Shimla in Summer

sangeetham

Hello Everyone,

I’m going to tell you all about my recent & short trip to Shimla. Recent b’coz I returned back on 8th night at 11.30 and short b’coz it was just for 2 ½ days.

It was a trip, which included some of my colleagues, only one of whom is a female, who is also a Mallu. We all started from here at 8.30 in the night by bus. It took 8 hours to reach Shimla. The bus was Volvo A/C Deluxe. They provided Chips and Mineral water on the way and also put on a Video of the film “Lucky”. If it had been any other film, I would have watched. But, A Salman Khan movie, that too without a strong storyline? No, I couldn’t bear it. I felt that it was better to sleep uncomfortably in a bus, than watching this movie uncomfortably. Since, I had not taken any medicine for the way, the journey took its effect. It was so embarrassing for me. Hope I don’t have to explain what happens when people travel to hill stations and back.

The bus dropped us at the ISBT (Inter State Bus Terminus) at 5.30 in the morning. Coolies, Taxiwallahs, Agents for hotels etc. were swarming around us like bees, offering us different options. But, since our hotel was already booked, we refused and moved on. We walked all the way to our hotel. Since, it was uphill and we had come with bag & baggage, we had to stop several times in between to take breath. It took us a whole hour to reach the hotel. The Hotel is named “The Willow Banks” and true to its name, it was in a bank. No, it is not the bank of a river, but it is facing a valley, a beautiful valley. My Mallu colleague and I shared a room, which had a balcony, also facing the same beautiful valley. From there, we couldn’t see the sun rise, but of course the sun sets at that side.

This hotel was located at a place called “The Mall”. When we think of a “Mall”, the first thing that comes to mind is a huge building, which has almost all kinds of shops, eateries, games for kids, etc. inside it. But, this is not exactly such a mall. This mall is not a building; it is a place, which has the same things, which you will find in any other mall.

After we entered our room, we felt so tired, that we thought we should rest for a while and then think about going out for sightseeing. But, by 12.00, heavy rain with hailstorm had started. There was no other way than to sit in our room, watching TV, covering ourselves with blankets, b’coz it was chilly outside. We couldn’t even stand in the balcony b’coz of the hail. It was beautiful to see pine trees bathed in cool sunlight and raindrops.

At about 5.00, the rain stopped and then we got dressed up and went out at 6.00. We went uphill again to a place called “Ridge Maidan”, which is mainly the sunset point. From there, we could see the sun going down, slowly and gradually. The sun was sandwiched between the sky, which had changed its colour from blue to a darker shade of orange and the earth. I think this is what people call “HORIZON”. At the other side, we could see snow-clad mountains. We wondered which place that could be and yearned to go there. But, unfortunately, there was lot to be seen in Shimla. How could we bid farewell to Shimla without even offering a proper greeting to it?

We returned to our room at about 8.00, after some window-shopping as well as real shopping. We could not miss our serials, u know. My colleagues, Litty, is a fan of “Remix” and “Kaisa yeh pyaar hai” and Me, I’m a die-hard fan of “Jassi”. However tired I am, however sleepy I feel, I cannot miss “Jassi”. Well, after finishing up watching TV, we just slept without a care of the world outside us.

The next day was sunny. No rains, no jhanjhat. We left the hotel early in the morning and started walking, to an unknown destination. We felt an old world charm in the face of Shimla, b’coz of its old buildings, which reminded us of the strong British influence there. When we had planned the trip to Shimla, someone had advised us to visit “Scandal Point”. This is the place where, a long time ago, a prince had kidnapped the Viceroy’s daughter. When he was found, the British Government ordered him to return the girl and be banished from Shimla forever. This prince ran away to a place called “Chhail”, which I’ve heard is more beautiful than Shimla. He has established his province and has never once looked towards Shimla. Unfortunately, since we had little time, we could not visit this place. But, there’s always a next time.

We did some shopping for ourselves, our boss, family & friends and returned back. The next day, we had to board the bus back to Delhi. That was when we realized that we’ll miss this place so much. I took a pledge to myself that given a chance; I’ll definitely visit this place once again for atleast 10 days and go to all the places, which I’ve missed this time. And, I would visit in the winters so that I could enjoy the snowfall also.

On 8th June 2005, at 12.30, we boarded the bus, which took us back to Delhi. The journey downhill was very tiring, but we had a satisfactory smile on our faces. We had seen one of the most beautiful hill stations in India.

The only drawback in our visit was that, since it was vacation time, the roads were overflowing with tourists and residents. But, that was also a sight. We could see all kinds of people from all over India. Honeymoon couples, Families, College groups, etc.

I would recommend this wonderful place to all of you. All of you who like traveling with a little bit of adventure.

Regards,
Deepa

SHIMLA

Certainly hope you are able to spend much more time in Shimla on your next visit. There's plenty to do and see there.

__________________
Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop !

-m2-

Nice report, Sangeetham, and welcome to Indiamike!

I'm more partial to the 2nd tier, less popular hill stations, but perhaps I should give Shimla another chance. I haven't taken a Volvo bus yet and kind of sorry to hear that they do the video thing too.

SHIMLA

Of course you must ! We've discussed something about having mutton cutlets and coffee together at the ICH at Shimla, haven't we ?

edwardseco

A pleasant read indeed..

dhananjay

Hi All,
feels good to be back and read a good report on Shimla .... thanks for enjoying it much ...

Cheers,
Dhananjay

vinayrsharma

Hi can anyone tell me something more about Willow bank hotel . I am planning to stay there in may 2008