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Wednesday 26 August 2015

From Lucknow to Nainital - Nainital Express

Two guys requested me to switch seats and it proved to be a blessing. For the other seat my co-travellers was a family travelling to Champavat . At least five women and two men were going back to their ancestral home in Champavat district of Uttaranchal. Pahari people are known for their simplicity and goodness, this family was kind enough to share their lunch with me. In fact woman who was giving every body their lunch insisted that I eat since she saw I hadn't brought any tiffin with me. They got off at Pilibhit at around 3:00 a.m. from where they get conveyance to Champavat.

I got off at Bhojipura and boarded a Ranikhet Bus to Haldwani . From Haldwani boarded a Bus to Nainital.

May visit to my favourite Hill-station Nainital - 04/05/2015

Now I am sitting outside Kathgodam Railway Station since its just 3:30 p.m. and my train is at 6:30 . I thought to set out early from Nainital ,now I think I should have started at 4 ,since it took just an hour to reach Kathgodam.

There is just one Hotel and few guest-houses. Almost desolate road with several trees and few shops in front of the station. I remember coming here when I visited Almora with Karkee. Now I remember his good points too.

When I decided to go last week, my younger brother said he would go instead. Anyway I took this holiday as Monday was a holiday and I thought in May I would get to taste those nice fruits. But the Apricot and plums have yet to ripe. And I ate strawberries and shahtoot, Kaphal and Peach.

Yesterday I didn't went on sight-seeing trip of Nainital, since I knew it would be boring as I have recently went on such a trip with my cousin Suraj. I think the Lake tour is far better and more exciting.

Instead I visited Bhimtal. The Bus journey was again exciting, co-passengers include three friend and it was charming to hear their conversation. There was this nice young man talking very nicely ,forever smiling at his friends even when they disagreed or made fun. Bus conductor was a lady, I have never been on any bus where bus-conductor was a woman.

I had lemonade on shores of Bhimtal and then just went on a walk around this vast Lake. Later I also went to Naukuchiatal ,another vast Lake . We saw a up-turned vehicle on the side also he took a detour and I got to see Para-gliding site. My co-passenger was a local woman unable to walk and her husband picked her up when they reached their village.

Naukuchiatal was very windy. And I travelled for the first time to the far end of the Lake. Its difficult to find a maxi-cab back to Bhimtal. As I waited for one of these to appear I conversed with a local guy, also had a cool Maaza .

After a long wait a maxi-cab came, its driver was a nice young man who was nervous because he had seen the upturned vehicle en-route and knew its driver personally. He kept saying his steering wheel was not moving effortlessly as it should and wanted a mechanic to look at it. Its a wonderful journey between these two lakes, rustic landscapes and para-gliding folks.

Later from Bhimtal some how got a cab to Bhowali. Its driver was a middle-aged person with a commanding attitude. Even this way is filled with nature's beauty. From Bhowali easily got a bus back to Nainital.

Next day I decided to spend my time in the city. I had never strolled the whole "Thandi Sadak " route. So I just strolled from one side of the Lake to the other. As you walk from the Bus Stand along thandi sadak to Naina Devi Temple you get a breath-taking view of the city.  Wild flowers abound and numerous monkeys inhabit the surrounding trees. Steps too lead down and you can just sit there and relax or even fall into a slumber. Its peaceful and cool , very few people come down this route mostly locals.

I stayed at Payal Hotel, Hotel guy was really nice called Harish. He also was generous and lowered the room charges.

Purohit Restaurant is as good as ever. Shiva Restaurant is just ok . Chandni Chowk too is still as good.

I bought a new bag and a belt from Kohinoor Garments which is in the market behind bus-stand. Nainital had pleasant days and cold and windy nights.

Gwalior Visit

From Indore to Gwalior

My younger brother booked my ticket, when I called him as I was roaming around in Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park ,where signal was weak among the rustic landscape. For the first time I travelled in A.C. second class. My co-passengers were three women ,two travelling to Agra one to Haridwar for Satsang. I was always a good listener ,and so it was a pleasure to hear them talk, gossip and discuss.

Tiny rain-drops were falling when I reached the Indore Railway Station at 2:00 p.m. ,train was late and platform was changed and then it started to drizzle too. Finally train took off, and the journey was nice and comfortable. Though I foolishly ordered railway dinner, and it was so vapid I decided never to order railway food.

