of a weekend getaway

Just before the wedding, I decided enough was enough, and headed out to the hills on Friday night with the fiance and two other buddies. Even till the last moment, we had no idea where we wanted to go, and it was raining, so I spent a lot of time scouring the local market for tarpaulin sheets to cover our luggage with, and two raincoats. One for me and one for the fiance.

We finally started at 12:45 am and rode all night, and here’s what the world looked like at dawn.

Okay, hawkeyes! Yes, that’s Anawnimister in the mirror.

 

We reached Sattaal (or is it Sat tal?), a quaint little town near Nainital, at 10 am. The town is named after the seven lakes it contains (sat = seven, taal = lake). We only got to see two, though. One from the room, and one on our way back. I didn’t click the one on the way back, but here’s the one I could see from our room:

the view from our room

After we reached, we did what all travel enthusiasts do as soon as they reach their destination. We drank ourselves silly had refreshing beverages, bitched about those who chickened out at the last minute because of the rain made quality conversation  and passed out cold decided to rest for a little while.

We got up in the evening and located this really rustic looking setup where we could have chai. The shop has no name, and the shopkeeper’s grumpy all the time, but the tea was delicious and we kept going back for more. Here are a few pics from my new fav’te chai shop:

chai ki dukaan

the grouchy chaiwallah

After we had had chai, we headed over to the nearby market to eat. It was one hell of a crowded place, and as soon as we entered, touts pounced upon us trying to get us to eat at their “world famous in India” restauarant. If you’ve been to GB Road in Delhi, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. Seriously. It was sickening.

Anyway, the food was great and inexpensive, so we packed some grub for the night and went back to the resort to drink some more Dragonberry.

We retired early. I was the first one to get up in the morning, and to see this:

the sunne rising

When everyone was up, we had tea together, which wasn’t half as good as the one we had at the roadside stall.

tasteless tea at the resort

Then we headed out again and spotted a lovely waterfall in the woods, trekked a bit, and visited the sunset point. Pics below!

the waterfall

 

 

me, trekking

an old temple at the sunset point, and Deepak, a friend I made there

All-in-all, it was a great trip. But nothing beats the honeymoon I’m yet to tell you about!

Soon. I promise!