Nainital Trip

Nainital Trip (29 Mar 2018 - 31 Mar 2018)

Few factors coincided and I had a nice window for a small vacation. Jeshna's exams were over, next sessionw as still few days away. Archana had her school closed. I had some leaves about to lapse which I wanted to consume, and Shiva was always ready. To add to it, winters had just gone and it had not yet become real hot. So, all factors in favor, we can actually take a four day trip.

Destination - Had many options in mind, but looking at distance, duration, my driving skills, weather - all these things, adding that Archana had never been to Nainital, this beautiful hill station was decided. 

We were out to Nrahmputra Market for dinner on Wednesday. Came back by 11 PM in night. Then we discussed about a trip, agreed, started packing, finished packing by 2 AM, slept, and woke up at 5 AM for trip. The kids had slept already and when they woke up, they were already in car to Nainital.

Most of journey was silent, as everyone was asleep. I like driving in silence, so all good. People started getting up only after I crossed Muradabad. Stopped at Maharaja restaurant for breakfast. Food was good. Children used opportunity to get fresh, and we continued. Soon we realized that we are going to be there on a long weekend, which is going to be a crowded period. We had no hotel booking for that place as yet. So quickly looked at MMT app and found a hotel. Called those guys and booked the place by paying some advance. Although I dint like the hotel later on, but I dont think there were many options anyway.

After crossing Kaladhungi, the hill area started. By that time, as per negotiated terms and conditions between Jeshna and Archana, Jeshna was on front seat enjoying the view. Archana, as with any hill area, was on back seat with closed eyes.

This was my first time experince of driving on hills. So was bit slow, but managed to complete the distance in less than two hours and reached Nainital at 2 PM. The hotel we booked, was bit difficult to find, as it was on a steep side road few hundred meters up. I did not like the room much, and after arguingf or some time, was given top floor room with a decent view of Lake. Although that meant I had to climb stairs for four floors, and the room was still just managable, but as I said earlier, there were not many options.

Went for a boat ride in Naini Lake. Took a full round of lake. Once boating done, we did some strawling on Mall Road, and walked to Naina Devi Mandir. Did temple darshan. We were tired by this time ( holding Shiva in lap for almost whole period). We just looked for a place to eat outside Naina devi temple and had some noodles and momos. This place was inside the Tibet market, so we did a walk in Tibet Market as well and then walked back to hotel. This was a good distance of approx 2 Kilometers and we were exhausted after this walk. We just reached room and slept.

Next morning, we woke up bit late. Had some nice view of Lake from window, and then started to walk out. Soon we found a taxi driver who offered to cover 7 (or 9) points of Nainital for 1600 Rs. Well - I had already understood that it was ongoing rate, and hence agreed for it. We all jumped in the car and started Nainital darshan.

We covered Cave garden, and had some breakfast at a place just outside of it. By the time we finished breakfast, it had started raining. We somehow managed to enter the cab and started going to next point. The rain was heavy with hailstorms and we can see a white sheet of hailstorm everywhere.

So, surrounded by rain, we somehoe covered the points like Snow point, Mango View point, Khurpatal, Suicide point etc etc and finished the tour. Cab dropped us at mall road and he suggested some good restaurant and we went to one of those. 

Food was good, and we were soon full (overloaded). After food, Jeshna wanted to go for paddle boat in Naini Lake. So we went towards that point, but then we saw a lady who fell down in deep water from Peddle boat. Although she survived but looking at her with her face down in water was scary enough for us to cancel the plans for boating. We just decided to skip boating and goto market.We walked to Bara Bajar which is actually local market of Nainital. Nothing much to write about that place though. It was just a normal market with some shops for tourists which were having normal stuff.

After market, we were tired and just took a rickshaw and went to hotel. 

After staying on hotel for 2 hours, we again came down to mall road. just had strolling there, some tourist shoppings etc. Now we were feeling sleepy but not hungry enough to have dinner. Typical dilemma. Thenw e decided to just have some light food and went to a shop for tikki, chilla, snadwitch. Had some snacks there, got a chilla packed for Shiva and came back to hotel.

We discussed in the night, as what to do the next day but could not find any good results. So, we thouhght the best way would be to leave for home next morning. instead of staying in Nainital and killing a  day here, it would be better to go back and do something fruitful there. The place was anyways getting crowded due to long weekend.

So, next morning, we just packed our stuff, took breakfast in hotel, and left Nainital. the crowd had already started to build traffic jams but luckily we were going out of city so came out with little difficulty.

While coming downhill, Archana opted for front seat, and as expected, did a round of vomiting. This was on last kilometer of hill area. 

Once down from Kaladungi, we saw board for Corbett Falls and thought to go there. It was a small waterfall with big fee and you can not go near waterfall or can not take bath there. But overall it was good place and we spent around two hours there.

After approximately one hour from Corbett Falls, we found a place called Gill brothers dhaba, and stopped there for food. This was most awesome food I had at a Dhaba in years.real nice food and real punhjabi ghar ka taste. this was superb. Will make it a point to stop there whenever I go to that route next. Cannt forget the white makkhan and masala chicken.

After this heavy food, we left for home and reached our place by 9:30 or 10 PM. This was a nice trip, completed within three days. Also I managed to drive approx 550 kilometers so that was another positive.

Looking forward to another longer and more fun holiday.