Tuesday 25 August 2015

Indore visit - 13/04/2015

Indore was so nice , its people so understanding, I forgot my travel fatigue. Boys are so sport-loving, so many of them playing all kinds of games at Lalbagh Palace grounds. A nice Auto guy showed me a comfortable clean Rachna Hotel. Staff was nice house-keeping was good and eye-catching art on its corridor wall.

It was a wet morning when I visited Temple in Rajwada Palace. It had many informative pictures on Devi Ahilyabai and her numerous works for upliftment of down-trodden or renovation of Temples and ghats. Very old idols of Gods and metal statues too. Indore is also a very religious place, a Temple near the Palace was having morning Aarti.


Had Tea and Poha at a joint near the Palace. Then went to see the Chhatris near by, they are marvellous in design and a Temple is adjacent to it.

Lalbagh Palace was my next stop. Taking pictures is prohibited. Its a simple but beautiful Palace and European touch is unmistaken. Roads leading to Lalbagh Palace are red.


I rested a while on return then just went our to see the Bus-station and the city in general. I bought a travel Bag from the market near Bus station. Guru Kripa Restaurant is a popular eating joint near the Bus-station.

And as I left Indore at 3:00, it was raining. My heart felt sad I don't know why as I stood on Platform waiting for the train, it was like as if I was leaving a dear friend behind. Soon it had started to rain. And my co-passenger got a call later on that they had heavy rain-fall in the night.

From Vadodara to Indore - 12/04/2015

Frankly this was the most horrible mixer-grinder journey I ever had, worse than you experience on Bareilly-Haldwani route which is still being built. I had booked again a sleeper-bus, by my bad luck didn't get a single sleeper instead a shared one. On top of it Bus all the way swung from side to side like old man's nodding head that too it seemed t be running on worst of roads or its shockers went hay-wire. Again a curtained sleeper and no cleanliness either. At least my co-traveller turned out to be nice an employee of I.C.I.C.I. Bank. hailing from Kannauj in Madhya Pradesh. Bus was broken down of sorts ,it shook so violently from side to side as if it would split-up and fall apart. It was like as if we were ingredients of a milk shake.

It had rained all night and as we entered Indore in the morning, it was as cold and icy as a hill-station.

Monday 24 August 2015

Vadodara Visit - 10 April 2015

From where my Bus left me I hired an Auto to the Bus Station, I knew around it would be cheap hotels. But in Vadodara where Railway Station is in front of Bus Station, Hotels are a little away and in by-lanes as you go towards Sayaji Baug from Railway station you get glimpses of better Hotels.

Near the Bus Station is only Lav-Kush hotel which has the standards of a below-budget hotel. In spite of its paan-stained walls I checked-in as I was too tired to go further. Another strange thing is that Hotel staff asks you to leave the keys at the desk as you go out. I was afraid of things getting stolen but nothing of that sort happened. Once water did ran out completely. But the housekeeping staff does its job well, cleaning every morning , bringing in Tea and water when ever you ask. There was an elderly gentleman at Hotel desk who seemed a mix of Anthony Hopkins and Manmohan Krishna. This Hotel gives you a good view of street and the Railway Station in front. Lots of students staying in the Hotel .

I had a long journey and felt tired, still thought it better to bathe and have breakfast before I sleep. I bought snacks from outside, there are several nice shops of delicacies in front of the railway station. Had Tea and snacks at my room. Snacks consisted of two types of Dhokla one white other yellow ,a popular Guajarati breakfast food.


Later went in a shared Auto, old auto driver was nice and helpful and dropped me at Sayaji square. Sayaji park is a huge enclosed green space which has a lush green park housing a Zoo , an Aquarium ,a Planetarium, toy-train ,Museum and a river flows through and you can watch the sun set standing on the bridge, built over it. Lots of Langurs here plus love-sick couples lost in there own world in shady nooks. In this romantic park romance is free as the summer breeze. Boys stealing there first kisses and girl living there first romance. Women folks seem more liberated here, girls seem free of any shackles and women ably running there own affairs. This city also seemed cleaner than others. You need at least two days for this park.Earlier I had Lemon Sharbat and later Lemon Soda, from a lady selling beverages outside the park adjacent to its gate. And this huge park has several entrance gates. After a tiring round of this vast park I had a cool strawberry Lassi at a shop near the square.http://mayfaremagic.blogspot.in/2015/04/beautiful-city-of-baroda-or-vadodara.html



