, 3:05 am

Trrring trrring...the phone ring woke me up. Jappi on the other side was saying, abbey uthh jaa.... Jumping from my bed,
I saw, its 3:05 am.

No problem. All izz well.

Started lugging the luggage in the boot. Ah, there is so much of it. Am glad, we didn't take only Innova. I thanked our friend Geeta on not letting us decide upon the one vehicle plan. The luggage was huge and we we packed and jacked all,
and started towards Jappi's place. All were already waiting there.

Adjusted the remaining luggage and the passengers were distributed. Me and my wife as driver and co-passenger in the Ikon and all three kids as the rear seat passengers. The other four adults comfortably sitting in the Innova. This became
the de-facto arrangement for the rest of the trip, and we enjoyed it upto the brim. Never a dull moment with so many holiday mood kids around. And the kids used to listen, when I would tell them anything, or threaten them, ha ha.

So, all set, we fill up petrol, check air pressure, trip meter set to zeroand start around 5 am from Delhi towards NH 1.
The route was comfortable, but as usual dvindling between fog and no fog zones, the progress was slow. Kids also slept in some time and we kept on cruising smoothly and slowly. The first break around 8 am, at the famous dhabas near Karnal.
I will splash the name as soon as I remember. After an hour almost, we start from their, everybody charged up again with tummies full and freshened up, hey hey.

Just around half hour into the drive again, we receive a phone call, from the vehicle ahead. They tell us about a fog zone starting soon and to drive slow. And we hit a blatant fog zone, and nothing is visible at all. Just like that it sprang
in the front and the cars came from 80-90 to 20 suddenly. Ah, that was real bad. Kept on driving slowly behind one or the other vehicle. Everyone had their blinkers on. And some people were still overtaking. Phew....

Another call, a trail of 5 cars is hit and is standing on the left, in invisible situation, do not be on the left side. OK. We kept on driving like that, but I got tired in half hour. And we again pulled into the Kingfisher Resort at the Cdg Patiala junction just out of Ambala. Stayed there for the next 40 minutes or so. A little sun light started coming out and the fog was receding now. Time to saddle up again now. its already around 11 am and we have a lot to cover. Only at 200 kms in the trip right now and another 250 to go. Its going to be a tough driving day.

Then, I took the right turn from Zirakpur and we went through Pinjaur, Baddi, Nalagarh etc and the rest of the route. The route wasn't very good actually. We kept on moving ahead slowly, kept on driving till the afternoon and only stopped at Swarghat HPTDC hotel for the lunch. And you would not believe, people in Innova were already tired of the travel. Ah, I know the rest of the journey is going to
be difficult. Plus there are UN-known s. Innova had stopped for lunch at Hotel Hill Top, Swarghat. We reached there well before 2:30 pm. But, the poor service made sure the waiter doesn't get any tip and that we do not leave before 4 pm from there.

Now we were also trying to find out from people, how far actually our destination for the day Rewalsar, still is. As of now, it is still 110 kms, aahh.

I already had a print out, from google to turn left from Ner Chowk. It lies after Sundernagar and before Mandi. By the time we cross Sundernagar, it is getting dark already. Now we would be taking the sub route , from Ner Chowk, and I really have no idea how the route is going to be.

Its pitch dark now, but the adept traffic cops are smoothly handling traffic on the hills. They guide us towards the Ner chowk and the turn we have to take. We were ahead now, so we take the turn, inform the other car about the turn and wait there, till they arrive.

Soon they came upon, the shouting and blaring voices of females from the back seat could be heard till around a hundred meters. "This is not fair. What kind of a journey it is. It is too far. Why couldn't we stay at Swarghat itself. etc etc.."

Ah, I know it is tough to drive in this terrain, especially seeing the rough weather in the other car, the guys in that car must be driving with passion. Ha ha ....But this is all what puts the icing on the cake.

The road from Ner Chowk to the Rewalsar Tourist Inn, was just awesome, out of the world. Around 20 kms, in pitch dark, in the single lane, surreptitiously increasing height with sometimes sudden height bumps. The less used roads, are like what in hills, I hope you have some idea. Well, after that almost an hour and half of hair raising experience, driving on those roads, kids bellowing in the back seat with enjoyment and fun. They had had quiet a good sleep after lunch at Swarghat and were having the most of the day now.

