Tuesday, 28 October 2014, Shimla
Today was a "free day," meaning that the tour company did not have anything arranged. Pati and BeeBee had given their driver the day off so that they could take advantage of the amenities of their hotel, the Wildflower Hall, part of the Oberi group. Their original booking at the Oberi Cecil (convenient to the Shimla Mall) had been changed due to renovations at the Cecil, but Wildflower Hall is even higher in the mountains (8,250 feet above sea level) with a better view.
Yesterday, Pati and BeeBee had taken advantage of the outdoor jacuzzi with its infinity edge and views of the Himalaya mountains. Today they decided to hike the Wild Strawberry Trail, on the ridge line, a distance of 1.7 kms with maximum ascent and descent of 30 degrees. The estimated walking time is 1 hour, but with multiple stops to take pictures and get their breath back, the trip took a bit longer. The trail is also used by horse sellers, who join the trail somewhere else.
When Pati and BeeBee left the hotel for the hike, they were given a map and two walking sticks, in case they had to fend off monkeys. But the only monkeys they saw were on the hotel grounds, and they are considered almost hotel staff, since they are larger and keep the other monkeys away. In fact, there is a notice in the room stating "Please keep the windows closed during the day to safeguard your belongings from monkeys." It would be very easy for a monkey to climb to the balcony and then into the room through an open window. But not one monkey came near the room, either.
Another activity that Pati and BeeBee wanted very much was to view the snow-capped Himalayas through the hotel's telescope. Each time they asked, they were told it was broken but someone would try to set it up. Then they were told it was set up on the terrace. After their hike, they went to the terrace, which is also the outdoor dining room, and were immediately seated for lunch (that they didn't really want). As they waited for lunch, the telescope was taken away! They had been told at breakfast that there was a lot of mist hiding the mountains, but the viewing had been excellent the day before they came and would be excellent again the day after they left. But they are in the Himalayas, and that is what matters. Right?
Postscript: That night there was a heavy storm, with thunder and lightning, at around 10 pm and lasting about a half hour. Since Pati and BeeBee were up early for their departure the next morning, they looked out on the lawn at dawn before the sun was fully up. The lawn was covered in hail stones. When they went downstairs and on to the terrace where the telescope had been, they could clearly see even more mountains behind and higher than any they had seen before. The storm had cleared the air. They now have some very good pictures to admire for years.
Today was a "free day," meaning that the tour company did not have anything arranged. Pati and BeeBee had given their driver the day off so that they could take advantage of the amenities of their hotel, the Wildflower Hall, part of the Oberi group. Their original booking at the Oberi Cecil (convenient to the Shimla Mall) had been changed due to renovations at the Cecil, but Wildflower Hall is even higher in the mountains (8,250 feet above sea level) with a better view.
Yesterday, Pati and BeeBee had taken advantage of the outdoor jacuzzi with its infinity edge and views of the Himalaya mountains. Today they decided to hike the Wild Strawberry Trail, on the ridge line, a distance of 1.7 kms with maximum ascent and descent of 30 degrees. The estimated walking time is 1 hour, but with multiple stops to take pictures and get their breath back, the trip took a bit longer. The trail is also used by horse sellers, who join the trail somewhere else.
When Pati and BeeBee left the hotel for the hike, they were given a map and two walking sticks, in case they had to fend off monkeys. But the only monkeys they saw were on the hotel grounds, and they are considered almost hotel staff, since they are larger and keep the other monkeys away. In fact, there is a notice in the room stating "Please keep the windows closed during the day to safeguard your belongings from monkeys." It would be very easy for a monkey to climb to the balcony and then into the room through an open window. But not one monkey came near the room, either.
Another activity that Pati and BeeBee wanted very much was to view the snow-capped Himalayas through the hotel's telescope. Each time they asked, they were told it was broken but someone would try to set it up. Then they were told it was set up on the terrace. After their hike, they went to the terrace, which is also the outdoor dining room, and were immediately seated for lunch (that they didn't really want). As they waited for lunch, the telescope was taken away! They had been told at breakfast that there was a lot of mist hiding the mountains, but the viewing had been excellent the day before they came and would be excellent again the day after they left. But they are in the Himalayas, and that is what matters. Right?
Postscript: That night there was a heavy storm, with thunder and lightning, at around 10 pm and lasting about a half hour. Since Pati and BeeBee were up early for their departure the next morning, they looked out on the lawn at dawn before the sun was fully up. The lawn was covered in hail stones. When they went downstairs and on to the terrace where the telescope had been, they could clearly see even more mountains behind and higher than any they had seen before. The storm had cleared the air. They now have some very good pictures to admire for years.
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| Himalaya |
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