After resting for rest of the day, I again went to this park, just to enjoy a ride in its toy-train and also was able to see a part of the Zoo. In evening you see a lot of old folks come here for walk and youths too come to jog or just to enjoy time with friends. Sunset looks beautiful from the bridge across the river. You see a lot of Langurs too some mothers tending to their kids. And deafening is the din of birds returning to there nests chirping madly. Toy-train ride is just fabulous and children and adults equally enjoy it. Its the only Zoo which plays Bollywood Classics , while I was there I heard many popular classics of Dev Anand. Just now I was watching the video of the Park and I felt really nostalgic as I heard my favourite songs in the background.

On my return journey I decided to walk back to my hotel instead of hiring an Auto. Just to get a glimpse of the city at night. I had a matka kulfi pundit special and later Masala chaach at two different shops. Later I bought a cool mineral water bottle and decided to visit the Bus Station.

Vadodara Central Bus Station was really amazing and unimaginable. As I explored it I was just overwhelmed by its vastness, design and beauty. It was like one of those train stations shown in Hitchcock movies. Its Bus Station that combines a Shopping Mall with a state of the art, modern Bus terminal. Its food court is equally beautiful and I had double butter Dabeli (local Burger) and chaach (Butter-milk) here. http://mayfaremagic.blogspot.in/2015/04/vadodara-central-bus-station-most.html



And as I returned back to my Hotel, I bought acupressure slippers which I still wear to work.

11 April

I had came to Vadodara to see Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park which is a UNESCO world heritage. At around 7:00 I boarded a Bus to Pavagadh.  Bus journey was nice and so were the folks. We passed two rivers and few lakes to reach Pavagadh located at the base of a Hill. Ruins of this Archaeological park astound with their beauty and elegance. Gardens are well kept by A.S.I. and surrounding of rustic villages make it even more beautiful.http://mayfaremagic.blogspot.in/2015/04/champaner-pavagadh-archaeological-park.html


I felt the kindness of poor, when I decided to have my lunch at a roadside Tea joint. I asked if they had food, the woman there said yes they serve food at 40 Rs a plate, and asked me to come in. I was given four chapatis, rice, dal and subzi in just 40 Rs. Food was piping hot and fulfilling.



After returning and resting I took a shared Auto again to Sayaji Square and walked rest of the way to Laxmi Vilas Palace. Its a beautiful Palace with so many beautiful things that you are just filled with warmth and admiration. Photography of any kind is prohibited inside the Palace, which allows you to savour the beauty with your own two eyes instead of clicking your camera madly. Free Audio guides are available and Palace staff is just excellent. This Palace had a European architect who later committed suicide. Its surrounded by beautiful gardens and lush green golf-course. I saw the Prince playing golf and also some beautiful peacocks.



We had a summer storm in the evening and as I was leaving it was raining lightly.

Sunday 23 August 2015

From Bhuj to Vadodara - 10 April 2015

I had a troublesome Bus journey as this Bus was a curtained sleeper, as soon as you opened the windows curtains will fly around, if you closed the window you felt hot and stuffy.At lest the roads were good and Bus had a smooth journey as Vadodara came near landscape was green ,a river we crossed en-route and few small hillocks of sorts.

Visit to Bhuj - 9 April 2015

I found Bhuj very much like Lucknow as if Charbagh was merged in with Hazratganj. Gujrati people I met were really nice. Boys could speak Hindi and it sounded pleasant in their accent.

Had a big Gujrati Thali at Green Rock Restaurant as recommended in Wikipedia.

Above it is VRP Guest house where I stayed, its a clean pleasant place.

I met a harmless old Auto guy who promised me to show the city. In Bhuj Temples and Palaces are closed mid-day as its so hot. So I was disappointed and told the old man, shouldn't you know timings of places if you act as tour-guide. Before that I had visited the two Gardens that were open and seen the Lake. Then the old fool took me to Bhujiya Fort which was destroyed in the earthquake. There is nothing to see there but just a Temple, Many walls are still standing and its sheer reckless adventure to go up on them. Another part is closed as they promise to renovate. It was with Army before. Today its so desolate, just a guard at its gates and a Priest in the temple. I had to scold the miserable fellow to at least show me Prague Mahal when we returned from these ruins.