I was driving continuously, less need to give any horns, as the oncoming light provides an idea about an approaching vehicle. Also, I was having thoughts, how would be the weather in the other car. This was the most fun thing at that time for me.

Although I know, it was definitely a tough route and for beginners, it was too much for the first day. Although, we were still inside our budget of around 450 kms for the first day, but the terrain, darkness and traffic crossings had made the mind haywire for some. Especially those, who want to know every fifteen minutes, how much of journey is left actually. I had initially hinted that the drive of around 450 kms, could be done by 4 pm if we start early at 3 am from Delhi. We were still in budget for kilometers but not with time. Although we did stay a lot in between, spent the time at midways joints, but we forget about that time and just think that it is 6:30 pm right now, pitch dark hill road, and we do not know how much of it is still left.

Anyways, for me, that drive was the most refreshing part in the whole day. Don't know why, but I was fresh and charged up like anything after 460+ kms under the belt for the single day, whoofh...

The rest of it was the usual conundrum, ha, the rooms allotted, check in, milk for kids, tea for adults, glasses and soda for alcoholics. And gup shup for the evening. It was heavily chilly and we could feel the difference.

Weather was heavy inside as well, ha ha, but only for a few more hours. Let the sun shine.

Couple of glasses in, dinner ready for grabs and we finished it up quickly. A small night stroll, checking out the surroundings, it had a wonderful small town feeling in the eerie hour of the night.

That was almost it for the day. Ha, long day it was. And no photos for the day, can you believe it.

Borrowed a few photos for the day, from Jappi, splashed below :

- A stretch break en route.

This is how kids were riding in the car, for most of the time.


Kingfisher Resorts near Ambala




Finally in peace, Merry Christmas- at Tourist Inn, Rewalsar.

Bliss...continues

We had light vodka before settling in for the night. That was a must to brave the chill. Kids enthusiasm wasn't coming down till midnight. They had setup a Christmas tree and all of us with the Santa caps. Too good a time it was. Post all that fun and frolic, a straight drive of more than 460 kms, it was a tight sleep indeed.

Bham....Bham.....Bham.....Bham.....

Somebody slamming the door, early in the morning. What happened dude??? "Abbey saaly bahar to aa" said Jappi....and I could hear various voices from outside. Hurriedly, I just opened the curtain from the rooms window. The look outside was magnificent and larger than life.



In all the literature, I had read about Rewalsar, I never had gotten this idea about such a beautiful Padmasambhava sitting at a hill top.


Kids were also up and playing in the hotel compound area. Admiring the beauty of the colorful Guru Rinpoche, as they say.

A zoomed out view of the Padasambhava, showing all "bhav-bhangimayein".

We quickly freshened up and went out for a stroll. It had such a small town feeling and beautiful early morning character.



The town's population as per the last census is 1369, unbelievable, isn't. There are more people than that in single towers in Indirapuram, hey hey. After a refreshing tea at the local tea stall near Revalsar lake, we were ready for the day. We decided to get ready soon and then go to meet the legend of Padmasambhava over the hill top. Jappi still went further exploring the monasteries by the side of the lake while we went back to hotel to get ready.

Based on the dinner we had at the Tourist Inn, we decided to skip the breakfast there. We would rather have it on some road side dhaba en route.

The drive to the hill top was exciting, due to the steep incline it had and the views from the top...priceless.

Guru Rinpoche...sitting atop the hill.





The colors spread all across.








The views from atop the hill, all around were also out of the world.

The beautifully located Tourist Inn. See how wonderfully placed it is in that small town.



The small and revered Rewalsar Lake, all surrounded by temple, gurudwara and monastries.



After feeling the cool breeze from the hill top, we reversed our vehicles and started in the other direction, towards Mandi, on way to Manali. The road from Rewalsar to Mandi was broader than the last night one from Ner Chowk to Rewalsar.

