This trip was special. After my brother started working, we really never got an opportunity to go on a family trip. This one time when he was visiting, we decided to take a trip to our beloved hills.
We were just planning the trip when my mausi who lives in the Pauri came visiting us in Dehradun and insisted that we accompany her to Pauri and from there continue on our trip. Ma, the more adventurous one said a prompt yes. And, we, the lesser mortals followed.
We started at 4 in the evening with Dev Anand songs playing in the car and a cool breeze welcoming us to the hills, stopping only for a simple meal of daal roti at a roadside dhaba. The road was in a bad state because of renovation going on a large scale. But if you are in the company of your loved ones, nothing seems difficult. Music is our thing. My mausi is a very enthusiastic singer and her repertoire is quite extensive and my mom is a gifted singer. So this duo becomes deadly when together!
So, humming, chatting, giggling, laughing we drove in the dark hills. At places the road narrowed down so much that it seemed impossible to cross, but bhai's driving skills came handy. We were at the top curve of the hill and below I could see the sangam at Dev Prayag, with lights shimmering like stars on the ground and water like a dark snake slithering amidst them. A wondrous sight!
By 10:30 we were in Pauri.
I was sound asleep when I heard mom, "Get up Shachi, Sharad. See the view. You'll miss it." Another minute and bhai and me were in the balcony, with the camera in our hands, gaping at the breathtaking view of the snow capped Himalayas.
The breathtaking view of river BhilanganaWe didn't waste time as papa said it's best to drive in the morning enjoying the weather and view of the hills. So, after a simple pahari meal of daal bhaat at mausi's, we ventured towards the NewTehri town. The weather was lovely, with sun shinning bright and a cool wind blowing. We stopped at several places to revel in the beauty of the unspoilt hills. After such a long time we four were together on a leisure trip. It felt great. The soulful Kishore Kumar songs added to the easy feel.
Our next stop was river Bhilangana. The massive Tehri Dam project amidst the hills seemed a hallucination. Water running into kilometers in the middle of the hills is an amazing sight, and scary too. After spending some time gazing at the view, we went further towards our halt for the night, the THDC guest house aptly named, the Top Terrace, as it is located on the top of a hill, with a breath taking view of the Tehri lake.
After enjoying hot cuppas in the balcony overlooking the picture perfect expanse of the lake and the hills, papa and I went out for a walk in the beautiful gardens of the property, while ma and bhai stayed back chatting in the room. The room was comfortable and the staff amicable. We relished a meal of mutton curry, moong daal, aaloo gobhi and roti, followed by hot coffee in the cosy comfort of our room watching TV.
I disturbed the poor baby's nap :)
The next morning, we set for our journey further towards our native village, Uniyal gaon via Chamba. We stopped at a GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) guest house at Kaddukhaal for aaloo paranthas and adrak vali chai. We came across a herd of lambs enjoying a lovely nap on the side of a road with two huge sheep dogs guarding them along with one shepherd. "Stop, stop," I screamed. I wanted to play with the lambs. Ma warned me about the ferocious dogs, but I wouldn't stop and said that the dogs can differentiate between enemies and friends. I got down alone from the car and went near the lambs, picked one beautiful white furry thing in my arms and cuddled him and the dogs didn't even bother to give me another look. My brother clicked the picture above.
Ma reading a newspaper at the GMVN guest house.
I disturbed the poor baby's nap :)
The next morning, we set for our journey further towards our native village, Uniyal gaon via Chamba. We stopped at a GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) guest house at Kaddukhaal for aaloo paranthas and adrak vali chai. We came across a herd of lambs enjoying a lovely nap on the side of a road with two huge sheep dogs guarding them along with one shepherd. "Stop, stop," I screamed. I wanted to play with the lambs. Ma warned me about the ferocious dogs, but I wouldn't stop and said that the dogs can differentiate between enemies and friends. I got down alone from the car and went near the lambs, picked one beautiful white furry thing in my arms and cuddled him and the dogs didn't even bother to give me another look. My brother clicked the picture above.
Ma reading a newspaper at the GMVN guest house.
The sun rays never felt so gentle!
Then was the time to meet our people and spend some precious moments roaming about in our own terrace fields, laden with fresh peas and potatoes with marigolds and gladiolas lining the way. When the elders chatted in a room, I ventured out with my handy cam recording the mooing of the cows, swaying of the marigolds, the clinking of the brass utensils, Kalu's ( A young sheep dog) antics, Akshay's (my little cousin) cute acts, and more. After a few hours, energised by the clean winds and with our bag full of goodies (fresh peas, pumpkins, spinach etc.), we left for Dehradun bidding goodbye to our land and people, promising to come back soon.