Prague Mahal visit made me forget all my troubles. In its halls was shot a beautiful song from 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam'  "Aankhon ki Gustakhiyan" .A young boy there was helpful and nice.
 

From Patan to Bhuj - 9 April

Bus journey to Bhuj was very pleasant. A school boy sat next to me then a girl. Conductor had a pleasant demeanour. Fare was just around 50 Rs.

Saturday 22 August 2015

Visit to Mandvi,Gujarat - 8 April 2015

"As the waves surged forward touching and submerging my feet, I felt as if the sea was an old fatherly figure showing his love for me. Or an old earthly figure from times long gone showing his love for all mankind."

In the morning I woke up the night-watchman to open the locked gates of Hotel and set up for the beach. I was on the wrong track when an old man set me right. It was a long walk passing by a large radar sort of thing. I have never seen the sea, it took me a while  to take in the whole view, the beach, people on morning-walk, wind park, little boats and light house on top of a cliff. And the vast sea.



Twice I picked up a shell and was surprised by a creature suddenly coming out. A shell stationery at first suddenly started walking. I saw two guys on motorcycle driving along the sea. Few people giving food to sea-birds. People with Camels coming around asking people to take a ride. Had Coconut water at only 10 Rs .Saw two Dogs running around on the Beach.


After a while as Sun rose in the sky few people were left around and the sea waves were retreating leaving behind clean sand beach and other sea-stuff. Near the sea Beach seemed rocky covered by sand and as I walked on it on my bare legs, it felt walking on a soft carpet. Sea kept receding in the morning. Calls of  Crows and other sea-birds mixed up with the noise of sea waves made the Beach aura.



Took a Shower then an Auto to the Bus Station just to check Bus routes and other information. Later decided to walk around the city to get the feel of it. Just in front of the Bus-Station is the Rukmavati river. It had dried up and there were numerous ships and boats in building process. Then I walked to the bridge built across the river which had Gateway of sorts through which vehicles pass, this bridge provides an excellent 360 degree view of the landscape. Just in front of it across the road is a small park.


Few minutes walk from here took me to the nearby Swaminarayan Temple, its beautiful and exquisitely crafted in marble. As I took off my slippers and walked up the steps of this temple, felt its marble cool even under harsh noon sun.

Had a burger and Pink Lady mock-tail at a restaurant. Then walked to the Mandvi Garden and Topnasar Lake. Was exhausted after this long walk so hired an Auto back to hotel.

Later bought Dhokla ,ate it in my room. At this Hotel's restaurant tried out Ragda-plate which was ok of sorts, then had tea. Bought Sweets and
Namkeen (snacks) from the Shree Sweet Shop.

I had planned to rest and then go and see sunset. But thankfully I met an Auto driver who said I should see Vijay Vilas Palace. At that point I didn't knew that "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam" was shot there. I thought I have time let's go and see it. There is wilderness around the Palace and a long road takes you from the highway to its gates. From the Palace roof you can see all Mandvi including its Beach.

Vijay Vilas Palace is a small well-built palace, it seemed more like a summer retreat for the royal family. Exquisite wrought iron stairs  take you to the top. And as I ascended these stairs gusts of wind ruffled my hair, wind seemed to blow in from all around wilderness bringing with it forgotten memories ,evoking nostalgia or a feeling that these are spirits from time long gone by.



Another nice thing about this is unlike city you get unobstructed view of horizon all around you as there is nothing to obstruct it. One of the palace staff was really nice and informative telling me about two songs of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam that were filmed here, and his memories of the stars . A well-laid garden surrounds the Palace. Lots of interesting pictures to see here, Royal family with Bollywood stars and other notable historical personalities. Many other artefacts and things of interest abound this Palace. I had never seen a Neel-gaya ,the Auto driver stopped his auto mid-way while we were leaving and pointed it out to me . I had to strain my eyes to see it clearly ,it seemed like a mix of Cow with the head of a deer. He was also nice enough and offered to take my picture outside the Palace gates.


I asked him to drop me at the Beach. I had a boiled corn-cob there. Beach bustled with families that have came down from the nearby city of Bhuj .Children enjoying rides on Camels, and families going around on horse-driven carriages.