Vacation... pure bliss...day 2

26th Dec '2009

Rewalsar, in itself is a very small town of only less than 2500 people. Has a huge influence of Buddhist culture in the whole town.

Day 2: As soon as we woke up to the knock of the door, for the other fellas were up early. We were idling till late, still it was only around 7 am. And what a sight it was from the balcony, whoosh. I was zapped, just by looking at it. unbelievable.

When we slept last night, none of us got any hint of what we were going to see in the morning.

A huge 35 ft high Guru Rinpoche statue just across the cliff, looked at as in the usual wide eyed manner. The colors and the size of the statue completely zapped us instantly. I woke up wifey and daughter and they were also like, Wow, what is this.



The lake was stone throw distance from the balconies of our rooms in the Tourist Inn. We went down, had tea at the road side tea stall there. Jappi, upto his usual antics, clicking the tea pots and handi's and biwi and of course rest all the things in the universe.

We visited the monastery just on the lake shore and then came back for getting ready. The journey for us is not yet over. Although the feel does say, Rewalsar is indeed a fantastic place and we could surely stay here itself for a few days for sure.

Pure Bliss....Reaching Manali

After the fantastic time on the hill top, in the magnificent aura of Padmasambhava, we started our descent. Everyone was thrilled to have witnessed the 123 ft high statue. Am attaching here, another picture, from the wikipedia, for all of us. This captures and shares the enormous power and energy in just manner.



People are happy now, not too much bothered about the road, distance, but definitely concerned about the morning breakfast. What with three hyper energy bellowing kids amongst us, and me as the permanent driver for al the kids, we soon had to take that required break.

We stopped at a riverside restaurant for lunch, especially for kids to have a good time there.





After sumptuous meal en route, we marched towards our destination, taking many breaks. Kids as well as Moms were feeling swiveling stomachs with the hill drive continuing. And we were taking many breaks before we reach our destination.

As I told earlier, we had booked a cottage for all of us this time. This would be the first Britisher's kind holiday for all of us, and we are super excited and as I arranged for most of these things, I was praying. Although the last one at Sattal, earlier this year had been fantastically hit with all of us. Anyways, for now, drive on.

Talking to the caretaker, we took the route to the cottage and arrived there finally. It was already dark when we reached there, so we couldn't click any photos then. But the next day, this is how it looked from the outside.



The lawn area from the balcony. Although it was freezing, the lawn washed with sunlight used to be the most fantastic place for all of us, especially kids.


Inner echelons of the cottage, this is the first floor drawing cum dining room.


I know, this doesn't give a good idea about the place. The place was plush built, complete with four bedroom. Two bedrooms on the ground floor, drawing room and a kitchen. Outside lawn I have already shown you. The first floor had similar pattern, with two bedrooms, excluding the kitchen and adding the dining table. All of it wall to wall carpeted, and we were liking it from the looks itself.

Along with the looks, we had others to accompany us, during our 6 night stay over there in Manali. And we are already heavily prepared for the vacation.

When I was initially communicating with Mr Sharma for our cottage stay, all the cottages that I had wanted to book for our stay were already booked, and we could get none of those. We had no booking while it was less than 15 days left for depature. Then just a few days from our trip, Sharmajee told us about a property, namely, Pine Wood Cottage. A few photos again to give an idea and perspective about the place, location and views.


Front view of the Pine Wood Cottage :



Open lawn in front of the cottage :



View from one of the balconies :



Drawing room and fire place, it had fire place on both the floors and we enjoyed that everyday of our stay :



One of the bedrooms :



We had liked the cottage from the photos Sharmajee sent and the way he spoke about it.

Pure Bliss.....settling down in the cottage

26th Dec, 2009, late evening 11:30 PM
It is difficult to imagine now, but we had actually done so much preparation for this vacation. Sharmajee ney kaha tha, that there would be a cook but you will have to buy all the material, that you would want.

