Binsar & Auli - June 2009

Whew! What a trip! I must say. This trip - where do I start and what do I highlight. It was a roller coaster ride, and man if holidays could be fun like this was, then life should have nothing more than this.

03rd July 2009.

We, Poorvi & Me with our daughters Pooria and Nayantara along with Shomal & Reena and their daughters Hiral & Poshika and Ritu & Ashish with their daughters Riya & Rini started off by the A P Express. The journey was hectic with kids around but then was fun.. Did you guys notice that we had these 6 little beautiful devils along so how pleasant the trip could be?

04rd July 2009.

Reaching Delhi, we packed ourselves into the two not-so-good Innovas which our travel agent Sunil Thakur had arranged for us. Delhi I think - that's the land of cheaters. But then we wanted to enjoy and we did not really bother for now. We needed to freshen up and what better place could we have chosen for. Yes Neetu, Ashish's sister residence at Ashok Nagar. We lazily got ready and finished our breakfast before we finally left for Binsar at 12:30 PM.

If we would have ever know that it would take us this long, maybe we would have skipped our trip to Neetu's place. It was hot out there in Delhi and the aircon did not help much. Slowly we moved out of Delhi and were on our way to Binsar. The drive was smooth upto Haldwani. We were as per schedule and we were enjoying every bit till finally we had a flat tyre. That was the beginning. We got delayed and never managed to keep up the pace. We stopped after every 15 minutes of drive either for toilet or vomiting or eating or just for fun. We decided to have fun. At 3:00 in the night at a road side tea-stall we had fun having tea and Limca. We never realised an hour had passed by.

05rd July 2009.

Finally when we reached Binsar (380 KMS from Delhi) it was 5:30 in the morning. Yes we had travelled the whole day and night. Shomal and I decided we needed to have some fun so we trekked our way up to the wooden cottages at Club Mahindra. The regular path was very simple to trek so we wanted to go off the track and take the steep hill. After slipping and falling we finally reached the top to find it was fenced and we were stuck. But like the saying goes Once a Hyderabadi always a Hyderabadi, we slowly, carefully moved and trekked to a point from where we could finally get to the resort. Checking into the rooms took us another hour. That's our style.

Finally at around 9:00 we hit the bed and when we when woke up it was evening. Cool breeze made me feel a little cold and that's the reason I had to finally wake up and when I went to close the window, it was missing. Shashi what the f... I went out and told Ashish and Shomal about the missing window. They had a whale of a time. Laughing Shomal decided to tell me that the window because of the breeze had broken and was lying shattered down in the valley. I just could not believe this. We went into my studio and god it really was down there. We all had fun thinking about the reasons. Maybe I farted straight into it or maybe our intensity (love-making) was just not enough for the window. Remember it was a log hut. In the evening later we just strolled around and chatted all through the evening and had a lot of mangos (we had carried).

06 July 2009.

At 4:15 AM the phone rang and god it was the manager of the resort who on our request woke us up as we had to travel to Auli (210 Kms). As usual instead of leaving as planned at 5:00 AM, we the late-lateefs managed to finally leave at 7:00 AM for Auli. Ghats - it sends a shiver down my spine. Never had it easy when someone else is driving. The drivers we had were rash and crazy. This we realised today. It just took 20 minutes of driving before we had our first stop. Yes Vomiting. It just wasnt me who felt dizzy. Ritu, Ashish, Hiral, Pooria all were at it. I just needed fresh air. A few stops here and there before finally we had to go.. Yes Ashish & I had to go (empty ourselves), and it was the best experience of our life. Inside the water pipe under the road was an experience.

Later we had another halt for 30 minutes when the road which was under construction was blocked. I pulled out a pillow and under a tree on the road, I took a small nap before I was woken up because of a foolish truck which parked next to me. This guy as usual before stopping raced the engine and smoke from the exhaust hit straight into my face deep into my throat. That refreshed me. Hey the nap and not the smoke.

Finally when we left we were really behind schedule. We moved on and the road was never ending. When we finally reached Auli it was 09:30 PM and the road to the resort (Club Mahindra) was a dirt track up the mountain. Our vehicle got stuck and we could not move up and to add to the trouble none of our mobiles could catch on to the network. We were stuck and we knew we had to do something soon. The moment we got down we knew we were done. It was freezing cold and we were all in shorts and Tees. Quickly we unpacked our bags and had all woolens out.