Took an Auto back to Hotel, had a shoiwer then went down-stairs. Farhan was there eating his meal. There is a inn near by few steps from the Hotel, I had Gujrati Thal (meal) there ,which was again cheap and ok and certainly filled my stomach. When I went to sleep that night I crossed one item from my wish-list, for I have finally seen the sea.

9 April

Woke up early even before 4:00 a.m. ,couldn't sleep more. Decided to freshen up and later lay in bed thinking about future travel plans, later packed up my bags as I had decided to travel to Bhuj in the morning. I walked on to the Hotel Balcony, town was just rising from slumber. Went on to the roof of the Hotel to see if it gives view of the Beach, but the view was blocked by tall structures around it. At 6:30 went down-stairs to have Tea and also paid my hotel bill to the Night-watchman. Then went around for a morning stroll. Had a cup of Tea again before checking out of the Hotel. Then hired an Auto to the Bus-station.

From Patan to Mandvi,Gujarat - 7 April 2015


"I feel so happy today, nice hotel after a long 12 hours journey to Mandvi and love song filmed on Parveen Babi and Amitabh Bachchan from Kaalia 'Jabse tumko dekha' coming on LCD TV "

Later took a Bus to Mandvi, after I got ticket , I saw its more than 400 Km .Little did I realized I will reach this far off sea-side town after 8 in Night. Checked in at this Hotel, ate food outside 'Punjabi Thali' ,streets were dark ,thought it unsafe to go anywhere, returned to Hotel ,seeing that Parveen Babi song and writing these notes.

Saw a big Lake while Bus was leaving Patan , surrounded by thick green-cover.

Anyway this long journey was mostly pleasant, generally through most arid and wretched landscape, dotted by some towns, green fields , little rivers and one sight mind-boggling awe inspiring. A raised plateau surrounded by dried-up sort of lake with a freight-train going over to that plateau across the dried lake on mid-air hanging rail-roads. A man was sitting outside the house on that plateau.And one side of the lake had water. Couldn't make sense of it thought it was more like a mirage. And as our Bus travelled on I saw a lot of Industries en-route. Great roads were being built, highways were really good.

Conductor of the Bus was really nice. A young boy sat next to me who was attractive in a boyish way, later he went back and a nice man with Samsung Smartphone sat next to me. He was interested by my Eveready mobile charger, and pleaded with me to let him charge his phone which had only 17% of the battery left. I let him charge his phone.

A couple sat in front of me with a nice little girl few months old, she seemed just like my newly born niece Mishthi. Later on when our bus reached Gandhi-dham few school kids came in, one bespectacled boy really spirited. Gandhi-dham seemed like a well-developed mini-city. Saw Kandla Port office too.

On reaching Mandvi hired an Auto, told the guy to take me to a good hotel. This Hotel was quite deserted, it had a busy restaurant in front, but all the Hotel rooms were empty. Hardly any visitors in April. Hotel boy Farhan ,a young kid was really nice and changed the bed-sheets which were sandy. First Bed-sheet was smaller than the bed so he had to change it again. Hotel owner's cute little daughter Khushi too followed in behind Farhan . I felt blessed when I went to sleep that night.

Visit to Patan,Gujarat - Rani-ki-vav (UNESCO World Heritage) - 05/05/2015

Patan is a bustling town near Ahmedabad, with a small Railway Station at one end and a big Bus Station nearby. Kohinoor Cinema Hall was showing Fast & Furious 7. A multiplex too few Km away. Papada, sweet big laddoos and different cuisine and other unique sweet-meats. Language difference paved no difficulty in my travels as Sujit my colleague has said, most people know a little Hindi & English, others you can make understand by gestures.

Went to Rani-ki-vav step-well after having a proper meal after two days. Its an eye-soothing place because of its well kept lush green lawns maintained so well by A.S.I. .These beautiful gardens surround most sumptuous step-well which is now a  world-heritage. I requested a Gujrati young boy bespectacled and looking like Kamal Hassan to take my picture. He said my friend is from U.P. too.Later in Patan ate a Laddoo at my Bhabhi's namesake sweet-shop.



Next morning I took a long walk across streets of Patan. Here Cows have really sturdy well-shaped horns. I saw a Darwaza and a clock-tower cum darwaza,and many Temples and a mosque and a strange English Bungalow. Earlier woke up early in the morning, had a bath. Hotel staff were all sleeping, woke-up one of them informing him I was going out for a walk.