So, we had made distinctive lists, to be procured by each person, snacks, dry fruits, bakery ka samaan, Vodka and scotch, soft drinks, games to be played, kids activities, colour and drawing books, ration - ghee, besan, butter, cheese, jam, ketchp, sugar, tea, and what not, in fact any other thing you can think of. ) We were fully stocked for our stay there. While reaching there, we already told them to have few milk packets available there. There were two people to help us there, a cook, a young slow lad, who used to cook delicacies. And the other one, who primarily used to prepare the fire place in the evening for us and rest used to help the cook in cleaning up etc.

Just after arriving, we looked at the rooms. Our very own, seth-sethani stayed back in the ground floor bedroom and the lesser mortals, me and Jappi went to the first floor bedrooms.

Both the fellas helped us, fetch the luggage from the cars. While Tek Singh, the cook, started preparing tea/milk for all of us, we started getting our luggage opened up and freshen up a little after two day driving. The temperature was hovering around zero. The access from first floor to ground floor was from outside only. The stairs were in covered verandah, but still open to the chilling wind outside. They set up heaters in all our rooms and in living area as well. We got the fire started and the living area livened up. We had enough ration, but no vegetables to be cooked, so gave him some money and he fetched some veggies soon. It was fun time there, no laptops, no expected calls. Kids wre also enjoying like anything, while we havn't yet spent a day here.

Tek Singh came out as a good cook, although some of the things were not as per the taste, the ladies were looking for, so they were instructing him about masala and other preparation methodologies, usual you know )

All our preps about the ration etc came very much in use and right on purpose there. The kitchen was equipped with all that is required. The utensils were not the best and needed improvement. That's the suggestion we gave to Sharmajee as well on our way back.

After a sumptuous meal for the night, we succumbed to our beds. And yes, the cottage has three covered, and lock security parking's, so we could easily park our cars and sleep comfortably. Many a times, this is a problem in hills, so this was a plus point

We have 6 nights including today's and 5 full days ahead. And we have no itinerary at all, no set programs, no sunset point, honeymoon point, suicide point to visit at all. Just one thing in the wish list, alike for kids and parents- we want to build a snowman. Feels good, yeah.

See ya tomorrow.

Cheers.....

Leisure Day at the cottage

27th Dec 2009

"Thak thak thak thak...." again the same thing. Uth raha hoon bhai......Ah, a fresh day....Good Morning everyone. Wow, this is actually a different morning. "Tek Singh, yaar chai banaley jaraa fatafat". Another one, "Tek Singh, nashtey mein kya banayegaa". All of us sitting outside in the warm sunlight, it used to be very cold still in the morning. Sipping tea, females were the most happy lot then. And we, well , no newspaper for the morning is a fantastic morning actually. After a long gup-shup round, we felt like at least do the daily rituals, so as to feel human.

Sun washed open lawn area, that was the highlight of the cottage and we spent good amount of our time, sitting and idling there :



Still idling, behind in orange is Tek Singh, our favourite cook, standing by the side kitchen gate:



View of snow capped mountains, towards right from the lawn area :








The DD cottage just across the road, they also seemed very good and there were many cottages, at least 10-12 of them just in the same area we could sight :



DD cottage had good parking and lawn area, and was also full during the period of our stay:



View by the sky, a chopper hovering around, giving us the Z category security )



View of snow capped mountains, towards left from the lawn area. Small village could be sighted and the early morning dhuan :




Still idling in the lawn area, kuch jyada hi idling ho gayi bhai- but thats what we came here for :




Breakfast time




We lazed, got freshened up, took shower, and got ready just in time for the lunch. Post lunch, we felt so sleepy and tired, just can't tell you. Kids were playing and beloowing all around. But here came task for us. The vegetables and some of the supplies were to be refilled. Plus, we were not liking the water there too much. So post lunch, we took out a car and went towards town to fetch the supplies. The car entry is costly in Manali town, I didn't know that. The last times have been on bus, on bike and I just didn't know about that. So, we found a store, showing up good supplies just outside the town. Got the 5 ltr Bisleri bottles, eggs, bread, milk and other necessary daily use things. And after this exhaustive activity, cam back home...."Tek Singh, yaar chai banaley jaara...".."Yaar saath mein pakaudey bhi bana liyo".



Sitting besides the fire in the evening.



