Lansdowne Lovestory - final episode

We headed for the tiny Bhulla taal early next morning as we wanted so desperately wantd to avoid the holiday makers who have been brimming with exuberance. The early morning still waters of Bhulla Taal, peaceful and endearing.

The dewy lake was just picture perfect at this early hours as we were the only two people apart from the ducks and the cleaning staff. Like everything else in this hill station this too is creation of Gharwal Rifles and maintained by them. Incidentally Gharwal Rifles is also involved in constant afforestation of the area and has been awarded for its efforts for years now.

Find Sanju in this picture below if you can...Well, you really can't blame me for this look...one does become truly contemplative in such perfect surroundings.

The flora and fauna of Lansdowne makes you gush every second. I was perenially trigger happy. This pink leafy plant can make a rose blush. Before all you rose lovers protest let me say in my defense "beauty lies in the eye of the beholder"!Yet another singing pine which gave us company through out our lazing time at the GMVN lawn.
The picture perfect horizon from my lounging chair!

From GMVN TRH it's a treacherous (due to the gathered moss) path to St. Mary's Church. When we were asking around one gentleman first gave us a off- the- beaten- track route, then upon looking at my countenance he said, "Aap is hi raste pe chalte jayiye aur jharion mein mat ghusna, 2 km jaane ke baad aapko dur se hi bara sa Church dikehga, woh hi hai St. Mary's, wahan se fir aagey 1km chalengen to aap Tip n Top pe paunchh jaogey, yaad rakhna jhariyon mein mat ghusna, sirf is hi rastey pe chaltey jana ". Losely translated it would mean "Please forget the earlier directions, you city dwellers better stick to this paved walking track and not veer into the bushes, just stick to this track".

It's a steep climb to St. Mary's church but it is worth it. The gorgeous views that one can see from here makes you forget all the huffing and puffing enroute. The Church does not hold any service. It is a meuseum maintained by Gharwal rifles and takes you through Rifles history. The person incharge is a very friendly soul and told us that only two marriages were held in the church's 113 years of history! You can also see the sepia toned pictures of the lovely couples in all their wedding fineries.

Although our laziness was a spoil sport as we were late for the Chaukhmba view from this point, our friend told us it had shone in its magnificence through out the early mroning. I know, I know after going all the distance we should have at least made an effort towards an early start but lethargy got the better of us. But nevertheless the view of the valley down below was equally beautiful. The houses tucked on the winding bends of the mountain makes you so wish to find solace in the mountains and you start all over again and say "Well, what if ...".May be will go back sometime in the winter to catch a glimpse of Chaukhamba, afterall its just 260 kms from Delhi!

Finally, we did make it to Tip and Top with the hope that we will catch some tower to check our messages, but alas let me warn you only BSNL works in Lansdowne. In case you needed to make some urgent calls and thought will do it upon reaching the destination well my friends bad mistake! Please use the PCO at Lansdowne market!

Hope to see you in the winters again dear Lansdowne...so long.