Muslims here seem carefree bicycling around merrily. Bicycles seem different here. I bought nice Oranges at 60 Rs . Bought stale jalebi because of  language difference,tasted it found it drab gave it to a stray dog who refused to even touch it. Bought chilly and potato pakodis packed with salty chillies. Few exotic sweets too. Pakodis were really tasty, had them with a cold-drink. Before that I was tired after the morning stroll so took a shared auto back to the square near the Bus-station where my Hotel was. Shared-auto took just 10 Rs. Bought Coconut oil from shop down-stairs. Had Tea too nice Ginger Tea.
 

Almora to Ranikhet


A unique way of Flag hoisting


Jaipur Zoo (Jaipur Chidiyaghar)


Ranikhet to Nainital


Friday 21 August 2015

Jaipur to Patan,Gujarat

After a really long journey through Ajmer and this sleeper-Bus stopping at places, first at Ashoka Hotel for dinner, then pee-breaks, clean teeth-breaks and finally morning break-fast break. We finally reached Udaipur at 5:00 with our driver driving effortlessly,and as we left Rajasthan behind and entered Gujarat going towards Ahmedabad we had a route lined by crop fields and little mounds of earth, sometimes on both sides of the road. As I slid the Glass to open window of my upper sleeper ,cool winds gushed in at great speed.


Frankly I was unnerved by this big city Ahmedabad,so I further stressed myself and travelled to Patan as I had planned to visit UNESCO world heritage site Rani-ki-vav step-well located there. Mr Zaire had called me earlier urging me to bring Shri420 and Aag, he said new financial year would probably start after 10 April.

From where Bus left me I took an Auto to Geeta Mandir Bus-stand. Auto driver was from Jhansi named Balloo Gupta (Mob.No. 09624913715) .Another auto-driver stopped Ballu near a square and asked him if I would like to see a hotel, if I plan to stay. I refused as his red-shot eyes really gave me the creeps.From there I easily got a Bus to Patan.Folks I travelled with were really nice.

Bus drove slowly to its destination covering 137 Km in 5 hours. We had few Pee-breaks plus a Tea-break. An old man sitting next to me asked where I was going.He bought ticket later on saving money I think. A sadhu (Sage) travelling in the bus asked me to read his pocket note-book which had something written in Gujarati. Two nice girls got in with mannerisms of Asha Parekh. Saw a nice school boy, good-looking going through his books.Many good-looking boys throughout,one resembling Suraj,some resembling Hemu.Many enroute resembling my younger bro in a funny way.

Thursday 20 August 2015

Jaipur Visit - 04/04/2015

Jaipur Express from Lucknow arrived at 2:30 a.m. .I decided not to venture out at night in this strange city. So first I went to and fro across the platform, looking at things having tea and just observing people. Later at around 3:00 went outside and sat on pavement with other waiting passengers, looking at the moon on this pleasant night. Then bought a newspaper and just looked around at Jaipur Railway Station taking a few snaps. After 4:00 I decided to go out on the street where road side stalls were selling Tea and snacks,had Poha and Tea.

In a car parked in front of an adjoining Restaurant were 5 young boys,probably hostelers for they were freely swearing at each other.It was strange to see educated looking rich blokes shouting choicest curse words at two of their friends who refused to come out of the car to go inside the Restaurant and have dinner.They had already ordered food for five and were simply feeling exasperated.Guy with the beard said he has nausea and vomiting feelings and can't eat anything.Other guy finally come out.They went inside while the bearded young guy rested.

Later on I boarded a Bus for Sindhi Camp Bus Station, that Bus took 45 min to fill which was good for me as I wanted to go into the city in the morning at dawn not when it is dark.

I had a wonderful day in Jaipur today. Rawat Kachori is really doing great, huge crowds at all times.
And so many unknown varieties of sweets most I have never seen or heard of before. In Rama Hotel cook is a really nice man and he makes very nice Tea.

I went to Jaipur Zoo today which is two parts one Ram Niwas Bagh, other Jaipur Chidiyaghar (Bird-House) literally exclusively housing wide variety of beautiful birds. Between the two Zoos is centrally located Jaipur Museum.The white Tiger in Zoo is in open space and I think easily jump the fence.There is a Museum of Animals of Rajasthan which has among other things decaying hides of Tigers on display.Rs 30 - Ticket & Rs 100 - For camera.Single ticket for both Zoos.