Going outside after sitting around the fire place was always a cold affair

Later that evening, we realized, there is no TV in the cottage. We told SharmaJee, to get at least one set for the living room. Although, it was fine without the Television set as well. We were getting time to discuss our ideas and thoughts. Views about life, what to do actually and various other things. Time went by very smoothly and we felt good about the day. Tek Singh prepared good food and all the ladies in the house were happy. Kept talking till late in the evening and slept well past midnight.

Goodnight.....

Finally, the snowman day comes....

28th Dec' 2009.

ठक ठक ठक ठक ....... chalo Sir, gaadi aa agyi hai. Ah, good morning....what
...oh now I remember, we had already planned to go to Rohtand today and had booked a gaadi for that.

टेक सिंह ने चाय और दूध बनाया and we got ready along with that | वाह क्या बात है|

It was a Force Traveller for all of us to go to the Rohtang. The long time desire to fulfill for all of us, to play with snow, to touch it, feel it and we just love the feeling. Kids are excited, and so are all of us.

Started the journey, some photographs en route from the huge sprawling Traveller.




This vehicle has such huge space, we all could sit comfortably and I was so much thinking about doing our next tour in this vehicle. Don't know how much comfortable it would be for the whole Manali-Leh sojourn. But, that may be the next time. As of now, frozen water falls from the window.





The tarmac was smooth till now and the views, as usual heavenly. Everybody was enjoying. The fun of all driving in the same vehicle is too much ahead than separate vehicles. So, we were also enjoying the small journey together, clicking all around.





There are so many shops renting out the snow costumes. We started counting one way and the shop numbers, starting from 1, went uptil 1000+. Wow, how many people are surviving on the basis of this business. Sheer volumes, as we see all around there.

So, we took cue from the driver and stopped at one of the shops known to him and started looking for dresses for all of us, nine people. It is such a big deal to try out and take those dresses then and there. We still tried and after much troubled, fitted into dresses. Getting the kids to try those dresses out was one hell of an experience. Woh itni moti and bhari ho gayi ki ghabra gaye bachey to, and because the snow is not yet there, it is difficult to imagine the usage of this dress on the shop. And still it is not something, you could wear at any point of time.

Anyways, after much deliberation, our little one also wore it and we started. The road was closed, just after Marhi. Thats how far we could get.

We got down, started going to the snow. It is hardened very much. And the little one starts crying. Whoa, she says, these snow boots make her feet very cold. After trying for some time, I went back to the parked vehicle and changed to her own shoes, and then finally she was more comfortable.

Completely packed up, not very happy mood, its bothersome to carry that suit around.





Even with the gloves and the special dress, it was hard to be in the snow for long. Kids did start playing a little, but it used to be very slippery too. And so, after helping them all build a small snowman of there own, we quickly dashed out of the very hard and dirty snow/ice.





Kids crawling out of the snowman creation zone. It was so hard and slippery, we had to crawl to places.



The chai/maggi/andeywala doing brisk business there.



We also stayed there sometime, having our fill of maggi/eggs and chai. The breeze was so strong and chilly, all of us were almost shivering of it.



Expansive views from the top of the small mountain we climbed :-)





I clicked my camera on all sides.





Ananya, all packed up.





The complete gang :



including me now, hard to recognize, hey hey....



Sitting pretty (heavy) :



Slope mountain view, we climbed up at some place and walked further inside, just for fun.



We started our journey back after 2-3 hours over there, not too thrilling for all of us. The snow suits are mess. I decided, next time, I will pack 2-3 dresses of my own and then play in the snow freely.





The usual, very less traffic on our way back :-)





Just a quick turn at Gulaba.





Something to know about Gulaba :



All drained out, on way back :



We had less energy left on our way back, so we skipped the plan to visit the Solang Valley and instead went straight to the Mall Road, then lunch, although it was almost 5 pm, a little too late for lunch. And then, as we were tired, all of us went back to our very favorite Tek Singh. Of course, we did remember to get whatever ration he would need, that was daily duty.

The usual boys session starts at 7 PM. :-)

Cheers.....