I think god likes us. A jeep came down the road and we knew help was there. Two of the staff members of the resort were going down to Joshimath to get medicines for a guest who complained of rashes and itching. I as usual had my plan laid out. I was quick to tell them - that I could help them. Iam a doctor and I am carrying the medicine in my medical kit. I knew they would be happy as they could avoid going down. With the help of the two staff guys and their jeep we finally managed to reach the resort.

When at the resort I checked my Homeo kit for Apis Mel., the medicines for rashes and I realised I did not have it. What do I do now? I gave them Rhus Tox a medicine which we prescribe when physically hurt and asked the staff guy to ask the ladies husband to give her a soothing hot water massage. It would warm her up and he could have a blast. The guy smiled an left with the medicine. Poorvi and others knew what a bastard I was and laughed to their hearts content, but not before telling me what an Asshole I was.

We ordered for Dinner and while having our soup I realised that the bag which we carried our sweaters in was missing and if I wasn't wrong we left it at the same place down there where we got stuck. I decided to take one of our vehicles down and get the bag back as none of the resort staff members wanted to help us out at that hour. Yeah it was 11:45 PM. I finally left at and when we reached down it was 12:00 AM.

07 July 2009.

When we reached the place where we got stuck earlier, I found the bag right in the middle of the road where I had taken it off the car. I got down and went to pick it up. The moment I picked up the bag I heard a child call out for help. I was scared for a moment but then I knew what it was as I have had a lot of such experiences. I picked the bag and ran towards the car and got into it. Inder our driver looked dazed and scared. He too had heard it. We quickly started off and lost our way back to the resort. We could hear someone breathe hard in the back seat and we kept saying our prayers. Finally at arounfd 12:40 AM we reached the resort. We got out of the car and ran inside to our room. When we were finally in with others. We could relax and breathe easily.

Shomal and family who were in the other studio by now had decided to shift into the studio that Ashish and our families were sharing. Before I could narrate my incident Shomal said I think our studio is haunted. That night was amazing. We 12 stayed put together in one Studio and I swear it was one helluva night. Shomal had fallen sick and was in a mess. Going to the toilet was scary. What else do I say. It was something unusual and like a scene out of Omen.

In the morning when I enquired with few of the staff members, if such incidents were reported to them by others or if they have ever experienced such a thing. I was told that people around the resort have experienced this but they as of date haven't faced a situation like this.

The day was beautiful and air was cold but not chilly, so we did not need the woolens after 9:00 AM. We lazed around and had our breakfast at the resort. I must say the food at the resort is just mind blowing. I mean it. You just go off your mind and feel like kicking the chef and the fuck'ol staff. But we were loaded with eatables that we had carried from Hyderabad and picked-up while driving. So that was refreshing and filling. We lazed around in the resort for sometime before we finally decided to go out and have some fun.

At 5:00 in the evening we decided to take the longest ropeway in India which connects Joshimath to Auli - The skiing resort. We had to climb up the mountain to go to the boarding station. This was fun and tiring. The oxygen content was less so it was difficult to breathe. I was dead. Not because Iam weak or something like that. I had to literally pull Poorvi along. I think it was worse than carrying your friend on your back and running on like the army men do. But I liked the warmth of my wife. You see I had to stay away from her as we all were sharing the Studio. The animal or as some put it the romantic lover in me had to stay quiet.

We took the cable car down to Joshimat where we were picked up by Raj & Inder in the wonderful Innovas that seemed like 1980's worn out Ambassadors. After dinner in Joshimat (not so good), we went back to the resort up at Auli and chatted for long before we hit into the bed. Scary dreams kept us awake and the wild sound of the wind sent shivers down our spine.

08 July 2009.

We packed our bags and left for Binsar disapointed. We wanted to go to Badrinath but our great travel agent had not got his cars tested for fitness. We had given him the plan before hand and had told him that we would be going to Auli. Badrinath was just 40 Kms away but we were done in by the brats. He charged us fares for the same finally but we missed out on seeing the Gods abode. The ony good news that pepped us up was that a few days back in the resort a lady had died in one of the studios. The journey back to Binsar was tiring like usual and not too exciting. We reached Binsar at about 8:00 PM, which was quick and immediately we had all the energy pouring back into us. The reason was quiet obvious. We had three studios and it meant some steamy stuff was stored for each of us in there. But god had something more stored for us. We guys chatted till about 4:00 in the morning and by the time we were all alone with our spouse we were dead. But baby could we leave the moment. Tired souls at work.