As I walked outside the Zoo back to the main thoroughfare saw two europeans freely roaming around  taking picture of a statue on a square.Another foreigner with a big school bag on back and a small bag in front.

Thali House near Sindhi Camp Bus Station is nice budget restaurant, had Alloo Paratha,Kachori,Curd and two cups of Tea there.

It was my third visit to this city and finally I had the time to see Hawa Mahal from inside.Really beautiful and great vistas to view from the top.I thought asking somebody to take my snap but didn't.Many Nationalities at Hawa Mahal. Ticket price - 10 Rs.



Took a Bus back from square near Hawa Mahal to Sindhi camp,Bus driver really young and attractive.

I had Badam Milk and Makhaniya Lassi at Rawat Kachori,brought back a single Pyaz-Kachori and a bottle of Sprite,ate it later in my hotel room.

A guy like my pahari friend Mr Karki,hotel worker type said something which I didn't understood.I slept a little.Bought Bananas,which were 30 Rs Kg.

Younger bro called asking for whereabouts of our hammer.

Tuesday 18 August 2015

Ghamandi Lassee - Indore



Eco Toilet - Gwalior


Saraswati Shishu Mandir - Badalgadh,Gwalior


Hotel Baba - Indore




President Tower - Indore



Hotel Navjeevan - Vegetarian Restaurant - Patan,Gujarat



Journey from Lucknow to Jaipur


On 3 April I boarded Jaipur Express. I found two brothers, one may be 35 other 45 having their lunch. They talked in Bhojpuri accented Hindi and proved to be nice travelling companions. Beside their baggage, they had a sack full of 40 Kg rice and seemed fond of eating and kept munching on this and that throughout the journey. They were from some far off village and seemed fond of each other. Younger brother told us how on his recent visit to his native village his Bhabhi (sister-in-law) took care of him. He was tired after the long journey, his Bhabhi arranged for his bath and provided him with good clean clothes. When he sat down to dinner she took his dirty clothes to wash. And when he finished eating ,his aunt was ironing his clothes. Food was awesome and he was over-whelmed by her loving care and wished she remain forever young.


His elder brother called home admonishing mildly his son who had created a ruckus as his mother didn't let him watch T.V. .He told him he is a big boy now and should respect his mother and not call her names. And he should do nothing to malign or tarnish his Family name.

Our train stopped at Kasganj Station which is inhabited by lots of monkeys. They kept jumping on the train, one of them quickly snatching chips packet from a little girl as she was returning inside the carriage.I had Tea and chips at Kasganj, Tea was just ok but Masala chips were horrible and I wondered why I even bought it.


A young handsome boy and his elder sister with her daughter entered our cabin at Farrukhabad, they had booked from Kannauj but boarded at a later station. Sister was an impatient woman who would snap-talk before she think it over. Before checking facts in a level-headed manner she would recklessly snap at her brother and later regret when her brother would patiently point out facts.

An old experienced policeman was travelling with us who kept telling us many interesting anecdotes especially a long one about a Mr Khan who adopted an orphan. He said if companion is good journey becomes pleasant. Also story of a kind-hearted T.T. .He later on advised a Muslim guy travelling with us not to consume Tobacco. Muslim guy said he used to wake up all night till he started eating this pan-masala, it somehow induced him to sleep.

That night we had partial eclipse of moon and I gazed at it through the window.

A guy who had lost his ticket had to pay a fine plus ticket fare all over again. Two guys came around near our cabin chatting in a southern accent, one of them later put his Laptop on charging.

Journey was beautiful and scenic ,saw en-route a semi-circle of street lights which were there for no obvious reason as no street was present. We passed many crop-fields and brick-fields. My younger brother was reluctant about my going away, so enjoyed lesser, had to try hard to relish the vistas from the window of moving railway carriage.

