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Going to Neverland
Khirsu - after five long years
August always comes with an opportunity of week-long holidays. This year was again no different. Combination of weekends, festivals and Independence Day leave, presented me a window of 6 days beginning 10th August 2019 to roam around Himalayan hills.
With the company of just my Phantom (Thar), I began scouting for destinations and routes to cover for a solo run once again.
I had in my mind to cover Uttarakhand, particularly Khirsu for a day, and day or two at Gwaldam and then returning via Kausani-Ranikhet.
I was excited at the prospects of covering these places as I had not been able to explore Khirsu during my previous stay way back in the year 2015. Also, I had just zipped past through Gwaldam once, during one of my winter drives in the year 2014.
I was all set for my solo sojourn after a gap of 9 months.
Cometh the hour, Cometh the man.
My dear friend and partner of innumerable road trips, Praveer Bisht got wind of my plans.
He insisted rather pleaded to join me for this trip. He was persuasive enough. Even though I was mentally prepared for the solo trip, I was happy to have him along for this journey.
However, there was one big issue.
Praveer could join me only from 12th August 2019 thereby curtailing the six day trip to four days.
I did not like it at all. But he being a dear friend (read Kameena), I had to wilt and agree.
This was not the end of my predicaments.
My half dozen sisters (cousins included) demanded that I should be to be present in person for the Rakshabandhan festival. For the last few year, I was always away during Rakshabandhan. Hence, this year I promised to be back in home for the festivities.
There goes one more day out of my itinerary.
Finally, the travel dates became 12th to 14th August from 10th to 15th August 2019.
And the destination got curtailed to Khirsu only.
On the penultimate day I was praying hard that I don’t face any more quandaries.
Thankfully, I woke up early on 12th August 2019 to find the plan still intact with no more surprises. I reached Praveer’s home in South Delhi and picked him up. We were on the road by 6.15 in the morning. Roads were empty and we covered good distance.
We took the Upper Ganga Canal road and stopped at Mashoor Chotiwala restaurant for breakfast. Food was better this time as compared to my previous visit when it was disappointing. After breakfast we were speeding away on the good roads of Khatauli – Bijnor – Najibabad – Kotdwar. We were greeted by light rains enroute.
waiting for Praveer
Breakfast stop
Chai, this time was better
so was the paratha
parked
August always comes with an opportunity of week-long holidays. This year was again no different. Combination of weekends, festivals and Independence Day leave, presented me a window of 6 days beginning 10th August 2019 to roam around Himalayan hills.
With the company of just my Phantom (Thar), I began scouting for destinations and routes to cover for a solo run once again.
I had in my mind to cover Uttarakhand, particularly Khirsu for a day, and day or two at Gwaldam and then returning via Kausani-Ranikhet.
I was excited at the prospects of covering these places as I had not been able to explore Khirsu during my previous stay way back in the year 2015. Also, I had just zipped past through Gwaldam once, during one of my winter drives in the year 2014.
I was all set for my solo sojourn after a gap of 9 months.
Cometh the hour, Cometh the man.
My dear friend and partner of innumerable road trips, Praveer Bisht got wind of my plans.
He insisted rather pleaded to join me for this trip. He was persuasive enough. Even though I was mentally prepared for the solo trip, I was happy to have him along for this journey.
However, there was one big issue.
Praveer could join me only from 12th August 2019 thereby curtailing the six day trip to four days.
I did not like it at all. But he being a dear friend (read Kameena), I had to wilt and agree.
This was not the end of my predicaments.
My half dozen sisters (cousins included) demanded that I should be to be present in person for the Rakshabandhan festival. For the last few year, I was always away during Rakshabandhan. Hence, this year I promised to be back in home for the festivities.
There goes one more day out of my itinerary.
Finally, the travel dates became 12th to 14th August from 10th to 15th August 2019.
And the destination got curtailed to Khirsu only.
On the penultimate day I was praying hard that I don’t face any more quandaries.
Thankfully, I woke up early on 12th August 2019 to find the plan still intact with no more surprises. I reached Praveer’s home in South Delhi and picked him up. We were on the road by 6.15 in the morning. Roads were empty and we covered good distance.
We took the Upper Ganga Canal road and stopped at Mashoor Chotiwala restaurant for breakfast. Food was better this time as compared to my previous visit when it was disappointing. After breakfast we were speeding away on the good roads of Khatauli – Bijnor – Najibabad – Kotdwar. We were greeted by light rains enroute.
waiting for Praveer
Breakfast stop
Chai, this time was better
so was the paratha
parked