09 July 2009.

We woke up late at around 9:45 and rushed to the restaurant to get some breakfast. All except me had a feast. They relished the Buransh juice. This is a juice made of flowers grown on trees which grow at places which are over 5000ft above the sea-level. Iam sure the staff there would have felt - from where have these beasts landed. After breakfast we just lazed around and chatted. We skipped lunch and just had time for ourselves to relax. Later in the evening we played for sometime at the play area in the resort and after dinner retired for the day. And you know something, after 5 days Ashish finally thought about changing his brown shorts. I must say he is a junky just the way Iam. The night had just begun and friends lets not ask what happened. The moment I got onto the bed I was fast asleep. Dead. Poorvi surely would have thought about kicking me and raping me up but she was kind enough to leave me alone.

10 July 2009.

I got up early and we had fun. Yup Poorvi and me. She washed children's clothes and I put them to dry. They were dirty and stinking and they needed it. We relaxed, and at our pace had breakfast and later decided to go out and have fun. In the afternoon we hopped in the cars and drove off to the Binasar Wild Life Sanctuary. It was lovely. We did not see any animal except for a few monkeys. Aye Iam not talking about me and the kids, but the real ones. We saw the Buransh tree and as we drove to the top we saw the Binsar wild life sanctuary resort. We chatted there and took a stroll around. We bought three dozens of Buransh fruit juice syrup as a take away gift. Finally we decided to go back to the resort. On the way back we saw on one of the peaks in the jungle at a distance a red light glowing. When we took the next turn ahead we realised it was forest fire and was a wild one. The drive back was not that good. I felt dizzy and the moment we got off the car at the resort I felt better. Maybe because Poorvi just winked at me and the thought of a wild night gave me that quick relief. Ritu who is sport just like me guessed it and asked - Kyon Bhai raat ki tayyari.

We had our dinner and retired to bed. Hey don't ask me for more. It was one endless night.........

11 July 2009.

We packed our bags till around 1:00 AM in the morning before we went to sleep and getting up early was out of question. Shomal who knows how to prick you at the right moment gave a call at 6:00 sharp and woke me up. But thanks to him Poorvi was in an adventurous mood. We finally left Binsar at 9:00 and the drive back to New Delhi was fun. With loads of action - Breaks for Vomiting, Tea, Cold Drinks, Natures call, lunch, dinner and of all our roaring bottoms. We reached Delhi late in the night at around 2:00 AM.

12 July 2009.

We checked into Ginger after dropping off Ashish and family at Neetu's house. We were so tired that we slept immediately and got up at 10:30 in the morning. We got ready and checked out at 12:00 and left for a short shopping session. Poorvi and Reena had fun shopping while we stayed back with children after lunch at 3C's, Lajpat Nagar. I must say the small lanes opposite 3 C's is the place to shop. All the stuff that you find in the upmarket designer stores in Hyderabad have stuff from here. The same thing, if not 100% atleast 75% of it. And the best part is that the stuff here is priced in-between 20 to 30% of its price in Hyderabad.

After shopping we went to the Inter Continental. The reason only my close friends and family would know. Yeah I needed to go and what better place than a 5 star hotel. Yeah I know I rock. After a quick one we left for the airport to catch our flight back to heaven.

Yeah! Home Sweet Home.

A Small Note & Advice

1. Remember always carry light - luggage or stomach. Throw out all the extra burden immediately. The open air in hills is refreshing and it comes easily.

2. Always carry a medical kit and a good torch along with you.

3. Check with the government tourism departments for all the licenses required when travelling up north. It helps.

4. Avoid staying at the Clifftop resort in Auli. It is shitty and haunted.

5. If possible drive in your own car. There are so many beautiful places to see and when you have the car in your control you are the boss.

6. Carry a Tent and adventure gear. You never know when it could come to use. I say this because if we had one, we could have used it at a roadside dhaba or hotel in the night when driving down to Binsar. You can enjoy every moment and drive relaxed.