Sunday 16 August 2015

Ram Lal & Bros. - Nainital


Honey Hut - Nainital


Hotel Everest - Nainital



Arun's Gift Shop



Prashant Coffee House - Nainital


Almora to Ranikhet - A Picturesque Road Journey


Purohit Restaurant - Nainital

Navratri Thali at one of the best Vegetarian Family Restaurant

Navratri thali

Suraj

Purohit Special Thali

Geetanjali Restaurant - Sattal - Nainital District


Hotel Alka - Nainital



Nagar Palika Parishad - Almora - Established - 1864


Saturday 15 August 2015

Ambassador Hotel - Almora



Its a nice Hotel near Khem Singh Negi sweet shop famous for Bal-mithai. Its a two storey building with a restaurant downstairs. Owners and staff members are nice and helpful. Rooms are as in a  budget hotel, cosy and comfortable. Rooms facing the Valley are costlier.
 

Sumangalam Restaurant - Almora


Think its the only good restaurant in Almora , combining Sweet shop with a dining joint located just at the corner as you ascend the stairs in front of Khem Sing Negi Shop to the Almora Bazaar. Tasty snacks like Tikki,Batashe,Dahi Bada are worth a try, also available are South Indian and Punjabi popular street foods like Chhola Bhatura,Masala Dosa etc. Staff is nice and Restaurant popular even among foreigners.

N K Joshi's Tea Stall - Almora

N K Joshi is an old Tea-vendor near Almora Bus Station. Quite nice Tea.

Journey to Almora with my cousin Suraj - 22/03/2015


"Suraj liked valleys from Kathgodam to Almora on his first visit to any Hill Station,and that despite vomiting fits."


It was a long journey travelling from Lucknow to Almora.For the first time I was travelling in first class in Nainital Express. First Class cabin is not an A.C. cabin, it just has four sleepers and a door you can close from inside. T.T. was nice and showed us to our seats. Train journey was nice, an old man who was in some government job kept chatting while eating his Lunch. Later in our journey a couple came in while we were sleeping. When we were leaving the guy asked me to close my window which let a draft in, which I had opened to see the station.

Nainital express left us at Bhojipura junction which is infested with monkeys, its few kilometres away from Bareilly city. There we had to wait for two hours for the passenger train which comes at around seven in the morning.

On Lalkuan Daily Passenger train we stood up half of the way. A guy came in at Richha asking us to keep our baggage up on the shelves to make room for him to stand. Two policemen were really nice to us giving me space to sit and later letting Suraj to sit in their place when they got off at Baheri. Finally we reached Lalkuan,an old man advised us to go from over-bridge but Suraj said let us go through a stationery train to other side. I had to jump down from this train and it had a jarring effect on my knee. Then we walked back to Lalkuan Railway Station, since cars and maxi-cab stand outside and you can hire them to your desired destination. We soon hired a car and were off to Almora.

From Lalkuan we hired a car, it was a pleasant journey except Suraj kept vomiting, he would get sick and ask the driver to stop and then get out of the car and vomit, interestingly we hadn't even had our breakfast don't know what he was vomiting out. Car driver and his helper were nice and he drove deftly on treacherous mountain roads. Other person travelling with us talked and chatted mostly discussing politics of the region.

It seemed like a long unending journey, mountain air mostly pleasant but chilly at times.This is my third visit to Almora, nothing much has changed. I had first came to this region with my class-mate Ravinder Singh Karkee, then Nainital Express's last stop was Lalkuan.

I am keeping Navratra fast, so could not savour delicacies at Sumangalam. Bought several kinds of fruits. The fruit vendor girl and woman were really nice. We are staying at Ambassador Hotel and the staff is really nice. Our Hotel room faces the valley and it was nice to see sun-set.Vikram is a nice Bell-boy bought hot water for me.In voice and physique quite like Suraj's cousin Himanshu.
 

Rickshaw Ride along Nainital Lake


Beautiful sand art


Wednesday 12 August 2015

Malika-e-Tarannum Noor Jehan and Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee (1993)

 
Noor Jehan sang Tere dar par sanam song in Neend.In phir tere kahani yaad aayi this song was used but with different tune,lyrics by Qateel Shifai remain the same.She was renowned as one of the greatest and most influential singers of her time in Indian subcontinent and her career spanned seven decades.After the creation of Pakistan in 1947 she left Mumbai and settled in Karachi with her family.

Anu Malik did a great job in creating a beautiful tune for this version sung by Kumar Sanu and Sadhna Sargam. The prelude of this track is lifted from the theme music of the 1971 film 'Summer of 42' but the tune is original and is a gem.The music and melody is excellent, and the song is full of soul.

identify these flowers